| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [1] |
| Entertainment Weekly | C+[2] |
| Rolling Stone |  [3] |
| Uncut | [4] |
| USA Today | [5] |
Breakdown is the sixth album by singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge, released in 1999 (see 1999 in music). A Limited Edition version of the album was simultaneously released featuring three bonus tracks.
"Scarecrow" is dedicated to the memory of Matthew Shepard, and his family and friends.
"Into the Dark" appeared in episodes of Haven and Night Visions.
Track listing
All songs by Melissa Etheridge, except where noted
- "Breakdown" – 3:54
- "Angels Would Fall" (Etheridge, Shanks) – 4:39
- "Stronger Than Me" – 4:08
- "Into the Dark" – 4:59
- "Enough of Me" – 4:39
- "Truth of the Heart" (Etheridge, Shanks) – 4:31
- "Mama I'm Strange" – 4:29
- "Scarecrow" – 5:21
- "How Would I Know" – 4:15
- "My Lover" – 5:45
- "Sleep" – 7:10 [standard pressing] / 4:39 [Limited Edition pressing]
- "Touch and Go"* – 4:36
- "Cherry Avenue"* – 4:29
- "Beloved"* – 7:54
* Limited Edition bonus tracks
Personnel
- Melissa Etheridge – acoustic guitar, vocals
- Kenny Aronoff – drums, marimba, shaker
- Jon Brion – guitar
- Mark Browne – bass guitar
- Matt Chamberlain – drums
- Steve Ferrone – percussion, drums
- Rami Jaffee – keyboards
- Jim Keltner – drums
- Greg Leisz – guitar, mandolin, lap steel guitar, pedal steel guitar
- Brian MacLeod – percussion, drum loop
- Pino Palladino – bass guitar
- John Shanks – dulcimer, guitar, harp, marimba, background vocals
- Patrick Warren – keyboards
- Gota Yashiki – programming
Production
- Producers: Melissa Etheridge, John Shanks
- Engineers: Marc DeSisto, Greg Goldman
- Assistant engineers: John Aguto, Tom Nellen, Geoff Walcha
- Mixing: Bob Clearmountain, Tom Lord-Alge, Chris Lord-Alge
- Mastering: Bob Ludwig
- studio technician: Brett Allen
- Art direction: Scott Denton Cardew
- Artwork: Scott Denton Cardew
- Photography: Barbara Green, Rocky Schenck
- Hair stylist: Bernhard Tammé
Charts
| Chart (1999) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums (ARIA)[6] | 15 |
| Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[7] | 45 |
| Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[8] | 20 |
| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[9] | 14 |
| Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[10] | 38 |
| US Billboard 200[11] | 12 |
| Canadian Album Chart[12] | 6 |
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[13] | Gold | 500,000^ |
|
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
Notes
- ^ AllMusic review
- ^ Entertainment Weekly review
- ^ Rolling Stone review
- ^ Album reviews at CD Universe
- ^ USA Today review
- ^ "Australiancharts.com – Melissa Etheridge – Breakdown". Hung Medien.
- ^ "Austriancharts.at – Melissa Etheridge – Breakdown" (in German). Hung Medien.
- ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Melissa Etheridge – Breakdown" (in Dutch). Hung Medien.
- ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Melissa Etheridge – Breakdown" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts.
- ^ "Swisscharts.com – Melissa Etheridge – Breakdown". Hung Medien.
- ^ "Melissa Etheridge Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard.
- ^ "Image : RPM Weekly" (PDF). Bac-lac.gc.ca. October 18, 1999. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
- ^ "American album certifications – Melissa Etheridge – Breakdown". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
