So, I’m bucking the standard Top 10 format. Sue me. This idea came upon me recently, due to the chance DJing of my MP3 player, which decided to use the random function to string together a slough of cheery little numbers in some sort of twisted psychological mind game/play list. After weeping profusely and practicing low guttural moaning for a good hour, I gathered my blabbering self up and attempted to salvage a wee bit of dignity by comprising a list of essential break-up/post break-up songs. This is harder than it might appear. There’s a fine line between wallowing in self-pity and despair and the schmaltzy, schmuck-fest of Nazareth’s “Love Hurts.” So, if you’re looking for a list containing Sinead’s “Nothing Compares 2 U” (which should be immediately stricken from the list on grounds of Prince’s annoying use of pre-Instant Messaging pseudo-word usage) you’re gonna have to go elsewhere.
Top 7 Break-Up/Post Break-Up Songs (in no particular order)
1. “I Threw It All Away” - Bob Dylan from the album, Nashville Skyline I’m not even going to begin to extol all the virtues of this album, suffice it to say it’s damned good, but usually overlooked in his catalog. The lyrics of this song are absolutely laced with regret. He’s miserable because he knows he only has himself to blame, and that knowledge is unbearable.
Once I had mountains in the palm of my hand,
And rivers that ran through ev'ry day.
I must have been mad,
I never knew what I had,
Until I threw it all away.
2. “Pictures of You” - The Cure from the album Disintegration
Here’s another one about regret. This one encapsulates the “I got drunk because I was so depressed and somewhere after my 5th beer I started dragging out all the old pictures and now I feel even worse” kinda moment.
If only i'd thought of the right words
I could have held on to your heart
If only i'd thought of the right words
I wouldn't be breaking apart
all my pictures of you
3. “Guess I’m Doing Fine” - Beck from the album, Sea Changes
Now, here’s a cheerful little number. Actually, this album may rank right up there in the “Listened to at the wrong time, I might just slit my wrists” category
It’s only lies that I’m living
It’s only tears that I’m crying
It’s only you that I’m losing
Guess I’m doing fine
4. “Call Me On Your Way Back Home” - Ryan Adams from the album, Heartbreaker
This one’s not going to exactly pick you up, either, especially if you know the back-story. It was written and recorded just after his long-term girlfriend, interestingly enough, comedian Carol Burnette’s daughter, died of cancer. Now, normally I would automatically file this away into the schmuck category, however, there’s something so brutally honest about it that I can’t dismiss it that easily. Trust me, the words on the page don’t do justice to the emotional impact of the song.
Cause I miss you
And I just wanna die without you
Oh I just wanna die without you
Yeah I just wanna die without you
5. “Last Goodbye” - Jeff Buckley from the album, Grace
What can I say- Jeff Buckley was The Man. Slightly different take on this one; it’s unclear who’s actually ending things. The lyrics, themselves, are poetry, but Buckley’s voice is the lynchpin to making it work.
This is our last goodbye
I hate to feel the love between us die
But it's over
Just hear this and then I'll go
you gave me more to live for,
more than you'll ever know.
6. "With Or Without You”- U2 from the album, The Joshua Tree
I’m gonna take some flak over this one, I just know it. I’m the U2 martyr who suffers endless jibes from people who like to point out that I always include U2 songs in any list I make (this means you, MM, if you’re reading this). Well, dammit, it’s my list and you people should all count yourselves fortunate that I didn’t make all 7 U2-related. So, there. I will argue to my last breath that this song should make the cut. You’ve never been in love with someone if you don’t know what it means when Bono sings, “I can’t live with or without you.”
My hands are tied
My body bruised, she’s got me with
Nothing to win and
Nothing left to lose
7. “Love Hurts” - Nazareth from the albu- Oh, who really gives a shit; I was just trying to see if you would read all 7.
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4 comments:
It's so refreshing to finally see a list that doesn't have the cliche artists or songs. Most people seem to run to the same lame songs without ever thinking for themselves. I especially loves your choices of The Cure, Ryan Adams, and of course U2! I should also mention that listening to "Love Hurts" makes me want to utterly wretch everytime I hear it. Keep the blog going b/c its freaking hilarious and insightful. Long live Sarcasm!
Hmm you seem to have forgotten "What Might Have Been" by Little Texas and "Total Eclipse of the Heart" by Bonnie Tyler. Or are those too mushy for you? Over played?
I love WOWY (especially The Edge's guitar at the end) and feel that it definitely belongs on this list. Same with Pictures of You.
For me, I think I'd add So Cruel (U2) instead of your fake #7 ;)
Jesus Christ Superstar! How could I have omitted, "Total Eclipse" from the line-up? And what about "Missing You" by John Waite? Makes me feel all warm and tingly inside, golly.
And damn, what about "Freebird?" You know some birds you just cannot change.
*cue retching sounds*
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