Breakup songs

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Anger. Hurt. Frustration. Disappointment.

When it comes to the myriad of emotions surrounding a breakup, they can be overwhelming if we don't find a way to deal with them. One of the most effective ways I have found to 'get the feelings out' (and believe me, I've had to) is to listen to music. There's something about hearing the things you're feeling coming from someone else in 'verse form' that makes you feel understood-'Someone else gets it'. Here are some of the more cathartic songs I have found. Notice that I'm not mentioning any of the 'F*** you' songs, because those are easy enough to find on their own.

One of my favorite 'breakup songs' is 'Similar Features' by Melissa Etheridge. Here is the chorus:

Go on and close your eyes, imagine me there
She's got similar features, with longer hair
And if that's what it takes
To get you through
Go on and close your eyes
It shouldn't bother you

You can hear and read the rest here:

Some would say that it has a 'F*** you' element, but I personally find it more meaningful than that. I suppose that could be because it describes a situation I was in-I had an ex who messed around with a friend of mine shortly before he asked me to take him back. Whenever my friend and I would go places together, people would think we were sisters. Either way, the basic message is, 'Go ahead and think you'll be fine without me. You won't'.

When she first came out, Melissa Etheridge was considered to be rather angry in her songs. For instance, here is another favorite of mine: http://www.lyricsfreak.com/m/melissa+etheridge/like+the+way+i+do_20091607.html

When it comes to 'Please, please take me back', Toni Braxton does a good job in expressing it in 'Un-Break My Heart'. Here's the chorus:

Un-break my heart
Say you'll love me again
Undo this hurt you caused when you walked out the door and walked out of my life
Un-cry these tears
I cried so many nights
Un-break my heart


'Dear Lie' by TLC is another good one. There are several theories about what the 'lie' is that they're talking about. (a bad relationship, a guilty conscience, a poor self-image someone instilled in them, etc), but the basic sentiment of 'it's over now, you don't have any power over me anymore' is empowering in and of itself. 

Get out of my mouth
Get out of my head
Get out of my mind
Stop putting words in my head
Get out of my mouth, you're nothing but trouble
Get out of my life
Get outta me, outta me, outta me,
Lie



In terms of, “I know you've moved on, but I haven't yet.”, there's 'Someone Like You' by Adele:

Never mind, I'll find someone like you
I wish nothing but the best for you, too
Don't forget me, I beg
I remember you said
“Sometimes it lasts in love, but sometimes it hurts instead”
“Sometimes it lasts in love, but sometimes it hurts instead”

This one is quite the tearjerker. The rest is here:

Hopefully you will find these songs as helpful as I do. What are some of your favorite 'breakup songs'?

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