I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass

"I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass" is a song written by Nick Lowe, Andrew Bodnar, and Steve Goulding and performed by Lowe. It reached number 7 on the UK Singles in 1978. The song was featured on his 1978 album, Jesus of Cool.

The song was produced by Lowe. It shared a title with the David Bowie song "Breaking Glass"; Lowe commented, "This sounds so unlike me, but I wasn't aware he had a song called 'Breaking Glass.' ... But Bowie was the guy who had that title first of all. I think the music on my 'Breaking Glass' has something to do with him. I think I pinched something off of him in the music."

Lowe reflected on the song in an interview with GQ in 2011, saying that he did not perform the song live as it could not be effectively performed solo. He explained, "There's one song of mine called 'I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass,' which was a fairly big hit in Europe, and people ask me for that sometimes, and I just don't do it. It's a really good record, but there's not actually any song there. It was a half-baked idea I had when I went to the studio, and the bass player and drummer sort of put a little sauce in it. But if I played it with just an acoustic guitar, the audience would probably give me a little clap in recognition, but by verse two, they'd be looking at their fingernails, waiting for the next one. There really isn't anything to it."

When Lowe filmed a performance of "I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass" for Top of the Pops in 1978, he brought his future wife Carlene Carter to the set as part of their first date. Carter recalled, "I went to see him at Top of the Pops. He was doing 'I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass' in his Riddler suit, covered with question marks. We had chemistry."

Personnel

Nick Lowe – vocals, guitars, piano
Andrew Bodnar – bass
Steve Goulding – drums
Roger Béchirian – tambourine and backing vocals

Cover versions

Luke Haines released a version of the song on his 2001 album, Christie Malry's Own Double Entry OST.

References

Molanphy, Chris (November 19, 2022). "Angry Young Men Edition". Hit Parade | Music History and Music Trivia (Podcast). Slate. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
"Nick Lowe, "I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass" Chart Position". Retrieved December 2, 2016.
"Nick Lowe, Jesus of Cool". Discogs. March 1978. Retrieved December 2, 2016.
"Nick Lowe, "I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass" Single Release". Retrieved December 2, 2016.
"We've Got A File On You: Nick Lowe". Stereogum. 2021-09-14. Retrieved 2021-10-05.
"The Survivors: Nick Lowe". GQ. 31 October 2011. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
Binelli, Mark (29 November 2018). "St. Nick: The Long, Strange and Wonderful Career of Nick Lowe". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
"Luke Haines, Christie Malry's Own Double Entry OST". Discogs. Retrieved December 2, 2016.

v t e Nick Lowe
His Cowboy Outfit: Martin Belmont Paul Carrack Bobby Irwin
Studio albums	Jesus of Cool Labour of Lust Nick the Knife The Abominable Showman Nick Lowe and His Cowboy Outfit The Rose of England Pinker and Prouder Than Previous Party of One The Impossible Bird Dig My Mood The Convincer At My Age The Old Magic Quality Street: A Seasonal Selection for All the Family
EPs	Bowi Live! On the Battlefield
Live albums	Untouched Takeaway
Songs	"(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding" "So It Goes" "Halfway to Paradise" "I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass" "Cruel to Be Kind" "Switchboard Susan" "Without Love" "I Knew the Bride (When She Used to Rock 'n' Roll)" "Indoor Fireworks" "The Beast in Me"
Compilations	Basher: The Best of Nick Lowe The Wilderness Years Quiet Please... The New Best of Nick Lowe
Related articles	Discography Brinsley Schwarz Stiff Records Dave Edmunds Rockpile Seconds of Pleasure "Teacher, Teacher" Little Village Carlene Carter

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