Build Me Up, Break Me Down

Album: A Dramatic Turn of Events
Lyricist: John Petrucci
Subject: The fickle nature of celebrity.


The Music

“This song and Bridges In The Sky were written pretty far into the album. We felt as though the record needed some balance to it, some songs that were more driving and in your face. There were many progressive elements happening already, so we wrote a couple of songs that were direct and full of attitude.

“The hook at the end of the chorus is very interesting. I sang an idea to James, but I didn’t know how he would finally go about it. Basically, I shouted the words into a microphone and sent the demo to him.

“What James wound up doing was a three-layer hook, which I totally love. The chords were already written, but he picked up on the keyboard line that was there. I should also point out the work of John Myung, who created a bass riff that he perfectly integrated into the song. John's a very quiet guy, but he always comes up with parts that knock you out.”

(John Petrucci - Musicradar.)

JLB: "Build Me Up, Break Me Down, I guess you could say has more radio potential. It stems from a cool riff - a hard, driven riff."
JP: "It was a song that was written at a point after we had written a few songs, and we felt that the album needed a bit of a balance, as far as having some more metal tracks."
JLB: "It's a pretty exciting tune, I think. It shows another side to us, but one that's more immediate. A little easier to absorb and get into."

(James LaBrie & John Petrucci - The Mirror & Roadrunner Records - Published Aug 2011.)


A Dramatic Turn of Events
1. On the Backs of Angels
2. Build Me Up, Break Me Down
3. Lost Not Forgotten
4. This is the Life
5. Bridges in the Sky
6. Outcry
7. Far from Heaven
8. Breaking All Illusions
9. Beneath the Surface