Breakdown (Melissa Etheridge album)

Breakdown is the sixth album by singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge, released in 1999 (see 1999 in music). A Limited Edition version of the album was simultaneously released featuring three bonus tracks.

Breakdown
Studio album by Melissa Etheridge
Released	October 5, 1999
Recorded	1998–1999
Genre	Rock
Length	53:50
Label	Island
Producer	Melissa Etheridge, John Shanks
Melissa Etheridge chronology
Your Little Secret (1995) Breakdown (1999) Skin (2001)

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[1]
Entertainment Weekly	C+[2]
Rolling Stone	[3]
Uncut	[4]
USA Today	[5]

"Scarecrow" is dedicated to the memory of Matthew Shepard, and his family and friends.

"Into the Dark" played at the end of an episode of Haven.

Track listing

All songs by Melissa Etheridge, except where noted

1. "Breakdown" – 3:54
2. "Angels Would Fall" (Etheridge, Shanks) – 4:39
3. "Stronger Than Me" – 4:08
4. "Into the Dark" – 4:59
5. "Enough of Me" – 4:39
6. "Truth of the Heart" (Etheridge, Shanks) – 4:31
7. "Mama I'm Strange" – 4:29
8. "Scarecrow" – 5:21
9. "How Would I Know" – 4:15
10. "My Lover" – 5:45
11. "Sleep" – 7:10 [standard pressing] / 4:39 [Limited Edition pressing]
12. "Touch and Go"* – 4:36
13. "Cherry Avenue"* – 4:29
14. "Beloved"* – 7:54

* Limited Edition bonus tracks

Personnel

• Melissa Etheridge – acoustic guitar, vocals
• Kenny Aronoff – drums, marimba, shaker
• Jon Brion – guitar
• Mark Browne – bass guitar
• Matt Chamberlain – drums
• Steve Ferrone – percussion, drums
• Rami Jaffee – keyboards
• Jim Keltner – drums
• Greg Leisz – guitar, mandolin, lap steel guitar
• Brian MacLeod – percussion, drum loop
• Pino Palladino – bass guitar
• John Shanks – dulcimer, guitar, harp, marimba, background vocals
• Patrick Warren – keyboards
• Gota Yashiki – programming

Production

• Producers: Melissa Etheridge, John Shanks
• Engineers: Marc DeSisto, Greg Goldman
• Assistant engineers: John Aguto, Tom Nellen, Geoff Walcha
• Mixing: Bob Clearmountain, Tom Lord-Alge, Chris Lord-Alge
• Mastering: Bob Ludwig
• studio technician: Brett Allen
• Art direction: Scott Denton Cardew
• Artwork: Scott Denton Cardew
• Photography: Barbara Green, Rocky Schenck
• Hair stylist: Bernhard Tammé

Charts

Chart (1999)	Peak position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[6]	15
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[7]	45
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[8]	20
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[9]	14
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[10]	38
US Billboard 200[11]	12

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[12]	Gold	500,000^^
^*sales figures based on certification alone ^^shipments figures based on certification alone

Notes

1. AllMusic review
2. Entertainment Weekly review
3. Rolling Stone review
4. Album reviews at CD Universe
5. USA Today review
6. "Australiancharts.com – Melissa Etheridge – Breakdown". Hung Medien.
7. "Austriancharts.at – Melissa Etheridge – Breakdown" (in German). Hung Medien.
8. "Dutchcharts.nl – Melissa Etheridge – Breakdown" (in Dutch). Hung Medien.
9. "Offiziellecharts.de – Melissa Etheridge – Breakdown" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts.
10. "Swisscharts.com – Melissa Etheridge – Breakdown". Hung Medien.
11. "Melissa Etheridge Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard.
12. "American album certifications – Melissa Etheridge – Breakdown". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved February 17, 2020. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH.