Break Every Rule

Album: Break Every Rule (1986)
Charted: 43 74
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Break Every Rule" is the title track to Turner's follow-up to Private Dancer, the album that launched her solo comeback. The song was written and produced by Rupert Hine, who had previously worked on "Better Be Good To Me" and "I Might Have Been Queen."

    Hine played all the instruments on the album except for guitar, which was handled by Jamie West-Oram of The Fixx. Hine also produced the Fixx, and used West-Oram and their lead singer Cy Curnin on some of his productions for Turner. The song embodies Turner's attitude of doing whatever it takes to succeed, which in this case is for a lover.
  • The song was written specifically for Turner, with her personality in mind. Rupert Hine composed it with Jeannette Obstoj, a lyricist who also co-wrote "I Might Have Been Queen."
  • The song provides a loose theme for the album, which Turner says is about a "tough girl."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Linda Perry

Linda PerrySongwriter Interviews

Songwriting Hall of Famer Linda Perry talks about her songs "What's Up" and "Beautiful," her songwriting process, and her move into film music.

Jeff Trott

Jeff TrottSongwriter Interviews

Sheryl Crow's longtime songwriting partner/guitarist Jeff Trott reveals the stories behind many of the singer's hits, and what its like to be a producer for Leighton Meester and Max Gomez.

Graham Nash

Graham NashSongwriter Interviews

Graham Nash tells the stories behind some of his famous songs and photos, and is asked about "yacht rock" for the first time.

Second Wind Songs

Second Wind SongsSong Writing

Some songs get a second life when they find a new audience through a movie, commercial, TV show, or even the Internet.

Songs Discussed in Movies

Songs Discussed in MoviesSong Writing

Bridesmaids, Reservoir Dogs, Willy Wonka - just a few of the flicks where characters discuss specific songs, sometimes as a prelude to murder.

George Harrison

George HarrisonFact or Fiction

Did Eric Clapton really steal George's wife? What's the George Harrison-Monty Python connection? Set the record straight with our Fact or Fiction quiz.