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{{Infobox Single <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Songs --> 
| Name           = Potential Breakup Song
| Cover          = Potential Breakup Song coverUS.jpg
| Artist         = [[78violet|Aly & AJ]]
| Album          = [[Insomniatic]]
| A-side         = 
| B-side         = "Careful With Words" <small>(UK)</small>
| Released       = 6 February 2007
| Format         = CD single, digital download
| Recorded       = 2006
| Genre          = Electro-pop, dance-pop, pop rock, ska
| Length         = 3:39
| Label          = Hollywood Records
| Writer         = [[Alyson Michalka]], [[Amanda Michalka]], Antonina Armato, Tim James
| Producer       = Antonina Armato, Tim James
| Certification  = Platinum <small>(RIAA)</small><ref name="PBUS-Plat">[http://www.alyandaj.com/?em18=712_-1__0_~0_-1_3_2009_0_0&content=news "POTENTIAL BREAKUP SONG GOES PLATINUM!"]. Retrieved March 20, 2009.</ref>
| Chronology     = [[78violet|Aly & AJ]] main singles
| Last single    = "[[Greatest Time of Year]]" <br/>(2006)
| This single    = "'''Potential Breakup Song'''" <br/>(2007)
| Next single    = "[[Like Whoa]]" <br/>(2008)
| Misc           = 
}}
"'''Potential Breakup Song'''" (known as "'''Potential Break Up Song'''" in Europe) is an electro-pop song written by American teen pop duo [[78violet|Aly &amp; AJ]], and is the first single from their second studio album, ''[[Insomniatic]]''. It was a very successful single in the summer and early fall of 2007, topping many video countdowns, and becoming Aly & AJ's most successful single to date.

[[File:Aly & AJ - Potential Breakup Song - Official Video|thumb|300px|left|Potential Breakup Song - official video]]

The track also was the third-most successful single by a Hollywood Records artist. Shortly after, songs by [[Miley Cyrus]] ([[Party in the U.S.A.]], [[See You Again]], and [[7 Things]]), [[Demi Lovato]] ([[Here We Go Again (song)|Here We Go Again]]) and the [[Jonas Brothers]] ([[Burnin' Up]]) (who remain friends with Aly & AJ) surpassed that record.

It is one of the highest selling singles by a Hollywood Records artist, as it was certified platinum by the RIAA for sales over 1,000,000 copies,<ref name="PBUS-Plat"/>
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==Song information==
There are two versions of this song that are on the radio. One is the official album version, which is played on mainstream radio, while a version with all of the violence and sexual innuendo removed is played on Radio Disney. In the chorus, in ''"gettin' me"'', the edited version adds a ''"to"'' between ''"gettin'"'' and ''"me"''. In the middle-eight, in ''"without me you're gonna die"'', ''"die"'' is replaced with ''"cry."'' This song is their first single of the electro-pop/dance genre.

Much of the melody is modeled after Del Shannon's ''Runaway''.<ref>[http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2007-07-05-aly-AJ_N.htm "Aly & AJ pull out all the stops in 'Sweet' sister act"] ''USAToday.com''.</ref>

The intro and outro of the song, is an interpolation on Elton John's ''"Crocodile Rock"''.

== Critical Reception ==
*'''Digital Spy''': But, by Disney Channel standards at least, 'Potential Breakup Song' is fairly adventurous, riding its scuzzy bassline and tango-inflected rhythm track to a chipper, synth-fuelled chorus. Hell, the cutesy twosome even manage to pop a knowing twist into their otherwise banal lyrics: "This is the potential breakup song - our album needs just one", indeed! They might come on like Gwen Stefani's slightly irritating younger sisters, but, for introducing the joys of electropop (and glam-rock guitar solos, no less) to the nation's tweenagers, Aly & AJ deserve to be cut a little slack.<ref>http://www.digitalspy.com/music/a77252/aly--aj-potential-breakup-song.html</ref>
*'''The Celebrity Cafe''': Potential Breakup Song” has an electronica-like melody to it that is perfect to be played in listeners’ dance clubs. The duo harmonizes about how the romantic tides have turned, resulting in the end of a union. “It took too long. It took too long. It took too long for you to call back, and normally I would just forget that except for the fact it was my birthday, my stupid birthday…But obviously my armor was cracked…Don’t let me go…So you will know.”<ref>http://thecelebritycafe.com/cd/full_review/12992.html</ref>
*'''Tommy2.Net''': Several tracks point toward synth rock by the use of samples, loops and vocal processing including the lead single, Potential BreakUp Song which proves to be a good barometer for the direction they're heading.<ref>http://www.tommy2.net/content/reviewalyandaj.php</ref>
*'''BBC Music''': We already introduced 'Potential Breakup Song' on Back Of The Sofa Tunes pt.2, after I bullied Steve P into listening to it until the poor lad was quite overcome by its brilliance and subsequently forced to bully Fraser into covering it.<ref>http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/chartblog/2007/10/aly_aj_potential_breakup_song_1.shtml</ref>

on the U.S. iTunes Store on June 26, 2007,<ref name="fmqb">[http://fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=69239#2007 6/26 Mainstream]. FMQB.com. Retrieved on July 31 [[2007]].</ref> along with a pre-order offer for their third studio album, ''Insomniatic''.


The UK CD single has been pulled out of stores, resulting in it only being available digitally.

===Release history===
{| class="wikitable" border="1"
|-
! Date
! Country
! Format
! Label
|-
| May 12, 2007
| rowspan="3"| United States
| Radio Disney
| rowspan="3"| Hollywood Records
|-
| rowspan="2"| June 26, 2007
| Mainstream radio
|-
| Digital download
|-
| October 1, 2007
| rowspan="2"| United Kingdom
| Digital download
| rowspan="2"| EMI
|-
| October 8, 2007
| CD single
|}

==Track listings and formats==

{{tracklist
| headline        = Radio Disney Promo CD <small>(U.S., May 12, 2007)</small>
| writing_credits = no
| title1          = Potential Breakup Song
| note1           = Radio Disney Edit
| writer1         = Alyson Michalka, Amanda Michalka, Antonina Armato, Tim James
| length1         = 3:35
}}

{{tracklist
| headline        = Digital download/Promo CD <small>(U.S., June 27, 2007)</small><ref>[http://musicbrainz.org/release/cc6f7f2e-e24a-4540-9969-a59328affc1a.html Aly & AJ "Potential Breakup Song" Digital download]</ref>
| writing_credits = no
| title1          = Potential Breakup Song
| writer1         = Alyson Michalka, Amanda Michalka, Antonina Armato, Tim James
| length1         = 3:39
}}

{{tracklist
| headline        = UK CD single <small>(UK, October 8, 2007)</small><ref>[http://www.amazon.co.uk/Potential-Break-Up-Song-Aly/dp/B000W7S0WQ Aly & AJ "Potential Break Up Song" UK CD single]</ref>
| total_length    = 5:59
| title1          = Potential Break Up Song
| length1         = 3:39
| title2          = Careful With Words
| length2         = 2:20
}}

* The Radio Disney version of the song contains different lyrics and is slightly shorter in length.

==Music video==
The music video]], directed by Chris Applebaum,<ref>http://www.mtv.com/videos/aly-aj/157092/potential-breakup-song.jhtml#artist=1910803</ref> was shot on    17-19 Januray 2007.   and was premiered on ''[[wikipedia:Total Request Live|TRL]]'' on June 18, [[2007]]. It debuted at number ten on ''TRL'' on August 21 [[2007]], and peaked at number 6 on August 29 [[2007]]. On July 18 [[2007]], the video for the single reached number one on AOL Music's Top 10 Video Countdown.

The video shows [[Amanda Michalka]] and older sister [[Alyson Michalka]] singing "Potential Breakup Song" on a grey set dressed in black. At the end of the video, the black ink floating on the air stains a blank paper forming the group's new logo, as well as the sequence of letters [[Hugs and Kisses|XOXO]]. It also includes the web address to PotentialBreakup.com.

In the Disney Channel version, the [[Radio Disney]] lyrics are used. The version also does not include the web address at the end. The music video is sometimes shown on [[wikipedia:Nickelodeon (Asian TV channel)|Nickelodeon Asia]].

"Potential Breakup Song" is the 92nd most seen video in Youtube history.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/browse?s=mp&t=a&cr=US&p=5 Most viewed videos in Youtube History, #81-100]</ref> To date, the video has garnered, on combined [[Hollywood Records]]' account<ref name="Musicvideo">{{cite web|title= Aly & AJ - Potential Breakup Song - Official Video (HQ)| url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqpA5Acc8-c| publisher=YouTube| date=2008-06-15}}</ref> and Aly & AJ's account<ref>{{cite web|title= Aly & AJ - Potential Breakup Song - Official Video | url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GN_58vHQKh4| publisher=YouTube| date=2008-07-30}}</ref>, over 30 million views.

==Chart performance==
"Potential Breakup Song" debuted at number 77 on the U.S. [[wikipedia:Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] on July 5 [[2007]].<ref>[http://web.archive.org/20070929144020/www.billboard.com/bbcom/esearch/chart_display.jsp?cfi=379&cfgn=Singles&cfn=The+Billboard+Hot+100&ci=3084807&cdi=9300408&cid=07/14/2007 "Potential Breakup Song" Debut Position on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100]. [[wikipedia:Billboard (magazine)|''Billboard'']]. Retrieved on August 8 [[2007]].</ref> The song peaked at number 17, becoming the group's best single performance on the Hot 100. As the song began to fall down the chart, dropping to number 50 about a month after its peak, the song recovered bounced back up to number 41 after Aly and AJ co-hosted MTV's ''[[wikipedia:Total Request Live|TRL]]'' for one week.<ref>[http://www.alyandajreaction.net/music/chartarchive/singles.php "Potential Breakup Song" chart trajectory]. Aly & AJ Reaction</ref> As of March 2009, the song has logged over 1,000,000 digital downloads in the United States, enabling it to be certified Platinum by the RIAA.

In the UK, the single was released to download on the October 1, 2007, and debuted in the UK Top 75 at number 33. Following the release of the physical CD in the UK, the song peaked at number 22.

''[[wikipedia:Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine ranked "Potential Breakup Song" the ninth best song of 2007. Writer Josh Tyrangiel singled out the lyrics in the bridge: "This is the Potential Breakup Song/ Our album needs just one/ Oh baby please”, and praised the authenticity of its having been written by the teenage sisters who sing it.<ref>Tyrangiel, Josh; "The Best Top 10 Lists of the Year"; "The 10 Best Songs"; ''[[wikipedia:Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine; December 24, [[2007]]; Page 39.</ref><ref>[http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/top10/article/0,30583,1686204_1686244_1690706,00.html ''Time'' magazine's Top 10 Songs of 2007 at time.com]</ref>

===Charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Chart (2007/2008)
!Peak<br />position
|-
|[[wikipedia:Canadian Hot 100|Canadian Hot 100]]
<ref>[http://web.archive.org/20071016182312/www.billboard.com/bbcom/esearch/chart_display.jsp?cfi=793&cfgn=Singles&cfn=Canadian+Hot+100&ci=3086420&cdi=9395152&cid=09/22/2007 Canadian Hot 100: "Potential Breakup Song" Chart Listing on 09/13/07]. ''[[wikipedia:Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]''. Retrieved on September 15 [[2007]].</ref><ref name="aCharts"/>
|align="center"|72
|-
|Dutch Mega Single Top 100<ref>[http://dutchcharts.nl//showitem.asp?key=427450&cat=s DutchCharts.nl - Aly & AJ - Potential Break Up Song chart info]</ref>
|align="center"|83
|-
|[[wikipedia:Irish Singles Chart|Irish Singles Chart]]
<ref name="aCharts">[http://acharts.us/song/26761 "Potential Breakup Song" worldwide chart positions]. ''aCharts''. Retrieved on October 7 [[2007]].</ref>
|align="center"|16
|-
|[[wikipedia:VG-lista|Norwegian Singles Chart]]
<ref name="aCharts"/>
|align="center"|18
|-
|U.S. [[wikipedia:Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]<ref name="aCharts"/><ref name=BillboardCharts>[http://web.archive.org/20070929204620/www.billboard.com/bbcom/retrieve_chart_history.do?model.vnuArtistId=649857&model.vnuAlbumId=949141 "Potential Breakup Song" performance on the main U.S. ''Billboard'' charts]. ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]''. Retrieved on July 13, [[2007]].</ref>
|align="center"|17
|-
|U.S. ''Billboard'' Pop 100<ref name=BillboardCharts/>
|align="center"|19
|-
|[[wikipedia:UK Singles Chart|UK Singles Chart]]
<ref name="aCharts"/><ref>[https://archive.is/20120525123245/www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/chart/singles.shtml UK Singles Chart]. ''BBC.co.uk''. Retrieved on October 13, [[2007]].</ref>
|align="center"|22
|}

==Uses in pop culture==
* "Potential Breakup Song" is played in the video game ''Thrillville: Off the Rails''.
* "Potential Breakup Song" is played in episode 2 of ''The [[Miley Cyrus|Miley]] and Mandy Show''.

==Ami Suzuki version==
{{Infobox Single
| Name = Potential Breakup Song
| Cover = Potential Breakup Song CD.jpg
| Artist = [[wikipedia:Ami Suzuki|Ami Suzuki]]
| from Album = [[wikipedia:Dolce (album)|Dolce]]
| Released = 28 November 2007 (Japan)
| Format = CD single
| Recorded = 
| Genre = J-pop, House
| Length = 
| Label = Avex Trax
| Writer = [[Alyson Michalka]], [[Amanda Michalka]], [[Antonina Armato]], [[wikipedia:Tim James (songwriter)|Tim James]]
| Producer = [[Sugiurumn]]
| omposer = 
| Last single = [[wikipedia:Free Free/Super Music Maker|Free Free/Super Music Maker]]<br />(2007)
| This single = Potential Breakup Song<br />(2007)
| Next single = [[wikipedia:One (Ami Suzuki song)|One]]<br />(2008)
}}

"Potential Breakup Song" was covered by Japanese singer [[wikipedia:Ami Suzuki|Ami Suzuki]] under the label Avex Trax. It was released on 28 November 2007.<ref>{{ja icon}} [http://www.avexnet.or.jp/ami/news/46.html Hot News｜鈴木 亜美（すずき あみ）avex Official WebSite<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

The song was used in the Japanese horror flick ''X-Cross'', in which Suzuki had a lead role, alongside the original Aly & AJ version. The single is produced by Japanese DJ Sugiurumn and has a stronger club feel than Aly & AJ's versions.

In June 2008, it was announced that this single would be Suzuki's final "joins" single.

===Track listing===
# "Potential Breakup Song"
# "Feel the Beat"
# "Potential Breakup Song" （Sugiurumn Remix）
# "Potential Breakup Song" （Instrumental）

===Charts===
Oricon Sales Chart (Japan)

{| class="wikitable"
!Release
!Chart
!Peak position
!First week sales
!Total sales
!Chart run
|-
|rowspan="2"|28 November 2007
|Oricon Daily Singles Chart
|align="center"|16
|
|
|-
|Oricon Weekly Singles Chart
|align="center"|34
|4,151
|5,315
|5 weeks
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:78violet]]
[[Category:Songs]]
[[Category:Aly & AJ]]