...is hard to do.

Monday Mar 6, 2006

Yep, see, I told you the Oscars suck. Moving on.

Recently I was thinking about the truly great Break Up Songs. For me a big part of moving on has always been focusing on a song. Whether it be a song that I create (Disillusion, RSVP, Scar, Stagnant Waltz, or even new Not Enough) or a song that I make a strong connection to, music seems to help the healing.

I remember when I went through my first bad break up in high school I would listen to American Pie both before bed and first thing in the morning. This classic song about moving on in time helped me to move on.

Apparently compiling Break Up songs lists is a very popular past time for several websites and VH1. Still I present you with my top songs for getting through the rough times.

These are in no particular order.

1. Against All Odds - Phil Collins: Lyrically speaking this song is dead on.

"How can you just walk away from me,
When all I can do is watch you leave
Cos we’ve shared the laughter and the pain and even shared the tears
You’re the only one who really knew me at all

So take a look at me now, oh there’s just an empty space
And there’s nothing left here to remind me,
Just the memory of your face
Ooh take a look at me now, well there’s just an empty space
And you coming back to me is against all odds and that’s what I’ve got to face"

Good stuff.

2. Always - Bon Jovi: What's more gut wrenching than a Bon Jovi ballad? This guy knows how to get the juices flowing, albeit usually said juices are adreneline based, in this case scenario they have their roots in the juxtaposition of H2O and NACL.

3. Cryin' - Aerosmith: This is more of a great break up music video than song. And that may have more to do with my adolescent attraction to Ms. Silverstone, but that is neither here nor there. It does feature a woman doing her own liberating thing post break up. . . for what that's worth.

4. Don't Speak - No Doubt: We've all been in some bad situations but can you imagine breaking up with your bandmate and having to continue to co-exist and play songs about yourself and your breakup with your ex singing them? That is simply messed up.

5. King of Wishful Thinking - Go West: Speaking of having to work around an ex . . . I needed this song to get through an AP exam where my ex was sitting in front of me. I hummed it to myself and it slowly became my anthem for the remainder of the break up.

6. For No One - The Beatles: A very sad song that is worth listening to about love just fading away.

7. You Oughta Know - Alanis Morissette: It is the modern day Gloria Gaynor we women will survive song. Its laced with anger but also strong moving on energy. An instant classic as they would say over at ESPN.

8. I Will Survive - Cake: Its my list and I'll put the version down that speaks to me. I love cake.

9. Gone - Ben Folds: I'll just put these lyrics because this one really speaks to me.

"I thought I'd write, I thought I'd let you know
In the year since you've been gone I've finally let you go
And I hope you find some time to drop a note
But if you won't
Then you won't
And I will consider you gone

I know that you went straight to someone else
While I worked through all this shit here by myself
And I think that you should spend some time alone
But if you won't
Then you won't
And I will, and i will consider you gone

I wake up in the night
All alone and it's alright
The chemicals are wearing off
Since you're gone

The days go on, the lights go off and on
And nothing really matters when you're gone
If you think that you feel nothing at all
If you don't (If you don't)
Then you don't (No, you won't)
If you won't
Then you won't
Then I will
Then I will
Yeah, and I will consider you gone"

Great song. Dead on.

10. Through With You - Maroon 5: Have I really been reduced to little commentary and simply posting lyrics.

"Can you see me
Floating above your head
As you lay in bed
Thinking about everything
That you did not do
Cause saying I love you
Has nothing to do with meaning it

And I don't trust you
Cause every time you're here
Your intentions are unclear
I spend every hour waiting for a phone call
That I know will never come
I used to think you were the one
Now I'm sick of thinking anything at all

You ain't ever coming back to me
That's not how things were supposed to be
You take my hand just to give it back
No other lover has ever done that

Do you remember
The way we used to melt
Do you remember how it felt
When I touched you
Oh cause I remember very well

And how long has it been
Since someone you let in
Has given what I gave to you

And at night when you sleep
Do you dream I would be there
Just for a minute or two do you?

You ain't ever coming back to me
That's not how things were supposed to be
You take my hand just to give it back
No other lover has ever done that

Heartache heartache I just have so much
A simple love with a complex touch
There is nothing you can say or do
I called to let you know I'm through with you"

Apparently.

And finally... #11 of Jeremy's top Break up songs, a classic by Ben Folds 5 - Song For the Dumped:

Most of the songs on this list take the high road and show some emotion. This song is just plain bitter as he demands his money and black t-shirt back from the woman who he now affectionately calls "bitch."

Ta ta for now.

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...is hard to do.

Monday Mar 6, 2006