# Know any good break-up songs? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 8, 2002, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-any-good-break-up-songs/141381 "2002-12-08T23:31:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![RexDart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b77776/32.png) [@RexDart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RexDart)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2002, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-any-good-break-up-songs/141381/21 "2002-12-09T06:17:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Joey P \* > \*\*Bob Dylan > Positively Fourth Street > > Every line of that song is brilliant, my personal favorite being… > > “I wish that for just one time you could stand inside my shoes, and just for that one moment I could be you, yes, I wish that for just one time you could stand inside my shoes, you’d know what a drag it is to see you.” \*\* I think this is a little more bitter than the sentiment the OP is looking for. For a nice solid, “Boy am I glad I’m not dating you anymore, but I’m callous and unemotional about it and you mean nothing to me” song, I’ll go along with those who suggested Weird Al’s song. **StephenG** , I think _Gold Dust Woman_, though about a break-up, has the wrong idea. That song questions the ability of a person to maintain his confidence after a break-up. A good break-up song should show somebody being totally unaffected by the break-up, someone who refuses to acknowledge any power the former partner maintains over him/her post-break-up. Of course, _Rumours_ is one of the greatest rock-pop albums of all time, front to back, and I’d never discourage anybody from listening to it. ---
**Author:** ![LindyHopper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ebca7d/32.png) [@LindyHopper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LindyHopper)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2002, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-any-good-break-up-songs/141381/22 "2002-12-09T06:39:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by StephenG \* > \*\*[sub]Off Topic: See, Lindsey Buckingham (male) and Stevie Nicks (female) had just broken up, which makes it even more interesting… [/sub] \*\* Not to mention Christine and John McVie, who broke up at roughly the same time as well. There’s a reason _Rumours_ is Fleetwood Mac’s best album. Great conflict often creates great art (cf. the Beatles’ White Album). ---
**Author:** ![Lockfist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/838e76/32.png) [@Lockfist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lockfist)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2002, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-any-good-break-up-songs/141381/23 "2002-12-09T06:43:04Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by LindyHopper \* > \*\*“Sleep to Dream”, by Fiona Apple. It’s bitter and vengeful, if you want that sort of thing. Sample lyrics: > > I tell you how I feel, but you don’t care > I say tell me the truth, but you don’t dare > You say love is a hell you cannot bear > And I say give me mine back and then go there for all I care > > Great stuff. 🙂 \*\* Yes, **LindyHopper** this is probably the best one of all mentioned in this thread so far ! ---
**Author:** ![LindyHopper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ebca7d/32.png) [@LindyHopper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LindyHopper)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2002, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-any-good-break-up-songs/141381/24 "2002-12-09T06:57:17Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Lockfist \* > \*\*Yes, **LindyHopper** this is probably the best one of all mentioned in this thread so far ! \*\* Heh. Can you tell I was involved in a major breakup this year? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2002, 8:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-any-good-break-up-songs/141381/25 "2002-12-09T08:24:24Z")
[**You’re Breaking My Heart**](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000002W5O/ref=pm_dp_ln_m_2/002-9447008-5329622?v=glance&s=music&vi=samples), _Harry Nilsson_, “Son of Schmilsson”, 1972. > [@](#): > > **You’ve gotta have your way > There’s nothin’ left to say > There’s nothin’ left to do–ooh! > You’re breakin’ my heart > You’re tearin’ it apart > So fuck you!** ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2002, 8:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-any-good-break-up-songs/141381/26 "2002-12-09T08:26:50Z")
Oops, sorry, I missed **tisiphone’s** post of the same tune! ---
**Author:** ![Dunderman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecb155/32.png) [@Dunderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunderman)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2002, 8:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-any-good-break-up-songs/141381/27 "2002-12-09T08:58:43Z")
I can’t believe no-one has mentioned _I Will Survive_ with Gloria Gaynor, the best song from the best decade ever. ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Nader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Darth\_Nader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Nader)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2002, 10:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-any-good-break-up-songs/141381/28 "2002-12-09T10:48:50Z")
Shellac, [“Prayer to God”](http://web.tiscali.it/shellac/1000Hurts-Lyrics.htm) Ween, [“Baby Bitch”](http://music.kulichki.net/txt/ween/baby_bitch.shtml) ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2002, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-any-good-break-up-songs/141381/29 "2002-12-09T13:55:50Z")
Mine was “Goodbye to You” by Scandal. Yeah, I’m an 80s girl. ---
**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:** [December 9, 2002, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-any-good-break-up-songs/141381/30 "2002-12-09T14:17:32Z")
THere’s “I’ll Sink Manhattan,” by They Might Be Giants, although it’s pretty vengeful the singer plans to sink Manhattan in order to get rid of his ex: _I’ll sink Manhattan I’ll sacrifice friends I think they’d understand my plan I’ll never be sure_\* And then there’s “Don’t think twice, it’s all right,” by Bob Dylan – probably the nicest breakup song I’ve heard. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![as\_u\_wish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6f9a4e/32.png) [@as\_u\_wish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/as_u_wish)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2002, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-any-good-break-up-songs/141381/31 "2002-12-09T15:16:09Z")
Here’s one that’s little off the beaten path, but one that captures some of the ambivalence and struggle to get back on an even keel. There’s clearly no intention of getting back together, but still not easy moving on. “If the Phone Doesn’t Ring, It’s Me” on Jimmy Buffett’s Last Mango in Paris. There are oceans of feelings between us Currents that sweep us away… I’ve had good days and bad days And going half mad days… If our lives were that simple We’d live in the past If the phone doesn’t ring, it’s me… ---
**Author:** ![Glory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7cd45c/32.png) [@Glory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Glory)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2002, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-any-good-break-up-songs/141381/32 "2002-12-09T15:26:55Z")
**Last Goodbye** - Jeff Buckley Lyric sample: "This is our last goodbye I hate to feel the love between us die… Kiss me, please kiss me But kiss me out of desire, babe, and not consolation" ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2002, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-any-good-break-up-songs/141381/33 "2002-12-09T17:16:01Z")
I’ve always liked the upbeat “Red Rubber Ball”, by Jay and the Americans. > [@](#): > > I should have known you’d bid me farewell. > There’s a lesson to be learned from this, and I learned it very well: > Now I know you’re not the only starfish in the sea. > If I never hear your name again, it’s all the same to me. ---
**Author:** ![Kiting\_Illini](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e274bd/32.png) [@Kiting\_Illini](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kiting_Illini)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2002, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-any-good-break-up-songs/141381/34 "2002-12-09T17:26:10Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by DanielWithrow \* > \*\* > And then there’s “Don’t think twice, it’s all right,” by Bob Dylan – probably the nicest breakup song I’ve heard. > > \*\* YESSSSSSSSS! ('sides its the only song I can play on the guitar!) ---
**Author:** ![slackergirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b38774/32.png) [@slackergirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slackergirl)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2002, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-any-good-break-up-songs/141381/35 "2002-12-09T17:58:53Z")
Beck’s new album, Sea Change, is entirely about a breakup. There’s some really good stuff on it. It’s also really straightforward (for Beck) and just a bit country, which really works well with the whole broken heart theme. ---
**Author:** ![photopat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e95f7d/32.png) [@photopat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/photopat)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2002, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-any-good-break-up-songs/141381/36 "2002-12-09T18:02:18Z")
Wow. Nobody has mentioned Fifty Ways to Leave Your Lover. I realize it’s more of a “planning to break up” song, but it still fits. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2002, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-any-good-break-up-songs/141381/37 "2002-12-09T18:11:35Z")
Reel Big Fish, “Where Have You Been”. **Say you love me, love me again, But if you love me, where have you been? Say you need me more than anyone else. Well go to hell, where have you been?** ---
**Author:** ![UWmite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/d26b3c/32.png) [@UWmite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UWmite)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2002, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-any-good-break-up-songs/141381/38 "2002-12-09T18:19:55Z")
Ooh, Rumours and the new Beck album were things I was planning on buying eventually anyway. Now I have a good excuse! A friend of mine was telling me about another Ween song that he thought I’d appreciate. Maybe I’ll need to get me some of that too. I don’t know that Buffett song! Add another to the list… And of course I’ll be checking out all of the rest of these too. Keep 'em coming! ---
**Author:** ![beckwall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b487fb/32.png) [@beckwall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beckwall)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2002, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-any-good-break-up-songs/141381/39 "2002-12-09T18:21:41Z")
No particular reason, but **Girlfriend in a Coma** always manages to cheer me up. He seems very conflicted in that song, something that usually goes along with a breakup. But it’s such a bouncy little tune, that you just have to smile. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2002, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-any-good-break-up-songs/141381/40 "2002-12-09T18:29:44Z")
[Here](http://www.alsongs.com/index.cfm?view=alsong&SongNumber=27&phrase=one%20more%20minute) is the lyric to “One More Minute” by Weird Al, on account of I think it’s the best breakup song, too, and I’m not allowed to post the lyric directly here. Mods: I found the lyric on a site linked directly from Weird Al’s official web page, so I think Al is okay with it. If I have erred, please accept my apologies and delete the link. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-any-good-break-up-songs/141381.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-any-good-break-up-songs/141381.md?page=3)