Listen to Cursive’s Domestica. It is basically a concept album about the lead singer’s messy divorce. Some lyrical gems:
“So I must learn to abort these feelings / This romance is bleeding”
“Your tears are only alibis / To prove you still feel / You only feel sorry for yourself”
“A little bit closer / Your lipstick is smudged, dear / Here, let me wipe that smirk off”
“This house is the hole that you could never fill / With shattered dinner plates / That’s how we’ll communicate”
“And I swear I tried to care / I tried, I tried… / (And) I lost the will to fight…”
Their latest album, The Ugly Organ, is similar, but more about the relationships that happened afterward.
•“Adagio for Strings”—Barber
•“Dust in the Wind”—Kansas
•“Paint it Black”—Rolling Stones
•“He Stopped Loving Her Today”—George Jones
•“Vesti La Giubba”—Leoncavallo
•“Un Bel Di Vedremo” from “Madama Butterfly”
“Oh I must’ve been crazy to have stayed with you
I can’t believe I thought I was in love with you
But now the scales have fallen I can really see
And I say go to hell, 'cause that’s where you took me”
Converge’s Jane Doe is pretty much a concept album dedicated to his ex. The line “Remember my name girl, and remember what died” springs to mind. Probabally not what you’re looking for though.
I’d unreservedly recommend Arab Strap’s “Philophobia” though.
The opening track on Kid Dakota’s “So Pretty” might do the trick.
As in all matters of the heart, rooting around in The Magnetic Field’s “69 Love Songs” is sure to produce results.
I’d also go with Shellac’s “prayer to god”
Sorry for being so vague, but I don’t have access to my CD’s right now.
Magnetic Fields does great break-up songs that run the gamut from sweetly wistful to very bitter. Some of my faves: “Love is Like a Bottle of Gin,” “I Can’t Touch You Anymore,” “I Don’t Want to Get Over You,” and “Crazy for You (But Not That Crazy)”.
Of course, if you’re looking for bitter, it’s hard to beat Fishbone’s “Lyin’ Ass Bitch.”
For when you’ve been dumped “It’s Over”, Roy Orbison - perfect for wailing along as you sob into your pillow at 3am, or is that just me?
For when you’re the one doing the dumping, “Overdue Goodbye”, Anastasia.
The White Octave’s Style No. 6312 also has some terrific break up stuff.
Appeals for Insertion - “this salt in wound scenario is growing old. but i’m protected by a thousand layers of built-up skin. designed to protect what you’ve destroyed within.”
Call the Kiss - “as night consumes the daylight. and i recall the sweetest dreams. but red wine helps them fade. here’s to another glass. i need it to displace. the emptiness i cannot swallow.”
Style No. 6312 - “and i claim this to be the first day. i can wake up without you in my head.”
Basically the entire emo genre is break up songs. Be trendy and start listening.
I’d cast my vote for The Pogues’ “Fairytale of New York.” Though not a traditional breakup song, I think it qualifies because of this memorable exchange
FEMALE VOCAL:
You’re a bum/ You’re a punk
MALE VOCAL:
You’re an old slut on junk/ Lying there almost dead/ On that drip in that bed
FEMALE VOCAL:
You scumbag, you maggot, you cheap lousy faggot/ Happy Christmas your arse/ I pray God it’s our last
For bitter “God I’m so depressed,” the one that gets me everytime is “Romeo & Juliet” by Dire Straits.
“Time of Your Life (Good Riddance)” by Green Day is oft mentioned, but maybe flunks the “ballad” test.
Jeff Buckley–Last Goodbye (already mentioned? if so, I second) and Lover, You Should’ve Come Over
Beth Orton–Sweetest Decline
Michael Penn–Cupid’s Got a Brand New Gun
Semisonic–Gone to the Movies
Rhett Miller–Come Around