22 votes

What are your favorite break up songs? Or my lover left me songs?

Posted by boxer_dogs_dance
Tags: ask.recommendations, songs, relationships

I'm a huge fan of the Peter Paul and Mary version of Don't Think Twice It's All Right
Don't Think Twice It's All Right

But some people prefer the Bob Dylan version (love the harmonica)
Don't Think Twice It's All Right

For my lover left me songs, I really like Pink's version of Me and Bobbie McGee
Me and Bobbie McGee

Does anyone else want to share a favorite song about being the one leaving or the one being left?

33 comments

  1. godzilla_lives
    Link
    Townes Van Zandt - Colorado Bound I'm pretty sure you can hear his heart breaking during the recording.

    Townes Van Zandt - Colorado Bound

    Well it's a mighty lonesome feelin'
    Listenin' to the wind a-howlin'
    Watchin' raindrops come a-fallin'
    To the pavement outside your door

    It's a fool I am for waitin'
    For the sound of your returnin'
    For the sound of gentle breathin'
    Footsteps 'cross the floor

    I'm pretty sure you can hear his heart breaking during the recording.

    6 votes
  2. MrAlex
    Link
    One that really twists the knife for me is "It Doesn't Matter To Him" by John Grant off of his "Pale Green Ghosts" album. Especially the verse "I wish that I could figure out how I became...

    One that really twists the knife for me is "It Doesn't Matter To Him" by John Grant off of his "Pale Green Ghosts" album.

    Especially the verse "I wish that I could figure out how I became irrelevant; How I got myself evicted from his heart from one day to the next. And the worst part is, even if I got an answer right now, it would not mean anything because we have become two strangers."

    Fucking ouch.

    3 votes
  3. mycketforvirrad
    Link
    Song: The Book Artist: Sheryl Crow Album: Sheryl Crow Year: 1996 Links: Genius | Spotify

    Song:

    The Book

    Artist: Sheryl Crow
    Album: Sheryl Crow
    Year: 1996

    I read your book
    And I find it strange
    That I know that girl and I know her world
    A little too well

    And I didn't know
    By giving my hand
    That I would be written down, sliced around, passed down
    Among strangers' hands

    [...]

    Links: Genius | Spotify

    3 votes
  4. 16bitclaudes
    Link
    Cologne, Ben Folds. When he sings that line "Such a painful trip, to find out this is it" you can hear and feel he's still not over it. Every time it plays it feels as though he's right there...

    Cologne, Ben Folds.

    When he sings that line "Such a painful trip, to find out this is it" you can hear and feel he's still not over it. Every time it plays it feels as though he's right there going through it with you. Oof.

    Alternatively, Song for the Dumped also Ben Folds but as part of the Ben Folds Five! Same sentiment but more petulant and fun. One for the younger breakups.

    3 votes
  5. RadDevon
    Link
    Sierra - Cursive Genius This one adds a twist by throwing a kid into the mix. The vocals are completely saturated with the same regret and desperation as the lyrics. I love it although it's very sad.

    Sierra - Cursive
    Genius

    This one adds a twist by throwing a kid into the mix. The vocals are completely saturated with the same regret and desperation as the lyrics. I love it although it's very sad.

    3 votes
  7. [6]
    vili
    Link
    Prince wrote a handful or really good breakup songs. If I had to pick just one, I'd point to How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore.

    Prince wrote a handful or really good breakup songs. If I had to pick just one, I'd point to How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore.

    3 votes
    1. [3]
      boxer_dogs_dance
      (edited )
      Link Parent
      Edit the first link didn't work for me, so here is another. Prince - How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore

      Edit the first link didn't work for me, so here is another. Prince - How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore

      1 vote
      1. [2]
        vili
        Link Parent
        Strange, my link works for me without issues. Your link is to a live recording and therefore quite a bit livelier, with less of the desperation that's in the original. But that's ok, it was always...

        Strange, my link works for me without issues.

        Your link is to a live recording and therefore quite a bit livelier, with less of the desperation that's in the original. But that's ok, it was always a lovely surprise to get it live. Good memories. I miss the guy.

        3 votes
        1. Bwerf
          Link Parent
          Your link works for me too.

          Your link works for me too.

    2. [2]
      mieum
      Link Parent
      Every time I hear this song I become so envious of Prince's range and virtuosity of expression, which is really showcased in this album as a whole.

      Every time I hear this song I become so envious of Prince's range and virtuosity of expression, which is really showcased in this album as a whole.

      1 vote
      1. vili
        Link Parent
        Indeed. And to think that How Come wasn't even on the album, just a b-side to a single. But then again, many of his fan favourites were either b-sides or just completely unreleased. Solo is...

        Indeed. And to think that How Come wasn't even on the album, just a b-side to a single. But then again, many of his fan favourites were either b-sides or just completely unreleased.

        Solo is another of Prince's breakup songs where he really flexes his vocal muscles. Coming towards the end of the 1994 album Come, it is also a beautiful conclusion to a rather dark cycle of songs that tackle, among other things, domestic abuse (Papa), social issues (Race) and romantic loss (Dark). Solo works as the culmination of this path of desperation, and leads to Letitgo, which quite wonderfully resolves some of these issues, at least on a personal level.

        I'm not quite sure now why I'm suddenly writing about Come, but I suppose How Come made me think about Solo and while How Come was a "throwaway" b-side, Come was a throwaway contractual obligation album (one of many). Not quite as highly esteemed by fans as How Come, but one of my personal favourites.

        Oh, and I guess they both have the word "come" in them. Brain doing brainy things there.

  9. scissortail
    Link
    The one I go back to is Widower, by the DIllinger Escape Plan.

    The one I go back to is Widower, by the DIllinger Escape Plan.

    Obsessed with thoughts that deform
    Held on by hope too well worn
    Crippled because of dreams that eclipse reality
    Crashing into truths we don't perceive
    We don't perceive

    I couldn't hold on to the things that mattered to you
    It was my big mistake
    Thinking there were two roads to take

    2 votes
  10. rosco
    (edited )
    Link
    So many classics, I hope this isn't overload. The amazing thing about breakup songs is they transcend genre. I've tried to give a nice mix from Motown to psychedelic. Sure Don't Miss You - The Dip...

    So many classics, I hope this isn't overload. The amazing thing about breakup songs is they transcend genre. I've tried to give a nice mix from Motown to psychedelic.

    Sure Don't Miss You - The Dip

    This may be my very favorite breakup song. It's upbeat, it's punchy, it's more of a yeah "fuck you" kind of song.

    When you put me down, I was
    All torn up
    Sure enough, crying every night
    Well, now I see the light
    And everything feels so new
    Oh, finally got over you, yeah
    Someday
    I might miss you, but I
    Sure don't miss you right now
    I was blue as a man could be
    When you left me, but I
    Sure don't miss you right now

    Cry To Me - Solomon Burke

    Classic breakup song. Told from a 3rd party perspective but does a beautiful job running through all the reason breakups suck.

    Nothing can be sadder than a glass of wine alone
    Loneliness, loneliness, such a waste of your time, oh yes
    You don't ever have to walk alone, you see
    A-come on, take my hand, and baby, won't you walk with me?
    Whoa yeah

    Gonna Get Along without You Now - Skeeter Davis

    Got along without you before I met you
    Gonna get along without you now
    Gonna find somebody who is twice as cute
    'Cause I didn't want you anyhow

    Lady, You Shot Me - Har Mar Superstar

    Lady, you shot me
    On top of the tears you brought me
    You broke my one rule, you treated me cruel
    Now I lay bleeding
    It's just your love that I'm needing
    What else can I do if you are untrue?

    The Spot - Your Smith

    I didn't breakup with my partner in the summer of 2021 (we're still together), but I listened to this song like I did. Upbeat, funky, and fun.

    I was feeling crazy that summer when he let me go again
    I tried a couple things, kept my distance
    Spread my wings, tried other men
    And I coulda told you I was on the wrong side
    Of what was ever gonna work, again
    Gotta get you off my mind
    So I'm driving up the five to stay alive 'til Jefferson

    Eventually - Tame Impala

    If only there could be another way to do this
    'Cause it feels like murder to put your heart through this
    I know I always said that I could never hurt you
    Well, this is the very, very last time I'm ever going to

    2 votes
  11. poduski
    Link
    Weyes Blood - These Seven Words The last line: "Now I face tomorrow"

    Weyes Blood - These Seven Words

    The last line: "Now I face tomorrow"

    1 vote
  12. [2]
    Comment deleted by author
    Link
    1. boxer_dogs_dance
      Link Parent
      An interesting thoughtful reflective one about divorce is Paul Simon's Heart's and Bones Hearts and Bones by Paul Simon It's from the perspective of a story teller though.

      An interesting thoughtful reflective one about divorce is Paul Simon's Heart's and Bones
      Hearts and Bones by Paul Simon
      It's from the perspective of a story teller though.

      3 votes
  13. first-must-burn
    Link
    Coldest breakup line ever: "Rest Stop" by Matchbox 20

    Coldest breakup line ever:

    "Rest Stop" by Matchbox 20

    She said, "While you were sleeping
    Well, I was listening to the radio
    and wondering what you're dreaming
    When it came to mind that didn't care"
    And I thought, "Hell, if it's over
    Then I had better end it quick or could lose my nerve

    1 vote
  14. Stranger
    Link
    Woke Up New - The Mountain Goats

    Woke Up New - The Mountain Goats

    The first time I made coffee for just myself, I made too much of it
    But I drank it all just 'cause you hate it, when I let things go to waste
    And I wandered through the house like a little boy, lost at the mall
    And an astronaut could've seen the hunger in my eyes from space

    1 vote
  19. conception
    Link
    https://youtu.be/NqNRQxdhX3E?si=l8u4oamimbN6y8eY Fuck It by Eamon isn’t the most mature take on the topic but it certainly helps in the moment.

    https://youtu.be/NqNRQxdhX3E?si=l8u4oamimbN6y8eY

    Fuck It by Eamon isn’t the most mature take on the topic but it certainly helps in the moment.

  21. JoshuaJ
    Link
    Matt Nathanson has a lot of these that got me through my teenage years and first breakup. Answering machine https://youtu.be/4GcUnULhR2k?feature=shared The whole live at the point live album is...

    Matt Nathanson has a lot of these that got me through my teenage years and first breakup.

    Answering machine
    https://youtu.be/4GcUnULhR2k?feature=shared

    The whole live at the point live album is pretty amazing and his audience chatter between songs is really funny.

  22. doctortofu
    Link
    "Accidental Babies" by Damien Rice - no other song has ever hit me as hard as this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELTVP4aqWAI "Does he drive you wild? Or just mildly free? What about me?" I...

    "Accidental Babies" by Damien Rice - no other song has ever hit me as hard as this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELTVP4aqWAI

    "Does he drive you wild?
    Or just mildly free?
    What about me?"

    I think technically it's an affair song, but I used to listen it on repeat after a bad, bad breakup when I wanted to bawl my eyes out yet again - never failed to work...

  24. IanAtCambio
    Link
    Paul Simon - 50 ways to leave your lover

    Paul Simon - 50 ways to leave your lover

  25. doctorwu
    Link
    I've got a couple. Sung from the point of view of someone who senses a breakup about to happen: Bonnie Raitt - I Can't Make You Love Me But my real favorite is a trove of dark humor: The Police -...

    I've got a couple.

    Sung from the point of view of someone who senses a breakup about to happen:
    Bonnie Raitt - I Can't Make You Love Me

    But my real favorite is a trove of dark humor:
    The Police - Can't Stand Losing You

  26. TheGrumpyWelshman
    Link
    The One that sticks in my head, especially lately, is Memories by Yungblud The reason it hits me is that Yungblud is/was my ex's favourite artist, and the second to last time I was together with...

    The One that sticks in my head, especially lately, is Memories by Yungblud

    The reason it hits me is that Yungblud is/was my ex's favourite artist, and the second to last time I was together with him was at a Yungblud concert.

  27. mieum
    (edited )
    Link
    Sam Cooke's Bring it on Home And kind of a different "lover left me" song, Gin Soaked Boy by Tom Waits. Okay, here's a bonus Tom Waits song: Tell it to Me.