Disclaimer: I am not going through a breakup. But, as my little brother once pointed out, I just fucking love to bum myself out. So, songs about breaking up are kind of my favorite songs
Also, I’m lazy: Today I really wanted to write about how much it sucks that John McCain hates women so much — between the birth control issue, his horrifying rape joke, and that whole “cunt” thing — but I’m not feeling cerebral enough to pull it off right now.
Much more in the mood to wallow boyfriends past and make lists:
1. “No Children” by the Mountain Goats.
I’ve never heard a more bitter, yet disturbingly cheerful song. Two years ago I was hell-bent on destroying myself and my ex was only to happy to help and I kind of think this was our theme song.
Sample lyrics: “I am drowning/there is no sign of land/you are coming down with me/hand in unlovable hand.” And probably the best angry crazy person lyric ever: “I hope you die/I hope we both die.”
But it’s really upbeat. Just listen. (But don’t watch the video. The only non-live version I could find is set to some weird anime.)
2. “Sentimental Heart” — Zooey Deschanel.
Ok, I’ve loved this girl since “Almost Famous.” And I love, love, love her super-girly voice. This song makes me nostalgic for the very, very recent past. It’s sappy and 21-year-old me would have had this on repeat for at least six months. I bet Adriane is glad she doesn’t live with me anymore, simply because of songs like this.
3. “Heartbreaker” — Mariah Carey.
I’m being serious, not ironic. This is a good one to listen to when driving home from the ex’s house after guilt-ridden break up sex. Mariah couldn’t resist her cheating man either. At least you aren’t alone. Also good for when you kind of want to wallow, but are headed out for the night and don’t want to be the sad girl at the party. This one got me through early 2007. Probably best for less painful faux-breakups with pseudo boyfriends. (Terms to be explained in a later post.)
4. “Werewolf” — CocoRosie
The chorus just sounds really good with the windows down and a cigarette burning when you’re sad. Last April I used to drive extra far for my mid afternoon Red Bull in order to listen to it over and over and chain smoke. (Sorry Amy… I still never missed a deadline.)
Another video with weird anime. Really not sure what’s going on with that. Personally, I always thought Stephenie Meyer should add this to her Twilight soundtrack, but I lost her e-mail address. (BTW… did you guys see she had the cover of Entertainment Weekly? It’s sort of cool that terms I coined over a year ago are being picked up by the national media.)
5. “Good Woman” — Cat Power.
This is the song for when you’re breaking up with someone you’re still desperately in love with because you know it’s the right thing to do. For when your just really fucking heartbroken and can’t do anything about it. For when you break up with your college boyfriend because you’re 21 and that’s what 21-year-olds do. Or, um, maybe that was just me. This is kind of my favorite song ever — the saddest, sweetest goodbye I’ve ever heard.
Bonus companion song, “Feather By Feather” by Smog, who is Cat Power’s ex-bf. I kind of think these songs are about each other.
3 Comments
July 18, 2008 at 7:01 pm
I am such a blog-stalker. Blawker?
Anyway, “No Children” and “Good Woman” are two of my favorite songs ever, too. I really want to like CocoRosie and I kind of do, but the way she fucks up tempos on purpose and sings non-rhythmically (see: “By Your Side”) over beats kills me. I am a creature of rhythm.
July 18, 2008 at 7:02 pm
Also, that wasn’t supposed to be a smiley face. That’s all.
July 18, 2008 at 7:03 pm
Blawker! I love it.