Nervous Breakdown (song)

Song infobox
Name = Nervous Breakdown


Artist = Black Flag
Album = Nervous Breakdown
Released = October 1978
track_no = 1
Recorded = Media Art Studios, January 1978
Genre = Hardcore punk
Length = 2:26
Writer = Greg Ginn (lyrics), Black Flag (music)
Label = SST Records
Producer = Spot
Black Flag
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Nervous Breakdown is a song by the now defunct hardcore punk band Black Flag off their debut release, the EP "Nervous Breakdown". Despite being more heavy metal rooted in their later years, they continued playing the song live. It was recorded with original lead vocalist Keith Morris and the song, along with the songs on the EPs "Jealous Again", "Six Pack", and the single "Louie, Louie", was included on the compilation "The First Four Years". A live version sung by then-lead singer Henry Rollins is found on the "Live '84" album.

The song has been covered by Fucked Up, Pennywise, Gallows, +44 and Colin of Arabia. The song was also played in the movie Lords of Dogtown by punk band Rise Against who was shown depicting Black Flag in the 70s at a live performance.

The Circle Jerks released a live version of this song on a 7". In the intro to the song, Keith Morris can be heard saying, "We've been trying to collect royalties on this song, but since they're not going to give us any royalties, we'll fucking play it."

Morris recut the song in a more fiery vocal take with Mother Superior (aka 3/4 of Rollins Band) on the West Memphis Three benefit album ".

English punk band Gallows recently recorded a studio cover version for Kerrang!'s "Higher Voltage" cover CD.

Boston Hardcore band The Hope Conspiracy recorded an acclaimed version for the modern hardcore/metalcore-centric Black Flag tribute album 'Black on Black'.