Angry, aggressive breakup songs, please!
June 18, 2010 9:18 AM   Subscribe

Please help me make a mix disc of angry, energetic break up songs for my friend who's man done her wrong.

My friend recently got dumped by her very first boyfriend. He told her that he'd been wanting to break up with her for the last 4 years of their 6 year relationship, but he was just "waiting for someone better to come along." At long last, she's made it through the "Waaaah! Everything reminds me of him!", crying-every-10-minutes stage, and is finally getting angry.

She's requested a mix disc of angry break-up songs, and I'm happy to oblige. But I need help with ideas, please! I've see the other breakup song threads, and there's some good stuff in there, but most of them are of the "wallowing in self-pity" type. She’s done enough of that already!

She normally listens to Motown and Sinatra style, but for this, anything goes. What I've got so far, and that she's approved of, is:

Since You've Been Gone - Kelly Clarkson
So What - Pink
You Oughta Know - Alanis Morissette
Irreplaceable - Beyonce
I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor

I know you guys can come up with things I’m forgetting. I’m sure Loretta Lynn must have something appropriate, for instance, but I can’t think of it.

Oh, and at the exact moment she started to get angry (we were in the car with the radio blasting), she developed a fondness for hardcore metal, so don’t worry about anything being too aggressive for her tastes!

Thanks in advance!
posted by MexicanYenta to Media & Arts (74 answers total) 40 users marked this as a favorite
 
Ironspy or So Ha--Splashdown
posted by crush-onastick at 9:22 AM on June 18, 2010


No Children by the Mountain Goats is a bit outside of what you've posted so far, but it is up-tempo, and it is angry.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRP6egIEABk

I've always figured Seventy Times Seven by Brand New is about a break-up.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCrgIDXVL-w

No Good For Me is a dance track by Prodigy (in their early days, before they became nu-metal)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pwOLjqWKpQ

I'm a guy though, so maybe a girl is looking at a different perspective on a break up.

Maybe Sharon Jones and the DAP Kings?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wtt7F_yEcy0

Her whole album is motown inspired love-done-me-wrong type songs.
posted by codacorolla at 9:24 AM on June 18, 2010 [2 favorites]


Not so much angry as energetic: No Age "My Life's Alright Without You"
posted by blairsyprofane at 9:24 AM on June 18, 2010


Best answer: A bit played out and poppy, but Lily Allen "Smile" (YT)
posted by urbanlenny at 9:24 AM on June 18, 2010


Best answer: Changed The Locks - Lucinda Williams
posted by knile at 9:25 AM on June 18, 2010


"Good Day" - Dresden Dolls

"Cry Me a River" - Justin Timberlake

"Song for the Dumped" - Ben Folds Five

"Breaking Dishes" - Rihanna

"My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It)" - En Vogue

Previously, previously, previously, previously, previously...
posted by Jaltcoh at 9:26 AM on June 18, 2010 [1 favorite]


Tsunami Bomb- Lemonade
posted by oinopaponton at 9:30 AM on June 18, 2010


Starf*cker originally by the Rolling Stones, but for this purpose you need the Joan Jett and the Blackhearts version (listed as Star Star in her discography.)
posted by SuperSquirrel at 9:36 AM on June 18, 2010


I've come back to say La Roux - Bulletproof. (YT)
posted by urbanlenny at 9:39 AM on June 18, 2010 [1 favorite]


The Offspring's version of Feelings is good angry fun.
posted by Metroid Baby at 9:41 AM on June 18, 2010


Best answer: There's the awesome "Fuck You and Your Cat" by Goldfinger, which is only 1:20 long.
posted by General Malaise at 9:44 AM on June 18, 2010 [2 favorites]


"Gives You Hell" by the All-American Rejects? Maybe too upbeat?
posted by CheeseLouise at 9:46 AM on June 18, 2010


Sluttering by jawbreaker.
posted by TheBones at 9:54 AM on June 18, 2010 [1 favorite]


Jazmine Sullivan - Bust Your Windows
posted by brand-gnu at 9:54 AM on June 18, 2010 [1 favorite]


Sharon Jones and the DAP Kings

Music junkie points of clarification: Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings (DAP isn't an abbreviation) have 4 albums out: Dap-Dippin' With... Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings (2002), Naturally (2005), 100 Days, 100 Nights (2007), and I Learned the Hard Way (2010). Some of the songs are about reconciliation, some about loving her man, but some are definitely break-up songs.
posted by filthy light thief at 9:55 AM on June 18, 2010 [2 favorites]


Fiona Apple, "Get Gone"
Nancy Sinatra, "These Boots Were Made for Walking"

Although these songs are both softer than some of the ones mentioned above, the lyrics are satisfyingly angry.
posted by chicainthecity at 9:57 AM on June 18, 2010


Bif Naked's Tango Shoes is my favorite angry break-up song.
posted by geekchic at 9:58 AM on June 18, 2010 [1 favorite]


Soundgarden - Pretty Noose.
posted by Balonious Assault at 10:04 AM on June 18, 2010


Thanks for clearing that up FLT. I just got their recent album, and I'm really enjoying it.

Regarding my original post: No Children is one of my favorite songs of all time, and that's my main recommendation out of what I posted. I've also found a large correlation between liking metal and liking the Mountain Goats... her mileage may vary.
posted by codacorolla at 10:05 AM on June 18, 2010


Not at all aggressive, but Cowboy Junkies - Sun Comes Up, It's Tuesday Morning, is a great song about breaking up and being perfectly OK with the situation. But if she wants angry, The Cardigans - Been It is my personal favorite.
posted by theBigRedKittyPurrs at 10:06 AM on June 18, 2010 [1 favorite]


Song for the Dumped by Ben Folds Five. But get the uncensored version. Much more satisfying.
posted by cooker girl at 10:07 AM on June 18, 2010


Best answer: I find it weird to suggest, but Bitch by Sevendust is oddly cathartic. I suspect it's the transition between the melodic chorus and the angry refrain.
posted by quin at 10:07 AM on June 18, 2010 [1 favorite]


Also, there is a version without Japanese. FYI.
posted by cooker girl at 10:08 AM on June 18, 2010


Best answer: I will Survive - Cake version
posted by bottlebrushtree at 10:09 AM on June 18, 2010 [2 favorites]


Best answer: Fleetwood Mac's Go Your Own Way.

Tom Petty's You Got Lucky
posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 10:12 AM on June 18, 2010


Exterminating Angel - the Creatures
posted by batmonkey at 10:14 AM on June 18, 2010


Jamie Paxton - 5 years
posted by eenagy at 10:20 AM on June 18, 2010


The Big Payback, by James Brown.
posted by electroboy at 10:21 AM on June 18, 2010


Country music is your friend here:

Dixie Chicks, "Goodbye, Earl"
JoDee Messina, "Bye-Bye"
Miranda Lambert, "Kerosene" and "White Liar"
posted by drlith at 10:23 AM on June 18, 2010


PJ Harvey: Sheela-Na-Gig
Etta James: Pushover
posted by spinto at 10:26 AM on June 18, 2010 [2 favorites]


Golda Supanova's Diamond

http://www.myspace.com/goldasupernova
posted by yeloson at 10:33 AM on June 18, 2010


Strokes: Last Night.
posted by kidelo at 10:37 AM on June 18, 2010


Best answer: Kelis' "Caught Out There," with the absolute best break-up chorus ever: "I hate you so much right now. AHHHH."
posted by notjustfoxybrown at 10:37 AM on June 18, 2010 [2 favorites]


Idiot Wind, Bob Dylan...
posted by HandfulOfDust at 10:48 AM on June 18, 2010


YES Bif Naked. I'm partial to I Love Myself Today.
posted by sigmagalator at 10:50 AM on June 18, 2010 [1 favorite]


Oh and how about Jilted John? The spurned one is male, but the general sentiments are still relevant, i think.
posted by HandfulOfDust at 11:00 AM on June 18, 2010


Best answer: Circus contraption's July Like a Dog. It's cabaret silliness with some wonderful shouted bits (e.g.: ". . . and I/was out working, while/ YOU FUCKED THE HELP!:)


Also, ditto the Mountain Goats recommendation above. This is exactly what The Mountain Goats are for. I'd add their Cubs in Five to the list.
posted by palmcorder_yajna at 11:03 AM on June 18, 2010


Also, Richard Thompson's I Can't Wake Up to Save My Life might be a good addition.
posted by palmcorder_yajna at 11:07 AM on June 18, 2010


Bob Dylan - Don't Think Twice It's Alright
Descendents - Clean Sheets
posted by rhizome at 11:16 AM on June 18, 2010


Divorce Song - Liz Phair
The Last Day of Our Acquaintance - Sinead O'Connor
posted by Thorzdad at 11:21 AM on June 18, 2010


Best answer: There's an old Austin City Limits clip running around where Iris DeMent puts all of her really singular power into a version of God May Forgive You (But I Won't):

Chorus:
'cause God may forgive you, but I won't
Yes, Jesus loves you, but I don't
They don't have to live with you and neither do I
You say that you're born again, well so am I
God may forgive you, but I won't
and I won't even try ...


Wish I could come up with a link to that performance, but it's eluding me at the moment.
posted by jamjam at 11:31 AM on June 18, 2010 [1 favorite]


The Album 1000 Hurts by Shellac (Steve Albini's main band project) is about his messy, messy divorce.

Prayer to God is probably the best example of it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxbTRh1o_RU

Although, once again, a male perspective.
posted by codacorolla at 11:32 AM on June 18, 2010 [1 favorite]


Best answer: You're Breaking My Heart by Harry Nilsson

Also, that Sharon Jones and the DAP Kings song is perfect!
posted by yaymukund at 11:44 AM on June 18, 2010 [1 favorite]


Just about anything by Jack off Jill, but maybe "Nazi Halo" and "When I am Queen", specifically.
posted by coolguymichael at 11:51 AM on June 18, 2010


Stigmata by Ministry.

Or, really, anything off Land of Rape and Honey. Never have heard a more pure distillation of pain and rage.
posted by BigLankyBastard at 11:55 AM on June 18, 2010


Couple favorites of mine from the 90s:

"Unbelievable" EMF
"You're History," Shakespeare's Sister
"I Will Survive," Cake (I like their version as well as if not better than the Gloria Gaynor)
posted by dlugoczaj at 11:56 AM on June 18, 2010


Another Fiona Apple: Sleep to Dream
"Don't you plead me your case, don't bother to explain.
Don't even show me your face, ''cause it's a crying shame.
Just go back to the rock from under which you came.
Take the sorrow you gave and all the stakes you claimed.
And don't forget the blame."
posted by cocoagirl at 11:58 AM on June 18, 2010 [3 favorites]


Nothing makes me smile and enjoy my silly silly rage quite like Limp Bizkit's Break Stuff. It's so rediculous, you cant help but feel a catharsis after screaming, "GIVE ME SUM'IN TA BREAK!!!!!!! HOW BOUT YOUR FUCKIN' FACE!!!!"
posted by WeekendJen at 11:59 AM on June 18, 2010


Lush, Ciao!
posted by fleacircus at 12:18 PM on June 18, 2010


Dixie Chicks : Hole in my Head
posted by essexjan at 12:18 PM on June 18, 2010


Corrs : I Never Really Loved You Anyway
posted by essexjan at 12:24 PM on June 18, 2010


BigLankyBastard : Stigmata by Ministry.

Or, really, anything off Land of Rape and Honey. Never have heard a more pure distillation of pain and rage.


For real. Flashback is probably the angriest song I know. I don't recommend it as part of a breakup mix simply because it's inclusion in that context might lead to spontaneous combustion due to unintentional channeling of pure fury.
posted by quin at 12:49 PM on June 18, 2010


Response by poster: Thanks for all the great suggestions, and keep 'em coming, please! I can already tell I'll be marking lots of best answers after I get to check everything out.

jamjam - no problem, I actually own that song already, but I had forgotten about it. Thanks!

Oh, and btw - who's whose. Sigh. I used to not even have to think about things like that...
posted by MexicanYenta at 1:18 PM on June 18, 2010


If he's done her wrong then Frankie and Johnny the refrain is "he was her man and he done her wrong" although its folk song so there are lots of different versions.
posted by SpaceWarp13 at 2:20 PM on June 18, 2010


Don't Waste my Time - Paul Hardcastle feat. Carol Kenyon
Hey! Get Out of My Way - The Cardigans
posted by misteraitch at 2:53 PM on June 18, 2010


Big 80's Represent:
Salt in My Tears by Martin Briley "But I won't cry for the wasted years - you ain't worth the salt in my tears" - Very angry!
posted by NoraCharles at 3:53 PM on June 18, 2010


Listen Up by The Gossip

GOD I LOVE THIS SONG
posted by exceptinsects at 5:19 PM on June 18, 2010


Closure by Chevelle.
posted by Nerro at 5:21 PM on June 18, 2010


Who The Fuck by PJ Harvey.
posted by geek anachronism at 5:54 PM on June 18, 2010 [1 favorite]


Liar by Henry Rollins

Best "Fuck you" song EVAR!
posted by wwartorff at 6:41 PM on June 18, 2010


Brian's Song - Veruca Salt
I don't wanna make it bad, boy
We've both been there before
I don't wanna miss you anymore
'Cause I'm happy to be without you
I'm sure, I'm sure, I'm sure, I'm sure
Happy to be without you, yeah!

posted by inertia at 8:34 PM on June 18, 2010


My therapist told me after my THIRD boyfriend/fiancee lied to me about being married suggested **anything** sung or written by Miranda Lambert is wholly satisfying and soulfully satisfying. Kerosene is particularly good. It is best enjoyed in a convertable going way over the speed limit eating a box of chocolate.
posted by ~Sushma~ at 8:35 PM on June 18, 2010


Not My Idea by Garbage - not exactly a breakup song, but close enough.
posted by zinfandel at 9:17 PM on June 18, 2010


Oh, and you wanted something by Loretta Lynn? Check out Mrs. Leroy Brown.
posted by palmcorder_yajna at 9:56 PM on June 18, 2010


Gotta add one more Mountain Goats song. (Like I said above, this is what they're for. )

Check out Baboon.
posted by palmcorder_yajna at 10:12 PM on June 18, 2010 [1 favorite]


(Shoes Don't Stretch and) Men Don't Change
posted by salvia at 10:35 PM on June 18, 2010


Marsha Ambrosius “Hope She Cheats On You With A Basketball Player

A witty song about a woman who knows it's petty, but hopes karma - and his next girlfriend - is a bitch, anyway.

Just sayin'.....
posted by anitanita at 11:42 PM on June 18, 2010


Basement Jaxx: Good Luck
posted by arha at 6:27 AM on June 19, 2010


The Duke Spirit - Bottom of the Sea and, Morgan Grace - Makes Me Happy.
posted by squeak at 9:17 AM on June 19, 2010


Before He Cheats by Carrie Underwood:

That I dug my key into the side of his pretty little souped up four wheel drive
Carved my name into his leather seats
I took a Louisville slugger to both headlights
Sslashed a hole in all four tires
Maybe next time he'll think before he cheats

posted by SuperSquirrel at 4:03 PM on June 19, 2010


"I Love You" by Tila Tequila is pretty much the best thing I have ever heard. You might be skeptical. Please humor me and just listen to it. Ignore the stupid video.
posted by granted at 5:37 PM on June 19, 2010 [1 favorite]


In case you want some comic relief, here are two you might consider:

Weird Al Yankovic's One More Minute. Sample verse: "So darlin', let me help you with that suitcase. I'm glad that you found somebody new. 'Cause I'd rather get a hundred thousand paper cuts on my face//than spend one more minute with you."

Del Shannon's Hats Off to Larry, a wonderful 1961 pop number with lots of Hammond organ, in which the narrator sings the praises of the guy who dumped his ex.
posted by palmcorder_yajna at 5:43 PM on June 20, 2010


Matt Skoba - Good Fucking Bye
posted by diamondsky at 11:17 AM on June 21, 2010


Fuck you Lucy - Atmosphere
posted by vito90 at 1:34 PM on June 23, 2010


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