# Breakup Songs **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 3, 2010, 8:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breakup-songs/527508 "2010-02-03T08:00:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![BwanaBob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bwanabob/32/2985_2.png) [@BwanaBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BwanaBob)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2010, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breakup-songs/527508/41 "2010-02-04T17:32:39Z")
Emerson, Lake & Palmer’s - Trilogy “I’ve tried to mend, the love that ended long ago although we still pretend. Our love is surely coming to an end. Don’t waste the time you’ve got to love again.” ---
**Author:** ![Teacake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Teacake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Teacake)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2010, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breakup-songs/527508/42 "2010-02-04T17:46:22Z")
Jim Croce - Next Time, This Time; One Less Set of Footsteps. Maria McKee - I’ve Forgotten What It Was In You (That Put The Need In Me). ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2010, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breakup-songs/527508/43 "2010-02-04T17:51:33Z")
Breakup songs really get me down. Down, dooby, do, down, down. Comma, comma, down, dooby, do, down, down. Maybe because it’s so hard to do, you know? ---
**Author:** ![Bam\_Boo\_Gut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8c91f0/32.png) [@Bam\_Boo\_Gut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bam_Boo_Gut)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2010, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breakup-songs/527508/44 "2010-02-05T02:17:10Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > Breakup songs really get me down. Down, dooby, do, down, down. Comma, comma, down, dooby, do, down, down. Maybe because it’s so hard to do, you know? What, like there aint no sunshine or something? ---
**Author:** ![Glory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7cd45c/32.png) [@Glory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Glory)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2010, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breakup-songs/527508/45 "2010-02-05T02:29:55Z")
At This Moment - Billy Vera and the Beaters _What did you think, I would do at this moment, When you’re standing before me, With tears in your eyes… Tryin to tell me that you, Found you another… And you just don’t love me, No more…_ Last Goodbye - Jeff Buckley _This is our last goodbye I hate to feel the love between us die. But it’s over Just hear this and then I’ll go: You gave me more to live for, More than you’ll ever know. … Kiss me, please kiss me, But kiss me out of desire, babe, and not consolation_ ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2010, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breakup-songs/527508/46 "2010-02-05T02:42:34Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > “Night in White Satin” by the Moody Blues I only recently realized that this song is not “Knights in White Satin”. ---
**Author:** ![Lamia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Lamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamia)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2010, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breakup-songs/527508/47 "2010-02-05T03:02:23Z")
I’ll second Pearl Jam’s “Black” – one of my favorite songs about a breakup, although thankfully it doesn’t remind me of any breakup I’ve ever had. In fact, I’d be pretty worried about a friend who started listening to “Black” on repeat after a breakup! But I think it’s a beautiful song, and unusual as breakup songs go in that the narrator is devastated by the end of the relationship but doesn’t seem to harbor any ill will towards the other person. ---
**Author:** ![Lucky\_13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucky_13/32/13209_2.png) [@Lucky\_13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucky_13)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2010, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breakup-songs/527508/48 "2010-02-05T03:36:02Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > “Nights in White Satin” by the Moody Blues I didn’t realize this was a break-up song. I want to add a whole bunch of Elvis Costello songs - he’s a serial divorcer as well. (Elvis, please don’t break up with Diana Krall!) A song to listen to if you hate your ex: “Smile” by Lily Allen. If you _really_ hate your ex: anything Eminem wrote about his ex-wife, Kim, particularly " '97 Bonnie & Clyde." ---
**Author:** ![GameHat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ed655f/32.png) [@GameHat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GameHat)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2010, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breakup-songs/527508/49 "2010-02-05T03:46:39Z")
I dunno about songs, but the absolute best breakup album of all time is: [Beck - Sea Change](http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:hifqxqtaldhe) Beck has been known to be…inventive…in his lyrics. His music is usually wildly unorthodox. But on _Sea Change_ - as I understand it, he recorded it after breaking up with a long-time partner - It’s a complete change from his usual fare. I like his usual fare, but this album is - well, surprisingly heartbreaking. The crazy wordplay is gone. The wild inventiveness is absent. It’s a straight, “My heart is broken” album. But the beauty remains. It’s all folk, with maybe a few minor hints of country. The music is beautiful and sad. For maybe the first time, we get to hear his voice without cuts, scratches and distortions. And it’s lovely and honest. This album came out near when I had just broken up with a long-time girlfriend. I still can’t listen to it without tearing up a bit. ---
**Author:** ![ThisSpaceForRent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thisspaceforrent/32/345_2.png) [@ThisSpaceForRent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThisSpaceForRent)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2010, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breakup-songs/527508/50 "2010-02-05T04:09:05Z")
_ **Looks Like Rain** _ Grateful Dead written by John P. Barlow \*I woke today… And felt your side of bed The covers were still warm where you’d been layin’. You were gone… My heart was filled with dread. You might not be sleepin’ here again \* I can’t even listen to it in public…still fucking hurts… …don’t need no more fuckin’ rain… [http://artsites.ucsc.edu/GDead/agdl/llra.html](http://artsites.ucsc.edu/GDead/agdl/llra.html) ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2010, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breakup-songs/527508/51 "2010-02-05T05:16:58Z")
Best breakup song ever: “[No Children](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRP6egIEABk)” by the Mountain Goats. > [@](#): > > _I hope that our few remaining friends > Give up on trying to save us > I hope we come up with a failsafe plot > To piss off the dumb few that forgave us > I hope the fences we mended > Fall down beneath their own weight > And I hope we hang on past the last exit > I hope it’s already too late > And I hope the junkyard a few blocks from here > Someday burns down > And I hope the rising black smoke carries me far away > And I never come back to this town > Again in my life > I hope I lie > And tell everyone you were a good wife > And I hope you die > I hope we both die_ [It goes on.](http://www.lyricsmania.com/no_children_lyrics_mountain_goats_the.html) ---
**Author:** ![Lamia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Lamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamia)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2010, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breakup-songs/527508/52 "2010-02-05T19:50:17Z")
“Nothing Compares 2 U” (originally by Prince, but best known as a cover by Sinead O’Connor) is another good one: “Since you been gone I can do whatever I want, I can see whomever I choose. I can eat my dinner in a fancy restaurant, But nothing, I said nothing can take away these blues…” ---
**Author:** ![Sateryn76](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e4f/32.png) [@Sateryn76](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sateryn76)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2010, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breakup-songs/527508/53 "2010-02-05T20:41:53Z")
At This Moment is one of the best… Also, Aerosmith has two of the best sad depression songs around… [Angel](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECbcyP92qdA) [What it Takes](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDAPtrsWSmk) ---
**Author:** ![Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a9a28c/32.png) [@Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oslo_Ostragoth)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2010, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breakup-songs/527508/54 "2010-02-06T07:06:48Z")
> **[O'connor,SINEAD - I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got - Amazon.com Music](https://www.amazon.com/Not-Want-What-Havent-Got/dp/B000003JB7)** > > Product description Chart-topping 1989 album featuring Nothing Compares 2 U Amazon.com Before Sinead O'Connor became conservative America's most reviled musician when she ripped up a picture of the Pope on TV and refused... last day of our acquaintance ---
**Author:** ![audiobottle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bc8723/32.png) [@audiobottle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/audiobottle)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2010, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breakup-songs/527508/55 "2010-02-06T17:18:00Z")
I’ll go with “[Nothing Better](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mcs3wSzqTI8)” by the Postal Service “[No One’s Gonna Love You](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuZo7pLnL7c)” by Band of Horses is pretty great too. Also, just to indulge my inner 13 year old Korean girl (I’m a 29 year old Korean guy) “[Wedding Dress](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsHOawyRcsc&feature=fvw)” by Taeyang. The translations are more or less but as with any foreign song, it never sounds quite the same. ---
**Author:** ![pinkyvee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/6de8d8/32.png) [@pinkyvee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pinkyvee)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2010, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breakup-songs/527508/56 "2010-02-06T17:51:57Z")
GOOD BYE EARL By Dixie Chicks Mary Anne And Wanda Were The Best Of Friends All Through Their High School Days Both Members Of The 4H Club Both Active In The FFA After Graduation Mary Anne Went Out Lookin’ For A Bright New World Wanda Looked All Around This Town And All She Found Was Earl ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2010, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breakup-songs/527508/57 "2010-02-06T18:03:57Z")
Richard and Linda Thompson’s last album together, “Shoot Out The Lights”, has quite a few good break-up songs on it. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2010, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breakup-songs/527508/58 "2010-02-06T18:21:15Z")
**pinkyvee** , don’t post song lyrics in their entirety. The rule > [@](#): > > It is okay to post a small snippet of song lyrics or poems or whatever, and include a link to another site which contains the complete text. But posting any material completely and verbatim is a violation of our rules and a potential violation of copyright laws. can be found [here.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=6769907&postcount=2) Thanks for your cooperation. twickster, Cafe Society moderator ---
**Author:** ![Glory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7cd45c/32.png) [@Glory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Glory)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2010, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breakup-songs/527508/59 "2010-02-06T18:32:26Z")
Someday You Will Be Loved - Deathcab For Cutie \*I cannot pretend that I felt any regret Cause each broken heart will eventually mend As the blood runs red down the needle and thread Someday you will be loved You’ll be loved you’ll be loved Like you never have known The memories of me Will seem more like bad dreams Just a series of blurs Like I never occurred Someday you will be loved\* ---
**Author:** ![lee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lee/32/7455_2.png) [@lee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lee)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2010, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breakup-songs/527508/60 "2010-02-07T18:32:58Z")
My personal favorite is They Might Be Giants “Twisting” She set your goldfish free, And now she’s sighing, Blew out your pilot light, And made a wish. Twisting refers to how she wants to see him: “Twisting in the wind.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breakup-songs/527508.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breakup-songs/527508.md?page=4)