Scarborough Fair is a rather classic example. Centuries old.
I always interpreted this as a woman who’s in, and later leaves, a stale marriage with a good man who nevertheless takes her for granted.
Another song for this thread is “Bad Time” by Grand Funk Railroad. It was inspired by the demise of Mark Farner’s first marriage.
Take A Letter, Maria, R.B. Greaves
Well, we can probably presume that the ex-boyfriend referenced in Alanis Morissette’s “You Oughta Know” fell out of love with her, seeing how good things seem to be going with his new girlfriend and all.
In Seven Mary Three’s “Cumbersome”, the singer’s girlfriend seems on her way to falling out of love with him…
Don’t Speak - No Doubt
Things Change by Dwight Yoakam.
Maggie May, Rod Stewart. Link goes to Susanna Hoffs cover. Reason: Button, cute as a.
“Breakfast at Tiffany’s” - Deep Blue Something
“Unbreak My Heart” & “How Could an Angel Break My Heart” - Toni Braxton
“And I Am Telling You I Am Not Going” - from Dreamgirls
“What Will I Tell My Heart” - Vanessa Williams
“Cold Day in July” - Dixie Chicks
“Suitcase”- Emile Sande
Stones: It’s All Over Now
Written by Bobby Womack / Shirley Womack, whoever they were.
Rest Stop, by Matchbox 20.
She said, while you were sleeping
I was listening to the radio
And wondering what you’re dreaming when
It came to mind that I didn’t care
I’m Outta Love by Anastacia
“How Do You Tell Someone” by Cowboy Mouth
How do you tell someone you don’t love them?
How do you tell someone you don’t care anymore?
Isn’t that about unrequited love vs lost love?
Also, Up The Junction by Squeeze.
Not on subject but this reminds me of Paul Simon when asked about My Little Town. He reportedly said something like 'It came from my imagination. I’m from Queens."
The thunder rolls
and the lightnin’ strikes.
Another love grows cold
on a sleepless night.
As the storm goes on
out of control
Deep in her heart,
the thunder rolls.
By Garth Brooks.
Regards,
Shodan
“When You’re Alone” by Bruce Springsteen
Now it ain’t hard feelings or nothin’ sugar
That ain’t what’s got me singing this song
It’s just nobody knows baby where love goes
But when it goes it’s gone gone
The obsessive music geeks at Billboard(yes, that Billboard) have a Top 30 Breakup Songs of all time that may have what you’re looking for.
Enjoy,
Steven
That’s practically a genre all its own…
I’ll offer up…
“You Used to Love to Dance” by Melissa Etheridge
“Brick” by Ben Folds Five
“Hit the Road Jack” by Ray Charles
…and an honorable mention: “Fifty Ways to Leave Your Lover” by Paul Simon, where the ending is a bit ambiguous.
Escape (The Piña Colada Song) - Rupert Holmes
Taxi and Sequel - Harry Chapin
Gosh, now that I think about it, woouldn’t it be hard to find popular music acts that don’t have songs like this?
In another thread I mentioned two musicians yesterday, Gwen Stefani and Lisa Loeb. I’d guess “I Don’t Love You Anymore, Or You Don’t Love Me Anymore, Or Hell, Maybe It’s Both” songs comprise half their catalogues. No Doubt’s “Don’t Speak” is already noted, and hell, they actually have a song called “Ex-Girlfriend.”