Help me make a breakup mixtape
August 7, 2009 2:14 PM Subscribe
Please help me put a mixCD together for a friend who was recently dumped by her boyfriend.
A friend of mine has given me the task of putting together a bunch of songs that will match her current mood. She was dumped a few days ago by her boyfriend.
The problem that I have is that there wasn't a problem with their relationship, or it's ending. They got on really well, but both of them realised that it was time to call it a day. They were happy together, and now they're happy apart. She's looking for songs that celebrate the positive ending of a positive relationship.
I Will Survive, by Gloria Gaynor: No.
Thank You, by Jamelia: No.
Etc.
Any song suggestions? I'm completely out of ideas. Every song I think of is either lamenting the end of the relationship (which she isn't) or if the singer is glad the relationship is over, the relationship was a bad one (which theirs wasn't). Any songs that you can think fit the bill will be very welcomed. I'm not ruling out any genre or age of song.
A friend of mine has given me the task of putting together a bunch of songs that will match her current mood. She was dumped a few days ago by her boyfriend.
The problem that I have is that there wasn't a problem with their relationship, or it's ending. They got on really well, but both of them realised that it was time to call it a day. They were happy together, and now they're happy apart. She's looking for songs that celebrate the positive ending of a positive relationship.
I Will Survive, by Gloria Gaynor: No.
Thank You, by Jamelia: No.
Etc.
Any song suggestions? I'm completely out of ideas. Every song I think of is either lamenting the end of the relationship (which she isn't) or if the singer is glad the relationship is over, the relationship was a bad one (which theirs wasn't). Any songs that you can think fit the bill will be very welcomed. I'm not ruling out any genre or age of song.
Bang on the Ear by The Waterboys has that kind of vibe... it's about looking over the relationships in ones life and being able to wish all those exes well.
posted by kimdog at 2:32 PM on August 7, 2009
posted by kimdog at 2:32 PM on August 7, 2009
Scratch that one. I just realize I've totally misinterpreted it until now.
posted by bonobothegreat at 2:32 PM on August 7, 2009
posted by bonobothegreat at 2:32 PM on August 7, 2009
Go Your Own Way by Fleetwood Mac.
posted by milarepa at 2:33 PM on August 7, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by milarepa at 2:33 PM on August 7, 2009 [1 favorite]
Long May You Run by Neil Young
"Long may you run, although these changes have come. With your chrome heart shining in the sun. Long may you run."
and
Go Your Own Way by Fleetwood Mac. (seconded)
posted by soelo at 2:41 PM on August 7, 2009
"Long may you run, although these changes have come. With your chrome heart shining in the sun. Long may you run."
and
Go Your Own Way by Fleetwood Mac. (seconded)
posted by soelo at 2:41 PM on August 7, 2009
you say "dumped" and then you say their relationship had a "positive ending" - bit of a mixed message, no?
are they still going to be in contact? still friends? if so, maybe you could go with songs that celebrate friendship?
e.g., Queen - You're My Best Friend
or maybe Led Zeppelin - Friends
there's also this thread of friendship songs to check out if this is all to yr fancy
(and seconding "Bang on the Ear" by the Waterboys - great song)
posted by jammy at 2:43 PM on August 7, 2009
are they still going to be in contact? still friends? if so, maybe you could go with songs that celebrate friendship?
e.g., Queen - You're My Best Friend
or maybe Led Zeppelin - Friends
there's also this thread of friendship songs to check out if this is all to yr fancy
(and seconding "Bang on the Ear" by the Waterboys - great song)
posted by jammy at 2:43 PM on August 7, 2009
I think Drawing Board by Danny Schmidt suits that nicely. I couldn't find it on Youtube, but here's a nice cover. And the original version also comes up on Hype Machine here.
posted by diamondsky at 2:43 PM on August 7, 2009
posted by diamondsky at 2:43 PM on August 7, 2009
For my money the best, most bittersweet breakup song ever written is "Make War" by Bright Eyes.
posted by drjimmy11 at 3:21 PM on August 7, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by drjimmy11 at 3:21 PM on August 7, 2009 [1 favorite]
re: stacks by bon iver is a classic - sure the album's about a bad breakup, but the conclusion is about much much more.
posted by Think_Long at 3:40 PM on August 7, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by Think_Long at 3:40 PM on August 7, 2009 [1 favorite]
Maybe "Better Things" by The Kinks
posted by thebergfather at 3:40 PM on August 7, 2009 [2 favorites]
posted by thebergfather at 3:40 PM on August 7, 2009 [2 favorites]
Absolutely every song on Frightened Rabbit's The Midnight Organ Fight. I keep waiting for someone I know to break up so I can slip a couple songs off that record onto a mixed CD for them.
posted by togdon at 3:42 PM on August 7, 2009
posted by togdon at 3:42 PM on August 7, 2009
Cold Hands, Warm Heart
"You're too quiet, i'm too loud, now we've hit a storm cloud
I'll see you on the other side..
Old habits, young ways, maybe we're just in a phase
But we can say we really tried"
There's a live/acoustic version out there that's much much better than the album version I linked to here. It's from the Cold Hands (Warm Heart) EP that I can't seem to find anywhere.
posted by amethysts at 3:52 PM on August 7, 2009
"You're too quiet, i'm too loud, now we've hit a storm cloud
I'll see you on the other side..
Old habits, young ways, maybe we're just in a phase
But we can say we really tried"
There's a live/acoustic version out there that's much much better than the album version I linked to here. It's from the Cold Hands (Warm Heart) EP that I can't seem to find anywhere.
posted by amethysts at 3:52 PM on August 7, 2009
I have the perfect song. Blue Skies by Noah and the Whale. Their new album comes out at the end of the month.
posted by spork at 4:09 PM on August 7, 2009
posted by spork at 4:09 PM on August 7, 2009
How about Just One of Those Things?
So good-bye, dear, and amen
Here's hoping we meet now and then
It was great fun
But it was just one of those things
posted by timeistight at 4:12 PM on August 7, 2009 [1 favorite]
So good-bye, dear, and amen
Here's hoping we meet now and then
It was great fun
But it was just one of those things
posted by timeistight at 4:12 PM on August 7, 2009 [1 favorite]
"New Soul" by Yael Naim "This is a happy end/come and give me your hand/I'll take you far away"
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 4:45 PM on August 7, 2009
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 4:45 PM on August 7, 2009
Best answer: Time of Your Life - Green Day
"At the time I wrote it, I was breaking up with a girl that was moving to Ecuador, and I was trying to be as understanding about it as I could. I wrote the song as kind of a bon voyage."
posted by nooneyouknow at 4:49 PM on August 7, 2009
"At the time I wrote it, I was breaking up with a girl that was moving to Ecuador, and I was trying to be as understanding about it as I could. I wrote the song as kind of a bon voyage."
posted by nooneyouknow at 4:49 PM on August 7, 2009
Sorry not to directly answer the question, but I can't strike a theme while:
She was dumped a few days ago by her boyfriend.
and
both of them realised that it was time to call it a day
are conflicting in my brain.
posted by rhizome at 4:55 PM on August 7, 2009 [1 favorite]
She was dumped a few days ago by her boyfriend.
and
both of them realised that it was time to call it a day
are conflicting in my brain.
posted by rhizome at 4:55 PM on August 7, 2009 [1 favorite]
Don't Get Your Back Up by Sarah Harmer would be a good fit.
posted by backwards guitar at 5:09 PM on August 7, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by backwards guitar at 5:09 PM on August 7, 2009 [1 favorite]
Closer to Me, by Dar Williams
posted by Countess Elena at 5:34 PM on August 7, 2009
posted by Countess Elena at 5:34 PM on August 7, 2009
Not a song, but a genre -- Punk fucking rock.
posted by bunny hugger at 6:05 PM on August 7, 2009
posted by bunny hugger at 6:05 PM on August 7, 2009
Got To be True to myself by Ziggy Marley (sorry I don't have a link).
posted by little_c at 6:25 PM on August 7, 2009
posted by little_c at 6:25 PM on August 7, 2009
Don't Think Twice, It's Alright by Bob Dylan. Best breakup song ever. (but slightly bitter)
and there's also "We Just Disagree" by Rockell:
There ain't no good guy, there ain't no bad guy,
There's only you and me and we just disagree.
posted by emd3737 at 7:59 PM on August 7, 2009
and there's also "We Just Disagree" by Rockell:
There ain't no good guy, there ain't no bad guy,
There's only you and me and we just disagree.
posted by emd3737 at 7:59 PM on August 7, 2009
Ooph... I have to disagree about Don't Think Twice... that song's harsh! The kiss off is pretty damn brutal to my ears:
I ain't sayin' you treated me unkind
You could have done better but I don't mind
You just kinda wasted my precious time
A pretty perfect Bob Dylan track for these purposes is All I Really Want to Do. Here's a verse:
I don't want to straight-face you,
Race or chase you, track or trace you,
Or disgrace you or displace you,
Or define you or confine you.
All I really want to do
Is, baby, be friends with you.
And here's the song on YouTube.
posted by Kattullus at 8:11 PM on August 7, 2009
I ain't sayin' you treated me unkind
You could have done better but I don't mind
You just kinda wasted my precious time
A pretty perfect Bob Dylan track for these purposes is All I Really Want to Do. Here's a verse:
I don't want to straight-face you,
Race or chase you, track or trace you,
Or disgrace you or displace you,
Or define you or confine you.
All I really want to do
Is, baby, be friends with you.
And here's the song on YouTube.
posted by Kattullus at 8:11 PM on August 7, 2009
Music will just keep her mired in "the tragedy!"--want to be a real friend? get her a batch of very funny movies instead!
posted by naplesyellow at 9:55 PM on August 7, 2009
posted by naplesyellow at 9:55 PM on August 7, 2009
Just to sell you on the song, here are lyrics from "Pretty Wings" that I find relatable/applicable to this type of situation:
I had to set you free
Away from me
To see clearly the way that love can be
When you are not with me
I had to leave, I have to live
If I can't have you, let love set you free
To fly your pretty wings around
I am so glad Maxwell is making music again. =)
posted by anekona at 9:57 PM on August 7, 2009
I had to set you free
Away from me
To see clearly the way that love can be
When you are not with me
I had to leave, I have to live
If I can't have you, let love set you free
To fly your pretty wings around
I am so glad Maxwell is making music again. =)
posted by anekona at 9:57 PM on August 7, 2009
No, no Bob Dylan. All of his songs regarding women say: "I want to sleep with you" or "I hate you, you bitch." Excellent in a lot of situations but not here.
Not necessarily about a breakup (I mean, it could be), but Belle & Sebastian's I Don't Love Anyone is guaranteed to cheer anyone up, even if they don't want to be cheered up.
posted by oinopaponton at 10:25 PM on August 7, 2009
Not necessarily about a breakup (I mean, it could be), but Belle & Sebastian's I Don't Love Anyone is guaranteed to cheer anyone up, even if they don't want to be cheered up.
posted by oinopaponton at 10:25 PM on August 7, 2009
How about "It'll All Work Out" by Tom Petty? "Mexican Wrestler" by Jill Sobule?
posted by lauren'spsychichotline at 10:43 PM on August 7, 2009
posted by lauren'spsychichotline at 10:43 PM on August 7, 2009
"Birds" by Neil Young is a wistful, yet loving, breakup song. Not sure which album it's on.
posted by chicainthecity at 11:12 PM on August 7, 2009
posted by chicainthecity at 11:12 PM on August 7, 2009
Livin' A Dream by Dr. Dog is bittersweet, but more general than just relationships. I still think it would be *perfect* for the end of your mixtape. The poem at the end breaks my heart everytime, in a good way.
So to all you future dreamers and lovers and leavers,
to all those who know there's still something between us that binds us
and reminds us of times that passed,
I appreciate you listening to this one man's last gas.
In spite of all the words that we can't fit to song,
I'd thank you to take off your eye shades, please... sing along.
posted by yaymukund at 11:47 PM on August 7, 2009
So to all you future dreamers and lovers and leavers,
to all those who know there's still something between us that binds us
and reminds us of times that passed,
I appreciate you listening to this one man's last gas.
In spite of all the words that we can't fit to song,
I'd thank you to take off your eye shades, please... sing along.
posted by yaymukund at 11:47 PM on August 7, 2009
Maybe....."Song is Over" by the Who.
The lyrics have a "that part of my life is over, the next part of my life is ahead of me, rah rah" feel, and they also hint at "song" being a metaphor for a love affair -- but the chorus is this wonderful, rousing, "the world is ahead of me and the new chapter is starting" feel: "I'll sing my song to the wide open spaces, I'll sing my heart out to the infinite sea..."
The very last line also alludes to the whole "the love affair is over but it had an impact on me that I'll be grateful for" thing you get too.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 6:12 AM on August 8, 2009
The lyrics have a "that part of my life is over, the next part of my life is ahead of me, rah rah" feel, and they also hint at "song" being a metaphor for a love affair -- but the chorus is this wonderful, rousing, "the world is ahead of me and the new chapter is starting" feel: "I'll sing my song to the wide open spaces, I'll sing my heart out to the infinite sea..."
The very last line also alludes to the whole "the love affair is over but it had an impact on me that I'll be grateful for" thing you get too.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 6:12 AM on August 8, 2009
Engine Driver- The Decemberists
Here I Dreamt I was an Architect- The Decemberists
Volcano- Beck
Fake Plastic Trees- Radiohead (check the 3rd verse)
Intuition- Feist
Soul and Fire- Sebadoh
Think (Let Tomorrow Bee)- Sebadoh
Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses- U2
Lost Ones- Jay-Z
posted by Wayman Tisdale at 8:58 AM on August 8, 2009
Here I Dreamt I was an Architect- The Decemberists
Volcano- Beck
Fake Plastic Trees- Radiohead (check the 3rd verse)
Intuition- Feist
Soul and Fire- Sebadoh
Think (Let Tomorrow Bee)- Sebadoh
Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses- U2
Lost Ones- Jay-Z
posted by Wayman Tisdale at 8:58 AM on August 8, 2009
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by bonobothegreat at 2:28 PM on August 7, 2009