# I need some "Break Up" songs **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 4, 2005, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-some-break-up-songs/292996 "2005-03-04T23:45:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2005, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-some-break-up-songs/292996/41 "2005-03-06T13:22:41Z")
“King of Wishful Thinking” by Go West from the _Pretty Woman_ soundtrack. Sort of an “I want to get over you, but I know I won’t” thing. Robin ---
**Author:** ![PearlyPacific](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5f8ce5/32.png) [@PearlyPacific](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PearlyPacific)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2005, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-some-break-up-songs/292996/42 "2005-03-06T23:46:42Z")
Aaah, this brings back memories. I remember listening to “The Old Apartment” by the Bare Naked Ladies over and over and over during my last breakup. It really did help. From Joe Jackson’s album Look Sharp, the song “Fools In Love”; or actually most of the songs from that album now that I think about it. Another Dire Straits song from the Making Movies album is “Hand in Hand”. If that doesn’t give you a good cathartic weep and gnashing of your teeth nothing will. Well, look I’ve gone and outed myself as an oldtimer by calling these albums. :smack: Burn yourself a cd and get over that heartless wench. ---
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2005, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-some-break-up-songs/292996/43 "2005-03-06T23:56:21Z")
> [@fishbicycle](#): > > IMHO, the best breakup song, ever, is **You’re Breakin’ My Heart** by Harry Nilsson. > > _You’re breakin’ my heart > You’re tearin’ it apart > So f_\*\* you…\* Full agreement here. And coming in a close second is Martin Briley’s [_Salt in My Tears_](http://www.afn.org/~afn30091/songs/b/briley-salt.htm). ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2005, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-some-break-up-songs/292996/44 "2005-03-07T00:16:54Z")
Goodbye to You - Scandal Tainted Love - Soft Cell ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2005, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-some-break-up-songs/292996/45 "2005-03-07T00:45:56Z")
> [@The Big Cheese](#): > > Heard it in a Love Song - Marshall Tucker band Nah. They don’t actually break up in that one. A more apt Marshall Tucker Band song might be **This Old Cowboy**. Sample lyric: > [@](#): > > Well Honey I’ve been a fool > but a bigger fool > I can’t remember when I’ve been > Just to open up my heart > and let you walk right in > > But there’s one thing in life > that ain’t hard for me to do > and thats as soon as I kiss > the lips of another women > I’m gonna forget all about you > > So I don’t want you to think > you’re the first one > to leave me out here on my own > ‘cause this ain’t gonna be > the first time > this ol’ cowboy > spent the night alone And then maybe: **It’s All Over Now** - Rolling Stones: > [@](#): > > Well, baby used to stay out all night long > She made me cry, she done me wrong > She hurt my eyes open, that’s no lie > Tables turn and now her turn to cry > > Because I used to love her, but it’s all over now > Because I used to love her, but it’s all over now Or maybe (if you like your lyrics a liitle more obscure) **It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue** by Bob Dylan: > [@](#): > > Leave your stepping stones behind, something calls for you. > Forget the dead you’ve left, they will not follow you. > The vagabond who’s rapping at your door > Is standing in the clothes that you once wore. > Strike another match, go start anew > And it’s all over now, Baby Blue. But if it’s wistful you want, I’d recommend **Dreaming My Dreams** by Waylon Jennings (also covered by Alison Krauss and by The Cowboy Junkies): > [@](#): > > I won’t let it change me > Not if I can > I’d rather believe in love > And give it away > As much as I can > To those that I’m fondest of > > Someday I’ll get over you > I’ll live to see it all through > But I’ll always miss > Dreaming my dreams with you If you want bitter and angry, try **Dwight Yoakam**. There’s **A Thousand Miles from Nowhere** : > [@](#): > > I got heartaches in my pocket > I got echoes in my head > And all that I keep hearing > Are the cruel, cruel things that you said > > I’m a thousand miles from nowhere > Time don’t matter to me > ’cause I’m a thousand miles from nowhere > And there’s no place I want to be And how about **Ain’t That Lonely Yet** (also Yoakam)? How’s this for spiteful? > [@](#): > > You keep calling me > On the telephone > You say you’re all alone > Well, that’s too bad > > You keep leavin’ > Notes stuck on my door > Guess you’re hungry for some more > Girl that’s too bad > > ’cause I ain’t that lonely yet > No I ain’t that lonely yet > After what you put me through > No, I ain’t that lonely yet Oh yeah, and I agree that **Beck** ’s **Sea Change** is the CD for your mood. ---
**Author:** ![stpauler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2005, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-some-break-up-songs/292996/46 "2005-03-07T00:54:17Z")
> [@Beagledave](#): > > Are You Happy Now by Richard Shindell I’ll second that song. Another artist-in-law with him is Dar Williams who did the achingly sad break-up song [February:](http://www.lyricscafe.com/w/williams_dar/006.htm) > [@](#): > > I threw your keys in the water, I looked back, > They’d frozen halfway down in the ice. > They froze up so quickly, the keys and their owners, > Even after the anger, it all turned silent, and > The everyday turned solitary, > So we came to February. > > You know I think Christmas was a long red glare, > Shot up like a warning, we gave presents without cards, > And then the snow, > And then the snow came, we were always out shoveling, > And we’d drop to sleep exhausted, > Then we’d wake up, and it’s snowing. The Gear Daddies’ [Stupid Boy](http://gear-daddies.lyrics-songs.com/lyrics/15957/) is good too: > [@](#): > > I feel sick and I feel used > You ain’t the boy I thought I knew > You go and put me on your shelf > You never think of no one else but yourself > > I’d 've done anything for you > Just about anything you asked me to > I put your needs above my own > And I can’t stand to be alone but I live ---
**Author:** ![nevermore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a587f6/32.png) [@nevermore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nevermore)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2005, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-some-break-up-songs/292996/47 "2005-03-07T02:46:31Z")
very triumphant and you-won’t-hold-me-back: “After All”, Tweaker yep, it’s over, part of it stays with us, but time to move on: “Over Now”, Alice in Chains you had your chance, well, you’re a cold empty bitch: “Three Libras”, A Perfect Circle and if you’re still in love with her and need a good cry or feel like wallowing a bit: “Forget Her”, Jeff Buckley and “The Blower’s Daughter”, Damien Rice good luck & good vibes; I know it sucks. =( ---
**Author:** ![Idlewild](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8491ac/32.png) [@Idlewild](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idlewild)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2005, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-some-break-up-songs/292996/48 "2005-03-07T04:14:36Z")
Sadly wistful for things that just didn’t work out: Soft Shoulder by Ani Difranco Quirky: The Breakup Song by Josh Abrahams She really wants him back: Combat Baby by Metric Just plain sad: Pavement Cracks by Annie Lennox He’s over her: You Don’t Send Me by Belle and Sebastian He’s REALLY over her (this one’s seriously angry!): The Dirty Glass by the Dropkick Murphys ---
**Author:** ![stpauler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2005, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-some-break-up-songs/292996/49 "2005-03-07T17:00:44Z")
I thought of another, Lloyd Cole’s [Sweetheart.](http://lyrics.duble.com/lyrics/L/lloyd-cole-lyrics/lloyd-cole-sweetheart-lyrics.htm) > [@](#): > > i got your letter baby the one that said > you been loving me too long maybe we should kick it in the head > right on > well i guess you’ve really got some kind of way with words > maybe you could be a writer > you could do worse ---
**Author:** ![The\_Chao\_Goes\_Mu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_chao_goes_mu/32/3191_2.png) [@The\_Chao\_Goes\_Mu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Chao_Goes_Mu)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2005, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-some-break-up-songs/292996/50 "2005-03-07T18:14:03Z")
_Dilate_-Ani DiFranco _Can’t You See_- Marshall Tucker Band _Looks Like Rain_- Grateful Dead _Blow Away_- Grateful Dead _Impermanent Things_- Peter Himmelman _Go Your Own Way_- Fleetwood Mac _SilverSpring_- Fleetwood Mac ---
**Author:** ![VunderBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/839c29/32.png) [@VunderBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VunderBob)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2005, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-some-break-up-songs/292996/51 "2005-03-07T18:23:22Z")
_You’re Breaking My Heart_ - Harry Nilsson ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2005, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-some-break-up-songs/292996/52 "2005-03-07T20:12:24Z")
When my parents got divorced, I was fourteen. On a long car trip, I put The Cure’s album “Disintegration” into the tape player, thinking that my father would appreciate it in a cathartic fashion. He was furious at me. At the time I didn’t understand why, but looking back on it, I think he thought i was playing a sadistic joke on him. It’s a pretty powerful, extremely depressing account of the disintegration of a marriage. Ah, the generation gap! Listen to that if you want to cry yourself to sleep. If you want giggling pissed-offedness, listen to They Might Be Giants’ “I’ll Sink Manhattan.” Sorry to hear your troubles! Daniel ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2005, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-some-break-up-songs/292996/53 "2005-03-08T01:17:27Z")
**Countin’ Flowers on the Wall** By Lew Dewitt done by the Statler Brothers, and just about every other C&W singer. \*I keep hearing you’re concerned about my happiness. All that thought you’re giving me is conscience, I guess. If I were walking in your shoes, I wouldn’t worry none. While you and your friends are worrying 'bout me, I’m having lots of fun. Counting flowers on the wall, That don’t bother me at all. Playing Solitaire till dawn, With a deck of fifty-one. Smoking cigarettes and watching Captain Kangaroo. Now, don’t tell me I’ve nothing to do.\* DD ---
**Author:** ![beckwall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b487fb/32.png) [@beckwall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beckwall)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2005, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-some-break-up-songs/292996/54 "2005-03-08T03:01:59Z")
> [@Ooner](#): > > Ben Folds Five - Song for the Dumped Is that the one that goes “Give me back my black t-shirt, you bitch”? Cuz if it is, then that is one exquisite song. Yay, my 1000th post has Ben Folds in it! Cool. ---
**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:** [March 8, 2005, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-some-break-up-songs/292996/55 "2005-03-08T06:39:58Z")
Sam Kinnison’s version of _ **Wild Thing** _ (significant excerpts): Wild Thing, I think ya move me. But I wanna know for sure. Every time I kiss you I taste what other men had for lunch. The only thing that gets you off is to see me in pain. But I think I love ya. Wild Thing. You make my heart scream. You took everything. Wild Thing. Wild Thing, I think ya move me. Ah, just changed my mind - I thought I’d say that. You made me trust ya then stuck a knife in my heart. You’re a lying, unfaithful, untrustable tramp. But I think I love ya. Wild Thing. You make my heart scream. You took everything. Wild Thing. Oh we all got some kind of Wild Thing that went through our lives and made it hell. Cause everybody’s had one - you, me - nobody likes those. And you know she’s out there, laughing at ya. I don’t care if it was last week or third grade. Someone broke your heart. What was her name? Wild Thing. I’ll never forgive you. You make my heart scream. How do you live with yourself? You took every thing. You never loved me. Wild Thing. You used me. Wild Thing. I hope you slide under a gas truck and taste your own blood. You make my heart scream. Why didn’t you tell me you were a demon from hell? You took every thing. You deserve the men you’re gonna meet, you loser. Wild Thing. Railroad bums. Transients. Out-of-work guys. Wild Thing. Guys that are gonna use you like you used me. Wild Thing. Guys who are gonna take money out of your purse and crawl out a window. Wild Thing. Ow. Oooooowwwwwwwwwww. Wild Thing. What’s her name? ---
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2005, 7:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-some-break-up-songs/292996/56 "2005-03-08T07:32:46Z")
“I Hope You’re Happy Now” or “No Action” by Elvis Costello (& the Attractions). “Terms Of Psychic Warfare” or “Don’t Want To Know If You Are Lonely” by Husker Du. “Shoot Out The Lights” by Richard & Linda Thompson (the song or the entire album). ---
**Author:** ![Reyemile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/46a35a/32.png) [@Reyemile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reyemile)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2005, 8:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-some-break-up-songs/292996/57 "2005-03-08T08:09:44Z")
Last time I got down over a woman, the song that got to me was “I’m Gonna Smile” by Lonestar. And yeah, if “One More Minute” doesn’t cheer you up, nothing will. ---
**Author:** ![Reyemile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/46a35a/32.png) [@Reyemile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reyemile)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2005, 8:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-some-break-up-songs/292996/58 "2005-03-08T08:11:00Z")
Oh, yeah, while we’re talking about Weird Al, there’s also “Since You’ve Been Gone” ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2005, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-some-break-up-songs/292996/59 "2005-03-08T15:27:52Z")
**Train in Vain** by The Clash: > [@](#): > > Said you’d stand by your man > Tell me something I don’t understand > You said you love me and that’s a fact > Then you left me, said you felt trapped > > Well some things you can explain away > But my heartache’s in me till this day > > Did you stand by me > No, not at all > Did you stand by me > No way **Tuesday’s Gone** - Lynyrd Skynyrd > [@](#): > > Train roll on many miles from my home, > See, I’m riding my blues away. > Tuesday, you see, she had to be free > But somehow I’ve got to carry on. > > Tuesday’s gone with the wind. > Tuesday’s gone with the wind. > Tuesday’s gone with the wind. > My woman’s gone with the wind. ---
**Author:** ![chefjef](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e480ec/32.png) [@chefjef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chefjef)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2005, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-some-break-up-songs/292996/60 "2005-03-08T15:49:54Z")
I used to listen to Tuesday’s Gone by Lynard Skynard on repeat when I was younger and in a mood to sulk. Haha. I actually contructed an entire break-up mix once – a couple of songs on it…: “How Do You Like Me Now” - Toby Keith “Fallen for You” - Sheila Nichols “Gimme Shelter” - Rolling Stones “Nothing Compares to you” - Prince with Rosie Gaines (AWESOME) “It Only Hurts When I’m Breathing” - Shania Twain “Helpless” - Neil Young I’m sorry – but it ruled. Seriously - aren’t those poignant? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-some-break-up-songs/292996.md?page=2)