In 1962, Neil Sedaka said everything that needs to be said about ending relationships when he sang, “breaking up is hard to do.” It's simple in an “aw shucks” 1960s pop song sort of way, but the tune's direct approach has not meant the end of the break-up song. In fact, we've got some pretty dandy ones the past few years, the kind that make you almost forget that guy/girl/celebrity crush who just won't return your fan mail who ripped out your heart, spit on it and fed it to his/her dog for dinner. Almost.
Here, for your misery and heartache, are five recent songs that say everything about breaking up that you never could.
]
Gotye — “Somebody That I Used to Know“
There's no better way of
explaining the aftermath of a break up than the title of this song. For
years you know everything about this person and then one day you're
sitting alone in a darkened room, e-stalking that person's Facebook page when you realize he/she now has a nose ring and a Joy Division t-shirt, but when you knew him/her, he/she shopped at the Gap
and had an accounting job that didn't even allow dyed hair. Personally,
the lines “Well, you said that we would still be friends/but I'll admit
that I was glad that it was over” are pretty much what we're all
thinking because only on Seinfeld do exes actually remain friends.
Still, that doesn't mean we can't e-stalk our exes and wonder just who
in the hell they've become while looking in the mirror and wondering if
that extra 30 pounds and greasy beard we've grown had anything to do
with why we're so alone. (BTW, he was just on Kimmel last night. Killed it.)
Regina Spektor — “Fidelity“
I
was going to say something about how powerful and moving the bridge,
“All my friends say that of course it's going to get better/Gonna get
better/Better better better better/Better better better” are, but
instead all I can think of is the Youtube comment, “thumbs up if u like her boobs.”
Adele — “Someone Like You“
Sometimes
artists are able to fictionalize relationships to make listeners think
they are singing about a real person when in fact they have made the
entire thing up. This can't be one of those because the first verse of
this song is way too real to be fake. Right away, Adele sings, “I
heard that you're settled down/That you found a girl and you're married
now/I heard that your dreams came true/Guess she gave you things I
didn't gave you.” I'd hate to be the guy this song is about because
there he was, all happy and shit that he found a great woman. He's
married, maybe some kids and a picket fence and then — BOOM! Adele drops
this song and the entire world knows she's bummed. She also made a ton
of money off of the song while this lame ass is changing diapers, so
maybe the joke's on him.
TV On The Radio — “Will Do“
What's
with all these break-up songs opening with killer lyrics? This one is
pretty damn good too. I really dig the lines, “I think we're
compatible/I see that you think I'm wrong.” If you ain't felt that,
check your pulse because you haven't been alive.
Amy Winehouse — “Tears Dry on Their Own“
“All I can ever be to you is a darkness that we know.” Ouch.
See also:
Like Heard Mentality on Facebook and follow us on Twitter at @ocweeklymusic!
