# Whiny Break-up Songs & Empowering Break-up Songs **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 5, 2013, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whiny-break-up-songs-empowering-break-up-songs/660179 "2013-06-05T03:04:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![psychobunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/54ee81/32.png) [@psychobunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychobunny)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2013, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whiny-break-up-songs-empowering-break-up-songs/660179/21 "2013-06-05T19:20:05Z")
Whiny-“She’s out of my life”-MJ Empowering “Just another picture to burn”-Taylor Swift Thinks she’s empowered but really just psycho-“Before He Cheats”-Carrie Underwood ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2013, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whiny-break-up-songs-empowering-break-up-songs/660179/22 "2013-06-05T19:25:00Z")
Whiny: Phil Collins, _Against All Odds_ Empowered: Loretta Lynn, _Fist City_ Indeterminate: Lyle Lovett, _Stand By Your Man_ ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2013, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whiny-break-up-songs-empowering-break-up-songs/660179/23 "2013-06-05T20:00:14Z")
> [@psychobunny](#): > > Thinks she’s empowered but really just psycho-“Before He Cheats”-Carrie Underwood Hah, my wife and I used to argue about this song (esp. the video). She saw it as empowering, I said Underwood was just a cowardly little wuss who’s too afraid to face her ex-boyfriend head on so she has to fuck with his car and run away to get “revenge”. She’s as empowered as a sullen teenager with a carton of eggs outside his teacher’s house. Therefore, I have to rate it as “whiny”. ---
**Author:** ![Win\_Place\_Show](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/win_place_show/32/13469_2.png) [@Win\_Place\_Show](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Win_Place_Show)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2013, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whiny-break-up-songs-empowering-break-up-songs/660179/24 "2013-06-06T01:51:28Z")
[Love Done Gone](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3d1T0UcsUN0) - by Billy Currington - actually a pretty upbeat “breakup” song (if you’re a country-music fan, at least). ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2013, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whiny-break-up-songs-empowering-break-up-songs/660179/25 "2013-06-06T02:06:25Z")
“You’re Breakin’ My Heart” by Harry Nilsson starts with these lyrics: _You’re breakin’ my heart You’re tearin’ it apart So fuck you_ ---
**Author:** ![DummyGladHands](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/49beb7/32.png) [@DummyGladHands](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DummyGladHands)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2013, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whiny-break-up-songs-empowering-break-up-songs/660179/26 "2013-06-06T02:13:20Z")
A friend of mine came home to an empty house and a note from her boy-friend instructing her to play track \ on the album sitting on the turntable. It was Barry Manilow’s “Trying to Get the Feeling Again.” ---
**Author:** ![PaperBlob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/58956e/32.png) [@PaperBlob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PaperBlob)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2013, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whiny-break-up-songs-empowering-break-up-songs/660179/27 "2013-06-06T02:30:48Z")
How about **Stay** by Sugarland (sung by Jennifer Nettles)? The first two parts are whiny, but the breakup part is at the end is kind of empowering. "So next time you find you wanna leave her bed for mine Why don’t you stay I’m up off my knees I’m so tired of being lonely You can’t give me what I need When she begs you not to go There is one thing you should know I don’t have to live this way Baby, why don’t you stay, yeah" ---
**Author:** ![Accidental\_Martyr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ce7236/32.png) [@Accidental\_Martyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Accidental_Martyr)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2013, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whiny-break-up-songs-empowering-break-up-songs/660179/28 "2013-06-06T02:49:21Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > Hah, my wife and I used to argue about this song (esp. the video). She saw it as empowering, I said Underwood was just a cowardly little wuss who’s too afraid to face her ex-boyfriend head on so she has to fuck with his car and run away to get “revenge”. She’s as empowered as a sullen teenager with a carton of eggs outside his teacher’s house. > > Therefore, I have to rate it as “whiny”. That song is one of the main reasons I can’t stand Carrie Underwood. ---
**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:** [June 6, 2013, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whiny-break-up-songs-empowering-break-up-songs/660179/29 "2013-06-06T03:57:04Z")
Some good kiss-offs: Husker Du - “Don’t Want To Know If You Are Lonely” Elvis Costello - “I Hope You’re Happy Now” The Beatles - “And Your Bird Can Sing” ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Ed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@Just\_Ed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Ed)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2013, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whiny-break-up-songs-empowering-break-up-songs/660179/30 "2013-06-06T04:10:18Z")
Is there a sub-category for angry? Ben Folds Five: “Song for the Dumped” > [@](#): > > So you wanted to take a break > Slow it down some and have some space > Fuck you too > > Give me my money back you bitch Evanescence: “Call Me When You’re Sober” > [@](#): > > Don’t cry to me > If you loved me > You would be here with me > . . . > Don’t lie to me > Just get your things > I’ve made up your mind. Led Zeppelin: “Your Time is Gonna Come” > [@](#): > > Lying, cheating, hurting > That’s all you seem to do > . . . > Don’t care what you say cause I’m going away to stay > Gonna make you pay for that great big hole in my heart > . . . > You been bad to me woman > But it’s coming back home to you ---
**Author:** ![Hottius\_Maximus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3ab097/32.png) [@Hottius\_Maximus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hottius_Maximus)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2013, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whiny-break-up-songs-empowering-break-up-songs/660179/31 "2013-06-06T04:38:07Z")
Empowering: “Blue Morning Blue Day” by Foreigner Indeterminate: “Picture” duet by Sheryl Crow and Outkast ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2013, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whiny-break-up-songs-empowering-break-up-songs/660179/32 "2013-06-06T04:44:11Z")
Empowering, yet obnoxious - “Free Bird”. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2013, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whiny-break-up-songs-empowering-break-up-songs/660179/33 "2013-06-06T11:33:33Z")
another vote for The Beautiful South. Particularly “a little time” Empowering I think. > [@](#): > > The Freedom that you wanted bad > Is yours for good > I hope you’re glad > Sad into unsad > I had a little time > To think it over > Had a little room > To work it out > I found a little courage > To call it off ---
**Author:** ![Drain\_Bead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47774/32.png) [@Drain\_Bead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drain_Bead)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2013, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whiny-break-up-songs-empowering-break-up-songs/660179/34 "2013-06-06T13:00:57Z")
Whiny: [Fuck You](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pc0mxOXbWIU) by Cee-Lo Green Empowering: [Go Your Own Way](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ul-cZyuYq4) by Fleetwood Mac ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2013, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whiny-break-up-songs-empowering-break-up-songs/660179/35 "2013-06-06T17:33:00Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > So, which side does _“You Oughta Know”_ fall on? Kinda whiny, but it also kicks ass. I do love the yelling, but he’s gone on to have his back clawed by another woman and she’s writing a song, so I’d say it nets to whiny. ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2013, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whiny-break-up-songs-empowering-break-up-songs/660179/36 "2013-06-06T19:19:39Z")
> [@CookingWithGas](#): > > “You’re Breakin’ My Heart” by Harry Nilsson starts with these lyrics: > > _You’re breakin’ my heart > You’re tearin’ it apart > So fuck you_ Harry can deliver the kiss-off like no one else. “Cuddly Toy” … You’re not the only choo-choo train To be left out in the rain The day after Santa came ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2013, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whiny-break-up-songs-empowering-break-up-songs/660179/37 "2013-06-06T19:43:56Z")
Classic kiss-off song: _[Already Gone](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8o_C50JFkc)_ by The Eagles \*Well, I heard some people talkin’ just the other day And they said you were gonna put me on a shelf But let me tell you I got some news for you And you’ll soon find out it’s true And then you’ll have to eat your lunch all by yourself 'Cause I’m already gone \* Not so classic, but pretty good anyway: _[Kiss You Off](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppynaJ_CEE4)_ by the Scissor Sisters _Kiss you off my lips I don’t need another tube of that dime store lipstick Well I think I’m gonna buy me a brand new shade of man Kiss you off my lips It’s standing room only for a piece of my pigment So excuse me a minute while I supply demand Kiss you off these lips of mine Kiss you off for a custom shine Pissed yours truly off this time_ ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2013, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whiny-break-up-songs-empowering-break-up-songs/660179/38 "2013-06-06T20:24:51Z")
The ultimate whiny break up song has to be MacArthur Park. There will be another song for me For I will sing it There will be another dream for me Someone will bring it I will drink the wine while it is warm And never let you catch me looking at the sun And after all the loves of my life After all the loves of my life, you’ll still be the one I will take my life into my hands and I will use it I will win the worship in their eyes and I will lose it I will have the things that I desire And my passion flow like rivers through the sky And after all the loves of my life Oh, after all the loves of my life I’ll be thinking of you and wondering why ---
**Author:** ![Cuckoorex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Cuckoorex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cuckoorex)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2013, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whiny-break-up-songs-empowering-break-up-songs/660179/39 "2013-06-06T20:30:39Z")
Empowering: Rilo Kiley: [Breakin’ Up](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGnJYMRC9NE) ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2013, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whiny-break-up-songs-empowering-break-up-songs/660179/40 "2013-06-06T20:36:24Z")
Pete Droge’s “If You Don’t Love Me (I’ll Kill Myself)” is both at the same time. Also, a very cool song: [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXZQEojATqQ) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whiny-break-up-songs-empowering-break-up-songs/660179.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whiny-break-up-songs-empowering-break-up-songs/660179.md?page=3)