Prince (April 18, 2014) The Breakdown - Digital Single
- GlamSlamEscape
- Apr 23, 2014
- 2 min read
Updated: May 23
A standalone digital‑era release marking Prince’s first newly issued track following the announcement of his renewed partnership with Warner Bros. Records.
RELEASE DETAILS Date: April 18, 2014 (USA) / April 23–25, 2014 (worldwide rollout) Format: Digital Single Country: United States (initial), Worldwide
Track: “The Breakdown” – 4:04
THE STORY Released on April 18, 2014 in the USA (and shortly after worldwide), “The Breakdown” was Prince’s first new single following the announcement of his renewed partnership with Warner Bros. Records. A slow-burn, emotional ballad showcasing Prince’s late-period vocal control and orchestral production style, the track was initially available via iTunes and Spotify in the US before expanding to other platforms and territories.
CONTEXT & NOTES The staggered digital rollout reflected the platform-by-platform licensing of the mid-2010s. Although released as a standalone single, “The Breakdown” was later included on the album Art Official Age (September 30, 2014), effectively serving as its second single after “Breakfast Can Wait.” The song had been circulating in live performances since early 2013, making the 2014 digital release a long-anticipated moment for fans.
TRACK LIST
Digital Single
The Breakdown – 4:04
CHART PERFORMANCE US Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales: Peak No. 49 US Billboard Hot R&B Songs: Peak No. 21 France (SNEP): Peak No. 172 Belgium (various charts): Peak positions between No. 25–39
PERSONNEL
Prince – vocals, instruments, production
RELATED MATERIAL
Art Official Age (2014 album)
Breakfast Can Wait (2013 single)
Clouds (2014 single)
For other relevant posts, see the tags at the foot of the page.
SOURCES Prince Vault • Sleevographia2 • Warner Records / NPG Records announcement • Discogs
COPYRIGHT NOTICE All single artwork, photographs, logos, and original text excerpts remain the property of their respective copyright holders. This entry is a transformative, non-commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference. No ownership of the original material is claimed or implied.
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