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Walking on Broken Glass

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"Walking on Broken Glass" is a song written and performed by Scottish singer Annie Lennox, included on her debut solo studio album, Diva (1992). Released on 10 August 1992, the single peaked at number one in Canada, number eight in the United Kingdom and Ireland and number 14 in the United States.

"Walking on Broken Glass"
Single by Annie Lennox
from the album Diva
B-side
Released10 August 1992 (1992-08-10)[1]
GenrePop, soul
Length
  • 4:12 (album version)
  • 4:03 (single version)
LabelBMG, Arista
Songwriter(s)Annie Lennox
Producer(s)Stephen Lipson
Annie Lennox singles chronology
"Precious"
(1992) 		"Walking on Broken Glass"
(1992) 		"Cold"
(1992)
Music video
"Walking on Broken Glass" on YouTube

Background and composition

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“Walking on Broken Glass” features a Caribbean-inspired piano line at the beginning of the song primarily, and also features within the chorus and at the end of the song, with a mirrored melody on spicatto strings featured throughout the song. Pitchfork commented on the song: "Like so many Eurythmics’ best records, it takes an incredibly depressing concept—romantic abandonment—and maps it onto an irresistibly danceable tune".[2] Pitchfork praised the song, claiming it to have "harmonic overdubs".[3]

Lennox's songwriting on "Walking on Broken Glass" was hailed for using contrast to create an emotional intensity of a song and to "bring listeners into an emotional maelstrom" as argued by Margaret Jones. Jones further commented "not only do the lyrics create cognitive dissonance with the music; the music contrasts against itself from section to section. What begins as an upbeat, syncopated string part in C major during the chorus follows a deceptive cadence to a lush A-minor chord at the end of each verse. The sudden shifts in key, texture, and rhythm intensify the protagonist's desperation, moving from the determined action of "walking on broken glass" to the anguish of "since you've abandoned me, my whole life has crashed." This harmonic move happens three times in the song, each time gaining more intensity. In the final instance, the move to A minor shifts from being descriptive to making a plea: "take me from the wreckage, save me from the blast."[4]

The song was described by Andy Healy of Albumism as "whether it’s the upbeat calypso-meets-baroque sense of impending disaster expressed in “Walking on Broken Glass” or the trip-hop backed “Stay By Me” that pleads for understanding and acceptance, her voice remains sweet and intoxicating. In particular, the layering of the backing vocals, a Lennox Chorus if you will, offers such beautiful hues and richness that it envelops you and draws you deeper into the track. All delivered with a sense of empathy and unity at play".[5] “Walking on Broken Glass” was described as a "gloriously weird pop song with one of the oddest intros: prancing strings, strutting keyboards, and the enigmatic line". Pop Matters Magazine claimed that "all of that make the track sound like nothing else on pop radio in 1992".[6]

Critical reception

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AllMusic editor Thom Jurek viewed the song as a "ubiquitous" hit.[7] Jennifer Bowles from Associated Press described it as a "more upbeat, mocking tune".[8] Larry Flick from Billboard wrote that it is a "study in stylistic contrasts; retro-soul vocal musing glides atop a pristine, keyboard-and string-anchored modern-pop environment." He also deemed it a "sophisticated, complex respite from the color-by-numbers fare that crowds radio airwaves."[9] Randy Clark from Cashbox stated that the song "is pretty much straight up, but mature pop, and contains more shattered relationship lyrics (I wonder "why") backed by light percussion, piano, strings and an elaborate background vocal arrangement."[10] Stephanie Zacharek from Entertainment Weekly noted that "the jaunty, Caribbean-flavored "Walking on Broken Glass" (faintly reminiscent of Eurythmics' "Right by Your Side") is laden with sharp-edged metaphors for broken love affairs."[11]

Mike Ragogna from HuffPost wrote that Lennox "rolls out its words Joan Armatrading-style, proclaiming 'Every one of us is made to suffer, every one of us is made to weep.' Then, almost to prove the opposite point, she happily gavottes with the groove."[12] Dennis Hunt from Los Angeles Times named it the "highlight" of the solo debut album and "one of the best tunes she’s ever had."[13] A reviewer from Music Week called it "immediately and extremely commercial, with Annie's voice reaching up from a sea of strings. Polished and superior".[14] Kjell Moe from Norwegian newspaper Nordly stated that the song has "clear Kate Bush-references".[15] Pop Rescue said it is a "pretty catchy track", adding that Lennox' vocals and the backing vocals all "shine perfectly".[16]

Music video

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The video for "Walking on Broken Glass", showing Lennox

Directed by British director Sophie Muller, the music video for "Walking on Broken Glass" is based in part on the 1988 film Dangerous Liaisons, and on period films set in the late 18th century, such as Amadeus. John Malkovich, who starred in the former film, is joined by Hugh Laurie, in garb similar to the early 19th-century dress he wore to play the Prince Regent in Blackadder the Third.[17]

The setting of the video is that of a salon evening at the Prince Regent's Carlton House. It presents an assembly of nobles and notables for an evening of society, gambling and dancing, the highlight of which is the arrival and feting of the newlyweds. The groom is played by Malkovich.

Lennox's character wears a royal red in an environment dominated by white, a costuming technique designed to draw attention to her, and sports a 'Turkish' headdress in an environment dominated by wigs of the period. She displays significant pique as she is emotionally wounded by the appearance of her former lover on the arm of his new bride.

Throughout the video, Lennox's character communicates conflicting emotions of jealousy, continued desire, and anger towards the man who still holds her heart. In the process, she spurns the previously welcome advances of the Prince Regent, much to his embarrassment, consumes glass after glass of champagne and grows ever more agitated, until she finally throws herself at Malkovich's character, to the shock and amusement of the partygoers. Lennox's character, realizing that she has made a fool of herself, flees the party in a fury, only to be swept into Malkovich's arms when she reaches the foot of the stairs.

Legacy

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Slant Magazine claimed "Walking on Broken Glass" was "one of the most brilliant singles of the era". Walking on Broken Glass and its video cast a suspicious eye on the deliberate façade-maintenance of modern pop by playing up the same mixed signals that equips Diva with its power".[18]

Track listings

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CD single

No.TitleLength
1."Walking on Broken Glass" (single version)4:03
2."It's Alright (Baby's Coming Back)"4:18
3."River Deep, Mountain High"3:33
4."Here Comes the Rain Again"4:44
5."Walking on Broken Glass"3:50

Tracks 2 to 5 were recorded for MTV Unplugged in July 1992.

UK CD single

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Walking on Broken Glass" (single version) 4:03
2."Legend in My Living Room" 3:45
3."Don't Let Me Down"Lennon/McCartney3:49

Personnel

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  • Engineer – Heff Moraes
  • Producer – Stephen Lipson
  • Written by – Annie Lennox

Charts

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Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[37] Platinum 600,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. 8 August 1992. p. 19.
  2. ^ "Annie Lennox: Diva Album Review". Pitch Fork. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  3. ^ "Annie Lennox: Diva Album Review". Pitch Fork. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  4. ^ "Sharp Turns in Annie Lennox's "Walking On Broken Glass"". Ubisoft Rocksmith+. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  5. ^ "Rediscover Annie Lennox's Debut Solo Album 'Diva' (1992)". Albumism. 6 April 2022. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  6. ^ "Annie Lennox Created a Pop-Soul Classic with Debut LP 'Diva'". PopMatters. 6 April 2022. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  7. ^ Jurek, Thom. "Annie Lennox – The Annie Lennox Collection". AllMusic. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  8. ^ Bowles, Jennifer (4 October 1992). "Post-Eurythmics Lennox solos as 'Diva'". Portsmouth Daily Times. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  9. ^ Flick, Larry (15 August 1992). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. p. 82. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
  10. ^ Clark, Randy (22 August 1992). "Music Reviews: Singles" (PDF). Cashbox. p. 5. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  11. ^ Zacharek, Stephanie (15 May 1992). "Diva". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 24 February 2020.
  12. ^ Ragogna, Mike (27 March 2009). "HuffPost Reviews : The Annie Lennox Collection". HuffPost. Retrieved 28 February 2020.
  13. ^ Hunt, Dennis (24 May 1992). "Annie Lennox; "Diva"". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  14. ^ "Mainstream: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 8 August 1992. p. 8. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  15. ^ Moe, Kjell (10 April 1992). "På egen hånd". Nordlys (in Norwegian). p. 31. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  16. ^ "REVIEW: "DIVA" BY ANNIE LENNOX (CD, 1992)". Pop Rescue. 12 August 2015. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  17. ^ Billboard 7 Dec 2002 Billboard. Retrieved 7 November 2011
  18. ^ "Review: Annie Lennox, Diva". Slant Magazine. September 2004. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  19. ^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 164.
  20. ^ "Annie Lennox – Walking on Broken Glass" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
  21. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 1863." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
  22. ^ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 1874." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
  23. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 9, no. 38. 19 September 1992. p. 21. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  24. ^ "Annie Lennox – Walking on Broken Glass" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
  25. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Annie Lennox". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
  26. ^ "Annie Lennox – Walking on Broken Glass". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
  27. ^ "Annie Lennox – Walking on Broken Glass" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
  28. ^ "Annie Lennox – Walking on Broken Glass". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
  29. ^ "Annie Lennox – Walking on Broken Glass". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
  30. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  31. ^ "Annie Lennox Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
  32. ^ "Annie Lennox Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
  33. ^ "Annie Lennox Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
  34. ^ "Annie Lennox Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
  35. ^ "The RPM Top 100 Hit Tracks of 1992" (PDF). RPM. Vol. 56, no. 25. 19 December 1992. p. 8. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  36. ^ "Year End Charts: Top Singles". Music Week. 16 January 1993. p. 8.
  37. ^ "British single certifications – Annie Lennox – Walking on Broken Glass". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
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