Peak
14
Weeks
26
Score
3,632
Chart Year
1992
irected by British director Sophie Muller, the music video for "Walking on Broken Glass" is based in part on the 1988 film Dangerous Liaisons, and on period films dealing with the late 18th century, such as Amadeus. John Malkovich, who starred in the former film, is joined by Hugh Laurie, in garb similar to the 18th-century dress he wore to play the Prince Regent in Blackadder the Third.[12] The setting of the video is that of a salon evening at the Prince Regent's Carlton House. It presents an assembly of nobles and notables for an evening of society, gambling and dancing, the highlight of which is the arrival and feting of the newlyweds. The groom is played by Malkovich. Lennox's character wears a royal red in an environment dominated by white, a costuming technique designed to draw attention to her, and sports a 'Turkish' headdress in an environment dominated by wigs of the period. She displays significant pique as she is emotionally wounded by the appearance of her former lover on the arm of his new bride. Throughout the video, Lennox's character communicates conflicting emotions of jealousy, continued desire, and anger towards the man who still holds her heart. In the process, she spurns the previously welcome advances of the Prince Regent, much to his embarrassment, consumes glass after glass of champagne and grows ever more agitated, until she finally throws herself at Malkovich's character, to the shock and amusement of the partygoers. Lennox's character, realizing that she has made a fool of herself, flees the party in a fury, only to be swept into Malkovich's arms when she reaches the foot of the stairs.
Contrary to the lilting melody, the lyrics describe a woman who is anguished over a breakup. The guy in the song has smashed her to pieces, which now feel like broken glass beneath her feet. Lennox had been through some rather intense relationships, including a short-lived marriage in 1984, but in this song she was likely playing a role. In later years, she cited Diva tracks like "Why" and "Precious" as being very personal, but "Walking On Broken" glass doesn't fit that category. Explaining how she could get into character, she told Q in 1992: "I've always loved R&B and I had that in mind when I was singing. In fact, I'd think of myself as a very old black man - and I know I've got no right to imagine I know what that is - but, in my way, I stepped into that persona." The video was based on the 1988 movie Dangerous Liaisons, with elaborate costumes inspired by film, which was set in France during the 1700s. John Malkovich, who starred in the movie, also appeared in the video, as does Hugh Laurie, who went on to star in the TV show House. With the string section and baroque sound, the music fit the theme. The MTV audience had little interest in Lennox or Dangerous Liaisons, but VH1, which went on the air in 1985, played it in heavy rotation. The Diva album was Lennox' first as a solo artist; throughout the '80s, she was in Eurythmics, her extremely successful and inventive duo with Dave Stewart. In early 1990, Eurythmics split; Lennox took time off to work on charitable endeavors and focus on her home life. She got married in 1988, the same year her first child was stillborn. In December 1990, her daughter Lola was born. Work on the album was done at a studio constructed in her home so she could spend time with her. A lot of people believed in her, including Stewart and her manager Simon Fuller, but Lennox never seemed to believe her hype and often questioned her considerable talents. Fuller teamed her with up-and-comers who would be patient and nurturing: producer Stephen Lipson and keyboard wizard Marius De Vries. It worked: the Diva album was a critical and commercial smash, establishing Lennox as a solo artist. Released as a single following "Why," "Walking On Broken Glass" earned considerable airplay on Top 40 and Adult Contemporary radio. The elaborate photography on the Diva album was done by Anton Corbijn, who also worked with U2 and Depeche Mode. >> Annie Lennox recalled the song's video in a blog promoting her 2009 greatest hits album: "This was a wonderful video to create. There were some wonderful people involved - John Malkovich and Hugh Laurie (before he had an American accent)! That was tremendous fun. The idea of it being a period piece, like Les Liaisons Dangereux. The alternative title for 'Broken Glass' could easily have been 'Hell hath no more fury than a woman scorned.' The video is very wry and tongue-in-cheek. People can take me a little seriously sometimes, but I do actually have a rather radical sense of humor." The music video was helmed by prolific director Sophie Muller, a frequent collaborator of Annie Lennox who cut her teeth directing several Eurythmics clips, including "I Need A Man," "You Have Placed A Chill In My Heart," and "Angel."
Walking on, walking on broken glass Walking on, walking on broken glass You were the sweetest thing that I ever knew But I don't care for sugar, honey, if I can't have you Since you've abandoned me My whole life has crashed Won't you pick the pieces up? 'Cause it feels just like I'm walking on broken glass Walking on, walking on broken glass (woohoo, yeah) Walking on, walking on broken glass The sun's still shining in big blue sky But it don't mean nothing to me Oh, let the rain come down Let the wind blow through me I'm living in an empty room With all the windows smashed And I've got so little left to lose That it feels just like I'm walking on broken glass Walking on, walking on (ooh) broken glass And if you're trying to cut me down You know that I might bleed 'Cause if you're trying to cut me down I know that you'll succeed And if you want to hurt me There's nothing left to fear 'Cause if you want to hurt me You're doing really well, my dear Now everyone of us was made to suffer Everyone of us was made to weep We've been hurting one another Now the pain has cut too deep So take me from the wreckage Save me from the blast Lift me up and take me back Don't let me keep on walking (don't let me keep on walking) I can't keep on walking on (keep on walking on) (I can't) Keep on walking on broken glass Walking on, walking on broken glass (ooh) Walking on, walking on broken glass Walking on, walking on broken glass Walking on, walking on broken glass Walking on, walking on broken glass Walking on, walking on broken glass
| Week | Chart Date | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sep 5, 1992 | 96 | 30 |
| 2 | Sep 12, 1992 | 71 | 55 |
| 3 | Sep 19, 1992 | 65 | 61 |
| 4 | Sep 26, 1992 | 49 | 77 |
| 5 | Oct 3, 1992 | 38 | 88 |
| 6 | Oct 10, 1992 | 30 | 96 |
| 7 | Oct 17, 1992 | 28 | 98 |
| 8 | Oct 24, 1992 | 22 | 104 |
| 9 | Oct 31, 1992 | 21 | 105 |
| 10 | Nov 7, 1992 | 17 | 109 |
| 11 | Nov 14, 1992 | 14 | 112 |
| 12 | Nov 21, 1992 | 16 | 110 |
| 13 | Nov 28, 1992 | 16 | 110 |
| 14 | Dec 5, 1992 | 18 | 108 |
| 15 | Dec 12, 1992 | 17 | 109 |
| 16 | Dec 19, 1992 | 19 | 107 |
| 17 | Dec 26, 1992 | 20 | 106 |
| 18 | Jan 2, 1993 | 22 | 104 |
| 19 | Jan 9, 1993 | 27 | 99 |
| 20 | Jan 16, 1993 | 26 | 100 |