Studio Album · No. 3

Break the Cycle Songwriting Credits by Staind

2001 Elektra Records 13 tracks 51 min

Produced by Josh Abraham  ·  Engineered by Josh Abraham, Andy Wallace, Vlado Meller, Dave Dominguez

Elektra Records Nu MetalPost-grungeAlternative metal
100%
Authorship
Complete Artist

Holds writing credit on 13 of 13 tracks

Authorship Breakdown 13 / 13 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 13 tracks with documented writers, by whether Staind carries a lyricist or composer credit.

100%
13 trackswritten by Staind 0 tracksoutside writers
Staind's roles on this album

Share of the 13 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist100%
Composer100%
Producer0%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

13
Tracks
1
Lyricists
1
Producers
5.6 million
Worldwide Copies Sold
2001
Released
Data Insight

Break the Cycle was Staind's commercial breakthrough, written entirely by the band, with Aaron Lewis on lyrics and the band on music. Its acoustic-leaning lead single "It's Been Awhile" became a massive crossover hit, reaching number five on the Billboard Hot 100. The album is fully self-written and topped the Billboard 200, becoming the band's best-selling record.

Break the Cycle came out on 8 May 2001 and entered the Billboard 200 at number one with at least 717,600 copies, holding the top spot three weeks and passing a million in three. It cost $800,000 to record, a budget that needed international chart-topping just to break even. It also went to number one in the UK, New Zealand and Canada, sold 5.6 million copies worldwide in 2001, and is certified 7x platinum in the US.

Track Listing & Credits 13 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
Open Your Eyes
Aaron Lewis Aaron LewisMichael MushokJohnny AprilJon Wysocki Josh Abraham Aaron Lewis (Lead Vocals)
2
Pressure
Aaron Lewis Aaron LewisMichael MushokJohnny AprilJon WysockiJosh Abraham Josh Abraham Aaron Lewis (Lead Vocals)
3
Fade
Aaron Lewis Aaron LewisMichael MushokJohnny AprilJon Wysocki Josh Abraham Aaron Lewis (Lead Vocals)
4
It's Been Awhile #5
Aaron Lewis Aaron LewisMichael MushokJohnny AprilJon Wysocki Josh Abraham Aaron Lewis (Lead Vocals)
5
Change
Aaron Lewis Aaron LewisMichael MushokJohnny AprilJon Wysocki Josh Abraham Aaron Lewis (Lead Vocals)
6
Can't Believe
Aaron Lewis Aaron LewisMichael MushokJohnny AprilJon Wysocki Josh Abraham Aaron Lewis (Lead Vocals)
7
Epiphany
Aaron Lewis Aaron Lewis Josh Abraham Aaron Lewis (Lead Vocals)
8
Suffer
Aaron Lewis Aaron LewisMichael MushokJohnny AprilJon Wysocki Josh Abraham Aaron Lewis (Lead Vocals)
9
Warm Safe Place
Aaron Lewis Aaron LewisMichael MushokJohnny AprilJon Wysocki Josh Abraham Aaron Lewis (Lead Vocals)
10
For You
Aaron Lewis Aaron LewisMichael MushokJohnny AprilJon Wysocki Josh Abraham Aaron Lewis (Lead Vocals)
11
Outside
Aaron Lewis Aaron Lewis Josh Abraham Aaron Lewis (Lead Vocals)
12
Waste
Aaron Lewis Aaron LewisMichael MushokJohnny AprilJon Wysocki Josh Abraham Aaron Lewis (Lead Vocals)
13
Take It
Aaron Lewis Aaron LewisMichael MushokJohnny AprilJon Wysocki Josh Abraham Aaron Lewis (Lead Vocals)

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 5 contributors

AL
Aaron Lewis
Writer · Vocals
On this album13 written
JA
Johnny April
Writer
On this album11 written
JW
Jon Wysocki
Writer
On this album11 written
MM
Michael Mushok
Writer
On this album11 written
JA
Josh Abraham
Writer · Producer
On this album1 written

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Frequently Asked Questions Break the Cycle

Did Staind write Break the Cycle themselves?
Yes. Break the Cycle is fully self-written, with Aaron Lewis writing the lyrics and the band composing the music. There are no outside songwriters on the album.
Who wrote "It's Been Awhile" by Staind?
"It's Been Awhile" was written by Staind, with Aaron Lewis's confessional lyrics at its center. It became the band's biggest hit, reaching number five on the Billboard Hot 100.
How well did Break the Cycle by Staind sell?
Break the Cycle debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and was certified 5x Platinum in the US. It sold around 5.6 million copies worldwide and is the band's best-selling album.
What genre is Break the Cycle by Staind?
Break the Cycle is a nu metal and post-grunge album with alternative metal elements. It balanced heavy tracks with the softer, acoustic-tinged ballads that drove its singles.
What are the singles from Break the Cycle by Staind?
The singles include "It's Been Awhile," "Fade," "For You," "Epiphany," and "Outside." "It's Been Awhile" was by far the most successful, becoming a rock and pop crossover hit.
Who produced Break the Cycle by Staind?
Break the Cycle was produced by Josh Abraham, with Andy Wallace handling the mixing. Their work helped broaden the band's sound toward mainstream rock radio.

Sources

Wikipedia: Break the Cycle Wikipedia: It's Been Awhile MusicBrainz: Break the Cycle release group (Staind) Cover Art Archive: Break the Cycle front cover Cover Art Archive: Break the Cycle by Staind