Breakeven (song)

"Breakeven", also titled "Breakeven (Falling to Pieces)" is a song by the Irish pop rock band The Script. It was released on 24 November 2008 as the third single from their first album, The Script (2008). The song peaked at number 10 in Ireland, number 21 in the United Kingdom, number 12 in the United States Billboard Hot 100 and number 3 in Australia.

"Breakeven"
Single by The Script
from the album The Script
B-side	"None the Wiser"
Released	24 November 2008
Recorded	2008
Genre	Pop rock
Length	4:21
Label	Sony Music
Songwriter(s)	Andrew Frampton Danny O'Donoghue Mark Sheehan Steve Kipner
Producer(s)	Andrew Frampton Steve Kipner
The Script singles chronology
"The Man Who Can't Be Moved" (2008) "Breakeven" (2008) "Talk You Down" (2009)
Audio sample
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Composition

According to Musicnotes, "Breakeven" is in the key of B♭ major with a tempo of 88 beats per minute.^[1]

Music video

The music video premiered on BBC Radio 1's website on 29 September 2008.^[2] It was recorded at the Great South Wall in Dublin. Before recording began, the Dublin radio station FM104 had a competition for a listener to appear in the music video. The music video shows clips of the band's home city of Dublin, Ireland and the band performing.

The video almost created minor controversy when Danny O'Donoghue's ex-girlfriend was supposed to be cast as an extra but this was avoided when the producers chose a different girl.^[3] The video was number 2 on the 2010 VH1's Top 40 Videos of the Year.

Live performances

• The band performed "Breakeven" on an episode of The Paul O'Grady Show which was shown on 30 October 2008.
• As a support act for U2 on the third concert of their 360° Tour at Croke Park, the band included this song in their set.^[4]
• On 14 October 2009, they performed the song on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in the United States.^[5]

Track listing

• CD single^[6]

1. "Breakeven" - 4:21
2. "None the Wiser" (Guardian Demo)

• German CD single^[7]

1. "Breakeven" - 4:21
2. "Lose Yourself" (Radio 1 Live Lounge Session)

• German Maxi single^[8]

1. "Breakeven" - 4:21
2. "None the Wiser" (Guardian Demo)
3. "Lose Yourself" (Radio 1 Live Lounge Session)
4. "Breakeven" (Music Video) - 4:15

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (2008–2025) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[9] 3 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[10] 75 Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[11] 20 Canada AC (Billboard)[12] 6 Canada CHR/Top 40 (Billboard)[13] 17 Canada Hot AC (Billboard)[14] 3 Germany (GfK)[15] 71 Ireland (IRMA)[16] 10 Japan (Japan Hot 100) (Billboard)[17] 77 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[18] 48 Philippines (Philippines Hot 100)[19] 43 Scotland (OCC)[20] 12 Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)[21] 97 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[22] 66 UK Singles (OCC)[23] 21 US Billboard Hot 100[24] 12 US Adult Alternative Songs (Billboard)[25] 12 US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[26] 1 US Adult Pop Airplay (Billboard)[27] 1 US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[28] 6

Year-end charts Chart (2008) Position UK Singles (OCC)[29] 119 Chart (2009) Position Australia (ARIA)[30] 24 UK Singles (OCC)[31] 129 Chart (2010) Position Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[32] 62 US Billboard Hot 100[33] 27 US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[34] 9 US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[35] 2 US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[36] 21 Chart (2011) Position US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[37] 11

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[38]	5× Platinum	350,000‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[39]	Platinum	90,000‡
Italy (FIMI)[40]	Gold	25,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[41]	3× Platinum	90,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[42]	3× Platinum	1,800,000‡
United States (RIAA)[43]	2× Platinum	2,709,000[44]
Streaming
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[45]	Gold	900,000†
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. † Streaming-only figures based on certification alone.

Cover versions

On 19 November 2012, Samantha Jade performed "Breakeven" during The X Factor Australia series four grand final performance show.^[46] Her performance of the song debuted at number 87 on the Australian ARIA Singles Chart.^[47] On 25 August 2013, Jade and The X Factor Indonesia series one runner-up Novita Dewi released a cover version of "Breakeven" on the iTunes Store through Sony Music Australia.^[48]

Canadian singer Tate McRae performed a cover of the song during her North American tour in March–April 2022.^[49]

On May 27, 2025, Jourdan Blue performed a cover of the song during America's Got Talent season 20, earning a Golden Buzzer from Howie Mandel.^[50]