Music to Break-Up To

Alright, so I was going to write about politics but the combination of my sinus headache and severe Facebook addiction have inhibited any ability for higher order thinking. So as a result, I am going to post what I hope to be the first of many installments here on Getting Glenergized, Music to _________, where I post a list of some of my favourite songs for a particular situation. Since I have noticed that there seems to be a lot of break-ups in my social circle, and as someone who has some fairly recent experience in such a thing, I figure I could be a solid voice to help in such a thing.

When it comes to break-ups and music there are really two routes to take, the "I'm wallowing in self-pity" songs, and the "I am better off without you" songs. For the purposes of this blog we are going to take a gander at the second type right now. Perhaps we will look at self-pity at a later date. So without further ado, here goes...

1. Cake/Gloria Gaynor - "I Will Survive". Cliche, I know, but what better way to start this list out? Most people I know are divided as to which version they prefer. This is one of the few instances where I prefer a cover to an original, as I think Cake so eloquently captures the anger of being heartbroken and has a certain determination to move on. Plus I think that it will fit better with other songs on the list.

2. Kaiser Chiefs - "Everyday I Love You Less and Less". Not sure how big the Chiefs were on this side of the pond, but they were quite big over in Britain last year. This song is simply awesome for these purposes. It has really sharp, bitter lines but a very upbeat nature to it. Perfect for saying what you are thinking without bringing you down along the way.

3. New Order - "Blue Monday". Another cliche, but at least it's the original cliche!!! This is much better than the later cover by Orgy. It so perfectly captures the sense of confused anger that goes along with breaking up.

4. The All-American Rejects - "Swing, Swing". I much prefer this song to their later "Move Along" (which could fit as well). Sure it's poppy, sure it's simplistic, but I really like how upbeat this song is and the line "My heart is crushed be a former love, can you help me find a way, to carry on again?" is something we can all relate to.

5. The Clash - "Should I Stay or Should I Go?". Alright so this fit my own personal experiences last spring more than they probably fit any of yours, but it helped me a lot at the time.

6. Ben Harper - "When It's Good". If you are only going to check out one song on this list, make it this one. This is a fantastic song to listen to in such a situation!!!! When going through a break-up it is really easy to hate the other person, which can sometimes be hard since you obviously cared for them (and probably still do in some perverse way). The chorus of "When it's good, it's so, so good, when it's gone, it's gone", says what a part of you is probably feeling. It is acknowledging that what you had was great, but being ready to move on.

7. Fleetwood Mac - "Go Your Own Way". Perhaps the greatest "screw you, I'm moving on" song ever made. Period.

8. Oasis - "Don't Look Back in Anger". Good advice for just about anyone I say.

9. Cake - "Is This Love?". One of my most favouritest of bands makes another appearance on my list. This song is so brutally to the point, I love it. "Is this love, or should I close the door?" is a question we all must ask ourselves at many points in our lives.

10. The Philosopher Kings - "You Stepped on My Life". Good and angry, just the way you probably feel!!! It sums up an entire relationship in four minutes and twenty seconds. Sure some members of The Philosopher Kings may have gone on to found Prozzak, but we can forgive them by now, can't we?

11. The White Stripes - "I Can't Wait". One of my favourite songs from one of my favourite albums. This song continues with the angry trend nicely and ups it a notch. If you are starting to think that you should get back together, give this song whirl.

12. TV on the Radio - "I Don't Love You". This screams moving on very loudly and very proudly. On a slight tangent: I love this band a lot, I don't know why it took so long for me to discover them. If you haven't heard their stuff then get on Limewire or Kazaa right now and make it happen.

13. Fiona Apple - "Criminal". Only applicable if you cheated on someone. Otherwise, move along.

14. Johnny Cash - "Cry, Cry, Cry". I think just about everyone of his other songs could make the self-pity list, but this one is awesome for the moving on one. The line "You're gonna cry, cry, cry and you'll want me there,It'll hurt when you think of the fool you've been." is very empowering.

15. Bob Marley - "No Woman, No Cry". Surely you saw this one coming somewhere now didn't you?

16. Carly Simon - "Clouds in My Coffee". Such a great song to give someone the metaphorical finger to. I always found this song ironic, given that the chorus is "You're so vain, I bet you think this song is about you". She is clearly addressing this person in this chorus, making the song about him. Any way, it's a great song!!!!!

17. Sufjan Stevens - "What Goes On?" Alright another cover. Sorry, I just had to include Sufjan Stevens on here somewhere, the man is amazing, and I really like this song. Yes I know, the original was by The Beatles, who thought they were bigger than Jesus. Turns out, Sufjan is the one that actually is.

18. Neil Young - "Heart of Gold". If Neil can move on, then why can't you? Alright, I know that I 'm reaching here, but I just really like Neil Young, you can't fault me for that one.


19. Hawksley Workam - "Don't Be Crushed". Hawksley is amazing, and I needed to add this song here. I love the poetic lyrics such as "Thank God you're timeless, because my watch is broken".

20. Matthew Good Band - "Suburbia". Yeah I know, it's really slow and sad, but it has a nice little "fuck you" thrown in there.

Alright that's probably enough out of me for the evening, I hope you enjoy this list. I am sure that I am missing a lot, so please comment and I will be sure to add some to the list!!!!

Have any suggestions for the next bit of Music to _____ to? The hit me with a comment and I'll think about err!!!!

Until next time,


G