Break the Rules

## Music video

"**Break The Rules**" is a song by Charli XCX from her second studio album *Sucker*. It is the second track from the album and was released as its lead single on August 19th, 2014.

## Background

Charli has expressed her hatred for the song, stating in an interview "That was so bad. I hate it. I wrote it at a writing camp for other artists with Benny Blanco and Stargate, and I was like, "Whoever sings this song is an idiot.” She also stated that the song being the lead single from *Sucker* wasn't her choice: "Cut to four months later, it's on my album, and it's the lead single. I fucked myself."

## Theme

The single is a punk-pop anthem about living life as a daredevil clubber.According to her article on Buzzfeed: "The song is inspired by a lot of the things I was listening to whilst in Sweden at the end of last year. I spent about a month making a punk record and covering songs by Swedish punk bands like Portrait of a Death Rapper and stuff. This song was written when I came out of the other side of that punk phase and translated it into something more pop. Obviously, it’s about not giving a fuck."

## Critical Reception

The single received mostly mixed to positive reviews from critics. Idolator described the song as "a catchy, attitude-filled chorus is evident more than ever, and the song is given an added allure thanks to a thick, clomping beat and a hands-in-the-air synth refrain". In a review for the album, Rolling Stone said the track "gets incredible mileage from rhyming the title with 'I don’t want to go to school.' [...] It’s a sentiment that just never gets old." The biggest critic about the song was its lyrics, to for many wasn't saying a lot. Besides that, the production made up for it.

## Music Video

The music video for "Break the Rules" was directed by Marc Klasfeld and premiered on August 25th, 2014. The video was filmed at a Los Angeles 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.

## Lyrics

Electric lights

Blow my mind

But I feel alright

And never stop, it's how we ride

Comin' up until we die

You catch my eye

If you wanna fly

I'm so alive

Never stop, it's how we ride

Comin' up until we die

I don't wanna go to school

I just wanna break the rules

Boys and girls across the world

Putting on our dancing shoes

Going to the discotheque

Getting high and getting wrecked

I don't wanna go to school

I just wanna break the rules

I don't wanna go to school

I just wanna break the rules

Boys and girls across the world

Putting on our dancing shoes

Going to the discotheque

Getting high and getting wrecked

I don't wanna go to school

I just wanna break the rules

I'm such a star

Queen boulevard

Blaze through the dark

And never stop, it's how we ride

Comin' up until we die

I don't wanna go to school

I just wanna break the rules

Boys and girls across the world

Putting on our dancing shoes

Going to the discotheque

Getting high and getting wrecked

I don't wanna go to school

I just wanna break the rules

Get my guitar

Sunglasses on

So light it up

And never stop, it's how we ride

Comin' up until we die

I don't wanna go to school

I just wanna break the rules

Boys and girls across the world

Putting on our dancing shoes

Going to the discotheque

Getting high and getting wrecked

I don't wanna go to school

I just wanna break the rules

Na-na na na

Na na na-na na na

Na-na na na

Na na na-na na na

Na-na na na

Na na na-na na na

Na-na na na

Na na na-na na na, da da da

## Remixes

An EP of remixes for the single was released digitally October 31st, 2014, with three tracks and the name "Break the Rules (Remixes)"

1. "Break the Rules" (Tiësto Remix) – 4:25
2. "Break the Rules" (ODESZA Remix) – 4:00
3. "Break the Rules" (Broods Remix) – 2:52

## Live Performances

CHARLI XCX Boom Clap & Break The Rules LIVE at AMAs 2014Charli XCX - Break The Rules (Live @ Ruuddewild.nl)Charli XCX - Break The Rules - Live - C'Cauet sur NRJCharli XCX "Break the rules" - C à vous - 17 03 2015Charli XCX - Break The RulesCharli XCX - Break The Rules (live bij Q)Charli XCX - Break The Rules (Bing Lounge)Break The Rules Charli XCX radio1bigweekend
## Charts

### Weekly Charts

 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)
 Belgium Urban (Ultratop Flanders)
 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)
 Canada (Canadian Hot 100)
 Canada CHR/Top 40 (Billboard)
 Czech Republic (Rádio Top 100)
 France (SNEP)
 Germany (Official German Charts)
 Ireland (IRMA)
 Japan (Japan Hot 100)
 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)
 Norway (VG-lista)
 Poland (Dance Top 50)
 Scotland (Official Charts Company)
 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)
 UK Singles (Official Charts Company)
 US Billboard Hot 100
 US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)
 US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)

### Year-end Charts

 Belgium (Ultratop Flanders
 Belgium (Ultratop Wallonia)
 Germany (Official German Charts)

## Certifications

 Canada (Music Canada)
 Germany (BVMI)
 United States (RIAA)

## Physical CD's

* German CD Single
* Schoolies Edition EP

## Trivia

* The song was used in trailers for the 2015 film Goosebumps.
* 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's also used in both trailers for 2020 film, My Spy.
* It also had 2 physical releases, exclusive to Germany and Australia.

## References

1. ↑ https://www.directlyrics.com/charlie-xcx-says-she-hates-break-the-rules-exposes-william-news.html
2. ↑ http://www.buzzfeed.com/naomizeichner/charli-xcx-break-the-rules#.snOEeZnw0Q
3. ↑ https://www.idolator.com/7531313/charli-xcx-album-sucker-october-new-song-break-the-rules?chrome=1
4. ↑ https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/sucker-113671/
5. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/charlixcxmusic/posts/1046136078730686