Every cowboy has a sad, sad song. And every rose has its thorns.
We've written about breaking up in this blog before, and we doubtless will again. It is a mine so rich we may never see the bottom.
This American Life had a tragic and hilarious segment yesterday about the music you listen to after a breakup. It got me thinking about the music that has been most cathartic to me. Most of the Pulp Fiction soundtrack does it for me; in particular track 13: Flowers On The Wall - The Statler Brothers
Also, Natalie Imbruglia's "Torn" and Weezer's Undone. I had Imbruglia's haircut for, like, 3 years after that. I guess I should be thankful in a way that those songs were in heavy rotation the last time my heart was mercilessly broken.
The coolest thing about the This American Life segment was the narrator actually wrote and recorded her own breakup song and played it as part of the piece.
That made me think of all the breakup art floating around in the world. I even have a sad relationship song -- more of a "why doesn't he call me" than "why doesn't he call me anymore." Her bravery has inspired me. Give me a few days to shape up my song and I'll put it up here. It should be funny.Not this funny, but funny.
I encourage you to also share the creative product of your misery. It will be like an anonymous, online trust-fall.
In the meantime, what are your favorite songs to listen to when you just want to keep feeling sad, lonely, abandoned, forsaken...you know, dumped?
Comments (3)
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What I'm always struck by is how any song can be a breakup/heartache song. Playlists I've made to try and keep myself cheerful when I know I may be down suddenly strike me with poignant irony.
I've done enough trust falls this week. I shan't subject anyone to my emo, even anonymously.
Posted on August 27, 2007 9:57 PM
In the throes of woman's-gone blues, I've found Elliot Smith to be a comfort. Here's a good one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zH8-lQ9CeyI
Some Tom Waits also does the trick.
You must avoid pop radio, though, because it'll take you down.
And I have reams of bad poetry written in high school and middle school to girls I had no shot with. Most of 'em never saw it.
Posted on August 28, 2007 12:00 PM
Poor, poor Elliott Smith. He was so sad he stabbed himself to death. Sad breakup music has included Sunny Day Real Estate, Radiohead, Amy Mann, Wilco, and- there was a particularly bad breakup in college where Tool's Aenima helped quite a bit.
Posted on August 28, 2007 7:40 PM