 " Breakaway " received positive reviews from music critics , who complimented the song 's message and simple lyrics they could relate to . It incorporates acoustic guitars and airy drums which are interspersed with Clarkson 's controlled voice . The lyrics narrate Clarkson 's journey as a girl growing up in a small town who follows her dream for self @-@ improvement . " Breakaway " was a commercial success outside of the United States , where it peaked within the top 20 of multiple European countries , and in the top 10 in Australia , Belgium , Hungary and the Netherlands . In the US , the song peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and became her third top ten song in the chart . It also topped the US Adult Contemporary for twenty @-@ one non @-@ consecutive weeks , a record that is now shared between herself and Celine Dion 's " A New Day Has Come " . 
