Lifehouse: "Broken"

[singingsparrow]

Though I think most of us here already knew this track's release to radio was inevitable, Lifehouse bassist Bryce Soderburg has confirmed on tour that this is indeed the second single from "Who We Are".

I have little doubt in my mind that this single will break their only-one-hit-per-album streak. Their album sales haven't been spectacular since "No Name Face", but neither have the Goo Goo Dolls, and they haven't stopped Lifehouse from picking up two more big hits after "Stanley Climbfall" proved to be a sophomore disappointment commerically.

It's interesting, because when I first heard this song, I couldn't even recognize Jason Wade's voice in any of the verses, which lack that typical gruffiness and nasal-sound to his vocals.

I also thought, when I first heard this song, that this sounds like something that could possibly do well on Country because the lyrical themes of the song mirror those of many Country songs nowadays, including the imagery of "broken lights on the freeway" and broken locks on the door, and, if Rascal Flatts have been getting away with success at the format with non-Countryish ballads, with a slight radio edit, putting a touch of steel guitar into it, I could actually picture this doing something there too.

*

There are other strong single candidates I believe on this album, especially "Disarray" and "Whatever It Takes". But this is by far the standout track on the album that screams "Hit!" I believe, and I think this could potentially be even bigger than "First Time" if the label puts faith into a secondary single release, and if they do, this could potentially top the Hot AC chart and be more successful than "First Time" on CHR/Pop and also become a major hit on AC radio.

Sincerely,
Noah Eaton

[MinusName]

This song is brilliant. Out of all of their ballads, I think this is their best. It's unlikely that it will be bigger than "You and Me," but I think it's highly likely that it will be more successful than "First Time," and it is already doing quite well. It looks like the fourth time was the charm for the band to get two hits. I think they could even get one or two more after this, depending on how many singles they release. "Whatever It Takes" could be another big hit for them. "Disarray" and "Who We Are" also seem like logical single choices, but I have a feeling they may be a little too fast for Hot AC, much like some are thinking "First Time" is right now.

[blurple]

Yeah! This is what I wanted as the next single! This is gonna do REALLY, REALLY WELL!

[singingsparrow]

minusname said:

This song is brilliant. Out of all of their ballads, I think this is their best. It's unlikely that it will be bigger than "You and Me," but I think it's highly likely that it will be more successful than "First Time," and it is already doing quite well. It looks like the fourth time was the charm for the band to get two hits. I think they could even get one or two more after this, depending on how many singles they release. "Whatever It Takes" could be another big hit for them. "Disarray" and "Who We Are" also seem like logical single choices, but I have a feeling they may be a little too fast for Hot AC, much like some are thinking "First Time" is right now.

The number of singles they release this era, I believe, will depend on how well "Who We Are" sells.

As it is, "First Time" has not yet exactly translated into strong album sales for "Who We Are", but then again, neither did "You & Me" until it had crossed over from Hot AC and also obtained high levels of airplay at CHR/Pop and AC.

Having said that, here's my theoretical four-single release strategy:

*

1: "First Time" (Begin, as they have, with an up-tempo lead single to again flex their more traditional sound, following the success of a slower, acoustic hit)
2: "Broken" (Follow it up with the stand-out ballad, which basically ensures a translation to strong airplay)
3: "Disarray" (Assuming "Broken" will have a lengthy chart run, and stick to AC radio like flies on honey, go ahead and push this edgier, yet melodic, opening track, which will all but certainly do less than the first two singles on the charts, but also serve as a good buffer between "Broken" and another potential hit, the mid-tempo "Whatever It Takes".
4: "Whatever It Takes" (Push this after "Disarray" rather than "Broken" to assure this song, a much larger potential hit than "Disarray", doesn't suffer as much from recurrentitis, and has room to become a hit at AC (a format that obviously is incredibly slow and narrow in its single selections)

Sincerely,
Noah Eaton

[atlantaboy]

Yeah - "Broken" is definitely IMO gonna be bigger than "First Time" - it's one of those tracks IMO that gets better lyrically every time you listen to it - don't think it's gonna be released (or go for adds) for quite a long time b/c "First Time" is still climbing CHR/Pop - yeah, it's nowhere near the level of "You And Me" but that was one of the biggest hits of the decade

[singingsparrow]

atlantaboy said:

Yeah - "Broken" is definitely IMO gonna be bigger than "First Time" - it's one of those tracks IMO that gets better lyrically every time you listen to it - don't think it's gonna be released (or go for adds) for quite a long time b/c "First Time" is still climbing CHR/Pop - yeah, it's nowhere near the level of "You And Me" but that was one of the biggest hits of the decade

I've found that all their albums have been somewhat inconsistent, where there's a little filler on each one. Yet, I've also found every album has at least one or two "great moments", or songs that are just powerful and so well-written. With "No Name Face", "Everything" was the stand-out track I believe. On "Stanley Climbfall", it was "Empty Space". On their self-titled record, I actually think the single "Blind" is one of those "great moments", as is "Chapter One" I thought.

On this album, "Broken" is undoubtedly one of those "moments" lyrically ("Storm" is undoubtedly the other) while I'd consider "The Joke" a "moment" musically for them.

I agree this is one of Jason Wade's best tracks he's written to date, lyrically, which makes this ballad all the more refreshing in that many ballads I've heard as of late on the radio are so stocked with romantic and heartbreak cliches.

"Broken" sounds like it's coming out of a deeper, and darker, personal space. The imagery is most convincing, and I think the second verse of the song best encapsulates what makes this ballad better than most others currently on AC and Hot AC radio:

"The broken locks were a warning
You got inside my head
I tried my best to be guarded
I'm an open book instead
I still see your reflection
Inside of my eyes
That are looking for purpose
They're still looking for life."

There's no mistaking the earnestness of this track, and THAT'S why I believe this will be a big hit for them, peaking somewhere between "You & Me" and "First Time" on the Billboard Hot 100 even.

Sincerely,
Noah Eaton

[mrclimbfall20]

singingsparrow said:

minusname said:

This song is brilliant. Out of all of their ballads, I think this is their best. It's unlikely that it will be bigger than "You and Me," but I think it's highly likely that it will be more successful than "First Time," and it is already doing quite well. It looks like the fourth time was the charm for the band to get two hits. I think they could even get one or two more after this, depending on how many singles they release. "Whatever It Takes" could be another big hit for them. "Disarray" and "Who We Are" also seem like logical single choices, but I have a feeling they may be a little too fast for Hot AC, much like some are thinking "First Time" is right now.

The number of singles they release this era, I believe, will depend on how well "Who We Are" sells.

As it is, "First Time" has not yet exactly translated into strong album sales for "Who We Are", but then again, neither did "You & Me" until it had crossed over from Hot AC and also obtained high levels of airplay at CHR/Pop and AC.

Having said that, here's my theoretical four-single release strategy:

*

1: "First Time" (Begin, as they have, with an up-tempo lead single to again flex their more traditional sound, following the success of a slower, acoustic hit)
2: "Broken" (Follow it up with the stand-out ballad, which basically ensures a translation to strong airplay)
3: "Disarray" (Assuming "Broken" will have a lengthy chart run, and stick to AC radio like flies on honey, go ahead and push this edgier, yet melodic, opening track, which will all but certainly do less than the first two singles on the charts, but also serve as a good buffer between "Broken" and another potential hit, the mid-tempo "Whatever It Takes".
4: "Whatever It Takes" (Push this after "Disarray" rather than "Broken" to assure this song, a much larger potential hit than "Disarray", doesn't suffer as much from recurrentitis, and has room to become a hit at AC (a format that obviously is incredibly slow and narrow in its single selections)

Sincerely,
Noah Eaton

I agree with those choices for singles. I really hope they release "Disarray" though because that is my favorite song by them. If the Alternative chart weren't so conservative, I think that song would do pretty well there. By the way, I think "Out Of Breath" is one of those "moment" songs.

[Pipa]

I can definiately see this becoming the Chasing Cars/Far Away of this year.

[mrclimbfall20]

Does anyone know when this will go for adds?

[atlantaboy]

mrclimbfall20 said:

Does anyone know when this will go for adds?

If they're smart IMO they'll wait til "First Time" peaks and begins to decline at CHR/Pop which hopefully won't be for a while - then I can see Hot AC and CHR both adding "Broken" at the same time, now that Lifehouse has established itself w/ this CD at CHR

BTW that track on this CD that starts out w/ no instruments and singing only IMO is incredible (I think it's "Storm" but can't remember) - it's not single material but I'm pretty sure some teen drama will use it in their soundtrack

[Timmy]

i knew this would be second, i agree that it will peak between First time and You And Me, potentially better. this is definitely the songto break their unlucky streak.

Atlanta Boy, Storm is an amazing song, ive been listening to it for like 3-4 years already, and i was so excited when i saw it was on Who We Are. it was previously released on the Old Lifehouse ,"Bliss" or "Blyss", album the versions arent too different at all, but lyrically the song is great.

[mrclimbfall20]

atlantaboy said:

mrclimbfall20 said:

Does anyone know when this will go for adds?

If they're smart IMO they'll wait til "First Time" peaks and begins to decline at CHR/Pop which hopefully won't be for a while - then I can see Hot AC and CHR both adding "Broken" at the same time, now that Lifehouse has established itself w/ this CD at CHR

BTW that track on this CD that starts out w/ no instruments and singing only IMO is incredible (I think it's "Storm" but can't remember) - it's not single material but I'm pretty sure some teen drama will use it in their soundtrack

I though they'd release it sooner on Hot AC since "First Time" is losing steam somewhat already. Granted it has a bullet of around 100, but for a while they were losing spins.

[atlantaboy]

mrclimbfall20 said:

atlantaboy said:

If they're smart IMO they'll wait til "First Time" peaks and begins to decline at CHR/Pop which hopefully won't be for a while - then I can see Hot AC and CHR both adding "Broken" at the same time, now that Lifehouse has established itself w/ this CD at CHR

BTW that track on this CD that starts out w/ no instruments and singing only IMO is incredible (I think it's "Storm" but can't remember) - it's not single material but I'm pretty sure some teen drama will use it in their soundtrack

I though they'd release it sooner on Hot AC since "First Time" is losing steam somewhat already. Granted it has a bullet of around 100, but for a while they were losing spins.

Only thing is IMO I think "First Time" will decline really slowly on HAC esp. b/c if a HAC station has a CHR in their market playing the song (and even increasing its plays) it'll prob. want to "hang on to it" so people who like "First Time" won't switch to CHR to listen to it - I wouldn't be surprised if "First Time" gains points slightly on HAC (on its way down)

BTW I don't think "Broken" is gonna be anywhere near the hit that "You And Me" was but that's just b/c IMO "You And Me" was a "classic" perfect song and prob. the highpoint of Lifehouse's career (songwriting-wise)

Still think "Broken" will be bigger than "First Time" though, and this CD will be their first to produce more than one major hit :)

[Timmy]

^ i have to disagree about their Self-titled being their peak songwriting wise. No Name Face has some of the best lyrical content of any band i know, and Stanley Climbfall was similar. Lifehouse was written with so much less emotion, while musically it was good, "you and me" was a masterpiece, catchy song, but lyrically it got boring, it was too generic.

with Who We Are, i believe Lifhouse went back to their roots and really dug up something great. i just hope they get the credit they deserve, finally.

[MinusName]

timmyrotter said:

^ i have to disagree about their Self-titled being their peak songwriting wise. No Name Face has some of the best lyrical content of any band i know, and Stanley Climbfall was similar. Lifehouse was written with so much less emotion, while musically it was good, "you and me" was a masterpiece, catchy song, but lyrically it got boring, it was too generic.

with Who We Are, i believe Lifhouse went back to their roots and really dug up something great. i just hope they get the credit they deserve, finally.

Yeah, I completely agree. Their self-titled album was their weakest, though it was their most radio friendly album. Nothing can beat the lyrical, musical, and emotional talent displayed in No Name Face That album is an underrated classic. I think "Broken" would have fitted in nicely on that album. I think on this album, they did a nice blend of No Name Face and Lifehouse, making songs that are not only great musically, lyrically, and emotionally, but also radio-friendly.

[No Brake$]

Wow, just heard this the first time. I would mindblown if it doesn't go #1 here, and Top 5 POP. This song just screams slow dancing at Fall Homecoming. This is one of the best ballads I have heard this decade and certainly has a classic feel. This is Lifehouse's best. This will be HUGE.

[MinusName]

rkwo said:

Wow, just heard this the first time. I would mindblown if it doesn't go #1 here, and Top 5 POP. This song just screams slow dancing at Fall Homecoming. This is one of the best ballads I have heard this decade and certainly has a classic feel. This is Lifehouse's best. This will be HUGE.

I'm thinking more like slow dance at Prom. I doubt this will be taking off anytime soon. I'd give it until at least October before this goes for adds. I think it will be difficult to find one person who is going to hate this song.

[atlantaboy]

minusname said:

timmyrotter said:

^ i have to disagree about their Self-titled being their peak songwriting wise. No Name Face has some of the best lyrical content of any band i know, and Stanley Climbfall was similar. Lifehouse was written with so much less emotion, while musically it was good, "you and me" was a masterpiece, catchy song, but lyrically it got boring, it was too generic.

with Who We Are, i believe Lifhouse went back to their roots and really dug up something great. i just hope they get the credit they deserve, finally.

Yeah, I completely agree. Their self-titled album was their weakest, though it was their most radio friendly album. Nothing can beat the lyrical, musical, and emotional talent displayed in No Name Face That album is an underrated classic. I think "Broken" would have fitted in nicely on that album. I think on this album, they did a nice blend of No Name Face and Lifehouse, making songs that are not only great musically, lyrically, and emotionally, but also radio-friendly.

IMO this CD is definitely better than any CD they've put out in the past - Still think that "You And Me" is best song they'll ever write, though :)

[atlantaboy]

minusname said:

rkwo said:

Wow, just heard this the first time. I would mindblown if it doesn't go #1 here, and Top 5 POP. This song just screams slow dancing at Fall Homecoming. This is one of the best ballads I have heard this decade and certainly has a classic feel. This is Lifehouse's best. This will be HUGE.

I'm thinking more like slow dance at Prom. I doubt this will be taking off anytime soon. I'd give it until at least October before this goes for adds. I think it will be difficult to find one person who is going to hate this song.

Wait - can't be slow dance song at prom b/c it's a breakup song - that would be pretty awkward :) Completely agree that it'll be difficult to find many people who hate this song, and that it's gonna be huge hit

[stumptown]

First post from a longtime lurker :)

This is by far one of my favorite Lifehouse tracks ever and I think it definitely has the potential to be a MAJOR hit for them if everything goes well.

Oh and they're opening up for Hilary Duff (yuck) here in Portland on August 7th and would go in a heartbeat if I had the evening off.

[Timmy]

^ oh damn! im so there! seriously, if you hadnt posted this, i wouldnt have known about it. thanks, ill prolly leave before Hilary.

[Timmy]

Holy Sh**! tickets are $52.00 before the service charge!!! it isnt even at an arena either... maybe i wont go. does anyone know how much time Lifehouse is getting? or a setlist?

[stumptown]

timmyrotter said:

Holy Sh**! tickets are $52.00 before the service charge!!! it isnt even at an arena either... maybe i wont go. does anyone know how much time Lifehouse is getting? or a setlist?

I'm hearing it's gonna be anywhere from a 30-45 minute set so that'll be 5-7 songs or so. Ticketmaster still has decent seats available but $52 IS a bit steep, especially when I paid $20 to see them in Seattle a couple years back.

Oh and they'll be performing on the KINK Live Performance Lounge on Tuesday (Aug 7) at 3:30...so tune in to 101.9 around then. Should be sweet!

[Timmy]

stumptown said:

timmyrotter said:

Holy Sh**! tickets are $52.00 before the service charge!!! it isnt even at an arena either... maybe i wont go. does anyone know how much time Lifehouse is getting? or a setlist?

I'm hearing it's gonna be anywhere from a 30-45 minute set so that'll be 5-7 songs or so. Ticketmaster still has decent seats available but $52 IS a bit steep, especially when I paid $20 to see them in Seattle a couple years back.

Oh and they'll be performing on the KINK Live Performance Lounge on Tuesday (Aug 7) at 3:30...so tune in to 101.9 around then. Should be sweet!

kink? lame you'd think they would be at the Buzz, or Z100...

i got mine in the B section of the orchastra pit good tix, for $40 a piece on craigslist. check there.

i was hoping they would play more than that, but oh well, i will definitely be leaving before Hilary Duff. except maybe just for a glance, cause she is famous and all.

[mrclimbfall20]

I have a feeling this song will flop because it's getting too much hype before its released. The same thing happened with "Goodbye My Lover" by James blunt.

[thirddegree50123]

When you guys first started saying that this should be the second single, I was very confused. I actually hadn't made it through the whole song at that point. I found it to be very boring. But yesterday I was listening to the album and I realized what all the fuss was about. I really think this could be a #1 hit here and set up "Who We Are" as a third single very nicely. My only issue with "Broken" is the background vocals. I think the "I'm still holding"'s are a bit unnecessary but whatever. I will be shocked if they remain on their one-hit-per-album trend.
I don't however think it will do as well on pop.

Anyway, I think this album is definitely their best. They've written better songs like "Simon" but this record is the most solid. They've really gotten better as time's gone on. No Name Face is probably their second best but since Stanley Climbfall, which absolutely stunk, they've greatly improved.

[atlantaboy]

mrclimbfall20 said:

I have a feeling this song will flop because it's getting too much hype before its released. The same thing happened with "Goodbye My Lover" by James blunt.

No way - this is a high quality hit song!! Plus it's produced like a hit song, similar to "Home" by Daughtry -

"Goodbye My Lover" just seemed like a CD track to me - I was surprised it charted as high as it did on HAC

[mrclimbfall20]

So was "Blind" but that failed miserably :(

[atlantaboy]

mrclimbfall20 said:

So was "Blind" but that failed miserably :(

Don't think "Blind" was too radio-friendly - IMO it was sort of sloppily put together, had whiney chorus, and muddled main idea to the song - it also IMO didn't have any of the "hit" production that "Broken" has

[Timmy]

i still believe Broken will hit nicely. i disagree wit "Who We Are" as a third single. when i saw them with Hilary Duff, the only other new song they played was "Whatever it Takes" and i think that would be the best choice for a third.

also, i cannot believe that they are only selling 9,000 albums a week!!! they are doing well on both HAC and CHR, and its only a matter of time before First Time crosses over to Christian AC and CHR. to compare, Skillet is selling 3,000 a week, and they are only reaching an audience of about just over 1 million, while lifehouse is reaching close to 30 million, and is on tour with Hilary Duff. whats with that? does anyone have the digital sales for "First Time"?