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April 9, 2012
10. Dire Straits, "Romeo and Juliet" (1980)
Unlike whatshisface's play, this "Romeo and Juliet" suggests that love can end in tragedy without anyone getting poisoned. The implied contrast to a legendary romance makes Mark Knopfler's breakup sound all the sadder. — S.M.
9. The Ramones, "The KKK Took My Baby Away" (1981)
Some say Joey Ramone wrote this song about Johnny Ramone stealing away his girlfriend; others dispute the story. Whatever; most Ramones songs are nonsensical, but this one is also totally awesome. After a rough breakup, you might actually be comforted to think that your ex was kidnapped by racists, rather than leaving you of her own free will. — J.G.
8. Human League, "Don't You Want Me?" (1981)
Unlike almost every other breakup song ever written, "Don't You Want Me?" gives us both sides of the story, featuring the lead singer, Philip Oakey, dueting with bandmate Susan Ann Sulley. Together, they give us arguments from the spurned and the spurner. But victory goes to the shout-along chorus, which surely anyone can relate to. — J.G.
7. Elvis Costello, "I Want You" (1986)
This must be the most intense thing that Elvis Costello ever recorded. It's like he's trying to scare the girl into coming back to him under the penalty of some kind of love-knifing. Spitting out lines like "I might as well be useless for all it means to you," he captures the bitterness of a breakup perfectly. — J.G.
6. Soft Cell, "Tainted Love" (1981)
Originally performed by Gloria Jones in the '60s, "Tainted Love" got a new life from Soft Cell's danceable, synth-heavy remake. Fittingly for a tune about trying to get out from under someone's spell, it's almost impossible not to sing along. — R.K.
Commentarium (44 Comments)
Perfect #1. I always associated Always On My Mind with the Pet Shop Boys, rather than Willie Nelson. I'm probably in the minority there.
You should've had my version on your 70's list.
I know it's a much more obvious choice than a lot of the songs on this list, but surely Alison Moyet's voice earns "Only You" a spot somewhere? Otherwise, damn great list. Looking forward to the 90s.
Is it too early to predict Black #1 for the 90's list?
Wasn't OMD's "If You Leave" a breakup song? And wasn't it released in the '80s? That would be tops (or near the top) of my list, for sure.
Oh man, no kidding!
Two points: one, the sad part of Tracy Chapman's "Fast Car" is that it ISN'T a breakup song. She's still got the loser at the end, they've got kids, she's supporting his drinking with a crappy job, and her hopes for change are futile: "I always hoped for better, but maybe together you and me'll find it; I got no plans, I ain't goin' nowhere; take a fast car and keep on driving." The end.
Two: the best breakup song of the 80s was John Waite's "Missing You." I don't care how mainstream that was or that Waite was a one-hit wonder. As someone whose first boyfriend dumped her in 1984 at the age of 15, I declare with unimpeachable authority that "Missing You" should be, must be, and indeed is, number one.
"I'd always hoped for better
Thought maybe together you and me would find it
I got no plans I ain't going nowhere
So take your fast car and keep on driving"
Who knew? Two little misheard lyrics--the "thought" and the "your"-- and I had the ending all wrong. (Now you're going to tell me that ACDC doesn't really sing "yeah, should we all die young!")
Isn't Tracy Chapman gay? Wouldn't it be her woman that she's singing to then, and not her man?
Yes, and who cares? It's not necessarily about her. It's just a song.
The no 1 is right but where is joy division's love will tear us apart and prefab sprout's when love breaks down ?
I'm pretty sure Joy Division snuck into the 70's list..
yeah u r right but the song was actually released in 1980
This list is very/surprisingly white. Where's all the R&B/soul? "Superstar/Until You Come Back To Me" by Luther Vandross is a serious omission (9+ minutes of heartbreak from the best soul singer of the decade). And I think Lisa Stansfield's "All Around The World" came out in 1989. Also, "The Rain" by Oran Juice Jones would have been a cool pick (if only for the spoken word kiss-off at the end).
U2 With or Without You.
No "The Breakup Song" by the Greg Kihn Band? Easily #1 in my book.
No kidding. How is the BREAKUP song not on a list of Breakup songs?
Thank you! I saw this article and of course the first thing to pop into my head was I bet the idiot writer who put this together won't even have "The Breakup Song" on this list because that would be right in line with the idiots who've been putting together these lists. And once again Nerve, you didn't let me down! Please get writers who at least have SOME knowledge of the topics for which they say they're writing about!
My pick for greatest (as in heartbreaking) is "In Too Deep" by Genesis; still can't listen to that one without tearing up.
On My Own by Michael McDonald and Patti LaBelle. Simply because Michael McDonald rules.
Romeo and Juliet. DIES. (No pun intended.) God, those lyrics.
"I can't do everything, but I'd do anything for you. I can't do anything except be in love with you."
WAH.
When I clicked on this story, I was hoping to see "Romeo and Juliet." Beautiful song ... one of the best.
"This Is the Way We Make a Broken Heart..." written by John Hiatt, recorded by Rosanne Cash. Should be on this list. Written from the homewrecker's point of view, with a slinky, cynical backbeat. Everything you'd expect the other woman to think.
Read your list and just vomited on my computer.
How about "Cuts like a Knife" Bryan Adams...also can't believe nothing from Robert Cray Band made the list...the guy wrote whole albums worth of infidelity, breakup and sorrow...
Bruce Springsteen's "When You're Alone" or "Brilliant Disguise"
Very happy with this one: as soon as I saw the title, "I Know It's Over" came over my mind.
Seems to me nearly a third of Husker Du's oeuvre consisted of fantastic breakup songs. Nice to see them, as well as the Replacements, represented here.
"Hero Takes a Fall" The Bangles.
Money Changes Everything
Give Me Back My man is about a shark who eats Cindy's boyfriend. She entices the shark with fish and candy. It's not about "putting out".
Seriously, where is Abba's The Winner Takes It All and George Michael/Wham's Careless Whisper? They definitely deserve a spot over Janet Jackson and Paula Abdul!
Where's Billy Idol's Eyes without a face?
What about The Police, "Can't Stand Losing You"?
Can't Stand Losing You came out on Outlandos d'Amour in 1978
Roxy Music nowhere to be found???? Slave to Love??? No Police??? Wrapped Around Your Finger??? However, even though he's just making the scene, Gotye's Somebody That I Used to Know would be the most torturous song on the list.
How in the hell is, 'every rose has a thorn' not on this list? Your entire website is invalidated by this oversight, sirs.
How can not list Yaz-- "Only You""...major heartbreak.
Billy Vera and the Beaters - At This Moment
Are you guys too hip to include ABBA's "The Winner Takes It All", quite simply the most eloquent breakup song ever written or recorded. It may not be alt or indie, but it's undeniably moving and wrenching in much the same way all the other songs on your list are. A glaring omission.
Spending my time by Roxette. Helped me get over my asshole ex boyfriend.
I see there is no love for John Waite's Missing You eh, shame really.
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