Songs To Break-Up To (Part Number B)
Now, you’re saying, Internet, because you are not only devastatingly handsome but ALSO witty and brilliant, which hardly seems fair, Aunt Becky, you haven’t had a good breakup in years. And you’d be right.
Sort of.
You see, I’ve been suffering in silence, my friends in the computer, not wanting to spill my pain onto your pixilated screen until I was ready to fully admit the truth to myself. Always the hardest to admit these things to yourself.
But it’s time. Brace yourselves.
I, (deep breath) have broken up with my old friend, my old BEST friend, my standby delicious zero-calorie nectar of the gods soft drink, Diet Coke.
I know. I KNOW.
Be still my heart, for it still flippity-flops in my chest so when I think of it.
While The Daver performs a merry victory dance on the grave of our failed relationship I am stuck screaming at the universe, flailing my hands at the heavens screaming “WHY GOD?” at the sky to no avail. No one hears my cries. No one responds.
And I am alone. Utterly alone.
Surrounded by my three children, loving (disease-man-cold-ridden) husband, two dogs, two cats, bunny and 57 orchids yet completely alone. I cry.
Alone.
My heart is black. Like my coffee. (except my coffee has skim milk and equal. well, fake equal, but black sounded better, like more dramatic and stuff)
And I am alone. Heartbroken.
So good-bye, sweet friend. I will always, always *sniff* love you. I am so, so sorry that the wretched beast Topamax has come between us, making your sweet caramel colored deliciousness taste remarkably like battery acid.
Now go, JUST GO. GO BE WITH SOME OTHER WOMAN (or sassy man) WHO WILL LOVE, HONOR AND CHERISH YOU like I am no longer able to.
1) Elvis, “Always On My Mind.”
Now, my parents let me teethe on “The Wall” and The Dead, so it goes without saying that we rarely listened to Elvis in my household growing up. But once I heard him on the oldies station, I was hooked. The first trip that The Daver and I took was down to Memphis, actually, and we fully intend to go back with the crotch parasites once they’re old enough to not make us insane in the car.
Anyway.
When he sings, “Maybe I didn’t love you quite as often as I could have,” I get shivers and then he crescendos into “You were always on my mind” and the tears start. They never really erupt into full-blown sobs, but the lump in my throat persists.
Because who hasn’t taken someone they love for granted?
(mental note: tell The Daver I love him)
Hey, The Daver, I love you.
2) Elvis Costello, “Good Year For The Roses.”
I never really got into Elvis Costello when all of the emo kids did, probably because I was never really emo. Although, under the spell of some particularly strong dilating solution, I did pick out–and woefully purchase–some emo glasses. The other group of people who were into Mr. Costello were the Really Smart People; a club that I am clearly not a member of.
I don’t remember the first time I heard it, but I remember feeling like the air had been sucked out of the room when he sang, “But at least you thought you wanted it, that’s so much more than I can say for me.”
If you’ve ever been in a committed relationship where someone else broke that commitment (one way or another) those simple looking words, really just drive that home. The song is heartbreaking, if you’ve been there, or if you imagine you’ve been there, and it’s worth a download or a listen.
ALSO, if you have roses? You can do like I do and casually remark to your spouse, “Hey, it’s a good year for the roses.” And then snicker.
I am a very Simple Person.
3) The Cure, “Pictures of You.”
Say what you will about the goths, but they certainly know how to feel things (wait, isn’t that a staple of the emo kids too? WAIT, ARE THE EMO KIDS AND GOTH KIDS THE SAME? I am so confused)(and obviously ill-informed) and no one knows how to feel things and sing about them then Robert Smith of The Cure.
Well before you had Twilight, you had this, “You were stone white, so delicate, lost in the cold, you were always so lost in the dark,” and you just knew he meant it. It even made someone as un-goth as me kind of yearn to shop at Hot Topic.
For a second.
But the song is haunting and it’s true and it’s absolutely a great breakup song.
4) Guns ‘n’ Roses “November Rain.”
Now it will either come as a dreadful shock or explain EVERYTHING when I share with you that most of my dearest friends are metal heads. Hair metal, especially the more commercial stuff, is the stuff I cut my proverbial milk teeth on and listening to it is like being transported back to high school.
While I never had big hair (I am a child of the 90’s), and the 80’s were something that saw me in grades measured in the single digits, in high school, we listened to hair metal like we’d discovered it ourselves. Which, we had. I even moonlighted occasionally on my friend Scottie’s metal radio show–Midnight Metal Madness.
I do feel I must tell you that I never actually listened to November Rain while mourning a break-up, but knowing that I could have is good enough for me. In fact, what I did sob post-break up while listening to were both Don’t Cry 1 AND Don’t Cry 2, but November Rain has such a fucking awesome guitar solo (marry me, Slash?) that I cannot ignore it.
5) Damien Rice, “Delicate”
This song is pretty much the opposite of hair metal in every way you can imagine: it’s like a guy in a coffee house singing the hell out a song and it’s good because you know he means the shit out of it. He’s kind of Jeff Buckley-ish but Irish. And, um, alive.
I think this song is probably best to listen to if you’re feeling especially duped by someone. Toward the end he climaxes (cue Bevis-like laughter) with this:
“And why’d you fill my sorrows
With the words you’ve borrowed
From the only place that you’ve known
Why’d you sing Hallelujah
If it means nothing to you”
And it’s perfect.
It’s worth a listen.
—————–
Your turn, Internet. Breakup songs. I want your favorites.
—————
Be sure to cast your vote for your favorite entry in “Aunt Becky Travels The World And Does Stuff.”
Voting ends on the 15th of September.
I think the last time I had a devastating break up I listened to Jewel’s ‘You were meant for me” over and over again.
Yes, not only am I pathetic, but I am old.
I TOTALLY remember listening to that song and feeling sad! How could I forget that song!?!
Sidenote: I once sat in the front row of a parade which featured (none other!) than Slash – he saw me giving the Universal Rock Hand Sign, pointed and waved at me. YEAH. It was, I must admit, a truly bitchin’ moment. And of course he was wearing The Hat. As for break up songs, I went the route of both maudlin and highly commercial, preferring that Chris Isaak running-on-the-sand song “Wicked Game” and then in a moment of dense high school boyfriends, repeatedly playing “You Oughta Know” in the car of a boy who had dumped me. He never got it. These days when I want my husband to know just how I feel (aka PMS week!) I throw on a little Three Days Grace “I hate everything about you” or even some “Bad Girlfriend” just to let him know I’m thinking about having been one. Oh rock music, you never let me down! 🙂 Sorry Aunt Becky about your break up with Diet Coke….. 🙁
I JUST heard Britney doing a live version of “You Oughta Know” and I nearly peed myself. It was THAT good.
And Chris Issac, well, that song just makes me laugh.
Okay I don’t really have a break up song for you, but I too am a big lover of both Diet Coke and Elvis. I’m sure we were good friends in another life. Feel like a girlie trip to Graceland? Thelma & Louise style? Ahh – C’mon!
Color me IN.
“Every Time It Rains” by Ace of Base. I remember sobbing to it when…well. It wasn’t exactly a breakup, per se, but it was the end of something I’d held dear.
I am being COMPLETELY serious when I say that I freaking love Ace of Base.
That’s awesome news! Congratulations! “I’m still a prisoner, held captive by his memory; he was my strongest weakness, and I’m afraid he’ll always be.” — Wynonna
*shivers* Awesome quote.
“Who’s Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses?” by U2.
The whole album “Achtung Baby” is excellent break up fodder.
Songs from The Corr’s Debut Album would be good….
Sheryl Crow: My favourite Mistake!
That’s an excellent song.
Uh oh the Apostrophes are coming to kill me!
Good choices from everyone, especially “I hate everything about you.” As someone who hasn’t experienced a breakup since you were in single digit school, it’s impossible for me to relate to one song. Plus, I was always so happy that I dumped whoever I dumped that I’d be out with the next guy thinking of only songs about hot sex!
That’s because YOU, Lola, are a sex kitten. I mean that as the highest compliment possible.
Hair bands, eh? I did me some 80s, actually a double dose, and moves straight to the new millennium. So there can be no breakup without “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” by Poison . . .
That song is pure awesomeness.
Speaking of Hallelujah… that’s a good one to break up to too. I love me some Damien Rice. 9 Crimes and Accidental Babies just… *sigh*
For me the ultimate break up song is Konstantine by Something Corporate. It’s the song I listened to over and over and over after I cheated on my college boyfriend.
Oooh, and Better Man.
Crap, I might have to do a post on this myself… I have playlists called divorce and breakup, so the material is there, lol.
I have never heard “Konstantine,” but I am going to have to check it out. Break up songs rule.
How about Richard Marx “Right Here, Waiting for You”? That was a classic. Tear-jerkin’ good times!
Ooooh! Good call!
The ultimate break up song is Crowds by Bauhaus…it’s so completely over the top that you stop feeling bad and start laughing at yourself for feeling bad! Very emo/goth – find it on You Tube for a good laugh.
And for the rock side…Never Say Goodbye by Bon Jovi. Also, I second the Alanis Morissette!
Ah hell, in my college days (back when you were in the single digit grades) I made a few breakup mix tapes, which I titled “Songs for the Suicidally Depressed.” What would you expect from someone who listened to The Cure and The Smiths all the time?
Sorry the Diet Coke tastes like battery acid…hope the coffee is just as effective.
I think that you and my brother would have gotten along fabulously. I always was a fan of “Joey” by Concrete Blonde. Do you remember Concrete Blonde? That song ruled.
I’m terrible with song names and artists. I never know who sings what, so I’m not even going to try this time.
Instead, I’d like to say sorry for your loss of diet coke. If its any consolation, one of my friends said the side effect does go away (sometimes). 🙂
*sobs* Every day is a gift.
I am so sorry for your break up. I am breaking up with pepsi, soon…..maybe. Any when I was 17 Tiffany’s Could’ve Been was THE best break up song.
I TOTALLY FORGOT ABOUT “COULD’VE BEEN! That song was AWESOME.
Well, I was a child of the 80’s and I totally ‘did’ Slash after a concert one night. Kidding. I was much more of an Axel girl – but even then, no. GnR was not my thing. The ‘Hat’ was dumb, no? I did LOVE Sweet Child o’ Mine though…
Anywhays, born a raised a rebel rocker, blues and country girl, it may seem surprising that some of my fav break up songs swooned over and over again on AM radio’s around the world, they were:
Straight Lines – The Hardest Part of Love is Letting Go (ugh, this song haunts me. Thanks so much for reminding me, Aunt Becky!)
George Michael – Careless Whisper.
There you have it.
I saw, and you are either going to jump through the screen to strangle me with jealousy or roll your eyes, the NEW G ‘n’ R in concert. It was AWESOME. Axel looked kind of like a mountain lion, though.
you are made of stronger stuff than me, i can not give up my diet coke (as i sit here on my 2nd one before 10am)
“The Last Goodbye” from Jeff Buckley. Makes me want to drink heavily and take elicit drugs while listening to it.
Oh, if it didn’t taste like dogshit in liquid form I would be soldiering on. I MISS it. I am SAD.
“Fly” by Moxy Fruvous from their album Wood. Brilliant break-up song. The Chorus:
“They crouched down low,
Sat in the front row,
Untied the ropes so they could fly.
Hold on tight,
let’s get it just right,
And we’ll take our last flight, you and I.”
Also, Damien Rice is from the next town along from where I went to Uni 🙂
That is SO COOL.
Dear Aunt Becky – I cannot think of a song sad enough to represent the crushing despair of breaking up with Diet Coke (she says, as she’s on her 2nd Diet Coke of the morning). Frankly, I might have asked for a different migraine medication. Diet Coke and I are in it for better or for worse. Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of it for you.
*sobs*
I can’t even think of a good breakup song so I’ll borrow the Alanis Morrisette answer. Too much in shock about the Diet Coke. So so sorry, Becky.
I’m in tears as I drink my water with lemon. Boring ass water.
OK, so I was totally in love with Elvis as a kid, too. And, I thought emo was the new goth. I am so freakin’ old. And, the G&R thing: we had a formal dance with the theme Pour Some Sugar On Me. In 1996. Yeah. Oh, and after my first bad breakup, I listened to this Jewel song over and over. I can’t even remember the name of it anymore. Shut up, it was the 90’s.
The theme was Pour Some Sugar On Me? AWESOME. I want to go to that dance! We should totally recreate it!
Green Day “Time of Your Life”.
That is a beautiful song.
Everybody hurts REM
Sorry to hear of your loss. I gave up diet soda about a year ago–I still cheat occasionally xoxo
*sobs into tear-stained shirt.* Some day, I’ll get over it. *sobs*
1) I swear I didn’t know Elvis did “Always on My Mind.” I thought it was just Willie Nelson. You learn something new every day.
2) One of my very best friends met Elvis Costello the other day. This is not interesting to anyone but me, but I just found out Friday, and I’m still blown away by it. Legend.
3) I love “Pictures of You.” I make no apologies. I am too old to know what emo is. That started after I left high school. There were goth kids when I was in high school, but they weren’t known as “goth.” I thought emo was the same thing, but what the hell do I know?
I’m sorry you broke up with Diet Coke. It’s always tasted like battery acid to me.
Pictures of You is a beautiful song. It makes me misty. SHUT UP, I HAVE ALLERGIES IN THIS ROOM. LOTS OF ALLERGIES ON MY COMPUTER.
This is a kick ass post!! Makes me want to go sit in a dark room and mourn the loss of my douchebag high school ex boyfriend!
Elvis P? LOVE, LOVE, LOVE him and that song. I’m considering dressing Jackers up like Elvis for Halloween…muton chops and chest hair and all!
I think our generation was the goths and the generation below ours, the goths evolved into emo. But yeah…same lame, woe is me, self deprecation.
I adore the Cure! I made Mike take me to see them in N.O. when we were dating, and though Robert Smith was wayyy past his prime and appeared bloated, he was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!
Not on the break-up list, but “Just like Heaven” still warrants the radio turned up and brings me back to junior year.
I am now actually singing “Just Like Heaven” while Mimi looks at me like I might be insane. Which, I am.
Otis Redding, “I’ve been loving you too long” Boy oh boy what the sound of that man’s voice does to my soul and to my…well yeah love his voice for all occasions.
His voice is AMAZING. Ooooh.
I usually don’t like music that was recorded after, say, about 2001…however, the band Airborne Toxic Event released a song earlier this year called “Sometime Around Midnight” that makes quite a good post-horrendous-breakup-when-you-awkwardly-run-into-the-person-you’re-still-ass-over-teakettle-in-love-with song.
(I think I’m a little too fond of hyphens today.)
One of my favorite breakup songs is “Trampoline”, by Joe Henry. There’s a line in it that says “and I don’t miss you half as much/ as who you made me think I was”…holy crap, does THAT sum up every ill-considered relationship I’ve ever been in.
Poison’s “Lay Your Body Down” and “Life Goes On” are good ones, too.
Hyphens are AWESOME.
Off topic of songs…But I’ve had a fair share of doctors tell me that my Diet Coke intake could actually be IN PART causing the migraines…..Something about aspartame..and how it’s poison or some shit like that. I don’t know because I always cover my ears and go LALLALLALALLALLA.
Bwahahahahahahaha!
Glycerine by Bush. I think my roomie must hate it, since I listened to it on repeat with no headphones when my bf and I broke up my freshman year of college. (She got me back during March madness season screaming at the TV during Duke games….so we’re cool)
I keep taking Diet Coke back like the the bf you know should get rid of but can’t. The one where your friends sigh when you mention his name. yup. me and mr. diet coke.
Oooh! That Bush song is beautiful! That’s a GREAT break-up song.
“What Goes Around Comes Around” by JT
“I Don’t Give a F**K” by Dope from your part of the world. Very hard – not to listened to in the presence of young ears, but says exactly what I have felt after a few breakups.
and “I Hate Myself for Loving You” by Joan Jett
I know I’m all over the place. My I-tunes is enough to give any sane person a headache. But they kinda cover the bases.
My iTunes show the markings of a schizophrenic.
What about Don’t Speak by No Doubt?
I’m not a No Doubt fan, but I know a lot of other people are. Gwen Stefani gives me hives. But if it were someone else, man, it would rule.
One of my faves: “leaving me now” by Level 42
great post!
Another one that I don’t know. I’ll check it out!
I’m so overwhelmed by the words…I broke up with Diet Coke ….that I almost cried into mine. There you go…the last one who was on the ‘the hell with what the weight loss people say – I LUVES my diet coke!” train.
We were gonna show them Aunt Becky.
But alas, I understand that your head pounding off you little, soon to be thinner sans diet coke, body might impact your desire to join me on my quest.
Seriously though – I hope the Topamax does the trick!
Now…wondering if I could invent me some headaches if it does…
The weight loss people say that Diet Coke is bad? WAIT A MINUTE!
Awww I’m sorry you had to break it off with Diet Coke. That’s a tough time. My all time favorite break-up song or “make me cry” song is “The Dance” by Garth Brooks. *sob* even THINKING about that song, I get all teary. Although, I’m pretty sure that ALL country songs are break up songs.
*HUGS*
I’m pretty sure that you’re right.
Well, when me and my bf of 5 years broke up last year, these are the songs that got me through it. I even provide YouTube links because I am THAT AWESOME.
David Guetta – Love is Gone (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beGjncfEPt8&feature=player_embedded)
Kosheen – Cruelty (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YeuMPT4_m0&feature=player_embedded)
Robyn – With Every Heartbeat (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vfLvZCdT9g&feature=player_embedded)
Cranberries – Linger (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01KQfcSCRbw&feature=player_embedded)
Also, no videos: Duran Duran – Come Undone, Madonna – She’s Not Me, Bonnie Raitt – I Can’t Make You Love Me, Artful Dodger – Think About Me
I’m all about using music to exorcise my breakup demons.
Music is THE BEST WAY to exercise those demons. I swear.
How about “Drive” from The Cars.
Ooh! I don’t know that one. Must check it out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OH4odHVfF5E
At This Moment,,,Billy Vera and The Beaters
OOOOH!
Bonnie Tyler, Total Eclipse of the Heart, I also usually listen to Nina Simone anytime I am feeling like needing a cry…
Must check her out!
Snow Patrol, “You Could Be Happy”
:'(
*whimpers* You’re giving up Diet Coke?
If I would have to give up my torrid love affair with Coke Zero I would probably stab myself in the face or something. How can you stand it?!
Be strong, Aunt Becky. Be strong. 🙁
My heart aches every time I look at my stockpile in the garage.
Prior commenters have some really good ones! Every comment I read I was like “oooh yeah that one is awesome..”
Theres this duet with Winona Judd and Clint Black called “A Bad Goodbye” that one is a real tear jerker. Also (this song is so before my time but I love it) Billy Vera and the Beaters At This Moment. U2’s With or Without You and One were big ones for me too.
And I will take care of your Boyfriend Diet Coke for you. He and I have been having an affair ever since his brother, Regular Coke, was adding too many calories to my fat ass. Maybe if you start injecting it instead of drinking it won’t bother your migraines. Just a thought.
I like the idea of a Diet Coke drip! Brilliance, utter brilliance!
Oh yes, the whole Achtung Baby album- excellent broken heart tunes.
And Emo and Goth kids are the same. Except Goth kids were a little cooler because we were less glamorous.
My thoughts are with you as you mourn the loss of your dear friend Diet Coke.
I’m thinking of erecting a statue in it’s honor that I can weep at.
Is it bad that I’ve like only ever heard 2 of those?
Absolutely not.
Whoever said Hallelujah up there is dead on – that song breaks my heart even when I’m happy. Also? Garbage is good. They’ve got lots of good ones, but the best is “Cup of Coffee” ….
You tell me you dont love me over a cup of coffee
And I just have to look away
A million miles between us
Planets crashing to dust
I just let it fade away
And Faith Hill, Cry…
Could you cry a little
Lie just a little
Pretend that your feeling a little more pain
I gave now I’m wanting
Something in return
So cry just a little for me
I love Garbage for some Angry Girl music. It’s awesome like that.
Nothing Compares To You – Sinead O’Connor.
Cheesy-hell yes, but its the perfect “after a breakup, sit and listen to while crying like a baby” song.
That is a BEAUTIFUL song.
when I listened to break up songs I went for Woman Power! songs like “I Will Survive” and “No More Words” by Berlin. Today I’d probably listen to Pink “U and Your Hand”. I wasn’t going to get all weepy because I was moving on to Bigger & Better Things! And the last thing I needed was music to make me cry even more than I already was.
On a side note..l don’t think children ever get easier to travel with until they are able to drive themselves in a separate vehicle. But then you have to spend all your time worrying about their safety….
BEN is a great traveling companion, but the other two may get strapped to the roof-rack if we ever are brave (read: dumb) enough to take them on vacation.
I’ve been lurking, found you through Boy Crazy. I’m so sorry you have to break up with Diet Coke. I too had the same reaction when I was taking Topomax. So you are not crazy. Be careful with Topomax, after taking it successfully for 3 years I had to give it up because it increased the pressure in my eyes. Which is a know side effect. Other than that it is a great drug. I couldn’t get the side effect I desired (the weight loss) oh no but I get the one with the eyes. GO figure. Oh and I am back on the Diet Coke only with no caffine. I’ll take it any way I can get it!
See, I figure that I’ll probably GAIN weight on the stuff, because THAT is my lot in life. Seriously. And thank you for de-lurking. Always nice to meet someone new.
Say Hello Wave Goodbye – ONLY the Soft Cell version
Take your hands off me
I don’t belong to you, you see
Take a look at my face
For the last time
I never knew you
You never knew me
Say hello goodbye
Say hello wave goodbye
*shivers*
Oh, yeahs. as someone else mentioned, it was the artificial sweetners that were giving me migraines. Once I cut them out I went a decade without having one. Then I started drinking Crystal Light afte rDS2 was born and BAM! there they were again.
I’m a pure sugar (or high fructose corn syrup) person now.
I wonder if it’s the artificial sweeteners that are killing me, too. My headaches are slowly getting better, as I’m titrating up the Topamax slllooooowwwlllyy.
Having broken up with Diet Coke for the exact same reasons several years ago myself (we’re now back together because I told the Topamax to shape up or ship out… it shaped up!) I can feel your pain and offer you some sage advice… 4 shot grande breve vanilla latte’s from Starbucks. Caffeine, sweetness and the kick to keep you going all day long. Oh and all the calories and fat in it? Won’t make a damn bit o’ difference..because your new buddy Topamax is working on killing your appetite and your migraines… so that’s about the only thing you’ll consume all day anyway.
As far as break up songs, the only one that gets me is “Champagne High” by Sister Hazel.
I am TOTALLY losing my appetite. I didn’t think it was possible, but I’m seriously not hungry. And this is HALF the dose I’ll be on.
I gave up Diet Coke when I was pregnant the first time. I planned on drinking it to excess as soon as the kid was out but when I went to start drinking it again it didn’t taste nearly as good as I remembered. Sadly.
That IS depressing!
I will, with much arm twisting and only under extreme duress, drink your diet coke for you. And I will only feign affection for it, it won’t be the real thing, I promise. (pay no attention to my fingers crossed behind my back)
See ya Hubble, I’m off to listen to ‘memories’ and think of you.
xxoo
Misty water colored memories…
Would you believe that I never have ACTUALLY heard that song?
You know – I have two. And I associated them with two very distinctive break-ups in my life.
Jewel – “You were meant for me.” Guy left for Navy. Told me not to wait for him. (He called after Basic, but I had already moved on.)
And then of course, a country soung – John Micheal Montgomery’s “Friends” Guy told me he wanted to just be friends, and then proceeded to two weeks later tell me he had no room for anymore friends in his life.
I still remember that line from the Jewel song that I loved the best, “I go about my business, I’m doin’ fine, besides, what would I say if I had you on the line?”
Loves it!
I told the husband I would play him the goodbye song from bear in the big blue house when we broke up. I did, but he won’t leave 🙁
My more appropriate song is “Alone” by alice in chains with eddie vedder… Or you could alway crack out pearl jams black (again!!)
I thought about Pearl Jam, but the closest I could come up with was “Not For You” which isn’t exactly break-up music.
I’m so sorry about the break up with Diet Coke. I broke up with him years ago, the pain in the pit of my stomach was just too great. Break up songs depend on the type of break up. I don’t know the stages of grief but for one stage, I Can’t Make You Love Me (or something shorter) by Bonnie Raitt, Nothing Compares to U Sinead O’Conner’s version is better than Prince’s original (same is true of Tom Jones’ version of Kiss), Better Man by Pearl Jam. Once anger sets in, Get Out of this House by Shawn Colvin. The Alanis Morrisette goes in this category too. I have spent way too much time thinking up playlists for my life.
Don’t despair, in time and you will know when the time is right, you will find another soft drink to replace diet coke. It won’t be as sweet and innocent as your first love, but it will be more mature and long lasting.
*sobs* I miss my Diet Coke so.
Let me just start by saying that I signed onto my new blog this morning to find that AUNT BECKY herself had signed on as one of my followers!! OH MY GAWD! I might die from the excitement. I totally owe my fat ass to you (and Mountain Dew, of course) cuz I’ve spent so many hours sitting here reading your blog and the archives. THANK YOU thank you thank you, Aunt Becky!
I don’t have a lot of experience with breakup songs, but there’s one I’d play over and over if the hubs ever decided I were a waste of his time: “It’s Been Awhile” by Staind…….”It’s been awhile since I’ve seen the way the candles light your face. It’s been awhile but I can still remember just the way you taste.” Holy crap, that’s good.
*blushes furiously* Of course I’ll read your blog! Happily! I warn you, though, I subscribed through my reader too. Those Google Friend connect button things don’t work well. I’ll randomly get 400+ posts dumped in my reader from MONTHS ago.
Sorry about the Diet Coke split, dude. Have the Dt’s stopped, yet?
Fav Breakup Songs:
Nothing Compares 2 U – Sinead O’Conner
Silent All These Years – Tori Amos (for the martyr in me)
Every Rose Has Its Thorn – Because I was in high school in the 80’s and loved me some Hair Metal
Pictures of You – Because I dabbled in Goth in college (before I dabbled in Grunge)
Nothing Compares 2 U is an amazing song. And Tori, she has some lovely songs.
Blue October’s BEEN DOWN. Not an old one, but I think it’s beautiful. I took this from Justin Furstenfeld’s book, CRAZY MAKING, so excuse the wacky grammar, people.
“I’ve learned that moving on
is where I must begin.
Cuz when our colors mixed
we couldn’t fix
The way they wouldn’t blend … tell me
how long have we been down?”
I’ll spare you from the whole song, but it’s beautiful.
You know, Aunt Becky, I look bad enough with my Mt. Dew addiction, and now you’re making me feel worse! Maybe if I find some nifty drugs I, too, can kick the can (so to speak). Until then, I’m gonna pop another one open because I HAVE NO WILLPOWER. Good luck with your separation!
I cannot drink Mountain Dew without being reminded of being 14 and high as hell, eating a 6 pack of tacos from Taco Bell and chugging that stuff. Ugh.
Bonnie Raiit, I can’t Make You Love me – a cross between a break-up song and a song for someone who loves another but finds it’s not reciprocal.
And Bonnie Raitt, Good man, Good Woman – for when you are getting out of a train-wreck of a relationship, and happy/pissed about it.
I love me some Bonnie.
Shade and Sweetwater,
K (who would have come up with more, but allergies are making her sneeze too hard to type much)
I’m not huge into country, but that song makes me wish I could sing the hell out of it.
I feel your pain I recently seperated from Dr. Pepper! We were together for over 20 years! Best break-up song ever Every Rose Has It’s Thorn-Poison. And maybe Everybody Hurts-REM. I still hear these songs when I see the Dr. stroll by in someone elses hand:(
Hang in there mommyspaceblog
I wrote a separate post about it. It’s in Estonian, though, but you can still see my song list. I would’ve put Damien in there, but, you know, Aunt Becky, you already took him.
http://daki.tahvel.info/2009/09/14/break-up-songs/
Ok here’s what’s crazy – (1) you would pee your pants if you heard my husband sing November Rain, and (2) I resemble an old fat bloated overdosing Slash. It’s a good look.
My favorite break up song is Hayseed Dixie’s Poop in a Jar. I’m so not kidding.
I know you’d believe me if I told you I have a post about that song.
Ben Folds’ Song for the Dumped.
I mean, with lyrics like “I wish I hadn’t/ bought you dinner/ right before you/ dumped me on your front porch” and “give me my money back/ give me my money back, you bitch/ and don’t forget/ to give me back my black t-shirt”?
Best breakup song EVER.
I had NO idea that was a Ben Folds song! Dave sings that song sometimes. Ha!
The Beatles’ “Let it Be.” It’s about the ULTIMATE break up. It used to only give me a lump in my throat, but as of late I discovered it makes me sob like the baby I actually am.
That song makes me sob, too.
Puddle of Mudd – She F**king Hates Me. Just switch the she to he where neccessary.
We must be on the same wave length, I have a ‘song’ post today too.
The Eagles
Get Over It
Wasted Time
Already Gone
I guess you can tell I tend to be a tad bitchy… 😉
American Hi-Fi “The Break Up Song” This song is more angry than sad. I tend to want something that makes me feel more in control so I love the lyrics that say
“It’s over were over
Just like in crimson and clover
Were sinking and I’m thinking
How the hell did we get so stupid
It’s the end ex girlfriend
I don’t care what you think of me now”
The tempo is so upbeat and the lyrics are funny. I can’t help but smile listening to it.
When I was a very bitchy college freshman, I found Hoku’s Another Dumb Blonde to be the best break up song around. But mostly because I’m full of myself, and a bitch.
I agree with Every Rose Has It’s Thorns, and Jewel’s You Were Meant For Me. Now I need to go buy them on iTunes…
iTunes should really give me some sponsorship or something. So should vodka. And viagra. OBVIOUSLY.
Oh, Aunt Becky. I’m so sad with you.
I know you LOVES some Diet Coke.
I think you need to listen to some gangsta rap to overcome your pain.
Try N.W.A.
Perfect. Just perfect.
I saw Diet Coke and it wanted me to ask, you know, how you’re doing and to tell you that if you ever just want to hang out or something that would be cool. It was very sad and sorry about what happened between you guys and… I hate being in the middle like this… I just think maybe you should talk.
As for break-up songs, let’s see: Lying Assed Bitch by Fishbone followed by Don’t Fear the Reaper by Blue Oyster Cult… I am reading the cassette liner notes from the mix tape I received from my high school boyfriend after we grew apart during the first five days of college and I dumped him. You know what, he was kinda scary. Although what does it say about me that I have kept the tape?
Personally for heartbreak I like Gregorian chants.
If anyone would appreciate Gregorian Chants for heartbreak, it would be you. I mean that in the highest, awesomest way.
As many others have said Nothing Compares 2 U is awesome, but my favorite is Always by Bon Jovi (Hi Jon…need another wife??) and then Don’t Know What You’ve Got Till it’s Gone.
I loves me my “Always” but it’s SO corny that I don’t know that I could cry. But then again, I do like Aerosmith’s “Cryin'” so I obviously have no leg to stand on.
I dunno how much of a ‘break up’ song it is, but this song is the one that pretty much says goodbye to my college years. *sigh* Stupid responsibity! The Verve– Freshmen. *sigh* I get teary every time I hear it. Which is silly, because I’m happier now, but.. Music does it to you. Puts you back where you were when you first heard it.
Dude. YES. That song! *runs off to go download it immediately*
Dear Aunt Becky, just don’t drink the water…fish screw in it.
Bwahahahahaha!
OMG I think I might rather get a divorce than break up with Diet Coke. POWER THROUGH IT, WOMAN! You and DC have been through so much together, you can’t just give it up now for what, “tasting bad???” My husband doesn’t taste all that great, and we’re still together, together till the end!
See, I always figured that I would die with a Diet Coke in my hand (as proof, I typed “die” as “diet” as in “diet coke” the first time I typed it). Maybe there is hope for us all.
The Airborne Toxic Event – “Sometime Around Midnight”.
The video makes me tear up. It’s ridiculous.
Linda Ronstadt – “Long, Long Time”.
“Cause I’ve done everything I know to try and make you mine
And I think I’m gonna love you for a long long time”
Must google these songs.
Angie by the Rolling Stones, for a mutual break-up.
For No One by the Beatles, one of McCartney’s most depressing numbers.
Ever Fallen In Love (With Someone You Shouldn’t’ve) by the Buzzcocks – for relationships that just don’t work.
(I like my retro shit.)
And yep, definitely that Cure song.
By the way, I stopped drinking Diet Coke (or having anything with artificial sweeteners) a few months ago, and my migraines have stopped, my eczema’s much gone, and, well, this is possibly too much information but it used to make me crap a whole lot (phenylalaline being a known laxative). You might find that your Crohn’s isn’t as bad now that you’re off it. It took me YEARS to make the decision to stop drinking it, as I didn’t believe that hippie stuff about detoxing your body, but it’s made a HUGE difference in my life. So hang in there – if you end up having the same experience as I did, it’s definitely worth it!
OOOOH! “For No One” is SO depressing. I absolutely adore that song. Must play it later today.
I didn’t read all the 40 bajillion comments, so someone else may have said this one, but “Nothing Compares To You” by Sinead O’Connor has to be one of the best break up songs. So sad! Also, “Please Don’t Leave Me” by Pink, and “Good News/Bad News” by George Strait and Lee Ann Womack.
The Cure is good…but for true blue gothiness, you must listen to “I Find You Gone” by Wolfsheim. It’s one of those songs that you can dance to and cry at the same time.
“Looking Better Every Beer” by the Stray Cats. It’s perfect. “…and your farewell, just for the record, sounded so sincere. And the girl on my left is looking better every beer…”
“You’ll Think Of Me” by Keith Urban.
“Cecilia” by Simon and Garfunkel.
“Early In The Morning” by Buddy Holly. “You’ll be sorry for the times I cried, yeah you’ll be sorry for the times you lied. Yeah you’re gonna miss me early in the morning one of these days.”
And yes, I am aware that only one of the above songs was written in my lifetime.
Oh “Cecilia” how I love that song. I sing it, with altered lyrics, of course, to my daughter. What a lovely song.
I’m going to out myself. I know you must think I’m young and hip, but I’m not. I’m old and hip. Yes, I know “hip” is not a “hip” word, but I’m old, cut me some slack.
My heartbreak, break-up, cry your eyes out song is… All Out of Love by Air Supply.
No wait, it’s Separate Lives by Phil Collins.
Either way, I’m old.
Oh, I also gave up Diet Pepsi a couple of months ago, but I do have casual flings with it when we go out to eat, which isn’t very often, thank you sucky economy. Anyway. Good luck!
I think “hip” is cool again. Wait, is “cool” cool anymore? Shit, I don’t know.
awww crap….sorry for the second comment…but I don’t know how I could have overlooked one of my all time favorites – Akinyele – “Put It In Your Mouth” 😀
[Crystal Johnson]
My baby left me,
left me sad and blue
I didn’t know what to do…
without my baby baby baby baby
And then I met his best friend
and he took me to his house
And I said… I said…
(what you said baby) let me tell you what I said
Put it in my mouth
She said put it in her mouth
I said my motherfuckin mouth
I mean her motherfuckin mouth
Put it in my mouth
She said put it in her mouth
My motherfuckin mouth
[Akinyele]
You wanna go down why not
I be like Herbie and Hand-you-a-Cock
And tell you that my name is Ak’
Get on your kness, make like the breeze begin to
blow
But don’t give me no Ralph Lauren grin
If you’re not down to go low (deep in my mouth)
I’m all about mouth fuckin
only if you down for dick suckin
if not, B.J. and a beer…keep truckin
and fuck chapsticks
I’m comin ashy as hell, wit chapped dicks
for your chapped ass lips (down in my mouth)
creamin your teeth like dentists as I’m rubbin them
With an erection like injections, fuck it I be
druggin them
Numbing up your tonsils, like ambesol anesthetic
Cummin down your throat like chloraseptic (take it
out my mouth)
No time for apologin.. girlfriend if you..
swallowin {gurgle}.. garglin
I’m givin bitches permanent beards
Put your lips here and catch these damn facial hairs
in your mouth
🙂 it’s actually longer than that…didn’t want to bore anyone….
NICE!
“You’ll Think of Me” by Keith Urban is one I love because after someone dumps you, that’s totally what you hope for….that the person will realize the error of their ways and totally regret the worst decision they have ever made in their lives at the same point that you have totally gotten over their sorry ass and moved on.
And I lovelove “Time for me to Fly” by REO Speedwagon because….hello…it’s by REO Speedwagon. I love the “later, loser”-ness of this song. It’s on heavy rotation at my house….my kids know it by heart. Plus, it’s awesome to sing at the top of your lungs.
“You Can Go Your Own Way” by Fleetwood Mac also gets my vote because it has such a “hook” that you almost forget that you are all messed up by love.
Dude. REO Speedwagon is a guilty pleasure of mine. OH YEAH. *warbles* “Heard it from a friend whooo, heard it from a friend, whooooo, heard it from another you’d been messing around.”
“Blinded” by Third Eye Blind. It’s perfect for you…because maybe one day you can go back to see The Diet Coke in awhile.
Just an old friend coming over now to visit you/and that’s what I’ve become/I let myself in though I’m not supposed to/but I never know when I’m done…
The song is also slightly pornagraphic which might be right up your alley (snickers)
Dude. EVEN BETTER.
SciFi Dad had the right album in “Achtung, Baby,” but the wrong song: “So Cruel.”
“I’m only hanging on to watch you go down.
(my love…)”
Old School: The Everly Brothers, “When will I be loved?”
“So Cruel” is such a beautiful, sad, aching song. It breaks me up just THINKING about it.
So sorry about the DC – ’cause Breaking Up is Hard to Do.
I’m scared that I knew almost every one of the songs people suggested, and in fact have most of them on my ipod already. Yikes.
It doesn’t fit exactly, but you’ll understand if you ever listen to it – Dar Williams’s “Iowa”. Trust me. It’s tucked between some Metallica, some Cure, some Hayseed Dixie, and Tori Amos, not to mention a few fiddle tunes and show tunes.
They’re coming to take me away…. ha ha ho ho hee hee to the funny farm where life is happy all day long….
Bwahahahahahaha!
I’m with Lannie on the Snow Patrol song. I accidentally listened to it at work after a breakup and ended up crying in my cube.
Or maybe my job sucked.
Damien Rice is one of my many boyfriends.
And my original thought- Joshua Radin’s “You’ve got growing up to do.” Gorgeous duet. 🙂
I’m sorry about Diet Coke. He was a whore with an identity crisis anyway. “oh look, i’m cherry! no, i’m vanilla!” Crystal light helps make the water less boring. 🙂
Bwahahahaha! “Whore with identity crisis!” BRILLIANT! Bwahahahaha!
So sorry to hear about things not working out between you and DC. I would imagine that it would be similar in withdrawl to me and Starbucks (over 20 years and going strong).
As for the songs, you had me at Good Year for the Roses. EC is my own personal savior and I think that everything he does is brilliant beyond compare. I think some country dude actually wrote that song, but Elvis PWNED that bitch.
I’ve heard the country version as well, and it’s also really good, but Elvis Costello’s version is lovely. Just lovely.
I can only imagine how much a break-up like this must suck. I’m in something of a similar situation: Regular Coke and I are on a break. But I have big plans for the future… only 77 more days…
Anyway, my favorite break-up song (not that I’ve yet had the chance to listen to it while experiencing a break-up) would have to be The Conversation, by Motion City Soundtrack:
I had a pocket full of dreams
But I gave them all to you
Now I think I want them back
So can you tell me if I’m crazy or confused?
Don’t ever change
The way you are
I’ve never loved anyone more.
( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2huM5TpgjxM )
Why, OH WHY are you and Regular Coke on hiatus? May I ask such a delicate question?
hey, i live in memphis. i’m not sure i really want to say it’s amazing; i have lived here all my life (except for the handful of years i spent in mississippi for college). but i know of fun kid-friendly places (and they are actually fun for adults too) to go to in addition to the normal bars and elvis/civil rights/bbq stuff.
and i have NO idea why you and diet coke need to break up. that is just horrible. i love diet coke. this is a travesty. A TRAVESTY, I TELL YOU! no medicine should ever make you have to give up diet coke. i would get an IV bag if i didn’t love the taste so much. and that it would probably kill me.
as for break up songs, i feel that might be the queen. except my thing is more of self-indulgent, sad music. like “i’m SO alone! i want to listen to someone wistfully and poetically sing my feelings in a high, falsetto voice.” so here’s the cream of the crop (i think):
“fix you” by coldplay
“i don’t love you” by my chemical romance (kind of sucks, but it gets to the point)
“we made a pact” by hey! rosetta
“boston” by augustana
“in the sun” by joseph arthur
“wreck of the day” by anna nalick
“thinking it over” by dana glover
“almost lover” by a fine frenzy
“a lifetime” by better than ezra
“vienna” by billy joel
“acid tongue” by jenny lewis
“the story” by brandi carlile
“hallelujah” by jeff buckley
“and so it goes” by billy joel
“tired of being sorry” by ringside (it’s a weird song. but i like it. reminds me of a guy i dated, then my best friend dated. then my best friend came out of the closet and i think this guy is doomed to be a catholic priest. like for real. tragic because he’s so damn adorable. but awkward as hell.)
i think that’s a good start to my terrible music-loves. i think i could go on and on, but i think this is the core of my sad song list.
The Daver loves that Billy Joel song, and I’ll catch myself humming the refrain now, but my favorite off that list (and one of my all time favorite songs is Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah. I do also love the Jeff Buckley version.
“Go Your Own Way” by Fleetwood Mac is my fave break up song. Diet Coke and I are separated at the moment, but I know we’ll work it out and get back together come 2010. I still have hope for you two crazy kids!
Oh, “We Can Work It Out,” Diet Coke and I.
And “Go Your Own Way” makes me want to dance, not mope, but it’s a great song.
I didn’t even love my kids enough to give up Diet Coke when they were in utero. I think I’d need a little more than a break up song – like maybe a straightjacket – to put the Diet Coke down. Don’t worry though, I love you enough to take your sloppy seconds while you date that dirty Topamax whore. I’ll make an honest woman out of Diet Coke.
November Rain is the most kick ass video that has ever been made and I can attest it is a phenomenal break up song. Just add “One” and “So Cruel” from U2’s Achtung album and you have yourself a Topamax OD waiting to happen. Wait…on second thought, that’s not really what you were going for. Sorry.
Hey good luck with this. Hoping you get some sleep! I’ll be thinking of you as Diet Coke and I spoon together tonight.
You just HAD to rub in the Diet Coke thing, didn’t you? DIDN’T YOU? You HAD to remind me of EVERYTHING I’m missing?
*sobs*
I HATE YOU DIET COKE.
Also: “So Cruel” is a beautiful song. Just beautiful.
Oh yes, I nearly forgot… “So What” by Pink. Because any song that manages to incorporate the phrase “…you’re a tool” is worth listening to.
Pink is fucking awesome. She’s so smart and sassy and I want to be JUST like her when I grow up.
Dear Lord! One of these days I am going to have to tether my kids to the coffee table so I can be among the first 50 commenters instead of being 3 days late!
I am with tysdaddy on Poison’s Every Rose Has A Thorn – CLASSIC! I am a huge David Gray fan when it comes to break-up songs . . . soft and mellow.
I am sorry about your break-up, but hope that maybe it does help with the migrane situation . . . my cousin was *THIS CLOSE* to being diagnosed with MS until the doctors discovered that she was drinking nearly 2 liters of Mountain Dew a day.
Mountain Dew, really?! I had NO idea!
Definitely agree with “Delicate.” Looooove that song.
And I really appreciate your indication that Diet Coke is consumed by women and sassy men; my roommate and I just bonded over the delightful flamboyant guy in our religion class last semester who drank LOTS of Diet Coke.
While I am certain to be wrong, I do not know a whole ton of straight men who drink Diet Coke. Only it’s higher calorie, much sweeter counterpart, that bitch Coke.
Maybe it *is* the aspartame.. have you tried pepsi one? It has splenda instead. Not to promote your low-cal-soda-addiction, you know, but.. first one’s free 😉
I would swear to you on a stack of holy whatever’s that the stuff IS addictive. I SWEAR it is.
Have been lurking too – stepping out because this one spoke to me… mostly on the diet coke level, but eh! I could NEVER end that relationship. And I love all different kinds of music and I have to agree with whoever put Softcell’s Say Hello Wave Goodbye, but for me, very weirdly, it’s always been Mariah (oh yes I did) and Always Be My Baby… And we’ll linger on, time can’t erase a feeling this strong. Thank Crikey I haven’t had a need to listen in a LOOONG time. 🙂
I love Mariah Carey. Her old stuff is freaking incredible. And welcome! Thank you for delurking.
Ok, just read ALL of the comments. I think most of them are covered now!
I have never been broken up with. I was always the dumper. I know, I am a bitch. I always went for the, he/she was an asshole and I am better off with out them, type of songs to make myself feel better (less guilty?) about breaking up with them. I had one dude play the REO Speedwagon song, keep on loving you (which to this day if it ever plays I still think about him) when the song didn’t make me melt and run back into his arms crying to forgive me I didn’t mean it, he freaking threw some roach clip scissor thing at me as I was walking to the door. So ya, that one has to be my most memorable one.
I had to break up with the diet Seira Mist a while back (I cheat and sneak it in my gin once in a while tho) and it is tough, real tough. I am thinking of you and sending my heart felt (though a lot of people don’t think I have on at this point) condolences on your breakup with the diet coke.
*sobs*
Annie Lennox: Thorn in my side. So you can pretend the breakup was your idea.
I find Ani Difranco is excellent for that as well.
So sorry about your break-up.
Please, please….don’t cut a bitch.
*sniff* OKAY.
for the angry “how dare he” phase of a break-up — Paul Simon’s 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover. I would have loved to have used one of his lines like “just drop off the key, Lee” but never quite managed it
That song is fantastic! He has some great lines in that one.
That comment about wanting to be just like Pink when you grow up?
If you grow up I won’t be your friend anymore. Technically, it wouldn’t be possible because I’ll probably never grow up.
Just sayin’…
Well, I’m not blond or a singer, so I can’t ever be like Pink.
I do love Pink though. Even though I’m barely mature enough to understand anything significant.
And no one has EVER called me mature.
Ohhhhhit has to be…. Sinead O’Conner…Nothing compares to you…Im quite obviously sooooo needy and desperate he he.
Any Alanis Morrisette is always good for some Girl Power and All by myself – Celine Dion….Obviously sung in a Bridget Jones styleeeeee!
But the ultimate for me is Pink – Please Dont leave me…. It couldnt have related any better to my exe and I, if I had written it myself.
‘How did I become so obnoxious what is it with you that makes me act like this…I’ve never been this nasty’ – Thats just how he made me.
I new to following this blog and I Think you rock btw! x
See, I’m so glad that I’m not the only one who thinks of Bridget Jones singing “All By Myself.” Ha! And thank you.
[…] of my favorite names for a blog, EVER! mostly because I feel that!) has put together her list of Songs To Break Up To for her breakup with Diet Coke. (I feel you there too, […]
Oh, I love the breakup songs!
For the angry “screw you for not appreciating me” type, I love Soft Cell’s “Tainted Love.” It always makes me think of dancing in my college apartment to the LP, and as we were talking about heading over to the liquor store, my best friend threw open the door to my apartment and cried out, “Lick ‘er? He didn’t even touch her! He didn’t even call her back!” It was a trying time, romance-wise, and I will always remember that song with a sort of fond anger.
And part of me will always get a little teary at Aerosmith’s “Cryin.” I dinstinctly remember breaking up with my first boyfriend–not that first love, but the first time you really went through that totally puppy-dog heart-wrenching, but kind of satisfying adolescent pain–and my friend holed me up in her room with that song. That pain was totally satisfying, and it was the first time I ever felt like “someone who felt just like I do now wrote that song!” Still gets me.
All of those songs off that album were awesome. “Cryin,” “Amazin,” “Crazy,” those were the Aerosmith songs that I loved.
Becky, I just thought of another good break-up song. “Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.”
What, it says right there: “They might have split up…” (OK, so he was talking about a ship’s hull, so what?)
Hey, ty for taking your time to read my dribble. LOL My woman wants a song that she loves and i can’t seem to find a download on itunes or any other site. Thought you might be able to help me. the band is Straight lines and the song is Hardest part of love is letting go. I thought you might be able to help me. Maybe you have it on your PC and would be kind enough to send it to me as a music file. TYVM for your time. I’ll look forward to hearing back from you.
Sincerely,
Scott
I have never, ever heard that song, but if I do, you’ll be the first to know.
I know I am ages late on this but..
Patsy Cline — Crazy
Crazy, I’m crazy for feeling so lonely
I’m crazy, crazy for feeling so blue
I knew you’d love me as long as you wanted
And then some day you’d leave me for somebody new
BB King – You Done Lost Your Good Thing Now
You used to say that you loved me
But baby I believe you’ve changed your mind
You used to say that you loved me
But baby I believe you’ve changed your mind
Well I don’t blame you baby
Because you ain’t what you used to be
I have to say that I am highly influenced by the music my parents listened to..