# Break the Rules (Charli XCX song)

"Break the Rules" is a song by English singer Charli XCX from her second studio album, Sucker (2014). It was released on 19 August 2014 as the album's second single. In a 2020 interview with Red Bull, XCX stated that she regrets recording the track.

## Composition

"Break the Rules" is an electro-rock and alternative rock song, set against a "propulsive" synth-pop groove. The song is written in the key of E♭ major in common time with a tempo of 124 beats per minute. "Break the Rules" follows a chord progression of C5–B♭5–A♭5–E♭5–F5, and Charli's vocals span from B♭$_3$ to C$_5$.

## Critical reception

Cosmopolitan listed "Break the Rules" at number five on its 2014 best songs list. Ahead of the release of her 2022 album Crash, Consequence of Sound ranked the song as Charli's best, which she disagreed with.

## Music video

The music video for "Break the Rules" was directed by Marc Klasfeld and premiered on 25 August 2014. The video was filmed at Birmingham High School while class was in session, so the lyrics "getting high and getting wrecked" had to be muted during playbacks. According to Charli, the video draws inspiration from films such as Carrie (1976), The Craft (1996) and Jawbreaker (1999). It features a cameo from actress Rose McGowan, the star of Jawbreaker, as a school chaperone.

## Usage in media

The song was used in trailers for the 2015 film Goosebumps. It was also featured in the 2016 film Good Kids. The song was also used in a 2016 Dish Network commercial and as the theme song of season 7 of Vietnam's Next Top Model. It is also used in both trailers for the 2020 film My Spy. Also the song was used in episode 4 of Quantico season 1

## Track listings

* Digital download
* "Break the Rules" – 3:23
* Digital download – Remixes
* "Break the Rules" (Tiësto Remix) – 4:25
* "Break the Rules" (Odesza Remix) – 4:00
* "Break the Rules" (Broods Remix) – 2:52
* German CD single
* "Break the Rules" – 3:23
* "Break the Rules" (Tiësto Remix) – 4:25
* Australian CD single – Schoolies Edition
* "Break the Rules" – 3:23
* "Break the Rules" (Tiësto Remix) – 4:25
* "Break the Rules" (ODESZA Remix) – 4:00
* "Break the Rules" (Broods Remix) – 2:52
* "Boom Clap" – 2:49

## Credits and personnel

Credits for "Break the Rules" are adapted from CD liner notes

### Recording locations

* Recorded at Rokstone Studios, London
* Recorded at Westlake Audio, Los Angeles
* Mixed at Hot Rock Studios

### Personnel
## Certifications

Certifications for "Break the Rules" :
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
| Australia (ARIA) | Platinum | 70,000$^^$ |
| Canada (Music Canada) | Gold | 40,000$^‡$ |
| Germany (BVMI) | Gold | 200,000$^‡$ |
| New Zealand (RMNZ) | Gold | 7,500$^*$ |
| United Kingdom (BPI) | Silver | 200,000$^‡$ |
| United States (RIAA) | Gold | 500,000$^‡$ |
| $^*$ Sales figures based on certification alone. $^^$ Shipments figures based on certification alone. $^‡$ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |||

## Release history

Release dates and formats for "Break the Rules" :
| Region | Date | Format | Label |
| Canada | 19 August 2014 | Digital download | Atlantic |
| United States | 19 August 2014 | Digital download | Atlantic |
| Australia | 10 October 2014 | Digital download | Atlantic |
| Ireland | 10 October 2014 | Digital download | Asylum Atlantic |
| United Kingdom | 12 October 2014 | Digital download | Asylum Atlantic |
| Finland | 17 October 2014 | Digital download | Atlantic |
| Norway | 17 October 2014 | Digital download | Atlantic |
| Sweden | 17 October 2014 | Digital download | Atlantic |
| France | 27 October 2014 | Digital download | Atlantic |
| Ireland | 31 October 2014 | Digital download (remixes) | Asylum Atlantic |
| United Kingdom | 2 November 2014 | Digital download (remixes) | Asylum Atlantic |
| France | 3 November 2014 | Digital download (remixes) | Atlantic |
| Australia | 21 November 2014 | CD single digital download (remixes) | Warner |
| United States | 24 November 2014 | Digital download (remixes) | Atlantic |
| Germany | 16 January 2015 | CD single | Warner |