“Walking on Broken Glass” is an energetic yet bittersweet pop song by Annie Lennox, released in August 1992 as the third single from her debut solo album Diva. The song became one of her most successful and recognizable hits, known for its baroque-inspired instrumentation, emotional lyrics, and theatrical music video.
Walking on Broken Glass is about heartbreak and unfulfilled love, with Lennox using the metaphor of walking on shattered glass to describe the pain of emotional betrayal and lingering feelings after a breakup. Lines like “And if you try to cut me down, you know that I might bleed” reflect raw vulnerability, making the song deeply relatable.
The song features a lively, classical-influenced arrangement, blending harpsichord-like keyboards, soaring strings, and a rhythmic, danceable beat. Lennox’s powerful, expressive vocals add drama and urgency, making the song feel both passionate and cathartic.
The song was a commercial success, reaching No. 1 in Canada, No. 8 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S. It became one of Lennox’s signature solo tracks, earning strong radio airplay and continued popularity.
The music video, set in an 18th-century French aristocratic setting, was inspired by Dangerous Liaisons and features John Malkovich and Hugh Laurie in period costumes. Lennox plays a heartbroken woman navigating the excesses and betrayals of high society, perfectly matching the song’s theme of romantic turmoil. The video was directed by British director Sophie Muller.