Breakaway (Big Pig song)


"Breakaway" is a cover of American R&B singer Chuck Jackson's song "I Can't Break Away" by Australian band Big Pig. It was originally released in November 1987 in the United Kingdom. Outside the UK, it was released in February 1988 as the third single from their debut album Bonk. The song, written by Mitchell Bottler and Gary Zekley, is about freedom and fighting against destiny. Like many other Big Pig songs, "Breakaway" features plentiful drums and percussion, but no guitars.
The song became the band's most successful single, reaching number one in New Zealand in May 1988. It also peaked at number eight in their native Australia and managed to chart in North America, reaching number 60 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 10 on Canada's RPM Top Singles chart. Its earlier UK release saw the song peak at number 89 on the UK Singles Chart.
In 1989, the song appeared on the soundtrack to the science-fiction comedy film Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure.

Track listing

White Label Records 7" single
  1. "Breakaway" – 3:45
  2. "Hellbent Heaven" – 3:33
White Label Records 12" single
  1. "Breakaway"
  2. "The Bald Dwarf"
  3. "Breakaway"
A&M Records 12" single
  1. "Breakaway" – 6:02
  2. "Hellbent Heaven" – 3:33
  3. "Breakaway" – 3:30

    Charts

Chuck Jackson version

Big Pig version

Weekly charts
Chart Peak
position
Australia 8

Year-end charts
Chart Position
Australia 37
New Zealand 12