Leader of the Broken Hearts

Album: The Connection (2012)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This was released as the fourth single from The Connection. The song came about when co-producer James Michael told the band they needed a song for the album like the epic The Paramour Sessions track "Forever."
  • Vocalist Jacoby Shaddix' lyrics were inspired by the breakdown of his marriage to his high-school sweetheart, Kelly. Bass guitarist and programmer Tobin Esperance recalled to Altsounds: "The lyrics on that one just came together as soon as Jacoby started singing, 'Leader of the broken hearts.' I think lyrically he was kind of at this point that not only was his heart broken because of what he was going through with his wife during the process of making the record but being on the road and having all of our fans coming up to him and saying, 'This song saved me, your lyrics mean so much to me!' I think his sentiment with that song was that he was just grabbing all of those people and just taking them in and speaking for them."
  • Shaddix told Alternative Addiction how recording The Connection helped him through his issues back home. "Everything was in the studio," he explained on the writing of the record. "I had zero lyrics written for this record before we stepped in. For me personally, it was 'write the music, listen to it and find out how it makes me feel and then go from there.' That really helped push me along in the writing process because it just spoke to me. Plus, those hellish life events went on in the process of making the record. For me, lyrically that had a big impact on where I was going with the music."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Chris Fehn of Slipknot

Chris Fehn of SlipknotSongwriter Interviews

A drummer for one of the most successful metal bands of the last decade, Chris talks about what it's like writing and performing with Slipknot. Metal-neck is a factor.

Soul Train Stories with Stephen McMillian

Soul Train Stories with Stephen McMillianSong Writing

A Soul Train dancer takes us through a day on the show, and explains what you had to do to get camera time.

Booker T. Jones

Booker T. JonesSongwriter Interviews

The Stax legend on how he cooked up "Green Onions," the first time he and Otis Redding saw hippies, and if he'll ever play a digital organ.

Petula Clark

Petula ClarkSongwriter Interviews

Petula talks about her hits "Downtown" and "Don't Sleep In The Subway," and explains her Michael Jackson connection.

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17Songwriter Interviews

Martyn talks about producing Tina Turner, some Heaven 17 hits, and his work with the British Electric Foundation.

Dean Pitchford

Dean PitchfordSongwriter Interviews

Dean wrote the screenplay and lyrics to all the songs in Footloose. His other hits include "Fame" and "All The Man That I Need."