“By the Time I Get to Phoenix” by Glen Campbell
Songwriter Jimmy Webb found the perfect interpreter for his songs in country singer and session guitarist Glen Campbell. Allegedly written about a girl called Susan, the muse for so many of Webb's songs, "By the Time I Get to Phoenix" gave Campbell his first Top 40 hit, in 1967 (and won two Grammys as well). The chorus-less song charts one man's thoughts of how his former lover will respond to his absence as he drives across the country, away from her. Vainly he imagines her crying when she realizes he's really gone, though we never get to find out her real response. It's also worth hearing Isaac Hayes unique version which stretches to nearly 19 minutes and includes an imagined back story for the couple. It's like a soul soap opera.
“Fifty Ways to Leave Your Lover” by Paul Simon
While there are countless songs about how someone feels when a relationship is over, there are very few that tell you how to actually go about breaking up with someone. Frustratingly, while the title of Paul Simon's 1975 single "Fifty Ways to Leave Your Lover" promises the definitive ex-lover's guide, it delivers only a measly five possible options. And of those five, we'd say that only "Slip out the back, Jack" and "Hop on the bus, Gus" are really of any use. We certainly don't recommend "Just drop off the key, Lee" as you don't want to risk bumping into her mother who'll have most certainly gone round there to console her. And "Make a new plan, Stan" doesn't begin to address the complex and often financially crippling consequences of separation. We don't know which option Simon chose when divorcing from first wife Peggy Harper; "Just give her a call, Paul"?
“Idiot Wind” by Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan reacted angrily to suggestions that his song "You're a Big Girl Now" was about the breakup of his first marriage, writing in the sleeve notes to the "Biograph" compilation: "I don't write confessional songs." But what is undeniable is the attitude with which Bob laced the songs on 1974's "Blood on the Tracks" album, from which it was taken, written as his relationship with his wife Sara began to crumble. And it's difficult not to conclude that the man who wrote "Idiot Wind" was consumed with spite. Spitting bile throughout a masterpiece of symbolism, metaphor and poetic imagery with lines as unabashed as: "I kissed goodbye the howling beast on the borderline which separated you from me", Bob concludes with a far more prosaic and resigned declaration: "We're idiots, babe / It's a wonder we can even feed ourselves." She got the mansion, full custody of the kids and a hefty chunk of his fortune, which isn't bad for an "idiot".
“Whole Lotta History” by Girls Aloud
Should Girls Aloud ever tour together again, we imagine this song will take on a new meaning for one band member. Taken from their 2005 concept album "Chemistry," "Whole Lotta History" is known to be a favourite amongst the girls and we don't think we're out of line in saying it's their best ballad, by far. Typical of Xenomania's compositions for the group, there's no conventional verse/chorus structure, with the song unfolding over seven differing musical sections. It's the line: "You cost me so much love / So finally I just decided to go" that's bringing a lump to the throat as we listen to it now.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Monday, April 5, 2010
Top 12 songs about breakups #2
“I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor
Is this the ultimate breakup song? It's impossible to sing the chorus without puffing your chest out and holding your head up defiantly, even if you're happily married. Perhaps surprisingly, "I Will Survive" wasn't inspired by heartbreak but was written for Gloria Gaynor by her producers as a pick-me-up while she spent six months in hospital recovering from a back injury. She was in a back brace when she recorded it, which probably added to the sincerity with which she states her intention to survive (she was happily married at the time). Famously, "I Will Survive" was actually the B-side of her single Substitute. Thankfully, DJs flipped the record over and it went on to win the 1979 Grammy for Best Disco Recording and become an anthem for gay men and downtrodden women everywhere.
“D.I.V.O.R.C.E.” by Tammy Wynette
Despite being best known for singing the feminist-angering "Stand By Your Man," Tammy Wynette had already tackled marital separation, a year earlier with her 1968 single "D-I-V-O-R-C-E." The First Lady of Country's first U.S. number one hit was sung from a wife and mother's point of view, spelling out the words so as not to upset her young children about the impending fate of their family life. Tammy herself had already been married twice (one divorced, one annulled) by the time she recorded the song and would go on to marry a further three times. She sure knew what she was singing about.
“These Boots Are Made For Walkin” by Nancy Sinatra
When the late Lee Hazelwood wrote "These Boots Are Made For Walkin'" he intended it as a "joke song" and included it in his own repertoire. But when Frank's daughter Nancy Sinatra heard him sing it, she felt it sounded mean and would be far more "cute" coming from a woman. Lee added a seedy touch to Nancy's 1966 single by instructing her to sing it as if she were a 16-year-old girl ditching a 40-year-old man! The single was a worldwide chart topper just as her recording contract was up for renewal. The resulting bidding war added an extra element to the lyrics' celebration of independent women.
“I’ve Been Loving You Too Long” by Otis Redding
Most breakup songs depict those resigned to their broken heart, some are even resentful, but in reality most relationships end with some undignified pleading from the jilted party. Such an action would be futile unless you possessed the unearthly vocal power of soul legend Otis Redding. Penned by Redding and Jerry Butler, and released in 1965, "I've Been Loving You Too Long" is the sound of a man with nothing left to lose. Literally on his knees, Otis begs his lover not to end the affair, even though he admits: "You are tired and your love is growing cold". The record fades out on the great man repeatedly screaming: "I love you", seemingly in vain.
Is this the ultimate breakup song? It's impossible to sing the chorus without puffing your chest out and holding your head up defiantly, even if you're happily married. Perhaps surprisingly, "I Will Survive" wasn't inspired by heartbreak but was written for Gloria Gaynor by her producers as a pick-me-up while she spent six months in hospital recovering from a back injury. She was in a back brace when she recorded it, which probably added to the sincerity with which she states her intention to survive (she was happily married at the time). Famously, "I Will Survive" was actually the B-side of her single Substitute. Thankfully, DJs flipped the record over and it went on to win the 1979 Grammy for Best Disco Recording and become an anthem for gay men and downtrodden women everywhere.
“D.I.V.O.R.C.E.” by Tammy Wynette
Despite being best known for singing the feminist-angering "Stand By Your Man," Tammy Wynette had already tackled marital separation, a year earlier with her 1968 single "D-I-V-O-R-C-E." The First Lady of Country's first U.S. number one hit was sung from a wife and mother's point of view, spelling out the words so as not to upset her young children about the impending fate of their family life. Tammy herself had already been married twice (one divorced, one annulled) by the time she recorded the song and would go on to marry a further three times. She sure knew what she was singing about.
“These Boots Are Made For Walkin” by Nancy Sinatra
When the late Lee Hazelwood wrote "These Boots Are Made For Walkin'" he intended it as a "joke song" and included it in his own repertoire. But when Frank's daughter Nancy Sinatra heard him sing it, she felt it sounded mean and would be far more "cute" coming from a woman. Lee added a seedy touch to Nancy's 1966 single by instructing her to sing it as if she were a 16-year-old girl ditching a 40-year-old man! The single was a worldwide chart topper just as her recording contract was up for renewal. The resulting bidding war added an extra element to the lyrics' celebration of independent women.
“I’ve Been Loving You Too Long” by Otis Redding
Most breakup songs depict those resigned to their broken heart, some are even resentful, but in reality most relationships end with some undignified pleading from the jilted party. Such an action would be futile unless you possessed the unearthly vocal power of soul legend Otis Redding. Penned by Redding and Jerry Butler, and released in 1965, "I've Been Loving You Too Long" is the sound of a man with nothing left to lose. Literally on his knees, Otis begs his lover not to end the affair, even though he admits: "You are tired and your love is growing cold". The record fades out on the great man repeatedly screaming: "I love you", seemingly in vain.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Top 12 songs about breakups
Heartbreak and heartache suck, sure, but think of all the truly great music they inspire. We've chosen 12 of the best for your consideration.
“Cry Me a River” by Justin Timberlake
In the days before it was commonplace to exploit your celebrity breakup on your own reality TV show, the lack of ambiguity in Justin Timberlake's "Cry Me a River" was somewhat shocking. We all knew he'd broken up with his girlfriend and fellow Mouseketeer Britney Spears, but despite having never spoken publicly about it, this single from his debut solo album said more than we ever previously imagined about their relationship. "You don't have to say what you did / I already know, I found out from him" sang JT, with most fans concluding this referred to allegations that Britney had been unfaithful with dancer Wade Robson. Justin denied it was about her (despite featuring a Spears lookalike in the video) but Britney was in no doubt and told Rolling Stone: "He got what he wanted. I think it looks like such a desperate attempt, personally."
“She’s Out of My Life” by Michael Jackson
If you can listen to Michael Jackson sing "She's Out of My Life" and not cry like a child watching "Bambi" then you have no heart. It makes the 1980 single even more traumatic when you know it was written by Tom Bahler after he was dumped by none other than Karen Carpenter, following her discovery he had a child with another woman. Intending the song for Frank Sinatra, producer Quincy Jones let Michael record it with some trepidation, knowing the 21-year-old had never experienced the emotions the subject raises. Nevertheless, Jackson broke down in tears with every take, most noticeably on the released version as he sings the final line.
“Go Your Own Way” by Fleetwood Mac
If anyone could write the songbook on fractured relationships it's Fleetwood Mac. Taken from "Rumours," the tenth best selling album in U.S. recording history, "Go Your Own Way" is guitarist Lindsay Buckingham's careworn instruction to his bandmate Stevie Nicks, with whom he'd just ended a tempestuous relationship. The tension in the recording studio was added to by the fact that fellow band members John and Christine McVie were also splitting up (it must've been fun there at lunchtime). Buckingham's accusation that "Packing up, shacking up, is all you wanna do" has been denied by Nicks, who told Q magazine: "It was certainly a message within a song. And not a very nice one at that."
“Say Hello Wave Goodbye” by Soft Cell
It's quite astonishing to realise that 80s synth-pop duo Marc Almond and Dave Ball graduated from smearing themselves in cat food and wailing pretentiously about a consumer society to writing a near perfect torch song of failed romance in just two years of forming Soft Cell. Their classic 1981 single finds Marc telling his unnamed, mismatched, prostitute lover of the reasons why their relationship must end (but not the obvious one, curiously enough!) "You were a sleep around / A lost and found / And not for me, I fear", croons Almond in the most earnest of all white soul vocals. Whoever she was, she got dumped in style. Incidentally, never listen to the foolishly re-recorded version from 1991 - it's a travesty.
“Cry Me a River” by Justin Timberlake
In the days before it was commonplace to exploit your celebrity breakup on your own reality TV show, the lack of ambiguity in Justin Timberlake's "Cry Me a River" was somewhat shocking. We all knew he'd broken up with his girlfriend and fellow Mouseketeer Britney Spears, but despite having never spoken publicly about it, this single from his debut solo album said more than we ever previously imagined about their relationship. "You don't have to say what you did / I already know, I found out from him" sang JT, with most fans concluding this referred to allegations that Britney had been unfaithful with dancer Wade Robson. Justin denied it was about her (despite featuring a Spears lookalike in the video) but Britney was in no doubt and told Rolling Stone: "He got what he wanted. I think it looks like such a desperate attempt, personally."
“She’s Out of My Life” by Michael Jackson
If you can listen to Michael Jackson sing "She's Out of My Life" and not cry like a child watching "Bambi" then you have no heart. It makes the 1980 single even more traumatic when you know it was written by Tom Bahler after he was dumped by none other than Karen Carpenter, following her discovery he had a child with another woman. Intending the song for Frank Sinatra, producer Quincy Jones let Michael record it with some trepidation, knowing the 21-year-old had never experienced the emotions the subject raises. Nevertheless, Jackson broke down in tears with every take, most noticeably on the released version as he sings the final line.
“Go Your Own Way” by Fleetwood Mac
If anyone could write the songbook on fractured relationships it's Fleetwood Mac. Taken from "Rumours," the tenth best selling album in U.S. recording history, "Go Your Own Way" is guitarist Lindsay Buckingham's careworn instruction to his bandmate Stevie Nicks, with whom he'd just ended a tempestuous relationship. The tension in the recording studio was added to by the fact that fellow band members John and Christine McVie were also splitting up (it must've been fun there at lunchtime). Buckingham's accusation that "Packing up, shacking up, is all you wanna do" has been denied by Nicks, who told Q magazine: "It was certainly a message within a song. And not a very nice one at that."
“Say Hello Wave Goodbye” by Soft Cell
It's quite astonishing to realise that 80s synth-pop duo Marc Almond and Dave Ball graduated from smearing themselves in cat food and wailing pretentiously about a consumer society to writing a near perfect torch song of failed romance in just two years of forming Soft Cell. Their classic 1981 single finds Marc telling his unnamed, mismatched, prostitute lover of the reasons why their relationship must end (but not the obvious one, curiously enough!) "You were a sleep around / A lost and found / And not for me, I fear", croons Almond in the most earnest of all white soul vocals. Whoever she was, she got dumped in style. Incidentally, never listen to the foolishly re-recorded version from 1991 - it's a travesty.
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