Since I am a bit of a perfectionist, I consulted the interwebs, just to make sure I didn't miss anything important. One list that said it was just for men, which I hear Trig is, had “Achy Breaky Heart” at No. Nine. I say it belongs at No. None. If you need that song to get through whatever you are going through, or any other Billy Ray song for that matter, please just do us all a favor and off yourself right now... and not in some messy way that some poor schlep will have to clean up.
Actually, you wouldn't believe some of the crap on those lists, which is exactly why the world needs:
Major Mojo's Top Ten Breakup Songs.
No Woman No Cry
Bob Marley. Is there any other version? No, not that matters. You may want to save this one for when you are on the uptick and ready to feel better, which is why it is tenth. You simply cannot listen to reggae and feel bad, even though reggae lyrics are filled with all kinds of tragedy. It's okay to wallow though, especially in the beginning. In fact, you really can't recover until you've wallowed some.
Don't Think Twice (It's Alright)
Peter, Paul and Mary do a nice version but it has to be Mr. Dylan. Again, this one is listed late as it's sort of a recovery song for when you are feeling a twinge of forgiveness for ripping your heart out of your chest, throwing it on the ground and stomping on it then running over it with a gravel truck, lighting it on fire and then putting it out by pissing on it. You just might be there by No. Nine.
Bye Bye Love
This is by The Everly Brother, of course. Still wallowing here, for sure and you may feel a bit silly for going all the way back to the early 60's for this but just remember, it could be worse. I could have given you Cathy's Clown.
Wild World
Pretty sappy, sure, but kinda smart too. And Cat Stevens was still Cat Stevens then and not that religious freak he turned into. Just go with it and shut the hell up.
Feel a Whole Lot Better
This is for that burst of strength and resolve you're going to feel after No. Five gets your blood pumping. 'Yeah, who needs yer ass anyway?' Well, you do sap, but you can kid yourself for now if it helps. You can go with the original version by The Byrds from 1965 but do not forget Tom Petty's take on it. You'll be doing fist pumps at her expense, no doubt.
Fu*kin' Up
Anyone who knows anything knows that I could have gone with almost any Neil Young but this one, by Gawd, will get yer ass outta the dirt for a while. You'll be amazed at how much better you'll feel screaming along at the top of your lungs through your tears to “Why do I... Why do I... Why do I... keep FUCKING UP???” I mean, or so I hear.
~gulp~
Everybody Hurts
Yeah, it's been done to death but it's such a good song and so perfectly human. Sometimes I go looking for a broken heart just so I'll have an excuse to play it over and over and over. If you can't relate to this one, see Achy Breaky Heart above and follow instructions.
Nothing Compares 2 You
Sorry Prince fans, but it has to be Sinead O'Conner. By Gawd, that girl feels it, knowwhutImean?
Congratulations
Talking Traveling Wilbury's here. Pretty whiny and poor-pitiful-me-ish but that's where you're at right now, right? Especially at No. 2.
Sky Blue and Black
I almost sent Darryl Hannah a thank you note for breaking Jackson Browne's heart and causing him to write the best effen breakup album of all time. This is the ultimate breakup song on the ultimate breakup album friggin' EVER. Listen to the whole album. It takes you all the way through the relationship from beginning to end and final acceptance. How did folks breakup before this came out in 1993?
If you're in a relationship now and want to keep it that way, you should listen to this song too.
“And I'd have fought the world for you
If I thought that you wanted me to
Or put aside what was true or untrue
If I'd known that's what you needed
What you needed me to do
But the moment has passed by me now
To have put away my pride
And just come through for you somehow.”
I've been in a relationship now for a dozen years, more than all my others put together, and this is one of the the two best bits of advice I've ever heard when it comes to relationships: don't wait until the moment has passed you by...
Oh, the other bit of advice? Stop looking for Ms. (or Mr.) Right. What you really need to find is someone who can put up with YOUR sorry ass.
Peace. Out.
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Mr. Culture
Out on a limb
Miguela Holt y Roybal
Margaret Feike
Trudge164
Charles Yoo
Salon.com
Comments
Speaking of them, their song "Black" is a good song for wallowing.
Another good one in that vein is "You Make This All Go Away" by Nine Inch Nails.
Once you're ready to have some fun with it, "Love Stinks" by the J Geils Band, and "She Hates Me" by Puddle of Mudd.
Not criticizing your list, of course, just coming up with some honorable mentions.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBOpk33VlSg
I don't know the Cheese song, nana. I'll check it out when I'm not at work.
Miguela, Nilsson's Can't Live probably belongs on that list.
Lezlie
Love Is Just a 4-Letter Word
Love Hurts
Love Stinks
Love Is A Drug
and ...
the Stones' Miss You
Absolutely true, L. Mega hurt.
Perfect, aim!
It might be different for girls, but when I was getting divorced, so was Springsteen, and Tunnel of Love was the album that got me through. Just the right balance of weepy and tough.
Here's a better one, a classic, and it's empowering too. "I Will Survive" but not by Gloria Gaynor, by Cake.
"“And I'd have fought the world for you
If I thought that you wanted me to
Or put aside what was true or untrue
If I'd known that's what you needed
What you needed me to do
But the moment has passed by me now
To have put away my pride
And just come through for you somehow.”
I'd recommend Mr. Dylan's "it aint me babe"
which shores one up
while admonishing the loved one that she has major faults;
You say you're lookin' for someone
Who's never weak but always strong
To protect you an' defend you
Whether you are right or wrong
Someone to open each and every door
But it ain't me, babe
green, I had almost forgotten about that album. Tunnel of Love really says it, doesn't it? I think it has a lot to do with what's popular at the time.
scarlette, all worthy contenders.
Margaret, I have to agree, they don't get any more sad than that. As for GG, this is a GG free zone too. No Phil, no Gloria. Sorry, gotta have standards. ;-)
Heart on String, I think it has more to do with her. She just insists that we make it work.
Amen, James. Bob is a wise one.
The wallowing is OVA though my good friend!!!
Even though a lot of people seemed to hate Courtney Love, I kinda liked the band Hole so I'll add the song "Doll Parts."
"Someday you will ache like I ache ..."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzepWL73NTg
done here, couldn't help myself. thanks, mojo
If I may, I'd also like to suggest most of the songs from Fiona Apple's album "When the Pawn...." and, for post-breakup anger and cynicism, Panic!At the Disco's album "A Fever You Can't Sweat Out." Man, did that latter help me through an awful time!
Good luck and healing thoughts to tr ig! Actually, from his comment, seems things are ok. Excellent.
http://www.mp3ye.eu/701207_diane-birch-i-go-crazy-mp3-download.html
Diane Birch covers the 1970's Paul Davis classic with a voice that explodes vis a vis Davis.
Aimee Mann's Fourth of July
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3S7HAvibdvc
Oh, baby, I wonder -
If when you are older -
Someday-
You'll wake up
And say, 'my god, I should have told her -
What would it take?
But now here I am and the world's gotten colder
And she's got the river down which I sold her.'
Something by the Rolling Stones. Either Angie or Wild Horses or whatever.
And maybe something like Stardust. Gotta avoid Willie Nelson's version.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IxmMT0wpaU&feature=related
SS, I kinda liked the only Hole album I ever heard plus I'm totally hot for Courtney Love.
Alysa, gonna have to check those out.
Margaret, my sincere apologies for missing that you said the Cake version. Your esteem in my eyes has been restored.
Don't know that one CC, but I like the lyrics.
Nick, I'll be up all night checking out those songs.
Leeandra, with only 10 slots it's hard to hit all the deserving stuff but you're right, no one knows heartbreak like Hank.
Though I'd no idea any popular music had been published since DA DOO RON RON in '63.
r.
Though I'd no idea any popular music had been published since DA DOO RON RON in '63.
r.
Neil Young is always good and that Sinead song will make you feel like you just got your heart broken.
I also like Marley's "Waiting in Vain" as a breakup song. Anything by Morrissey "The More You Ignore Me the Closer I Get" comes to mind. Hey. How come I know so many?
"It's Over" - Roy Orbison
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMc263klrMQ
Starting with, "Boiler Makers" with Makers Mark and Draft Beer. Only the "Makers" counts.
After that, a few more of the same...count to 10...lay down...you're good!
Lay low for a while, lover boy. This is going to take a little time. And write more for a while. Writing is good for the soul. Good creative time, these times. Big squishy hugs!
The Stones' Heart of Stone is pretty good for bucking up. When you're able to laugh about it a bit, the Statler Brothers' Flowers on the Wall always brings a smile. And Peter Gabriel's Don't Give Up (cause you have friends) helped me through a particularly bad one.
For commiseration, go to Betty Harris' cover of "Cry to Me."
Bonnie Raitt:
Cry Like a Rainstorm
Too Soon To Tell
** Matters of the Heart
Jackson Browne (yes on I'm Alive album), plus:
My Opening Farewell
Sleep's Dark and Silent Gate
Here Come Those Tears Again
Get out your crying towels, kiddies. Oh, how about It's Crying Time Again, Ray Charles?
xoxo
-R-
Everything in 1951 by Johnnie Ray, starting with "Cry"
"Cry Cry Cry" - Johnny Cash
"I Don't Care Anymore" - Phil Collins
Dylan - "Positively 4th St." and "Don't Think Twice" and "It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry"
Hank Williams - "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry"
Yike, I'm bumming myself out now. Time to quit.
Best to ya, Trig.
-------------------------------------------------------------
You're an accident waiting to happen
You're a piece of glass left in a beach
Well you tell me things I know you're not supposed to
Then you leave me just out of reach...
Who's gonna ride your wild horses
Who's gonna drown in your blue sea
Who's gonna taste your salt water kisses
Who's gonna take the place of me
---------------------------------------------------------
Ouch.
-------------------------------------------------------------
You're an accident waiting to happen
You're a piece of glass left in a beach
Well you tell me things I know you're not supposed to
Then you leave me just out of reach...
Who's gonna ride your wild horses
Who's gonna drown in your blue sea
Who's gonna taste your salt water kisses
Who's gonna take the place of me
---------------------------------------------------------
Ouch.
I remember riding in my pimped out yellow Plymouth Duster, with zebra stripped seat covers, and feeling blue over a relationship that I knew wasn't working out. Then the radio started playing the Who's, "You Better", and I just started laughing and felt a whole lot better. It kind of put things into a whole different perspective.
If anyone is looking for a tough love movie, I'd have to recommend Blue Valentine - not an easy movie to watch.
Amen to not waiting or hoping for the "right" person to magically appear.