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Nick Lowe — Breaking Glass
Album: Labour of Lust
Avg rating:
6.7

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1544









Released: 1978
Length: 3:06
Plays (last 30 days): 4
I love the sound of breaking glass
Especially when I'm lonely
I need the noises of destruction
When there's nothing new
Oh nothing new, sound of breaking glass

I love the sound of breaking glass
Deep into the night
I love the sound of it's condition
Flying all around
Oh all around, sound of breaking glass
Nothing new, sound of breaking glass

Oh all around, sound of breaking glass
Nothin' new, sound of breakin' glass
Safe at last, sound of breaking glass

I love the sound of breaking glass
Deep into the night
I Iove the work on it can do
Oh a change of mind
Oh change of mind, sound of breaking glass
All around, sound of breaking glass
Nothing new, sound of breaklng glass
Breaking glass, sound of breaking glass
Comments (148)add comment
 Edweirdo wrote:


As a pianist, I can only agree!  I'm unable to find out who is the pianist here but my suspicion is Bob Andrews. 


Confirmed! Bob Andrews (based on metadata from Tidal).
 Jelani wrote:

Piano can be such an awesome thing.



As a pianist, I can only agree!  I'm unable to find out who is the pianist here but my suspicion is Bob Andrews. 
Piano can be such an awesome thing.
I want to know who was thinking, "Hmm, what shall we play on the anniversary of Krystalnacht?" 
A couple of suggested edits for RP: the full name of the song is "I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass" and it's on Nick Lowe's 1978 album Jesus of Cool.
randomly saw him for the first time ever in Boston last year supporting Elvis Costello. Not only was he very good but comfortably outperformed Elvis.
 SpencerAR wrote:

I always thought this was David Bowie singing...



You may be thinking of Bowie's "Breaking Glass" off his 1977 album Low.
Great bass - and is this the first known hearing of the ubiquitous 1980s "chicken" rhythm guitar?!
Went down a rabbit hole to see who was playing bass on this track and (of course) it was in the song comments. (Andrew Bodnar) Surprisingly, the lineup is not listed on the Wiki page for the song, but I did discover that it is actually called "I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass" and does not appear on "Labour of Lust" it was released as a single.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...
 jp33442 wrote:

I seem to remember nick lowe being in rock pile? or am I mistaken?


You are correct!

Rockpile
 DW4554 wrote:


All due respect but my research says Nick Lowe played bass on Breaking Glass.  Andrew Bodnar is rather exceptional and was playing bass with Graham Parker when I was on the sound board at the Hollywood Bowl.  John Hyatt opened.

The song credits I've seen (discogs and others) seem to all say Bodnar (who is also credited as co-writer), but good to know! I would have loved to be on the soundboard. For any show!
I seem to remember nick lowe being in rock pile? or am I mistaken?
 DW4554 wrote:


All due respect but my research says Nick Lowe played bass on Breaking Glass.  Andrew Bodnar is rather exceptional and was playing bass with Graham Parker when I was on the sound board at the Hollywood Bowl.  John Hyatt opened.


Isn't John's name spelled "Hiatt"?   I know you were on the sound board, so I forgive your misspelling.
 CowboyJJ wrote:

His middle name is Drain?!?

Father was a plumber? Makes sense - Mr. Lowe really plunged into his work. His oeuvre is clogged with hits.

c.

 jkamm14 wrote:

Yes! That's Andrew Bodnar, who also played the bass line on "Watching The Detectives" by Elvis Costello. 


All due respect but my research says Nick Lowe played bass on Breaking Glass.  Andrew Bodnar is rather exceptional and was playing bass with Graham Parker when I was on the sound board at the Hollywood Bowl.  John Hyatt opened.
Great bass!  Like Sting, Nick pulls off lead vocal and bass rather well.  

As a bass player myself and all due respect to Mr. Sumner I would dare say Nick pulls off melodic bass a bit better.  Gordon on the other hand nails dub reggae.  (The Bed's Too Big Without You)

Both  are equally proficient but Sting gets major respect for hanging more than tough with Stewart Copeland who is a master of his craft.  
 Clark_Novato wrote:

love the bass.


Yes! That's Andrew Bodnar, who also played the bass line on "Watching The Detectives" by Elvis Costello. 
Was deeply focused on work and realized I was doing a little chair boogie
I always thought this was David Bowie singing...
Good tune! I never heard it before.  Thank You RP!
 copymonkey wrote:


'Mary Provost' WAS on my Ameican vinyl version of 'Jesus of Cool', which was puritanically renamed 'Pure Pop for Now People', so was 'Heart of the City' which I believe was not only Nick's first single, but the first-ever Stiff records single as well. (Electronically Recorded!)



"Heart of the City" was the B-side of that single; "So It Goes" was the A-side.
love the bass.
 SeannRooney wrote:

RP - newer Nick Lowe is so good.  I think the RP community would really like the Dig My Mood album.  


Absolutely!
This song comes from the album Jesus of Cool, and not Labour of Lust.
RP - newer Nick Lowe is so good.  I think the RP community would really like the Dig My Mood album.  
At best a trivial little pop shanty.
His middle name is Drain?!?
 A toe-tapping little ditty.
While a nice little pop ditty I much prefer Bowie's 'Breaking Glass' from Low.
 lizardking wrote:

Glock; 45; ; bore; x100; A gun fanatic? 

 
One of the great pop hits that I don't remember hearing.  I guess having been born 2 years before this came out might have something to do with that.  And I find that, when BillG spins this, I like to turn the volume up a bit and do some 'dancing' at my desk.  Long Live RP!!
 Glockman45 wrote:
boredom amplified X100 {#Think}

 
Glock; 45; ; bore; x100; A gun fanatic? 

boredom amplified X100 {#Think}
That Bass.
Always thought the last two lines were:

I love the work only it can do.
How it change your mind.

One of my favorite songs about something I don't understand. 
One of my most favorite songs of all time!
And the album is names "16 all time Lowes"?

Good call.
Bill...you are on fire! Bloodbuzz Ohio to Breaking Glass 8 to 8 for me. My mood is better than it was. {#Bananasplit}
Regarding "Nick's" from the Commonwealth that have been making music forever, I prefer the Aussie, Cave, to Lowe. Way edgier.

 
I thought Nick Lowe had only one song, according to my too-long experience listening to commercial radio, so it's nice to hear something different. On ya, RP.
Aj aj aj ... those colours. Seems someone got inspired :)
Cool song and a nice flashback, thanks!
Saint Nick!
I have loved this song since I first heard it in the 70’s! From the “Jesus Of Cool” album.
 below72 wrote:
As I've said in the past relating to some other tunes... I would bet money that the CIA, the NSA, and the Secret Service have used this tune in interrogation rooms to secure wanted information from terrorists.  Just play this tune in the room nonstop for 5 maybe 6 hours - and that would cause anyone to talk.

 
Nah, they only use Goldfrapp and Leonard Cohen tunes now.
 below72 wrote:
Snip
 I could say this about most music that came out of the 1980's.

 
Just to say -
"I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass" - Nick Lowe.
Released in the UK & reached Nr 7 on the UK chart in...
1978.
As I've said in the past relating to some other tunes... I would bet money that the CIA, the NSA, and the Secret Service have used this tune in interrogation rooms to secure wanted information from terrorists.  Just play this tune in the room nonstop for 5 maybe 6 hours - and that would cause anyone to talk.  Bill, PLEASE STOP the madness....I can't take it anymore! 
Of course, I could say this about most music that came out of the 1980's.
 Our brand new curved glass sunroom on it's  virgin voyage.  I got a funny feeling..
The sound of breaking ass...
This was one of the standbys for when you wanted to show people how much your woofers could move.
 
Posted: Mar 15, 2014 - 02:17
 < Reply >

 ThePoose wrote:
I keep hearing undercurrents of Sound and Vision by Bowie.
 
On_The_Beach wrote:

. . . who also had a song called Breaking Glass:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgdCIAEupNI

 
Thats right, And Bowie had an album called 'Low', which brought the response of the EP called 'Bowi' from Nick Lowe, all a bit odd  really. . .

In one of the bands i was in we often paraphrased the title of Breaking Glass when refering to songs which sound like other songs, as
"I love the sound of stolen riffs".

thats my tu-pence worth


 coccyx wrote:

Isn't it great that some roommates come with a euthanasia option?

 
I know exactly what your talking about 
 ThePoose wrote:
I keep hearing undercurrents of Sound and Vision by Bowie.
 
. . . who also had a song called Breaking Glass:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgdCIAEupNI
Agreed, Ag3!!  coccyx, that was ultra douchey!

Ag3nt0rang3
(Canada)
Posted: Jul 05, 2013 - 07:56
 

 coccyx wrote:

Isn't it great that some roommates come with a euthanasia option?

  
Under the circumstances, dude, not funny. 
 coccyx wrote:

Isn't it great that some roommates come with a euthanasia option?

 
Under the circumstances, dude, not funny.
 Cynaera wrote:
This is my oldest cat's theme song.  Nikita will sit on a shelf filled with glass vases and votive holders, then give me that "ready-aim-fire" look.  I'll tell her, "DON'T even THINK it!"  And then, still staring at me, she'll reach out and bat something off the shelf before I can get to her. She likes to make one big piece of glass into lots of little pieces - ("More for me!") {#Rolleyes}  I do not like the sound of breaking glass, but I do love this song. Nick Lowe, Dave Edmunds and Rockpile did some very great stuff.


 
Isn't it great that some roommates come with a euthanasia option?
I was "Cracking Up" to hear some Nick Lowe
I keep hearing undercurrents of Sound and Vision by Bowie.
break this...asshole
get 'em BASHER... {#Dancingbanana}
 ziggytrix wrote:
I also love the sound of breaking glass, but I could do without the sound of clipping toenails throughout the chorus.
 
I'm not hearing clipping of toenails, but I keep hearing breaking glass and I keep looking around to see what's in pieces on the floor (thanks, Nikita. You are immortalized in a song, but that doesn't mean I won't get out the cat-spanker if you break my favorite vase.) 

 toterola wrote:
Reliably good old rock and roll.

10 from the Left coast.

No on 8!
 
Good thinking!  The West is the Best! {#Yes}
This is so cool.  I especially like the off-kilter feel you get when he throws in a 3/4 bar.  I'm a sucker for funny meter. (and the Funky Meters too, but that's another story...)

This is my oldest cat's theme song.  Nikita will sit on a shelf filled with glass vases and votive holders, then give me that "ready-aim-fire" look.  I'll tell her, "DON'T even THINK it!"  And then, still staring at me, she'll reach out and bat something off the shelf before I can get to her. She likes to make one big piece of glass into lots of little pieces - ("More for me!") {#Rolleyes}  I do not like the sound of breaking glass, but I do love this song. Nick Lowe, Dave Edmunds and Rockpile did some very great stuff.

Luv the sound of breaking gas ....
 
Ha, that IS toenail clippers!
 ziggytrix wrote:
I also love the sound of breaking glass, but I could do without the sound of clipping toenails throughout the chorus.
 
Darn it all ... now that's all I can hear!




Reliably good old rock and roll.

10 from the Left coast.

No on 8!
Nick Lowe is the coolest man!
I also love the sound of breaking glass, but I could do without the sound of clipping toenails throughout the chorus.
A smash hit if ever there was.
 AdyMiles wrote:
This take me back a bit. Interesting song
 
One of my favs, back in the days . . . and still. 

Excellent song, thanx Bill. 
I love the sound of Nick Lowe..(woops edit....this comment can be found below)
check out ...."I trained her to love me"  what a songwriter!

 samrex wrote:
 
Not all of the music played on RP is for me (in this case I happen to like Nick Lowe and this song) and I do respect your right to express your opinion regarding any songs played here, but a quick viewing of your profile shows that you have given over 2000 songs played on RP a 1 or 2 rating.  There must be some listening options on the Internet (or FM dial, satellite, your CD collection) that reflect your tastes and would surely bring more joy to your ears.  And this site.

 
You, Samrex, are sublime.

This take me back a bit. Interesting song
Classic Nick!  The piano break and the bass line really make this song special!  A solid 9!

Elvis Costello (Vocals (Background)), Dave Edmunds (Guitar), Dave Edmunds (Organ (Hammond)), Dave Edmunds (Vocals (Background)), Dave Edmunds (Fender Rhodes), Rockpile (Producer), Steve Nieve (Piano), Bill Andrews (Guitar), Roger Bechirian (Organ), Andrew Bodnar (Bass), Billy Bremner (Guitar), Billy Bremner (Vocals (Background)), Charlie Charles (Drums), Steve Goulding (Drums), Huey Lewis (Harmonica), Nick Lowe (Bass), Nick Lowe (Guitar), Nick Lowe (Piano), Nick Lowe (Vocals), Nick Lowe (Vocals (Background)), Nick Lowe (Producer), Nick Lowe (Main Performer), Bruce Thomas (Bass), Pete Thomas (Drums), John Turnbull (Guitar), Norman Watt-Roy (Bass), Terry Williams (Drums)

 


What a sprightly little piano part. Who plays it?
 Excelsior wrote:
The music is good but the lyrics are shite.  4.
  
Not all of the music played on RP is for me (in this case I happen to like Nick Lowe and this song) and I do respect your right to express your opinion regarding any songs played here, but a quick viewing of your profile shows that you have given over 2000 songs played on RP a 1 or 2 rating.  There must be some listening options on the Internet (or FM dial, satellite, your CD collection) that reflect your tastes and would surely bring more joy to your ears.  And this site.

 ScottFromWyoming wrote:



.....It's Nick's first release on Stiff, Marie Provost was to be on Jesus of Cool ....
 

'Mary Provost' WAS on my Ameican vinyl version of 'Jesus of Cool', which was puritanically renamed 'Pure Pop for Now People', so was 'Heart of the City' which I believe was not only Nick's first single, but the first-ever Stiff records single as well. (Electronically Recorded!)

I love the sound of Nick Lowe.
The music is good but the lyrics are shite.  4.
treatment_bound wrote:
Sound and Vision was on Bowie's "Low" album (released in early '77), while Breaking Glass came out a year later on the album "Jesus of Cool" (UK version). Interestingly, Lowe issued an EP later in 1977 called "Bowi"! The allmusic web-site doesn't list the tracks on "Bowi" (which was a 7-inch record, if I remember correctly). Can anybody tell me what cuts were on it?
Live Side: Born a Woman (a Sandy Posey cover) Shake That Rat Dead Side: Marie Provost (typo: "Mary Provost") Endless Sleep It's Nick's first release on Stiff, Marie Provost was to be on Jesus of Cool and the others remained b-sides but are available on CD now in a few places, including The Wilderness Years, which you may be able to ebay for cheap now and then. EDIT! I see the Yep Roc Reissue of Nick's first LP, Jesus of Cool, has several B-sides included! Hooray! If you buy it on vinyl, they give you a free digital version too. Or stream it straight from the website, free. Okay now I'm done.
Cruithne3753 wrote:
I love the sound of breaking gas...
lily34 wrote:
F O U R T H!! love nick!
Double dog fourth!!!!!
This guy is so great. Brings me back.
davidstanford wrote:
Which came first? This or Sound and Vision ??
Sound and Vision was on Bowie's "Low" album (released in early '77), while Breaking Glass came out a year later on the album "Jesus of Cool" (UK version). Interestingly, Lowe issued an EP later in 1977 called "Bowi"! The allmusic web-site doesn't list the tracks on "Bowi" (which was a 7-inch record, if I remember correctly). Can anybody tell me what cuts were on it?
kazuma wrote:
T H I R D !
F O U R T H!! love nick!
Which came first? This or Sound and Vision ??
holborne wrote:
It's great to hear Nick Lowe on the radio. And I'd like to second the request for "Rockpile"--their album *Seconds of Pleasure* is brilliant.
T H I R D !
Incompatible to my ears.
Xeric wrote:
....we are in these parts still pretty much "stuck in a Journey/Rush/April Wine muck."
Sheeeyeah, I haven't heard April Wine on FM since the 80s. It was your standard AOR fare, true.
treatment_bound wrote:
"scads of airplay"?? Not here in the U.S.! Nick pretty much had only one song on the radio here at that time (Cruel to be Kind), and that was our loss. I would have killed for a little "Breaking Glass" or "Marie Provost" back in '78-'79, but we were stuck in a Journey/Rush/April Wine muck, and thank God that's over.
The answer then was college FM, where I heard--and played--this excellent cut many times. Alas, over the air we are in these parts still pretty much "stuck in a Journey/Rush/April Wine muck." With some AC/DC thrown in to keep the murderous-rage-irritation factor up.
I love the sound of breaking gas...
I love that sound too! My neighbors hated me when I was a little kid....
Yes it does. VERY much so. electronicshaman wrote:
Very Nice! Is it just me or does this song sound VERY much like Bowie's "Sound and Vision?"
Very Nice! Is it just me or does this song sound VERY much like Bowie's "Sound and Vision?"
Al_Koholic wrote:
Was just talking about this song last week-sorry I missed it.
Glad I caught this today.
Was just talking about this song last week-sorry I missed it.
ScottFromWyoming wrote:
The vote thing only satisfies those of us who wondered what others thought of a song. It has no bearing on what RP will do with it.
(click here)There is a blog for the uploads
RobK wrote:
Not to bitch and moan but do any of you regular listeners understand the LRC rating system on this site? I don't really get how it works or why it's there. I uploaded a few songs months ago and most of them are still sitting there being voted on. Except one Nick Lowe song that I uploaded which had - and I was pleasantly surprised to see this - 33 yes votes and only 1 no vote for a 97% rating of love. Now I see that it says "sorry" next to it, meaning I guess that it was not approved. Is this not a little strange? Not sure what the point is of the whole upload and vote thing if that can happen...
The vote thing only satisfies those of us who wondered what others thought of a song. It has no bearing on what RP will do with it.
Not to bitch and moan but do any of you regular listeners understand the LRC rating system on this site? I don't really get how it works or why it's there. I uploaded a few songs months ago and most of them are still sitting there being voted on. Except one Nick Lowe song that I uploaded which had - and I was pleasantly surprised to see this - 33 yes votes and only 1 no vote for a 97% rating of love. Now I see that it says "sorry" next to it, meaning I guess that it was not approved. Is this not a little strange? Not sure what the point is of the whole upload and vote thing if that can happen...
fredriley wrote:
This was really irritating when it was released and got scads of airplay, and it's lost none of its ability to grate on me since - if anything it's worse. It's one of those annoying tunes that locks into your brain like a virus which keeps going round your bonce on a loop despite your every effort to dislodge it.
"scads of airplay"?? Not here in the U.S.! Nick pretty much had only one song on the radio here at that time (Cruel to be Kind), and that was our loss. I would have killed for a little "Breaking Glass" or "Marie Provost" back in '78-'79, but we were stuck in a Journey/Rush/April Wine muck, and thank God that's over.
This was really irritating when it was released and got scads of airplay, and it's lost none of its ability to grate on me since - if anything it's worse. It's one of those annoying tunes that locks into your brain like a virus which keeps going round your bonce on a loop despite your every effort to dislodge it.
Great.
LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE NICK LOWE
catchy!
Sometimes when I'm shopping I want take one of those big glass Best Foods jars(known as Hellman's East of the Rockies) and just throw it and watch it smash. Nothing hostile about, it I just like explosions....
Ho ho man does this remind me of college radio days or what? Nick Lowe is the man. And Scott from Wyoming is correct -- the record co. was worried about a Lennon-like backlash on the Jesus thing...
WonderLizard wrote:
Actually, "Jesus of Cool" was his first solo LP. This song comes from his third, "Pure Pop for Now People". Still, yes, Rockpile, er, rocks...or did it have piles? Inquiring minds want to know...
Bzzzt! Thanks for playing. Jesus of Cool was renamed and the songs slightly reworked for the US as Pure Pop for Now People.
Nick Lowe rocks!
"lately...I've been...breaking glass in your room again..."
great tune
Hurray! My first request!!!
rah wrote:
absolutely -- same bass line.
sounds a lot like the first mario brothers bass line too.
GaryW wrote:
Nick Lowe is 'The Jesus Of Cool' (which was the original title of the album). Long live Rockpile!
Actually, "Jesus of Cool" was his first solo LP. This song comes from his third, "Pure Pop for Now People". Still, yes, Rockpile, er, rocks...or did it have piles? Inquiring minds want to know...
tomnam wrote:
This song also reminds me of Bowie's "Sound & Vision" from the same album. Nothing wrong with that – both are great grooves.
absolutely -- same bass line.
Spliff wrote:
Breaking glass sounds better than this song.
Wow--you must really love that sound! Fine tune. One of the few of its time that I liked at the time. . . .
Ah, yes. Thank you. I LOVE the sound of "I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass."
No way! Too cool. Haven't heard this since the '80's.