Peak UK Chart Position: #15 in March 1984.

On the slide after peaking at Number 15 the previous week, and down to number 19 this week in 1984, was the only top forty hit for Julia and Company, led by Julia Nixon (formerly McGirt). Nixon had previously performed on Broadway, replacing Jennifer Holliday in the original production of the musical “Dreamgirls”. A second single, “I’m So Happy”, was released early in 1985, but only reached number 56. Her first solo album was released in 2007. At the 2009 Wammies (Washington Area Music Awards), Nixon won the Urban Contemporary Vocalist Award and her ensemble, Julia and Company, won the Urban Contemporary Duo/Group Award. She still performs, with an evening of Bacharach and David songs set to be performed by her in Washington, Columbia in April.

“Breakin’ Down” was sampled on a dance track entitled “Something (To Make You Feel Alright)” by Silosonic in 2005.

Here is Julia’s live vocal performance of the track, opening Top of the Pops on 15th March 1984 – a show which also included footage of Torvill and Dean performing to Bolero, which was number ten in the charts that week.