100 great breakup songs

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100. The Streets - "Dry Your Eyes"

― nickalicious (nickalicious), Tuesday, 25 May 2004 19:25 (twenty-two years ago)

99. The Left Banke "Let go of you, Girl"

― Sean Witzman (trip maker), Tuesday, 25 May 2004 19:29 (twenty-two years ago)

98. Pulp -- Bad Cover Version

― Barry Bruner (Barry Bruner), Tuesday, 25 May 2004 19:30 (twenty-two years ago)

97. "$1000 Wedding" Gram Parsons

― peepee (peepee), Tuesday, 25 May 2004 19:33 (twenty-two years ago)

96. Bob Dylan - "Don't Think Twice, It's Alright" is the best of this category, always.

― dieblucasdie (dieblucasdie), Tuesday, 25 May 2004 20:28 (twenty-two years ago)

95. "Die, Bitch" Pussy Galore

― Shakey Mo Collier, Tuesday, 25 May 2004 20:32 (twenty-two years ago)

94. "Wild World" Cat Stevens

― Charlie Rose (Charlie Rose), Tuesday, 25 May 2004 20:33 (twenty-two years ago)

93. I don't want to get over you - Magnetic Fields

― Rex Dart: Eskimo Spy, Tuesday, 25 May 2004 20:34 (twenty-two years ago)

92. Space - Be There

― Rex Dart: Eskimo Spy, Tuesday, 25 May 2004 20:37 (twenty-two years ago)

91. Leonard Cohen - Hey, That's No Way To Say Goodbye
90. Thalia Zedek - Everybody Knows
89. The Clash - Train In Vain
88. Liz Phair - Divorce Song
87. Nilsson - Without You

― Ben Dot (1977), Tuesday, 25 May 2004 20:39 (twenty-two years ago)

86. "Maniac" Cinerama

― Charlie Rose (Charlie Rose), Tuesday, 25 May 2004 20:40 (twenty-two years ago)

85. Buzzcocks - Promises
84. Eamon - Fuck You (I Don't Want You Back)
83. Gloria Gaynor - I Will Survive
82. Beth Gibbons & Rustin Man - Tom The Model
81. Come - Hurricane II

― Ben Dot (1977), Tuesday, 25 May 2004 20:44 (twenty-two years ago)

80. Folk Implosion "Pearl"

― Lynskey (Lynskey), Tuesday, 25 May 2004 20:44 (twenty-two years ago)

79. Anti-Nowhere League - Woman (for being angry)
78. Robert Wyatt - Sea Song (for being upset)

― Sasha (sgh), Wednesday, 26 May 2004 00:54 (twenty-two years ago)

77. Nilsson - You're Breaking My Heart

― Dr. Annabel Lies (Michael Kelly), Wednesday, 26 May 2004 00:58 (twenty-two years ago)

76. palace brothers - you will miss me when i burn
75. elvis costello - i want you
74. palace brothers - (thou without) partner
73. animal collective - de soto de son
72. the dead c - bone
71. rolling stones - dead flowers

― Ian Johnson (orion), Wednesday, 26 May 2004 01:02 (twenty-two years ago)

70. "100,000 Fireflies"

― Sonny A. (Keiko), Wednesday, 26 May 2004 01:05 (twenty-two years ago)

69. Wilco -- I am trying to break your heart
68. Almost every Fiona Apple song from 'When the Pawn...'

― Gilles Meloche (Gilles Meloche), Wednesday, 26 May 2004 01:07 (twenty-two years ago)

would you ploay the dead c to the person you are breaking up with to make them feel worse?

― keith m (keithmcl), Wednesday, 26 May 2004 01:10 (twenty-two years ago)

67. Stevie Wonder - Never Dreamed You'd Leave in Summer

― Dr. Annabel Lies (Michael Kelly), Wednesday, 26 May 2004 01:35 (twenty-two years ago)

haha, probably not. probably just because that song typifies my relationships. "tonight we talked. tonight we had sex. tonight we got drunk. tonight we fucked for hours."

― Ian Johnson (orion), Wednesday, 26 May 2004 01:36 (twenty-two years ago)

66. Empty Chairs - Don McLean

― jim wentworth (wench), Wednesday, 26 May 2004 02:36 (twenty-two years ago)

65. Orlando - Just For A Second

― Atnevon (Atnevon), Wednesday, 26 May 2004 02:45 (twenty-two years ago)

64. The Wedding Present - Dalliance

― Dr. Annabel Lies (Michael Kelly), Wednesday, 26 May 2004 03:03 (twenty-two years ago)

"Missing" - Everything But the Girl

"Piano Sonata No. 30" - L.W. Beethoven

Ben Dot OTM re Thalia Z/Come. I'd also add "Treacherous Thing".

― Collardio Gelatinous (collardio), Wednesday, 26 May 2004 03:15 (twenty-two years ago)

Sorry - make that #63, 62, and 61.

― Collardio Gelatinous (collardio), Wednesday, 26 May 2004 03:17 (twenty-two years ago)

60. ghostface killah - tooken back
59. lil louis - i called u
58. basement jaxx - u can't stop me (stephen emanuel remix)
57. abstract truth - we had a thing
56. mr fingers - what about this love?
55. basement jaxx - romeo
54. ed case - something in your eyes
53. monsta boy + denzie - sorry
52. ralphie rosario / scott & leon - used to hold me
51. daft punk - something about us
50. daft punk - one more time (romanthony unplugged remix)
49. amp dog knights - i'm doing fine

― vahid (vahid), Wednesday, 26 May 2004 03:27 (twenty-two years ago)

oh yeah this thread has more noise rock than r&b WTF???

― vahid (vahid), Wednesday, 26 May 2004 03:28 (twenty-two years ago)

48. Kiss 'Tears Are Falling'

― dave q, Wednesday, 26 May 2004 03:36 (twenty-two years ago)

47. Nashville Bluegrass Band - "You Wouldn't Know Love"
46. Usher - "You Make Me Wanna"

― Forksclovetofu (Forksclovetofu), Wednesday, 26 May 2004 03:51 (twenty-two years ago)

45. "I've Just Got to Forget You," Bobby Bland
44. "When Did You Stop Loving Me, When Did I Stop Loving You," Marvin Gaye
43. "Lorene," The Louvin Brothers
42. Aretha's version of "The Thrill is Gone"
41. "Not Gon' Cry," Mary J. Blige
40. "Tough Hang," Candy Butchers
39 1/2. "Let's Go Get Stoned," Ray Charles
39. "The Night We Called It a Day," Frank Sinatra

― Rickey Wright (Rrrickey), Wednesday, 26 May 2004 04:39 (twenty-two years ago)

38. China in your hand - T'Pau *sniggers* - sorry couldn't resist ;p

― Dean Birkett (Fynci), Wednesday, 26 May 2004 05:18 (twenty-two years ago)

37. Quasi, "Our Happiness Is Guaranteed"
36. The Mountain Goats, "No Children"

― Douglas (Douglas), Wednesday, 26 May 2004 05:19 (twenty-two years ago)

35.Blonde On Blonde has three or four. I choose "4th Time Around"

― Myonga Von Bontee (Myonga Von Bontee), Wednesday, 26 May 2004 05:45 (twenty-two years ago)

Ween - "You Fucked Up"

― michael alan goldberg (michael alan goldberg), Wednesday, 26 May 2004 05:48 (twenty-two years ago)

33. The Cure - "Boys don't cry"
32. The Cure - "Disintegration"
31. The Cure - "Apart"

I could go on...

― Seb (Seb), Wednesday, 26 May 2004 05:54 (twenty-two years ago)

Pet Shop Boys - "I Don't Know What You Want But I Can't Give It Anymore"

― Seb (Seb), Wednesday, 26 May 2004 05:59 (twenty-two years ago)

flamin' groovies, also yo la tengo - "you tore me down"
dylan - "maggie's farm" also.
nancy sinatra - "these boots are made for walking"

― autovac (autovac), Wednesday, 26 May 2004 06:56 (twenty-two years ago)

26. Love - My Little Red Book
25. Television Personalities - Look Back in Anger
24. Julie London - Cry Me a River

― Dr. Annabel Lies (Michael Kelly), Wednesday, 26 May 2004 07:51 (twenty-two years ago)

Is everyone asleep or wot!??!?! Everyone knows what the number one is, so we might as well fast-forward to it...

1. Abba- The Winner Takes It All. Where is the biggest pop band on the planet at the time do a (not-so) little ditty about the bitter divorce of two of their members!!!! And one of the two wrote the lyrics, and the other one sings it!!!! And the one that wrote the lyrics is basically getting the other one to sing about how she get totally shafted by it all!!!!! It's like Fleetwood Mac's "Rumours" compressed into a 5 minute shiny pop song!!!!!

― Old Fart!!! (oldfart_sd), Wednesday, 26 May 2004 11:00 (twenty-two years ago)

23. "I Still Miss Someone" Johnny Cash
22. "Here Comes the Night" Them
21. "Goodbye Sadness" Yoko Ono
20. "In Dreams" Roy Orbison
19. "Needles and Pins" Searchers

― Charlie Rose (Charlie Rose), Wednesday, 26 May 2004 13:16 (twenty-two years ago)

Fend Off Your Miserable Grief-Merzbow/Haswell
Last Exit-Junior Boys

― jim, Wednesday, 26 May 2004 13:46 (twenty-two years ago)

16. dusty springfield (or maybe dionne warwick, depending on my mood), "i just don't know what to do with myself"
15. george jones, "ya ba da ba do (so are you)"
14. u2, "one"

― fact checking cuz (fcc), Wednesday, 26 May 2004 13:49 (twenty-two years ago)

13. Love - Alone Again Or

― Chris 'The Velvet Bingo' V (Chris V), Wednesday, 26 May 2004 13:56 (twenty-two years ago)

12 - the beta band 'it's over'
11 - avalanches 'since i left you'
10 - tom waits 'blue valentines'

― pete b. (pete b.), Wednesday, 26 May 2004 14:02 (twenty-two years ago)

9 - Laptop, End Credits

― ledge (ledge), Wednesday, 26 May 2004 14:07 (twenty-two years ago)

8. Mr. Bungle - Pink Cigarette

― whoever (whoever), Wednesday, 26 May 2004 14:15 (twenty-two years ago)

So Broken - Bjork

― ChingYi Au, Wednesday, 26 May 2004 14:20 (twenty-two years ago)

"Empowering" ones:

6. Eurythmics - "Would I lie to you"
5. Cher - "Strong Enough"
4. Britney Spears - "Stronger"
3. Gloria Gaynor - "I will survive"

― Seb (Seb), Wednesday, 26 May 2004 14:45 (twenty-two years ago)

ABBA almost deserve a category of their own, but I think we know their best breakup song is:

2. "Knowing me, knowing you"

― Seb (Seb), Wednesday, 26 May 2004 14:52 (twenty-two years ago)

0. Joy Division - love will tear us apart

― Dr. Annabel Lies (Michael Kelly), Wednesday, 26 May 2004 17:18 (twenty-two years ago)

Cuz otm w/ George Jones.

― Rickey Wright (Rrrickey), Thursday, 27 May 2004 03:28 (twenty-two years ago)

NB song is renamed "The King is Gone (So Are You)" on later releases. Blame Hanna-Barbera, I guess.

― Rickey Wright (Rrrickey), Thursday, 27 May 2004 03:29 (twenty-two years ago)

1. Ben Folds Five - Don't Change Your Plans

― My name is Kenny (My name is Kenny), Thursday, 27 May 2004 03:33 (twenty-two years ago)

NB song is renamed "The King is Gone (So Are You)" on later releases. Blame Hanna-Barbera, I guess.

i do blame hanna-barbera but perhaps it was inadvertently a good thing. the original title was incredibly awkward. "ya ba da ba do (so are you)" -- is the implication supposed to be that "you" are also ya ba da ba do?

― fact checking cuz (fcc), Thursday, 27 May 2004 13:18 (twenty-two years ago)

0.5 Chisel "Town Crusher" ("I've got to get up and get out of your way")

― Morley Timmons (Donna Brown), Thursday, 27 May 2004 14:09 (twenty-two years ago)

0.00025 FLEETWOOD MAC YOU CAN GO YOUR OWN WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY

― nickalicious (nickalicious), Thursday, 27 May 2004 15:31 (twenty-two years ago)

0.00000125 "Jerk," Kim Stockwood
0.00000001125 "Help Yourself," The Posies

― phil dennison, Thursday, 27 May 2004 18:56 (twenty-two years ago)

Did I miss something or is 'She's Out Of My Life' not a breakup song?

― Crickets Dance On Tequila Booty (Barima), Thursday, 27 May 2004 19:06 (twenty-two years ago)

i could pick pretty much anything off of trembling blue stars her handwriting but i think i'll go with "Do People Ever"

― rentboy (rentboy), Thursday, 27 May 2004 19:14 (twenty-two years ago)

-1. superchunk, like a fool

― mookieproof (mookieproof), Thursday, 27 May 2004 19:40 (twenty-two years ago)

-2 Luna -- "Slash Your Tires"

― rainman (rainman), Thursday, 27 May 2004 19:51 (twenty-two years ago)

-3.14. The Kinkses "Better Thingses"

― don maynard (don maynard), Thursday, 27 May 2004 20:59 (twenty-two years ago)

Draining the Pool for You - Go-Betweens

― M@tt He1geson (Matt Helgeson), Thursday, 27 May 2004 21:00 (twenty-two years ago)

The sucky thing about breaking up is that almost every song sounds really touching and emotional. I caught myself being semi-moved by Creed's 'arms wide open' (or whatever it's called) after a break up a year or so ago. How's that for an embarassing confession.

― tylero (tylero), Thursday, 27 May 2004 21:02 (twenty-two years ago)

3.14. The Kinkses "Better Thingses"

but the classic kinks breakup songs was "days."

― fact checking cuz (fcc), Thursday, 27 May 2004 21:53 (twenty-two years ago)

where the fuck is Usher's "Burn"???? Losers all.

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Thursday, 27 May 2004 21:58 (twenty-two years ago)

Belle and Sebastian's "I'm Waking Up To Us" is the best thing they did between sinister and the new album. Stuart writing lyrics for Isobel to sing and play cello along with... brilliant.

― smirky, Thursday, 27 May 2004 22:01 (twenty-two years ago)

I know, I love 'I'm Waking Up To Us' because it's such a mean, selfish, self-righteous song, and he sings it in such a tight, clipped voice. Imagine having all your evil, uncharitable thoughts backed by a band and a whole bloody orchestra, and your miserable ex being forced to sing it onstage with you! Must be the ultimate evil fantasy.

― Kate Jane Connolly (fixitgirl), Friday, 28 May 2004 09:13 (twenty-two years ago)

four years pass...

the mountain goats - woke up new. best breakup song evaaah!

― dan138zig (Durrr Durrr Durrrrrr), Friday, 12 December 2008 00:22 (seventeen years ago)

Yes.The way that horrible songs can fuck you up when you're in the situation.The other day it was Boyz II Men.On Bended Knee or some shit.It got me.

― NewBeefLover, Friday, 12 December 2008 00:37 (seventeen years ago)

And nobody mentioned 'I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down'?

― sonofstan, Friday, 12 December 2008 13:45 (seventeen years ago)

-01.- No Distance Left To Run - Bliur
-02.- Still Wake Up In The Morning Thinking Of You - Goma
-03.- Maldito - Jessy Bulbo

― elgolfo, Friday, 12 December 2008 18:29 (seventeen years ago)

IF YOU SEE ME WALKING DOWN THE STREET

― (*ﾟーﾟ)θ L(。･＿･)　　　°~ヾ(･ε･ *) (Steve Shasta), Friday, 12 December 2008 18:30 (seventeen years ago)

5. Martin Briley--The Salt In My Tears

― kornrulez6969, Friday, 12 December 2008 19:57 (seventeen years ago)

four months pass...

-4. mariah carey - "always be my baby"

― akaky akakievich, Friday, 1 May 2009 15:25 (seventeen years ago)

FFS guys I'm disappointed:
-5. Ciao! Lush w/Jarvis Cocker

― she started dancing to that (Finefinemusic), Friday, 1 May 2009 16:08 (seventeen years ago)

Eagles-Already Gone

― Bill Magill, Friday, 1 May 2009 16:22 (seventeen years ago)

Dirtbombs "Stop" will BREAK U UP

― Snop Snitchin, Friday, 1 May 2009 18:17 (seventeen years ago)

"We Repel Each Other" by the Reigning Sound
"I Hope You're Happy Now" by Elvis Costello
"When I Burn This Place Down" by Firewater
"Grotesque" by The Wonder Stuff
"That's What I Get" by Nine Inch Nails (remember when Trent still wrote relationship songs?)
"Now It's Time To Say Goodbye" by the Kitchens of Distinction

― Alex in NYC, Saturday, 2 May 2009 12:57 (seventeen years ago)

"Girl Problems" by SOA
"He Likes Me" by the Violent Femmes

― Alex in NYC, Saturday, 2 May 2009 12:59 (seventeen years ago)

"I've Done Everything for You" by Rick Springfield

― Alex in NYC, Saturday, 2 May 2009 13:00 (seventeen years ago)

"All of This and Nothing" by The Psychedelic Furs
"Haunted when the Minutes Drag" by Love & Rockets

― Alex in NYC, Saturday, 2 May 2009 13:01 (seventeen years ago)

"Poison Pen" by The Hoodoo Gurus
"Bittersweet" by The Hoodoo Gurus

― Alex in NYC, Saturday, 2 May 2009 13:01 (seventeen years ago)

"Script for a Jester's Tear" by Marillion

― Alex in NYC, Saturday, 2 May 2009 13:02 (seventeen years ago)

"Gut Feeling" by Devo

― Alex in NYC, Saturday, 2 May 2009 13:03 (seventeen years ago)

"Valentine's Day is Over" by Billy Bragg

― Alex in NYC, Saturday, 2 May 2009 13:06 (seventeen years ago)

"Since You're Gone" by the Cars

― Alex in NYC, Saturday, 2 May 2009 13:08 (seventeen years ago)

"Can't Stand Losing" by The Police

― Alex in NYC, Saturday, 2 May 2009 13:09 (seventeen years ago)

"Love Without Anger" by Devo

― Alex in NYC, Saturday, 2 May 2009 13:12 (seventeen years ago)

"Out of Sight Out of Mind" by the Dickies

― Alex in NYC, Saturday, 2 May 2009 13:13 (seventeen years ago)

"Days Go By" by Dirty Vegas

― Alex in NYC, Saturday, 2 May 2009 13:14 (seventeen years ago)

Okay, that's enough for now.

― Alex in NYC, Saturday, 2 May 2009 13:14 (seventeen years ago)

'Song for the Dumped', Ben Folds Five

― Shin Oliva Suzuki, Saturday, 2 May 2009 13:25 (seventeen years ago)

"Betrayal Takes Two" by Richard Hell & the Voidoids

― Alex in NYC, Saturday, 2 May 2009 13:54 (seventeen years ago)

one month passes...

I like these suggestions. cuz if the foibles with my girl at the moment turn into a breakup, I have about 100+ cds in my collection that I won't be able to listen to for a long long time.....

― III IV V (Bo Jackson Overdrive), Monday, 22 June 2009 00:22 (sixteen years ago)

"Where Did You Sleep Last Night"

― billstevejim, Monday, 22 June 2009 05:37 (sixteen years ago)

"Break-Up Song" by Veruca Salt.

― myndbloom, Monday, 22 June 2009 10:47 (sixteen years ago)

Dusty Springfield, "Don't Forget About Me"

― sciolism, Monday, 22 June 2009 11:55 (sixteen years ago)

John Mayer, "Dreaming with a Broken Heart"

― III IV V (Bo Jackson Overdrive), Monday, 22 June 2009 13:45 (sixteen years ago)

one month passes...

So This Is Goodbye - Junior Boys

― twentyfourtracks, Wednesday, 22 July 2009 17:29 (sixteen years ago)

These are two of my favorite breakup songs... more post-breakup I guess since both songs seem to happen after a long time.

David Bowie - Letter to Hermione

The hand that wrote this letter
Sweeps the pillow clean
So rest your head and
read a treasured dream
I care for no one else but you
I tear my soul to cease the pain
I think maybe you feel the same
What can we do?
I'm not quite sure what we're supposed to do
So I've been writing just for you

They say your life is going very well
They say you sparkle like a different girl
But something tells me that you hide
When all the world is warm and tired
You cry a little in the dark
Well so do I
I'm not quite sure
what you're supposed to say
But I can see it's not okay

He makes you laugh
He brings you out in style
He treats you well
And makes you up real fine
And when he's strong
He's strong for you
And when you kiss
It's something new
But did you ever call my name
Just by mistake?
I'm not quite sure what I'm supposed to do
So I'll just write some love to you

Bob Dylan - Most of the time
Most of the time
I'm clear focused all around,
Most of the time
I can keep both feet on the ground,
I can follow the path, I can read the signs,
Stay right with it, when the road unwinds,
I can handle whatever I stumble upon,
I don't even notice she's gone,
Most of the time.

Most of the time
It's well understood,
Most of the time
I wouldn't change it if I could,
I can't make it all match up, I can hold my own,
I can deal with the situation right down to the bone,
I can survive, I can endure
And I don't even think about her
Most of the time.

Most of the time
My head is on straight,
Most of the time
I'm strong enough not to hate.
I don't build up illusion 'till it makes me sick,
I ain't afraid of confusion no matter how thick
I can smile in the face of mankind.
Don't even remember what her lips felt like on mine
Most of the time.

Most of the time
She ain't even in my mind,
I wouldn't know her if I saw her
She's that far behind.
Most of the time
I can't even be sure
If she was ever with me
Or if I was with her.

Most of the time
I'm halfway content,
Most of the time
I know exactly where I went,
I don't cheat on myself, I don't run and hide,
Hide from the feelings, that are buried inside,
I don't compromised and I don't pretend,
I don't even care if I ever see her again
Most of the time.

― Moka, Wednesday, 22 July 2009 18:48 (sixteen years ago)

"The Past Is A Grotesque Animal" by Of Montreal which I have been listening to all day, "No Conclusion" by similar

― Michael Philip Philip Philip philip a hoy hoy (country matters), Wednesday, 22 July 2009 18:51 (sixteen years ago)

Journey's "Lovin Touchin Squeezin" is probably the ultimate break up song, imo

― Trip Maker, Wednesday, 22 July 2009 18:54 (sixteen years ago)

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