Breakup songs

Cafe Society
1

I’m sure there are other threads on this, but I can’t find them.

I’m “on a break”. I’ve got that oogy, half-jubilant, half-terrified feeling that accompanies a breakup. I always become more attached to music at times like these. I’ve got several songs on repeat that I keep coming back to, including:

Chelsea Hotel #2 - Leonard Cohen
Butterfly - Tori Amos
OK Go - Get Over It
Runnin’ Away - Pharcyde
Strobelight - B 52’s
Everything in its right place - Christopher O’Riley’s Radiohead
Metallica - One
Commie Drives a Nova - Ike Reilly

It strikes me that I’ve chosen these songs seemingly at random, although some make more sense than others. I become curious: What do others associate with breaking up? Do you listen to sad music? Try to reverse-psyche yourself with something peppy? What songs do you spin?

2

Something the songs don’t address is that someone has to be the Bad Guy–the one to bring up the fact that the relationship is over. My favorite break-up song is “Let’s Just Kiss and Say Goodbye,” where the guy ditches the gal and still winds up looking like a hero.

3

You’e in my head, Krok. Care to tell me anything else about my relationship? :wink:

4

“You’re Breaking My Heart” - Harry Nilsson.

I love this song.
AL

5

“Last Goodbye” * by Jeff Buckley is a standard.
A friend of mine broke up with a girl by giving her the lyrics to ‘Positivly 4th Street’ * by Bob Dylan. (Not a friendly break up at all.)
Nick Hornby writes about Ani Difranco’s “You Had Time” and Ben Fold’s “Smoke” as very good break up music in 31 Songs.

6

“Almost Hear You Sigh” by the Rolling Stones.

7

Broken Hearts Are For Assholes by Frank Zappa.

Why Don’t You Get A Job by The Offspring (?).

And for the really severe cases, One More Minute by Weird Al.

8

I think sad music helps in a way that it puts the sadness in a tangible form. It’s better than to cook stuff up all inside yourself… The sort of sweet yet unbelievably sad tunes are the best/worst…
Let’s see…
PJ Harvey “Nina in Extasy” (not actually a break-up song lyric wise, but an ideal vibe)
Peter Gabriel “Washing of the Water”
Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers"It’ll all work out" (is actually one of the greatest sweet and sad breakup songs.
Tori Amos “Hey Jupiter” (mmm, dakota version?) or “Honey” (turn one last time, I love to watch those cowbvoys ride. but cowboys know cowgirls ride on the indian side…)

then again aiming for something rebelious and liberating is another tactic:

“Why’d ya do it” Marianne Faithful
“5 years” Bjork
“Get gone” Fiona Apple (truly lovely. one of the prettiest songs out there)
umm… “Henry Lee” Nick Cave.

9

Crowds-- Bauhaus

Don’t Think Twice, It’s all Right-- Bob Dylan

In Her Eyes-- Bevis Frond (probably more of a “realizing it’s over” song)

It Doesn’t Matter Anymore-- Buddy Holly

10

Get Up Kids - Holiday

11

“All Your Goodies Are Gone” by Parliament

12

Already Gone by the Eagles

13

Anything Jann Arden (especially Insensitive), Jewel : You Were Meant For Me, Puddle of Mudd : She Hates Me, Fleetwood Mac : Dreams, Linda Rondstat : When Will I Be Loved, Liz Phair : Why Can’t I, Meatloaf : Two Out Of Three Ain’t Bad, Sheryl Crow: The First Cut is the Deepest, Simple Plan: Addicted, Restless Heart : When She Cries…

I also have a few cd’s labeled ‘Love Songs’ Which I listen to to torture myself when I get sad from being single or lonely or whatever. You can kinda tell my eclectic tastes too…

14

Wish the Worst - Old 97’s

The best song when you’re pissed at the one you’ve broken up with.

“I hope you crash your momma’s car
I hope you pass out in some bar,
I hope you catch some kind of flu,
that said, I wish the worst for you”

15

Would Blue Monday by New Order count?

16

“Love Will Tear Us Apart” by Joy Division
It’s one of those “why didn’t I see it coming?” break-up songs, more heartbreaking for the dumpee than the dumper. I listen to it and I get torn up even though I haven’t been dumped in quite a while. It’s great.
-Z

17

I know this sounds corny and it’s nowhere near the type of music I normally listen to but one that tugs at my heartstrings the worst is:

“It’s so hard to say goodbye to yesterday” by Boyz II Men.

18

How about that song they used for the theme song of Bosom Buddies in the early 1980s? You know, the one that goes:

I don’t care what’cha say anymore,
This is my … life!
[doo doot doot doo doo doo]
Go ahead with your own life,
Leave me alone!

19

Well at the risk of stating the obvious how about :
The Breakup Song by Greg Khin?

and tracer, that is a Billy Joel song.

20

Best break-up song ever: Cup of coffee by Garbage.

Break-up songs that I remember having a big effect on me at the time: One of us by ABBA and Don’t you want me by Human League.