Break the Rules (Charli XCX song)


"Break the Rules" is a song by English singer Charli XCX from her second studio album, Sucker. It was released on 19 August 2014 as the album's second single. Cosmopolitan listed "Break the Rules" at number five on its 2014 best songs list. The song was used in trailers for the 2015 film Goosebumps. The song was also used in a 2016 Dish Network commercial and as the theme song of season 7 of Vietnam's Next Top Model. It is also used in both trailers for 2020 film, My Spy.

Composition

"Break the Rules" is an electronic rock and alternative rock song, set against a "propulsive" synth-pop groove. The song is written in the key of E major in common time with a tempo of 124 beats per minute. "Break the Rules" follows a chord progression of C5–B5–A5–E5–F5, and Charli's vocals span from B3 to C5.

Music video

The music video for "Break the Rules" was directed by Marc Klasfeld and premiered on 25 August 2014. The video was filmed at Birmingham High School while class was in session, so the lyrics "getting high and getting wrecked" had to be muted during playbacks. According to Charli, the video draws inspiration from films such as Carrie, The Craft and Jawbreaker. It features a cameo from actress Rose McGowan, the star of Jawbreaker, as a school chaperone.

Track listings

  1. "Break the Rules" – 3:23
  1. "Break the Rules" – 4:25
  2. "Break the Rules" – 4:00
  3. "Break the Rules" – 2:52
  1. "Break the Rules" – 3:23
  2. "Break the Rules" – 4:25
  1. "Break the Rules" – 3:23
  2. "Break the Rules" – 4:25
  3. "Break the Rules" – 4:00
  4. "Break the Rules" – 2:52
  5. "Boom Clap" – 2:49

    Credits and personnel

Credits for "Break the Rules" are adapted from CD liner notes
;Recording locations
;Personnel

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

Release history