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March 26, 2012
9. The Rolling Stones, "Ruby Tuesday"
Keith Richards wrote the song about a cherished groupie who got caught up in drinking, drugs, and Jimi Hendrix. For every man whose heart's been broken by a free-spirited artist type, Mick Jagger sings the words we thought but were afraid to say. — J.G.
8. Edith Piaf, "Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien"
"Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien" makes me feel like I should be forlornly walking through a labyrinth of cobbled streets, but be viewing myself from a shaky-cam tracking shot instead of looking out of my eyes. It's in French, but you can still tell that it's about love lost without understanding a word. — Sean Morrow
7. Marvin Gaye, "I Heard It Through the Grapevine"
It was Motown producer Norman Whitfield's idea to have Marvin Gaye sing this song in a register close to the top of his range, so the desperation in his voice is equal parts physical and emotional. But the rest of the song's genius is in the arrangement: sinister electric piano, and pounding tribal drums, a perfect sonic approximation of infidelity-related paranoia. — A.H.
Commentarium (42 Comments)
So glad to see my favorite breakup song top this list.
For the Stones, I prefer Angie. Yes, I know Mick Jagger's whistpering in the middle is kind of silly, but as a breakup song, it's just fantastic nonetheless.
Angie was released in '73, so perhaps you'll see it next time :D
Had that thought after I posted. Thanks for the reminder. The late 60s and the early 70s run together in my head. I expect it should make the 70s list. :)
I can't believe Michael Jackson's older brothers let him join their group. He was so much the obvious star.
no Shangri-Las...
'In Dreams' should be disqualified based solely on the Blue Velvet connection. I don't think of a break-up, I think of an overly made-up Cylon serenading Dennis Hopper.
That did come up. But do you disavow "Time is On My Side" for being in a disappointing mid-90s Denzel vehicle? (That would be "Fallen" for those of you keeping track at home.)
No argument with #1.
The whole time I was reading this list I'm thinking, "Where the hell is Dylan?" Well okay then, he's number one. But there are so many other songs - especially on "Blood on the Tracks". "Idiot Wind" anyone? Hello? "Tangled Up in Blue"?
But he's been writing killer breakup songs for over 50 years. "It Ain't Me, Babe", "Just Like a Woman", "Visions of Johanna".
I'm just sayin'...
Blood on the Tracks is '70s and will almost certainly be making an appearance next week. As for Leonard, "So Long Marianne" was in the running -- that song was literally #26. Damn our brevity!
Spoilers!
One more note. Nothing from the dean of romantic despair - Leonard Cohen? "So Long, Marianne" is a worthy choice. And, you know, a gazillion more.
I disagree with the reading of Je ne regrette rien. It's not forlorn, it's more empowered. She's lighting a fire with her memories, she doesn't give a damn about the past. And the last line says, "My life, my joy, today, it starts with you." At least to me, it sounds more like a declaration of new love and completely abandoning any past relationships or hardships in order to put herself totally into this new life.
On a different note, I love that song, and whenever I have to do chores I blast Edith Piaf to make them more tolerable.
Yes. Just because the song is in French doesn't mean you get to just go with your gut feel as to what you *think* the song is about.
She is clearly saying that she doesn't regret anything that has brought her to this point because she is starting a new love. Not a breakup song at all.
Arguably, it's still a breakup song. It's just a breakup song about not regretting a breakup. Not all breakups are ones you feel bad about, and I'm glad to see that sentiment reflected on this list.
No "It Ain't Me Babe"?
You say you're looking for someone
Never weak, but always strong
To protect you and defend you
Whether you are right or wrong
Someone to open each and every door
But it ain't me babe
No, no, no, it ain't me babe
It ain't me you're looking for, babe
Great list! I absolutely love "In Dreams" and do not dispute its inclusion on the list. However "It's Over" takes it as the depths of despair during a breakup for me in terms of Orbison songs. I know there are many to choose from and I'm sure the debate lead deep into the night at the Nerve offices.
driveway to driveway by superchunk.
"my hand on your heart has been replaced, and i thought it was you that i had chased..."
perfect.
From 1992? Check back and see if it makes it onto the '90s list. But that was an angsty decade -- stiff competition.
What about "Break it to Me Gently" recorded by Brenda Lee? Made it to #4 on the charts in 1962. Awesome song!
What? How could you leave out "You're gonna miss me" by 13th Floor Elevators!
I refuse to accept the legitimacy of any "Greatest Breakup Songs of the 1960s" that doesn't include the Stone Poneys "Different Drum".
Linda Ronstadt is forever banned from Nerve.
She knows what she did.
Thanks for including a couple of country songs. Those often get overlooked in lists like this. Personally, I'd have included "She Even Woke Me Up (To Say Goodbye)" as well.
I would have gone for the Everly Brothers version over Ray Charles for "Bye Bye Love" --not that it's anything less than genius from Ray, but the Everlys had the hit.
I actually really wanted "Drown in My Own Tears," but it's from the wrong decade. I just love the juxtaposition of Charles' "Bye Bye Love" -- those borderline suicidal lyrics and that infectious performance.
Hey, if you're already thinking about the 1970s, you sure better include Roxy Music. Right now I'd lean toward "Just Like You" off the "Siren" album but "A Song For Europe" is also a possibility and heck, there are about 15 others.
What about The Moody Blues' "Go Now"?? And Roy Orbison's "Crying"???
Geez..not missing a few good 1960s breakup songs...
I was thinking along the same lines, Jess, but Bessie Banks' original recording of "Go Now." It wrings the neck of the Moody Blues' version like you wouldn't believe.
I'd include "You're Gonna Miss Me (When I'm Gone)" by 13th Floor Elevators and "Remember" (aka "Walking in the Sand") by the Shangri Las.
Just for that comment regarding Linda Ronstadt, I will be playing her "Greatest Hits" much longer now than I expected! Both volumes!
first off... that's not dylan singing on your clip... it's some douchebag. Secondly to not have 'It Makes No Difference' on your list immediately invalidates it
Well, we fixed the Dylan song. But I'd like to point out that "It Makes No Difference" is from 1975. So, um, pot. Kettle. Black. And such.
What about that ultimate Dylan kiss off song "Like a Rolling Stone"?
Couple of months too old to be on this list I think, but I needed to get this off my chest. Jacques Brel's original rendition of 'Ne Me Quitte Pas' is the most beautiful, gut-wrenching piece of music ever created. Nina Simone is okay though.
For future list consideration: "Two Outta Three Ain't Bad" by Meat Loaf and "Things Change" by Dwight Yoakam. "Things Change" is just so matter-of-fact it's incredibly sad.
"She said, 'I still love you so.' I said, 'I don't care to know.'
She said, 'you once cried my name.' I said, 'well baby, things change.'"
"i want to be free" by the monkees. my 5th grade boyfriend sent it to me on the radio. what a way to get dumped!! i'll never forget.
Bobby Vinton's "After Loving You". Although I did the breaking up, I cried my eyes out listening to that song!
You missed Harry Nilsson's "Without Her" as performed by BS&T on their first album. I see you did get Harry's "Without You" in the 70s list, in a justifiably high ranked position too, so well done on that one. One gets the impression Harry had a lot of bad luck with the ladies.
"Without her " is perfect for crying in your beer music, but when you finally get pissed you need Harry's "You're breakin my heart" as in;
"You're breakin my heart, you're tearin it apart, so fuck you."
Finish beer, order more, feel better.
Have you kids ever heard "You've got your troubles, I've got mine" by the Fortunes? Great stuff if you like vindictive.
You can put this in any decade you want. 60s, 2000s or any remake in between.
"What becomes of the broken hearted"
The original is great
the Joan Osborne version from the Funk Brothers Motown documentary is fantastic.
Makes me cry.
In fact, this may not belong in the break up song category.
It is in a class including only itself