“I broke up with my girlfriend, because we weren’t good for each other. But all the break-up music I can find is from the point of view of the break-up-ee. Can you recommend some tunes for me?”
I can and I will! Your playlist has recommendations from Jess G., Morgan G., Lindsay E., Emily, Laura, Riese, Crystal and me. It takes you from realization to saying goodbye — first sadly, then loudly — and finally to looking ahead to the rest of your undoubtedly happier life.
It Was Time to Go
Foundations – Kate Nash
The Good That Won’t Come Out – Rilo Kiley
First Love – Adele
Music When The Lights Go Out – The Libertines
Good Woman – Cat Power
Leaving – Indigo Girls
Already Gone – Kelly Clarkson
Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right – Bob Dylan
Get Gone – Fiona Apple
Call Your Girlfriend – Robyn
Bye Bye Bye – N Sync
Nice to Know You – Incubus
Oh What a Day – Ingrid Michaelson
Tomorrow Will Be Better, I Swear – Stars
Next Girl – The Black Keys
Add your favorite break-up tracks in the comments below!
Want to suggest a playlist theme? Hit Crystal up on Formspring and someone of the team will make it for you.
How is “One More Hour” by Sleater-Kinney not on here?!?!? You guuuyyyyyssss!
Zomg, yes. Also, “Leave you behind” from S-K, which has probably the most beautifully sad, underrated opening line ever, in my humble opinion: “I wonder how you looked, the day you were erased, to look down at your heart and watch it fade.”
(OK, just listen, because otherwise I’d just quote the whole song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKaFq78INH8)
my knee-jerk reaction to add on is “gimme one reason” by Tracy Chapman, but that really has more to do with not wanting to top anymore, I think
Adele’s “Someone Like You” made me cry my eyes out after my break-up.
How about break-up movies? I’d like to see a break-up-movie-list! <3
Perfect timing, Autostraddle. Perfect timing.
Tegan and Sara – Call it Off
YES, This was my first thought. Also, in a very similar vein: Peter Bjorn and John – Let’s Call It Off.
Oh! And this one always makes me feel better, like Simon was just about to throw in a clever rhyme with my name in it:
Paul Simon – Fifty Ways to Leave your Lover
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=298nld4Yfds
And of course:
Blue October – Breakfast After Ten
i left the t&s song out on purpose but i can’t believe i forgot paul simon! fuck.
Was it artistic integrity or the potential perverse pleasure of whipping lesbian commenters up into a foaming frenzy of Tegan and Sara love/indignant disbelief?
Be honest. ;)
well a) it was the fact that i can’t listen to that song, but also it doesn’t really fit, bc she doesn’t seem sure about the whole thing and that’s no good.
Fair play, Laneia. These are all good reasons.
Pink – Funhouse Album
When I was but a lass, I sent my ex a mixed tape (that is how old I am) I broke up with her & the songs were a little bitter – top of the list was Sandy Shaw’s “Girl don’t come”
“Heart in Your Heartbreak”-Pains of Being Pure At Heart
“Madder Red” – Yeasayer
“Volcano”-Damien Rice
All wonderful. All helped heal me (almost).
Oh, Damien Rice. <3
I want to know who recommended N’Sync. Nicely played.
This list could use “I’m Looking Through You” by The Beatles.
Laneia, you’re amazing. I just having one of those terrible, angry, I-hate-not-being-happy-with-my-own-choice relapses. Truly wonderful timing.
I have many feelings whenever I hear any of these too…
Donny Hathaway (or Amy Winehouse) – A Song For You: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeHiio1sTTI
Maverick Sabre – I Can Never Be: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HRnshCWC7U
Black Keys – I’m Not The One: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XbcsUremO4
….All or Nothing by O-Town, since you mentioned N*SNYC* lol
The Postal Service – Nothing Better
wow. um how perfect. i’m actually going through a lesbodivorce right now aka the end of an 8 year LTR and i needed some music.
so yay and it sucks.
and i wonder what the point of it all was/is and if i’ll be ok all by myself…
blah sometimes i wish autostraddle was all of you in my living room.
<3
“sometimes i wish autostraddle was all of you in my living room”
every day
you know what is satisfying?
this. must be paired w long walking, outrageous random bus rides, or preferably solo driving.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_mYnsPRteM
“Oh Maker” by Janelle Monae is always at the top of my list! I still listen to it whenever I have feelings regarding any previous relationships. Janelle Monae makes everything better, always.
Many shades of black – The Raconteurs
How about basically anything by La Roux?
“Bulletproof”
“I’m Not Your Toy”
“As if by Magic”
etc.
This is incredible timing!
I’ve been listening to Adele’s new CD lately and just keep thinking: “Listen Adele, I’m sure it was really hard for him too but sometimes it just doesn’t work out! he does remember, but he had to go!”
Bob Dylan – It Ain’t Me Babe
You are Goodbye – Holly Conlan
Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Modern Romance / Skeletons
Lykke Li – Complaint Department (pretty good, this one)
John Lennon – Mind Games
Ani DiFranco – Rock, Paper, Scissors
bonus (better for the break-up-ee): Jeff Buckley – Forget Her
Btw, hi5 to whoever chose the songs from Cat Power, Bob Dylan and The Black Keys from your list :)
I don’t think i’ve ever commented here before but:
this was so so good, and so so needed.
thanks x
i’m crying
KT Oslin – Come Next Monday http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8RT3Dy4i3Q
As a bonus, comes with a kickass music video of Oslin doing metacommentary as the Bride of Frankenstein.
Sarah Harmer – Around This Corner
You Say Party! – Monster
Karen O – If You’re Gonna Be Dumb, You Gotta Be Tough
Diamond Rings – All Yr Songs
The Sadies – Another Year Again
Gold Motel – Don’t Send The Searchlights
Sleater Kinney’s One More Hour made me cry all winter long in 2010/11.
Death Cab-Someday you will be loved
somebody that I used to know- Gotye
What’s a Girl to Do? – Bat for Lashes
Wrecking Ball – Chris Pureka
Alone Eventually – Stephanie Bosch
PJ Harvey – Evol
I was just the breakup-ee. All I listened to was Tegan and Sara for like a week. Then I got ANGRY. So I started listening to metal again!
Fuck yes AT THE GATES!!!
Rae Spoon’s Crash Landing.
http://exclaim.ca/MusicVideo/ClickHear/rae_spoon-i_cant_keep_all_of_our_secrets_album_stream
throwing more sleater kinney out there – the song good things has really been doing it for me today.
Where is some PJ Harvey on this? Kick it to the ground? Just saying.
Before It Breaks – Brandi Carlile
So so good.