Break It to Me (song)
| Muse song | |
|---|---|
| Name | Break It to Me |
| Album/single | Simulation Theory (5) |
| Length | 3:37 |
| Alternative titles | Unknown |
| First live performance | 3rd December 2018 |
| Latest live performance | |
| Recorded | 2017/2018 |
| Writer/composer | Matthew Bellamy |
| Producer | Muse |
| Chart position | Unknown |
| Song Nav | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Propaganda | < | Break It to Me | > | Something Human |
| Album Nav | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drones (2015) | < | Simulation Theory (2018) | > | |
Description
Originally described as combining eastern melodies with RATM-style riffs on top of a RnB drum beat.
The song features a theremin[1], according to Dom, the song sounded very like a 'RATM' riff but he wanted to approach the song very differently, he added some 'tribal drums' and layers of Japanese taiko drums and African percussion sounds while recording it giving it an 'interesting sound'. Matt had to much fun recording to solo due him just 'doing loads of crazy noises' to create the Tom Morello esque sound, he had never done before.[1]
Matt has discussed the phrygian dominant scale of the song: "B Phrygian Dominant verse, E harmonic minor chorus, but B-PD is just 5th mode of E-HM so generally it’s all E-HM except F#dom7 at end of chorus (and fact that song starts in B) creates the emphasis on B-PD. Didn’t know that when writing thanks!"[2]
Recording
Similar to Something Human, the basis of the song was recorded using organic instruments, including guitar, bass and tribal percussion, which was processed to make it sound a bit more electronic. According to Howard, if they opted for the standard acoustic drum kit, it would make the song sound a lot like a classic Rage Against the Machine track.
During the process of recording, the band also added some synth elements.
The song is played in open B tuning and was likely recorded on a 7 string guitar and a 5 string bass. A Misa Kitara is also played by Chris, playing the wobbly bass line.
Break It To Me (Sam de Jong Remix)
Even being a remix, the song is included as an official Muse track, in the Super Deluxe version.
The remix is, as opposed to the RnB nature of the original, made as a Trap song and more prominently features strings and the Kitara bass as lead instruments instead of the guitar.
The remix version also has its own official lyric video, you can watch it here.
Additional information
The Qmagazine made a preview of Simulation Theory on 23th October, and they said this about the song: "Break It To Me melds Rage Against The Machine's clang with Missy Elliott-style beats."
This song, alongside other yet unreleased songs, was leaked in a series of short 20 second video clips showing the vinyl player. A full version was leaked a day later, on 7th of November.
A video of Dom recording percussion was posted by Bellamy in May of 2018, but after a while it got deleted.
This is the first Muse song that provides studio backing vocals by Dominic Howard.
Music Video
Access the music video page here
Live
The song made it's debut at the Royal Albert Hall gig alongside Algorithm. It has appeared at pretty much every concert since, becoming a staple of the Simulation Theory World Tour in 2019.
Tom Morello joined Bellamy on stage for a jam during the Break It To Me solo at the Manchester show.
More info here.
Lyrics
(Break it to me) (Break it to me) (Break it to me)
Don't dress it up Don't beat around the bush and don't Cover it up but don't push it underground and don't Keep it inside and don't Edit and redact and no Dumbing it down Don't fake it Just,
(Break it to me) (Break it to me) (Break it to me)
I can handle the truth I can cope with whatever you're holding back No need to sugar coat Just,
(Break it to me) (Break it to me) (Break it to me)
I know how to mend I can rise high above the ashes I'll re-invent I will re-emerge Reborn
(Break it to me) (Break it to me)
Don't dress it up Don't beat around the bush and don't Cover it up but don't push it underground and don't Keep it inside and don't Edit and redact and no Dumbing it down Don't fake it Just,
(Break it to me) (Just break it to me)
I know how to mend I can rise high above the ashes I'll re-invent I will re-emerge Reborn
(Break it to me) (Break it to me) (Break it to me)
(Break it to me) (Break it to me) (Break it to me)
References
- ↑ a b John Kennedy for Radio X. (2018). John Kennedy - Radio X in conversation with Muse. Retrieved 2018-07-12 from Youtube.
- ↑ Matthew Bellamy. (2018-09-11). Twitter / Kelsey Detering: Hey @muse hey @MattBellamy hey so theory question.... Twitter. Retrieved 2018-12-11 from twitter.com.