Synopsis

Tift Merritt's "Broken" unfolds as a loose, documentary-style road story. Merritt travels through open countryside in a distinctive vintage car, with natural settings and unforced moments carrying the narrative. The vehicle becomes the video's central visual motif as the journey moves between stillness and forward motion, echoing the song's ideas of damage, disorientation, and recovery. Instead of relying on elaborate choreography or a conventional performance setup, the clip presents Merritt as a solitary traveler, giving the song a cinematic, small-scale sense of movement and renewal.

Factoids & Trivia

• Merritt described the concept as "a little documentary, a small French film," emphasizing a natural, unpolished approach rather than a heavily staged music video.

• She also specifically wanted the clip to feature a "cool stolen car," making the vehicle one of the video's defining visual elements.

• "Broken" was the first single from Merritt's 2008 album *Another Country*. The album's songs were written during an extended stay in Paris, after she had become worn down by continual touring.

• The song reached No. 1 on the Americana radio chart during its first week of release.

• "Broken" received a Song of the Year nomination at the 2008 Americana Music Association Awards.

• The video was issued as a digital single in October 2008, with a listed running time of approximately 4 minutes and 2 seconds.

• The official performance video was later uploaded through Merritt's official YouTube channel.