Remember when MySpace was culturally relevant? Well, I sure do! In a lot of ways, MySpace was much better than Facebook, and the biggest reason I say that is the fact that you could have a song on your page to describe your tastes, you relationship status (as corny and sickening as that may be), or how you're feeling. However, there are a lot of instances that indicate this wasn't such a great idea. Case in point: a girl I was with decided to post "The Potential Break-Up Song" by Aly and AJ to tell me she wasn't feeling it anymore, instead of telling me to my face. I was distraught, but then I played "Seventy Times Seven" by Brand New and got over it.
I hope you paid attention to that last sentence, because it means a lot to me. It should mean a lot to people all over the world too. Break-ups are inevitable these days. Even the couples who seem most secure can crumble at any second, and that's when music comes in. While being friends afterwards is admirable, sometimes it just helps to be bitter. Sometimes you just have to give your ex the finger when you see them in public, delete them from your friends list on Facebook, or however else you send the subtle "Don't ever talk to me again." message. And that's where music comes in. Over the years, I've had my share of break-ups, and this week is dedicated to the top ten songs that I've blasted in my room trying to forget about it for a while. Here they are, with their most stinging lyrics on display:
10. The Starting Line- "Surprise, Surprise": While fans say TSL's Based on a True Story was their worst output, that's not to say that there weren't some gems on the album, and "Surprise, Surprise" is a testament to that. Kenny Vasoli's personal attack on an ex is stinging and catchy, which proves to be a lethal weapon against whoever was dumb enough to break his heart. Most Stinging Line: "I'll be your friend in Hell. Until then, I despise you."
9. Fall Out Boy- "Tell that Mick He Just Made My List of Things to do Today": The first track off of Fall Out Boy's acclaimed Take This to Your Grave set the tone for the rest of the album, while taking the "Best Track" award before I even heard the rest of the album the first time I heard it. It's tough not to relate to this song, as we've all felt given up on at one point or another, and Pete Wentz and Co. use "Tell that Mick..." to show us that there's a way to get back at your heartbreaker: letting go and moving on. Most Stinging Line: "Stop burning bridges, drive above them, so I can forget about you.
8. Motion City Soundtrack- "When 'You're' Around": I remember when I first bought Commit this to Memory in my freshman year of high school. I was obsessed with "Everything is Alright" and was wondering if the rest of the album was anywhere near as good as the hit single. Turns out, it may not even be the best song on the album, thanks to "When 'You're' Around." Every time I hear the song, it's just as incredible and eye-popping as the first, and it's a song I'll constantly go back when I need to let loose. Most Stinging Line: "'Cause I can't f****** stand it when you're around, no I can't f****** stand it."
7. Coheed and Cambria- "Welcome Home": As I've mentioned in previous blogs, Coheed is a band a lot of people can't get in to because of Claudio Sanchez's nasally voice. One of them is my brother. However, every time he and I are on a long car trip, "Welcome Home" is played at least once. "It's just too good," he says to me almost every time "It's a shame all their other stuff sucks." While I don't agree with his last statement, I do think that he has a point: there is a certain undeniable attachment people find in this song, whether it's because of Coheed's precise musicianship, the carefully placed choir in the song's final stages, or the relatable lyrics no one saw coming from the sci-fi prog princes of Co&Ca. Nevertheless, there are legions of people who are grateful for Coheed's timeless scorned lover's anthem. Most Stinging Line: "You could have been all I wanted, but you weren't honest. Now get in the ground."
6. Hit the Lights- "Bodybag": Since Skip School Start Fights came out, some people have forgotten how good Hit the Lights was with Colin Ross at the helm, and that argument is made stronger by their creepy-yet-so-catchy classic "Bodybag." The song takes the disgusting stuff from Dear Diary...-era From First to Last and combines it with an undeniably catchy chorus you'll be singing along to by the end of your first listen. Had Senses Fail not written "Buried a Lie" a few years before, this song could have been a game-changer, but it will have to settle in as a must-play song in any HTL setlist. Most Stinging Line: "Next time around, think about what you say before you run your mouth. 'Cause you're all alone, and you're nothing without your friends now."
5. Kelly Clarkson- "Since U Been Gone": Before Steve Carell screamed her name in The 40 Year-old Virgin, Kelly Clarkson was a pop megastar with her hit "Breakaway," an uplifting song that many graduating classes sing on their graduation day. Her next single was the complete opposite, and that's exactly why it's so perfect. "Since U Been Gone" is a rare pop song mentioned on this blog, but if you give in to this guilty pleasure, you won't be sorry. And sure, you can argue that A Day to Remember's mosh-tastic cover is the better version, but put down that Natty Ice and accept that Kelly Clarkson's original version is the real deal.
Most Stinging Line: "Since you've been gone, I can breathe for the first time. I'm so moving on."
4. Acceptance- "Over You": What better way to make a playlist about getting over someone than by a song whose chorus only states "I'm getting over you?" Acceptance's career was short-lived, yes, but their impact is still felt by those bands still carrying the banner for honest pop punk, and classic tracks like "Over You" will ensure that this band lives on for years to come. Whether you just got out of a relationship or you're in one now, it's hard not to love "Over You" in all its angtsy glory. Most Stinging Line: "See it on my face? I'm getting over you."
3. Cee-Lo Green- "F*** You": The most recent addition to the list may also be the best. Cee Lo Green has already had his name etched in pop music forever; his song "Crazy" from his project Gnarls Barkley was named the song of the decade by Rolling Stone, so he clearly has made some money from that song. But Cee-Lo didn't want to just sit on his giant pile of money, no. Instead, he went solo, and may have made the best case yet for the best song of this young decade. "F*** You" is so catchy it hurts, and the profanity-laden chorus shows the true nature of heartbreak. There aren't many mainstream songs with this much honesty, and it seems Cee-Lo has found the perfect balance of substance and style in today's mainstream, and we've been blessed with a "F*** You" because of it. Most Stinging Line: "I guess he's an XBOX, and I'm more Atari. But the way you play your game ain't fair."
2. New Found Glory- "My Friends Over You": In New Found Glory's ten-year history, they've made a killing by writing songs about the best of friends having the best of times. But what happens when things go a little sour? They simply write "My Friends Over You," the best song of their career, of course! This song really does have everything a kid with a broken heart is looking for: a guitar riff to rock out to in the privacy of your own room, lyrics to scream at the top of your keyboard (LIKE THIS!), and a reminder that your friends have your back no matter what. Awwww, isn't that just precious? But don't for a second think NFG have gone soft; they still bring it at live shows, and the chorus of "My Friends Over You" isn't even sang by Jordan Pundik anymore. Instead, its screamed back at him by all the loving fans whose lives have been made better by that song getting them through a tough time (myself included). Most Stinging Line: "Though you swear that you are true, I'd still pick my friends over you."
1. Brand New- "Seventy Times Seven": Come on. When I mentioned this song at the top of this blog, did you really think for a second it wouldn't have been number one. I'm not sure who to thank first for the blessing of this song: Jesse Lacey for writing it, or the girl who inspired it. Either way, there's no doubt that this song will be shouted at the top of teenagers' lungs so long as they're "talking," "together," "texting," or whatever other crappy terminology those crazy kids come up with. I'm usually not one to lack words to describe something, but it's happening here. All those memories you have, all the pain you've pent up, let it go, and let Jesse Lacey get you through it. Best line of any break up song, ever:
"So is that what you call a getaway? Well, tell me what you got away with. Because I've seen more spine in jellyfish. I've seen more guts in eleven year-old kids. Have another drink and drive yourself home, I hope there's ice on all the roads. And you can think of me when you forget your seatbelt, and again when head goes through the window. And is that what you call tact? You're as subtle as a brick, and it's more on my back, so let's end this call, end this conversation. And is that what you call a getaway? Well tell me what you got away with. Because you left the frays from the ties you severed when you said 'Best friends means friends forever.'"
And there you have it, my personal Top Ten Break-Up songs. Looking back on this list, I'm inclined to look back on the break-ups, and the truth is, I'm grateful. Grateful for all those insignificant moments I spent with people far more insignificant. Grateful I gave them the chance to make me feel something, even if it wasn't so great. Most of all, I'm grateful these incredible songs were written to give me something to hold onto. So long as there are relationships, there will be break-ups. And so long as there are break-ups, there will be songs like these to get you through. So what made your list? Leave it in the comments, I'd love to hear from you.
