Breakeven (song)
Encyclopedia
"Breakeven" is a song by Irish band The Script
, taken from their eponymous debut album
.
's website on September 29, 2008. It was recorded at the Great South Wall in Dublin. Before recording began, Dublin radio station FM104
had a competition for a listener to appear in the music video.
Promo Only
released a radio edit of the song that is 3:53 in length on their November 2009 issue.
The music video shows clips of the band's home city of Dublin, Ireland
and the band performing. The video almost created minor controversy when Danny O'Donoghue
's ex-girlfriend was supposed to be cast as an extra but this was avoided when the producers chose a different girl.
The band performed "Breakeven" on an episode of The Paul O'Grady Show
which aired October 30, 2008. On October 14, 2009, they performed "Breakeven" on the Ellen DeGeneres show
in the United States.
The video was number 2 on the 2010 VH1's Top 40 Videos of the Year.
and has peaked at number 10, becoming the Script's third Top 10 hit from the album, after "We Cry
" and "The Man Who Can't Be Moved
". On January 4, 2009, the song climbed to a new peak of number 21 on the UK Singles Chart
. Across Australia, the song received extensive radio airplay, becoming the band's breakthrough hit, charting at number three on the ARIA Chart and going platinum.
It is the band's first single to enter the Billboard Hot 100
, debuting at number 96 and peaking at number 12. Since its release, over 2,000,000 downloads have been sold in the United States.
The Script (band)
The Script are an Irish alternative rock band from Dublin. Based in London after signing to Sony Label Group imprint Phonogenic, the band released their eponymous debut album in August 2008...
, taken from their eponymous debut album
The Script (Album)
The Script is the Choice Music Prize-nominated self-titled debut album from Irish band The Script, which was released in the Republic of Ireland on 8 August 2008 and was released in the UK on 11 August 2008 by Phonogenic Records. Following success in the Republic of Ireland the album was released...
.
Music video
The music video premiered on BBC Radio 1BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
's website on September 29, 2008. It was recorded at the Great South Wall in Dublin. Before recording began, Dublin radio station FM104
FM104
FM104 is an Independent Local Radio station broadcast across Dublin, Ireland, on the frequency 104.4 MHz. It is operated by Capital Radio Productions Limited , and is a subsidiary of UTV Radio. The station broadcasts under a sound broadcasting contract from the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland...
had a competition for a listener to appear in the music video.
Promo Only
Promo Only
Promo Only is a music and music video subscription service for professional disc jockeys. It was the first monthly music service available to music professionals on CD....
released a radio edit of the song that is 3:53 in length on their November 2009 issue.
The music video shows clips of the band's home city of Dublin, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
and the band performing. The video almost created minor controversy when Danny O'Donoghue
Danny O'Donoghue
Danny O'Donoghue is an Irish singer-songwriter from the band The Script.-Career:O'Donoghue was an original member of a late '90s Eamonn Maguire managed Band called Mytown after being signed for $15 million dollars to Universal Records in 1999...
's ex-girlfriend was supposed to be cast as an extra but this was avoided when the producers chose a different girl.
The band performed "Breakeven" on an episode of The Paul O'Grady Show
The Paul O'Grady Show
The Paul O'Grady Show was a BAFTA award-winning British comedy chat show hosted by Birkenhead-born comedian Paul O'Grady. The format was originally devised by Granada Television and was broadcast on ITV before moving to Channel 4...
which aired October 30, 2008. On October 14, 2009, they performed "Breakeven" on the Ellen DeGeneres show
The Ellen DeGeneres Show
The Ellen DeGeneres Show, often shortened to Ellen, is an American television talk show hosted by comedian/actress Ellen DeGeneres. Debuting on September 8, 2003, it is produced by Telepictures and airs in syndication, including stations owned by NBC Universal. For its first five seasons, the show...
in the United States.
The video was number 2 on the 2010 VH1's Top 40 Videos of the Year.
Charts
"Breakeven" debuted at number 49 on the Irish Singles ChartIrish Singles Chart
The Irish Singles Chart is Ireland's music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on behalf of the IRMA by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured...
and has peaked at number 10, becoming the Script's third Top 10 hit from the album, after "We Cry
We Cry
"We Cry" is the debut single by Irish band The Script. The single was released on 25 April 2008 and is said to be about people Danny knew in Dublin while he grew up...
" and "The Man Who Can't Be Moved
The Man Who Can't Be Moved
"The Man Who Can't Be Moved" is the second single from Irish band The Script from their album The Script. The song was released on July 25, 2008. The song has been used heavily for the CBS show Ghost Whisperer during its fourth season. This song served as their radio promotional single in the...
". On January 4, 2009, the song climbed to a new peak of number 21 on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
. Across Australia, the song received extensive radio airplay, becoming the band's breakthrough hit, charting at number three on the ARIA Chart and going platinum.
It is the band's first single to enter the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
, debuting at number 96 and peaking at number 12. Since its release, over 2,000,000 downloads have been sold in the United States.
| Chart (2008–2011) | Peak position |
|---|
Year-end charts
| Chart (2009) | Position |
|---|---|
| Australian Singles Chart | 24 |
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
129 |
| Chart (2010) | Position |
|---|---|
| Canadian Hot 100 | 62 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
27 |
Sales and certifications
| Country | Certification | Sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 2x Platinum | 2,000,000+ |