Songs for the dumper?
June 3, 2013 9:50 AM Subscribe
While coping with his decision to end a long-term relationship (and being vilified by his family and friends as a result), a friend of mine recently commented that "People only write songs about the guy being dumped. Nobody sings about the other guy." Intuitively, this feels untrue to me, but I'm having a surprisingly tough time coming up with counter-examples. Metafilter: Can you recommend some songs written for/about being the person who initiates the end of a relationship?
Breakup songs written from an ambiguous context (ie. Stars' Your Ex-Lover is Dead) are OK too, but if you list these, please make a note of it in your answer.
Breakup songs written from an ambiguous context (ie. Stars' Your Ex-Lover is Dead) are OK too, but if you list these, please make a note of it in your answer.
Don't Think Twice, It's Alright by Bob Dylan
posted by nathancaswell at 9:55 AM on June 3, 2013 [10 favorites]
posted by nathancaswell at 9:55 AM on June 3, 2013 [10 favorites]
Hit the Road, Jack by Ray Charles seems to focus more on the dumper.
posted by needs more cowbell at 9:55 AM on June 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by needs more cowbell at 9:55 AM on June 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
Gotye's Somebody That I Used to Know is actually about a girl dumping her asshole boyfriend and him being a dick about it.
posted by brainmouse at 9:57 AM on June 3, 2013 [4 favorites]
posted by brainmouse at 9:57 AM on June 3, 2013 [4 favorites]
Jens Lekman - I'm Leaving You Because I Don't Love You
posted by to recite so charmingly at 9:57 AM on June 3, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by to recite so charmingly at 9:57 AM on June 3, 2013 [2 favorites]
all those kill my lover blues songs. : (
posted by bendybendy at 9:58 AM on June 3, 2013
posted by bendybendy at 9:58 AM on June 3, 2013
Side of the Road by Lucinda Williams
posted by nathancaswell at 9:58 AM on June 3, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by nathancaswell at 9:58 AM on June 3, 2013 [2 favorites]
Dawn (Go Away) by Frankie Vallee and the Four Seasons (lyrics)
posted by orthicon halo at 9:59 AM on June 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by orthicon halo at 9:59 AM on June 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
Dawn (Go Away) yt by Frankie Vallee and the Four Seasons (lyrics)
I was just going to suggest "Dawn." It's kind of a song version of "It's not you, it's me."
posted by The Underpants Monster at 10:01 AM on June 3, 2013
I was just going to suggest "Dawn." It's kind of a song version of "It's not you, it's me."
posted by The Underpants Monster at 10:01 AM on June 3, 2013
Also, Human League's Don't You Want Me is kinda of a classic on both sides of the break up scenario.
posted by zizzle at 10:02 AM on June 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by zizzle at 10:02 AM on June 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
Taylor Swift-we are never ever getting back together, although it's a little but more ambiguous as to who's doing the breaking up there.
posted by matildatakesovertheworld at 10:03 AM on June 3, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by matildatakesovertheworld at 10:03 AM on June 3, 2013 [2 favorites]
The McGarrigle's Sisters I Cried For Us is from the POV of a reluctant-but-justified dumper. (Bonus: gorgeous Pet Shop Boys cover)
posted by neroli at 10:03 AM on June 3, 2013 [4 favorites]
posted by neroli at 10:03 AM on June 3, 2013 [4 favorites]
Mary Chapin Carpenter, This Is Me Leaving You
Jim Croce, Lover's Cross
posted by Catseye at 10:03 AM on June 3, 2013 [3 favorites]
Jim Croce, Lover's Cross
posted by Catseye at 10:03 AM on June 3, 2013 [3 favorites]
Green Day's Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life) was actually written from the perspective of a dumper (even though the lyrics are a bit vague about that). This could be good if your friend is having one of those "we had to break up but I still think it was a good relationship" kind of things.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 10:05 AM on June 3, 2013
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 10:05 AM on June 3, 2013
Girlyman's Joyful Sign, Suzanne Vega's Maggie May (pre-emptive, gender trope specific), and The Postal Service's Nothing Better (at least if you also hear the second voice as clearly the one with an accurate view of the situation, like I do). They Might Be Giants' Narrow Your Eyes is about as straightforward as their songs get.
posted by anbaric_gareot at 10:05 AM on June 3, 2013
posted by anbaric_gareot at 10:05 AM on June 3, 2013
Vagiant - Seven
Queen - Leaving Home Ain't Easy
Queen - Who Needs You
The Commodores - Easy
posted by FAMOUS MONSTER at 10:07 AM on June 3, 2013
Queen - Leaving Home Ain't Easy
Queen - Who Needs You
The Commodores - Easy
posted by FAMOUS MONSTER at 10:07 AM on June 3, 2013
Tom Petty's character is a bad boy cause he don't even miss her. He's a bad boy for breakin her heart.
(Free Fallin'.)
posted by third rail at 10:08 AM on June 3, 2013 [4 favorites]
(Free Fallin'.)
posted by third rail at 10:08 AM on June 3, 2013 [4 favorites]
Different Drum (written by Mike Nesmith, recorded by Linda Ronstadt)
posted by Wordwoman at 10:08 AM on June 3, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by Wordwoman at 10:08 AM on June 3, 2013 [3 favorites]
Isaac Hayes, By the time I get to Phoenix
The Cure, How beautiful you are
Pavement, Box elder
Coulton/Portal, Want you gone
posted by xueexueg at 10:10 AM on June 3, 2013 [2 favorites]
The Cure, How beautiful you are
Pavement, Box elder
Coulton/Portal, Want you gone
posted by xueexueg at 10:10 AM on June 3, 2013 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: Fleetwood Mac -- I Know I'm Not Wrong
posted by schmod at 10:10 AM on June 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by schmod at 10:10 AM on June 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
From Ani Difranco: Sorry I Am and School Night
posted by wg at 10:10 AM on June 3, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by wg at 10:10 AM on June 3, 2013 [3 favorites]
Ween - Birthday Boy . The end of the song gets a little weird.
posted by lamp at 10:11 AM on June 3, 2013
posted by lamp at 10:11 AM on June 3, 2013
Sleater-Kinney's "One More Hour." It was about band members Corin Tucker and Carrie Brownstein's breakup, if I recall correctly.
posted by like_a_friend at 10:11 AM on June 3, 2013
posted by like_a_friend at 10:11 AM on June 3, 2013
It Ain't Me Babe - Bob Dylan
These Boots Are Made For Walkin' - Nancy Sinatra
Not clearly a breakup, but I'm Finding it Harder to be a Gentleman - The White Stripes
posted by needs more cowbell at 10:12 AM on June 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
These Boots Are Made For Walkin' - Nancy Sinatra
Not clearly a breakup, but I'm Finding it Harder to be a Gentleman - The White Stripes
posted by needs more cowbell at 10:12 AM on June 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
Yeah, Lucinda is a master of these.
Her "Greenville" is another great "I'm dumping you" song.
posted by third rail at 10:14 AM on June 3, 2013
Her "Greenville" is another great "I'm dumping you" song.
posted by third rail at 10:14 AM on June 3, 2013
Good Woman by Cat Power, which is about electing to end a destructive relationship.
posted by gauche at 10:16 AM on June 3, 2013
posted by gauche at 10:16 AM on June 3, 2013
Although the intent and perspective are a little ambiguous, I've always felt that "Following Through" by the Dismemberment Plan is strong breaker-upper tune. It kind of works from both sides, but my interpretation is that the song is about a young man reclaiming his independence from a relationship that while, not bad, just doesn't work anymore and has been weighing him down.
posted by voiceofreason at 10:19 AM on June 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by voiceofreason at 10:19 AM on June 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
The entirety of the self-titled album "Stretch Princess" is my break-up-y goodness. Quite a bit of Coldplay works too.
posted by SpecialK at 10:22 AM on June 3, 2013
posted by SpecialK at 10:22 AM on June 3, 2013
No Regrets by Tom Rush has always comforted me.
posted by ChuraChura at 10:23 AM on June 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by ChuraChura at 10:23 AM on June 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
It's kind of an extreme dump but Goodbye Earl - Dixie Chicks.
posted by Mitheral at 10:26 AM on June 3, 2013 [5 favorites]
posted by Mitheral at 10:26 AM on June 3, 2013 [5 favorites]
What, no Freebird?
posted by corvine at 10:26 AM on June 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by corvine at 10:26 AM on June 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
About a thousand songs by The Magnetic Fields. Try I Can't Touch You Anymore or You Must Be Out Of Your Mind.
posted by epanalepsis at 10:29 AM on June 3, 2013
posted by epanalepsis at 10:29 AM on June 3, 2013
"Someday you will be Loved" Deathcab.
posted by parakeetdog at 10:30 AM on June 3, 2013
posted by parakeetdog at 10:30 AM on June 3, 2013
Call Tyrone - Erykah Badu (NSFW language)
posted by fuse theorem at 10:34 AM on June 3, 2013 [6 favorites]
posted by fuse theorem at 10:34 AM on June 3, 2013 [6 favorites]
I'd Rather Leave While I'm in Love
But I really prefer the version of this song from The Boy From Oz.
And because I really can't be helped, here's a version of Julie Andrews singing it.
posted by jph at 10:38 AM on June 3, 2013
But I really prefer the version of this song from The Boy From Oz.
And because I really can't be helped, here's a version of Julie Andrews singing it.
posted by jph at 10:38 AM on June 3, 2013
Yeah, most blues songs (e.g., Muddy Waters) are about a no good women who done the singer wrong. (Unless they are about emphasizing the singer's masculinity.) Hendrix, too (Crosstown Traffic)
posted by goethean at 10:43 AM on June 3, 2013
posted by goethean at 10:43 AM on June 3, 2013
When Your Phone Don't Ring (It'll Be Me) by George Jones
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 10:46 AM on June 3, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 10:46 AM on June 3, 2013 [2 favorites]
Joanna Newsom's Does Not Suffice! I particularly like that the first half of the song is a detailed fantasy checklist about packing, but by the end of the song the fantasy's payoff finds the object of the breakup living in a big empty space left behind by the person who did the packing and leaving.
posted by ausdemfenster at 10:53 AM on June 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by ausdemfenster at 10:53 AM on June 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
Hard to believe we are this many comments in without citing Irreplaceable by Bey.
posted by thinkpiece at 10:58 AM on June 3, 2013 [5 favorites]
posted by thinkpiece at 10:58 AM on June 3, 2013 [5 favorites]
Apparently Ween writes a lot of these, or there are just a lot of Ween fans on Metafilter.
I haven't seen anyone mention It's Gonna Be Alright yet.
posted by zen_spider at 10:59 AM on June 3, 2013
I haven't seen anyone mention It's Gonna Be Alright yet.
posted by zen_spider at 10:59 AM on June 3, 2013
Although I guess it's ambiguous in the Murmurs song whether there's any dumping and who started it.
posted by crush-onastick at 11:01 AM on June 3, 2013
posted by crush-onastick at 11:01 AM on June 3, 2013
Ghost by Fefe Dobson
posted by PuppetMcSockerson at 11:01 AM on June 3, 2013
posted by PuppetMcSockerson at 11:01 AM on June 3, 2013
Despite what some people who do a bad job at picking wedding first dance songs believe, Whitney Houston's I Will Always Love You is not about an enduring relationship.
posted by sparklemotion at 11:02 AM on June 3, 2013 [5 favorites]
posted by sparklemotion at 11:02 AM on June 3, 2013 [5 favorites]
I Will Survive. I guess it's technically a refuse-to-get-back-together song rather than a break-up song, but it's still basically saying "I don't want you in my life any more, go away".
posted by baf at 11:05 AM on June 3, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by baf at 11:05 AM on June 3, 2013 [3 favorites]
If you can get past the idiocy of its source... Gotta go my own way (From High School Musical) fits the bill pretty well.
Goodbye Dearie from Hello Dolly (weirdly up beat and funny, but she's dumping him so...)
posted by PuppetMcSockerson at 11:07 AM on June 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
Goodbye Dearie from Hello Dolly (weirdly up beat and funny, but she's dumping him so...)
posted by PuppetMcSockerson at 11:07 AM on June 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Thanks so much for your responses so far. You guys rock.
I made a Spotify playlist of everything so far. I'll try to compile a YouTube playlist later tonight...
posted by schmod at 11:10 AM on June 3, 2013 [2 favorites]
I made a Spotify playlist of everything so far. I'll try to compile a YouTube playlist later tonight...
posted by schmod at 11:10 AM on June 3, 2013 [2 favorites]
"Youth and Love" from Songs of Travel (Ralph Vaughan Williams/Robert Louis Stevenson)
posted by Philosopher Dirtbike at 11:20 AM on June 3, 2013
posted by Philosopher Dirtbike at 11:20 AM on June 3, 2013
Would I Lie to You?--the Eurythmics (although, you know, not a nice break-up by the dumper)
posted by crush-onastick at 11:34 AM on June 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by crush-onastick at 11:34 AM on June 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
It's All Over but the Crying - Garbage
Feel a Whole Lot Better - The Byrds
One Less Set of Footsteps - Jim Croce
Two rather mean "dumping" examples: Black and White - The dBs
Special - Garbage
posted by kewb at 11:37 AM on June 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
Feel a Whole Lot Better - The Byrds
One Less Set of Footsteps - Jim Croce
Two rather mean "dumping" examples: Black and White - The dBs
Special - Garbage
posted by kewb at 11:37 AM on June 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
Say Hello, Wave Goodbye from the eighties by Soft Cell is definitely from the breaker-upper's perspective (I've read Marc Almond wrote the lyrics about a boyfriend who wouldn't come out of the closet for him), and the lyrics reflect the power dynamic of the breakup ("here was a kind of so-so love and I'm gonna make sure it doesn't happen again . . . . I put up with all the scenes and this is one scene that's going to be played my way.").
I discovered the song first through David Grey's haunting cover, which reflects more sadness than the anger/disdain of the original, then samples some Van Morrison toward the end. It's a really great cover.
posted by onlyconnect at 11:45 AM on June 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
I discovered the song first through David Grey's haunting cover, which reflects more sadness than the anger/disdain of the original, then samples some Van Morrison toward the end. It's a really great cover.
posted by onlyconnect at 11:45 AM on June 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
brainmouse: Gotye's Somebody That I Used to Know is actually about a girl dumping her asshole boyfriend and him being a dick about it.The lyrics don't specify the gender at all. You've made some telling assumptions there; it could just as easily be about a girl dumping her abusive asshole girlfriend, or any other combination.
posted by IAmBroom at 11:53 AM on June 3, 2013
Heaven 17's Let Me Go.
Once we were years ahead
but now those thoughts are dead
Let me go
Those hopeless fantasies
are making fools of me
Let me go
posted by fikri at 11:59 AM on June 3, 2013
Once we were years ahead
but now those thoughts are dead
Let me go
Those hopeless fantasies
are making fools of me
Let me go
posted by fikri at 11:59 AM on June 3, 2013
Don't Change Your Plans - Ben Folds Five
The Honeymoon is Over - The Cruel Sea
posted by rubbish bin night at 12:01 PM on June 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
The Honeymoon is Over - The Cruel Sea
posted by rubbish bin night at 12:01 PM on June 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
It's Too Late - Carole King
posted by rubbish bin night at 12:03 PM on June 3, 2013 [5 favorites]
posted by rubbish bin night at 12:03 PM on June 3, 2013 [5 favorites]
And, technically, it's about the band breaking up with its manager, but The Records' Starry Eyes plays well as a break-up song. "Get me out of your starry eyes and be on your way..."
posted by fikri at 12:05 PM on June 3, 2013
posted by fikri at 12:05 PM on June 3, 2013
School Night by Ani DiFranco
Storms by Fleetwood Mac
posted by pazazygeek at 12:10 PM on June 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
Storms by Fleetwood Mac
posted by pazazygeek at 12:10 PM on June 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
Can't Help You Anymore by Sugar. (Spotify link, sorry; couldn't find it on YouTube.)
posted by usonian at 12:19 PM on June 3, 2013
posted by usonian at 12:19 PM on June 3, 2013
Two of the most heartbreaking songs ever -
Cat Power - Good Woman
Joan Armatrading - Weakness in Me
posted by Dorothea_in_Rome at 12:20 PM on June 3, 2013
Cat Power - Good Woman
Joan Armatrading - Weakness in Me
posted by Dorothea_in_Rome at 12:20 PM on June 3, 2013
You're No Good ... either Linda Rondstadt or Van Halen!
posted by mon-ma-tron at 12:21 PM on June 3, 2013
posted by mon-ma-tron at 12:21 PM on June 3, 2013
My list is entirely made up of country songs. And I'd keep going, but I have jobs to apply for! (I considered Frankie and Johnny, but she kills him, instead of dumping him. It does go well in the genre of "getting cheated on and dealing with it" songs)
Reba:
Little Rock this is a cover by some people who are not Reba.
Consider me Gone This is more Reba saying, if you're not going to show that you're into me, I'm headed out.
Turn on the Radio (you can sing along while they play my song, how you done me wrong...)
Somebody should leave initiating the breakup.
Take it back He's cheating and she's done.
Dolly:
Something Fishy (He cheated, she is threatening to leave)
Carrie Underwood: Starts with Goodbye
Iris Dement: God May Forgive You (but I don't) Well, he went out philandering, but she's not taking him back.
Chris Young: Tomorrow Tomorrow they'll break up, but tonight they're going to have a great time.
Easton Corbin: I can't love you back
George Strait:This is where the cowboy rides away (ambiguous about who initiated the breakup)
Marina del Rey He didn't break up with her so much as just...left.
Nobody in his right mind would've left her He left her. He regrets it.
And I was going to say "whoever's in New England" but upon listening to that for the first time in years...I sure did misremember that.
One Promise Too Late not really breaking up, but about meeting someone "better" though she's already in a relationship. Sort of like pre-emptive breaking up?
posted by bilabial at 12:21 PM on June 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
Reba:
Little Rock this is a cover by some people who are not Reba.
Consider me Gone This is more Reba saying, if you're not going to show that you're into me, I'm headed out.
Turn on the Radio (you can sing along while they play my song, how you done me wrong...)
Somebody should leave initiating the breakup.
Take it back He's cheating and she's done.
Dolly:
Something Fishy (He cheated, she is threatening to leave)
Carrie Underwood: Starts with Goodbye
Iris Dement: God May Forgive You (but I don't) Well, he went out philandering, but she's not taking him back.
Chris Young: Tomorrow Tomorrow they'll break up, but tonight they're going to have a great time.
Easton Corbin: I can't love you back
George Strait:
Marina del Rey He didn't break up with her so much as just...left.
Nobody in his right mind would've left her He left her. He regrets it.
And I was going to say "whoever's in New England" but upon listening to that for the first time in years...I sure did misremember that.
One Promise Too Late not really breaking up, but about meeting someone "better" though she's already in a relationship. Sort of like pre-emptive breaking up?
posted by bilabial at 12:21 PM on June 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
These boots are made for walking.
Eurythmics I need a man and Bowie's suffragette city
posted by brujita at 12:38 PM on June 3, 2013
Eurythmics I need a man and Bowie's suffragette city
posted by brujita at 12:38 PM on June 3, 2013
A bit ambiguous, but "Most Likely You Go Your Way And I'll Go Mine" by Bob Dylan.
posted by Riverine at 12:43 PM on June 3, 2013
posted by Riverine at 12:43 PM on June 3, 2013
Carrie Underwood - Before He Cheats - Mostly about revenge for cheating, but towards the end of the song it's clear that this is a break-up song. "I might have saved a little trouble for the next girl. 'Cause the next time he cheats you know it won't be on me."
posted by clerestory at 12:44 PM on June 3, 2013
posted by clerestory at 12:44 PM on June 3, 2013
Jessica Lea Mayfield - For Today
She so damn happy about it in that song. Always makes me smile.
posted by Quonab at 1:10 PM on June 3, 2013
She so damn happy about it in that song. Always makes me smile.
posted by Quonab at 1:10 PM on June 3, 2013
OVERdue and 365 (sort of), ZZ Ward
DONE, The Band Perry
(emphasis in the originals)
posted by mibo at 1:31 PM on June 3, 2013
DONE, The Band Perry
(emphasis in the originals)
posted by mibo at 1:31 PM on June 3, 2013
If You Could Read My Mind - Gordon Lightfoot
Lyrics are ambiguous, but GL's wiki article says:
The song "If You Could Read My Mind" was written in reflection upon his disintegrating marriage. At the request of his daughter, Ingrid, he performs the lyrics with a slight change now: the line "I'm just trying to understand the feelings that you lack" is altered to "I'm just trying to understand the feelings that we lack." He has said in an interview that the difficulty with writing songs inspired by personal stories is that there is not always the emotional distance and clarity to make lyrical improvements such as the one his daughter suggested.
So it's definitely not just about getting dumped...
posted by randomkeystrike at 1:31 PM on June 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
Lyrics are ambiguous, but GL's wiki article says:
The song "If You Could Read My Mind" was written in reflection upon his disintegrating marriage. At the request of his daughter, Ingrid, he performs the lyrics with a slight change now: the line "I'm just trying to understand the feelings that you lack" is altered to "I'm just trying to understand the feelings that we lack." He has said in an interview that the difficulty with writing songs inspired by personal stories is that there is not always the emotional distance and clarity to make lyrical improvements such as the one his daughter suggested.
So it's definitely not just about getting dumped...
posted by randomkeystrike at 1:31 PM on June 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
• Feel a Whole Lot Better by the Byrds (and covered by Tom Petty)
• Changed the Locks by Lucinda Williams (also covered by Tom Petty)
• I Tried to Rock You But You Only Roll by Leona Naess
• Thought I Knew You by Matthew Sweet
• Change of Heart by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
posted by brina at 2:17 PM on June 3, 2013
• Changed the Locks by Lucinda Williams (also covered by Tom Petty)
• I Tried to Rock You But You Only Roll by Leona Naess
• Thought I Knew You by Matthew Sweet
• Change of Heart by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
posted by brina at 2:17 PM on June 3, 2013
Leonard Cohen's Hey That's No Way To Say Goodbye
He's trying to be nice about it, like go and love and live just not with me type thing.
posted by sweetkid at 3:04 PM on June 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
He's trying to be nice about it, like go and love and live just not with me type thing.
posted by sweetkid at 3:04 PM on June 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
Paul Simon's Another Galaxy and Joanna Newsom's Does Not Suffice (already linked) helped me leave a long-term relationship.
posted by precession at 3:05 PM on June 3, 2013
posted by precession at 3:05 PM on June 3, 2013
Best answer: What about Robyn's "Call Your Girlfriend"? She gives advice to the dumper about how to do it.
posted by Ms. Toad at 3:12 PM on June 3, 2013 [5 favorites]
posted by Ms. Toad at 3:12 PM on June 3, 2013 [5 favorites]
I am inclined to believe that your friend never listens to pop radio at all. Of the many on this list, my favorites include:
posted by SMPA at 4:44 PM on June 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
- Blu Cantrell - "Hit'em up Style (Oops)" [I assume she breaks up with him in addition to ruining his financial standing]
- N Sync - "Bye Bye Bye"
- Justin Timberlake - "What Goes Around..."
- Carrie Underwood - "Before He Cheats"
- Frankie Valli - "Walk Like A Man"
posted by SMPA at 4:44 PM on June 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
You could pretty much make this entire list out of Bob Dylan songs. Idiot Wind is one of the meanest, but they're all pretty nasty. Don't Think Twice, It's All Right is a bit nicer.
posted by Charlemagne In Sweatpants at 4:53 PM on June 3, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by Charlemagne In Sweatpants at 4:53 PM on June 3, 2013 [2 favorites]
Kiss You Off by the Scissor Sisters (glad for the person to be gone, I deserve better kind of vibe)
Time for Me to Fly by REO Speedwagon (Oh, but I'm tired of holding on / To a feeling I know is gone / I do believe that I've had enough)
So What - Ani DiFranco (bitter but accepting of the person's faults and that singer is better off without them)
Antebellum - Vienna Teng (slow and painful, "it was nobody's fault" type of breakup)
Every Day I Love You Less and Less - Kaiser Chiefs (just not interested anymore type of breakup)
(fairly upbeat) Put it Down - Mike Doughty ('love of all loves, you have made a mistake')
(one of my favorites) Nearly Beloved by The Wallflowers (If we could do better I know that we would / Maybe admit it now, we're not that good)
(recommended only for the very bitter palate) I Never Wanted You - David Bazan (which is apparently a cover, but better than the original imo)
posted by saveyoursanity at 5:27 PM on June 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
Time for Me to Fly by REO Speedwagon (Oh, but I'm tired of holding on / To a feeling I know is gone / I do believe that I've had enough)
So What - Ani DiFranco (bitter but accepting of the person's faults and that singer is better off without them)
Antebellum - Vienna Teng (slow and painful, "it was nobody's fault" type of breakup)
Every Day I Love You Less and Less - Kaiser Chiefs (just not interested anymore type of breakup)
(fairly upbeat) Put it Down - Mike Doughty ('love of all loves, you have made a mistake')
(one of my favorites) Nearly Beloved by The Wallflowers (If we could do better I know that we would / Maybe admit it now, we're not that good)
(recommended only for the very bitter palate) I Never Wanted You - David Bazan (which is apparently a cover, but better than the original imo)
posted by saveyoursanity at 5:27 PM on June 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
Bartender song (Sittin' at a bar) by Rehab NSFW
It is hard to figure out who broke up with who, but the singer extracted some revenge.
posted by JujuB at 5:38 PM on June 3, 2013
It is hard to figure out who broke up with who, but the singer extracted some revenge.
posted by JujuB at 5:38 PM on June 3, 2013
Elton John - I Feel Like a Bullet (In the Gun of Robert Ford)
"Breaking up's sometimes like breaking the law"
posted by canoehead at 5:57 PM on June 3, 2013
"Breaking up's sometimes like breaking the law"
posted by canoehead at 5:57 PM on June 3, 2013
The Beatles.
I'll Follow The Sun
You Can't Do That (technically a threatened breakup, but still)
Another Girl
I'm Looking Through You
Think For Yourself
posted by snowmentality at 6:12 PM on June 3, 2013
I'll Follow The Sun
You Can't Do That (technically a threatened breakup, but still)
Another Girl
I'm Looking Through You
Think For Yourself
posted by snowmentality at 6:12 PM on June 3, 2013
Am sticking to ones I haven't seen mentioned above.
My favourite dumping song: The Honeymoon is Over by The Cruel Sea. Awesome.
Grounds for Divorce - Elbow
Last Goodbye - Jeff Buckley ("Just hear this and then I'll go")
Led Zeppelin were very good at writing songs about leaving, two of my favourites (including perhaps the world record for largest number of consecutive "babe/baby"s in a song) Babe, I'm Gonna Leave You and Ramble On.
Ampersand - Amanda Palmer - fabulous song though the breakup part is subtle, the whole thing is really an explanation for not wanting to be one side of an ampersand. Yes, the irony.
The Way the Whole Thing Ends - Gillian Welch ("That's the way the cornbread crumbles/that's the way the whole thing ends")
Big Empty - Stone Temple Pilots - though not explicit, it's all about being time to leave so I reckon it's a dumper song.
I L U - School of Seven Bells ("I was a fool to think it would be easier to leave than to be left behind" - but clearly it isn't, so this is a dumper song with more than a few regrets. In case that's a thing.)
And for something different, Fire and Iron by Kate Miller-Heidke has someone telling the other to let her go. Not really a dumping song I guess, but it's gorgeous.
posted by Athanassiel at 7:29 PM on June 3, 2013
My favourite dumping song: The Honeymoon is Over by The Cruel Sea. Awesome.
Grounds for Divorce - Elbow
Last Goodbye - Jeff Buckley ("Just hear this and then I'll go")
Led Zeppelin were very good at writing songs about leaving, two of my favourites (including perhaps the world record for largest number of consecutive "babe/baby"s in a song) Babe, I'm Gonna Leave You and Ramble On.
Ampersand - Amanda Palmer - fabulous song though the breakup part is subtle, the whole thing is really an explanation for not wanting to be one side of an ampersand. Yes, the irony.
The Way the Whole Thing Ends - Gillian Welch ("That's the way the cornbread crumbles/that's the way the whole thing ends")
Big Empty - Stone Temple Pilots - though not explicit, it's all about being time to leave so I reckon it's a dumper song.
I L U - School of Seven Bells ("I was a fool to think it would be easier to leave than to be left behind" - but clearly it isn't, so this is a dumper song with more than a few regrets. In case that's a thing.)
And for something different, Fire and Iron by Kate Miller-Heidke has someone telling the other to let her go. Not really a dumping song I guess, but it's gorgeous.
posted by Athanassiel at 7:29 PM on June 3, 2013
Go Your Own Way - Fleetwood Mac
Don't Shed A Tear - Paul Carrack
Never Wanna F'n See You Again - Rich Hardesty (lyrics extremely NSFW)
posted by SisterHavana at 9:28 PM on June 3, 2013
Don't Shed A Tear - Paul Carrack
Never Wanna F'n See You Again - Rich Hardesty (lyrics extremely NSFW)
posted by SisterHavana at 9:28 PM on June 3, 2013
Ben Folds Five - "Song for the Dumped."
posted by luciddream928 at 10:45 PM on June 3, 2013
posted by luciddream928 at 10:45 PM on June 3, 2013
One of the kinder "it's not you it's me" songs: "Big Girls Don't Cry" by Fergie. I hope you know that this has nothing to do with you
posted by nicebookrack at 4:16 AM on June 4, 2013
posted by nicebookrack at 4:16 AM on June 4, 2013
Lyle Lovett!
I Can't Love You Anymore and It Ought To Be Easier are from the perspective of the dumper.
He's also got some songs that are from the perspective of the dumped one but sympathetic to the dumper, like She's Leaving Me Because She Really Wants To and She's Already Made Up Her Mind.
(I'm pretty sure there are several more, because Lyle Lovett writes about breakups pretty much every way there is.)
posted by mskyle at 5:49 AM on June 4, 2013
I Can't Love You Anymore and It Ought To Be Easier are from the perspective of the dumper.
He's also got some songs that are from the perspective of the dumped one but sympathetic to the dumper, like She's Leaving Me Because She Really Wants To and She's Already Made Up Her Mind.
(I'm pretty sure there are several more, because Lyle Lovett writes about breakups pretty much every way there is.)
posted by mskyle at 5:49 AM on June 4, 2013
I can't believe no one has mentioned George Harrison's All Things Must Pass yet.
posted by dfan at 6:49 AM on June 4, 2013
posted by dfan at 6:49 AM on June 4, 2013
Almost forgot Brand New Lover by Dead or Alive.
posted by SisterHavana at 8:34 PM on June 4, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by SisterHavana at 8:34 PM on June 4, 2013 [1 favorite]
Johnathan Rice - End of the Affair
Neko Case - High on Cruel
Eisley - Watch It Die
Lenka - Bring Me Down
Rilo Kiley - Breakin' Up
Sam Cooke - Get Yourself Another Fool
The Shins - Call to Apathy
Slow Club - There Is No Good Way to Say I'm Leaving You
Steve Poltz - Chinese Vacation
posted by aphorist at 8:21 AM on June 5, 2013
Neko Case - High on Cruel
Eisley - Watch It Die
Lenka - Bring Me Down
Rilo Kiley - Breakin' Up
Sam Cooke - Get Yourself Another Fool
The Shins - Call to Apathy
Slow Club - There Is No Good Way to Say I'm Leaving You
Steve Poltz - Chinese Vacation
posted by aphorist at 8:21 AM on June 5, 2013
discovering the waterfront by silverstein
head club by taking back sunday
posted by bluelights at 8:58 PM on July 19, 2013
head club by taking back sunday
posted by bluelights at 8:58 PM on July 19, 2013
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