Lyrics: Breakdown (feat. Bone Thugz ‘n’ Harmony)

The lyrics of Mariah Carey’s “Breakdown” featuring Bone Thugs-N-Harmony are celebrated for their innovative blend of R&B and hip-hop. Released as part of her Butterfly album, this standout track explores themes of heartbreak and emotional vulnerability. With its unique production and Mariah’s seamless collaboration with Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, the song remains a fan favorite. The beauty of Mariah Carey lyrics for ‘Breakdown’ lies in their ability to capture raw emotions while pushing the boundaries of musical genres, solidifying its place as a classic.

Breakdown

[Intro: Krayzie Bone]
Break-breakdown
Steady breaking me on down
Break-breakdown
Steady breaking me on down
Break-breakdown
Steady breaking me on down
Break-breakdown
Steady breaking me on down

[Verse 1: Mariah Carey]
You called yesterday to basically say
That you care for me but that you’re just not in love
Immediately, I pretended to be feeling similarly
And led you to believe I was okay
To just walk away from the one thing
That’s unyielding and sacred to me

[Chorus: Mariah Carey]
Well, I guess I’m trying to be nonchalant about it
And I’m going to extremes to prove I’m fine without you
But in reality I’m slowly losing my mind (losing my mind)
Underneath the guise of a smile gradually I’m dying inside
(Underneath the guise of a smile)
Friends ask me how I feel and I lie convincingly
‘Cause I don’t want to reveal the fact that that I’m suffering
So I wear my disguise ’til I go home at night
And turn down all the lights and then I break down and cry

[Intro: Krayzie Bone]
Break-breakdown
Steady breaking me on down
Break-breakdown
Steady breaking me on down
Break-breakdown
Steady breaking me on down
Break-breakdown
Steady breaking me on down

Yeah
Come on, yeah
Come on, come on

[Hook: Mariah Carey & Krayzie Bone]
I don’t wanna break down
(Breakdown, breakdown)
Break-breakdown
(Gotta get control and roll roll roll on)
I don’t wanna break down
(Breakdown, breakdown)
Steady breaking me on down
(Gotta get control and roll roll roll on)
I don’t wanna break down
(Breakdown, breakdown)
Break-breakdown
(Gotta get control and roll roll roll on)
I don’t wanna break down
(Breakdown, breakdown)
Steady breaking me on down
(Gotta get control and roll roll roll on)

[Verse 3: Wish Bone]
Gonna break you down
Only if you let it
Everyday crazy situations rocking my mind
Trying to break me down
But I won’t let it
Forget it

[Verse 4: Krayzie Bone]
I be feeling like you’re breaking me down
Kicking me around, stressing me out
I think you better go and get out
And let me release some stress

[Verse 5: Wish Bone]
Don’t ever wanna feel no pain
Hoping for the sun but it looks like rain
Lord, I just wanna maintain

[Verse 6: Krayzie Bone]
Yeah, I’m feeling pressures y’all
But nevertheless Krayzie won’t fall
It’s over, it’s ending here

[Chorus: Mariah Carey]
Well, I guess I’m trying to be nonchalant about it
(I’m trying)
And I’m going to extremes to prove I’m fine without you
But in reality I’m slowly losing my mind
(I’m gradually dying inside)
Underneath the guise of a smile gradually I’m dying inside
(In my heart as I cry)
Friends ask me how I feel and I lie convincingly
(How do I feel?)
‘Cause I don’t want to reveal the fact that I’m suffering
(I’m losing my mind)
So I wear my disguise ’til I go home at night
And turn down all the lights and then I break down and cry
(So I breakdown and cry)

[Chorus: Mariah Carey & Krayzie Bone]
Well, I guess I’m trying to be nonchalant about it
Gotta get control and roll roll roll on
And I’m going to extremes to prove I’m fine without you
Gotta get control and roll roll roll on
But in reality I’m slowly losing my mind
Gotta get control and roll roll roll on
Underneath the guise of a smile gradually I’m dying inside
Gotta get control and roll roll roll on
Friends ask me how I feel and I lie convincingly
(How do I feel?)
Gotta get control and roll roll roll on
‘Cause I don’t want to reveal the fact that I’m suffering
(What do you think? You gotta know I’m suffering, so I…)
Gotta get control and roll roll roll on
So I wear my disguise ’til I go home at night
(I turn off the lights and breakdown and cry)
Gotta get control and roll roll roll on
And turn down all the lights and then I break down and cry
Gotta get control and roll roll roll on

[Chorus: Mariah Carey & Krayzie Bone]
Well, I guess I’m trying to be nonchalant about it
Break-breakdown
(Cry, cry, cry)
And I’m going to extremes to prove I’m fine without you
Steady breaking me on down
But in reality I’m slowly losing my mind
Break-breakdown
(Cry, cry, cry)
Underneath the guise of a smile gradually I’m dying inside
Steady breaking me on down
(Cry, cry, cry)
Friends ask me how I feel and I lie convincingly
Break-breakdown
‘Cause I don’t want to reveal the fact that I’m suffering
Steady breaking me on down
(Cry, cry, cry)
So I wear my disguise ’til I go home at night
Break-breakdown
And turn down all the lights and then I break down and cry
Steady breaking me on down

[Outro: Mariah Carey & Krayzie Bone]
I don’t wanna break down
Break-breakdown
(Gotta get control and roll roll roll on)
I don’t wanna break down
Steady breaking me on down
(Gotta get control and roll roll roll on)

Written by: Mariah Carey, Sean Combs, Anthony Henderson, Steven Jordan, Charles Scruggs