Playlist for a Heartache: Pop to Punk Edition
Jennifer Dill ’17 / Emertainment Monthly Staff Writer
One of the hardest parts of becoming an adult is experiencing relationships: the good, the bad, and the “I need to eat a pint of Ben and Jerry’s or take some shots to forget this ever happened.”
And don’t get me wrong, relationships can be great for learning and growing but they can also be awful on the heart.
But thankfully, unlike the guy who cheated on you after a year of devotion, or the girl who tore your soul out after months of admiration, music is always here for you!
So take this article as a musical guide through the early stages of a breakup.
- “Miserable at Best” by Mayday Parade
This song is a staple of mine any time I’m even remotely sad. For those of you who are unfamiliar, Mayday Parade has a way with words and melodies that will rip your heart out and have you mourning the three-second relationship you had with the barista at Starbucks after you made awkward prolonged eye contact. Literally. This song will bring out all the tears.
Favorite line: “I can live without you but without you I’ll be miserable at best.”
- “Three Cheers for Five Years” by Mayday Parade
As can be assumed by the title, this song documents the death of a five-year-long relationship—something that definitely deserves mourning. Its minor tone and sad lyrics, while breaking what’s left of your heart, also help you feel less alone. If Derek Sanders can experience heartbreak and be okay, so can the listener.
Favorite line: “Another night, another dream wasted on you.”
- “Everything We Had” by The Academy Is…
This song is another one that pulls on the heartstrings. With the sorrow-filled words, the consistent chords, and William Beckett’s haunting voice, the listener will feel their breakup happening again. And they may cry, but that’s okay. They’re allowed to be sad.
Favorite line: “Take the pain out of love and then love won’t exist.”
- “Fireworks” by You Me At Six
“So this is the end, of you and me, we had a good run, and I’m setting you free.” If that opening line doesn’t make you cringe and feel all the feels, I don’t know what will. Everything about this song, from the somber and repetitive guitar to Josh Franceschi’s voice (and heart) breaking as he sings, is sad. And if you need something to trigger a long cry, I recommend this first.
Favorite line: “Three whole words and eight letters late, and that would have worked on me yesterday.”
- “Bookmark” by Cara Salimando
Cara Salimando is probably a name that you don’t know, but should. Lyrically brilliant, Salimando uses her unique vocal stylings and piano accompaniments throughout this song to document the story of a relationship that is sort of a place holder. In fact, it opens with the line “I’m as good as a bookmark, I’m just holding her place. You’ll want to learn her again, then you’ll throw me away.” The song then goes on to discuss the feeling of being second best, something that many people can relate to when either jumping into a new relationship or leaving one. In particular, if there is another person involved in your relationship who you feel you are in competition with, this song will hit where it hurts.
Favorite line: “And I’m sure that she’s something, so lovely and sweet. And I’m sure you’ll destroy her the way you’ll destroy me.”
- “That Should be Me” by Justin Bieber
I’m going to admit this upfront: this song is in this playlist as more of a stress reliever than anything else. Sure, I used to love Justin Bieber, and in early high school this song was on loop during any heartache I had. When you’re in college, sixteen-year-old J.Biebs isn’t necessarily what you want to hear. That being said, this song is a great way to be sad, but also sort of laugh. After all, you’re listening to Justin Bieber to recover from a breakup. That’s mildly humorous.
Favorite line: “That should be me holding your hand, that should be me making you laugh.”
- “Terrible Things” by Mayday Parade
Mayday Parade should really win an award for writing the most gut-wrenching songs. This one is probably the pinnacle of MP sadness. Telling the story of a man who lost the love of his life to cancer, this song is basically a life lesson on why you shouldn’t fall in love because it’s terrible. Listen to it and try not to cry cry. I dare you.
Favorite line: “So don’t fall in love, there’s just too much to lose.”
- “I Almost Do” by Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift is the queen of breakup anthems. In fact, almost all of her songs tell the story of either a blossoming relationship or a failed one. This song is particularly perfect for your post-relationship needs, because it is all about the desire to reach out to someone even though you know you shouldn’t. Per usual for Swift songs, the vocals on this song are what make it stand out. Her strong consistency in tone and the slow but steady melody captivate the listener and make them feel Swift’s pain.
Favorite line: “And I just want to tell you it takes everything in me not to call you, and I wish I could run to you and I hope you know that every time I don’t, I almost do, I almost do.”
- “The Distance That Took You Away” by SayWeCanFly
SayWeCanFly is another artist who is not very well known but definitely should be paid attention, especially because he is on this playlist twice.
But to introduce you to him, I will start with this ballad. Beautifully constructed as an acoustic/orchestral based piece, this song talks about recovering from the end of a long distance relationship and the many things that run through your head after losing a loved one.
Favorite line: “But I just need something to calm my nerves, preferably a cigarette or something just as absurd.”
- “Intoxicated I Love You” by SayWeCanFly
This song is a little different from the rest due to the fact it is not about a breakup. In fact, it’s not even about a relationship, but rather a drunken one night stand. However, it does have one of the angriest/saddest choruses out of all of the songs on this list, as it is about a girl telling off the leading man in a brutal way. If you are prone to hookups or having your feelings hurt, this is a good tune.
Favorite line: “I don’t love you and I never did, you’re just a number in my pocket so get the hell over it.”
- “Amnesia” by 5 Seconds of Summer
As another band that is known amongst pop audiences as an upbeat, fun loving boy band, 5SOS’s “Amnesia” is a step out of the box for the Australian boys. Telling a gut-wrenching tale of losing a loved one and wishing you could forget all of the little memories, this song definitely sings the words we are all thinking. We wish we could wake up with amnesia and forget the stupid little things about the person we once loved so dearly.
Favorite line: “It’s like we never happened, was it just a lie? If what we had was real, how could you be fine? ‘Cause I’m not fine at all.”
- “All I Wanted” by Paramore
Paramore is mostly known for their angsty, loud punk songs, but is often overlooked for their slower, sadder songs. This is one of those overlooked songs. Hayley Williams sings about a breakup where she lost the only person she’s ever wanted. To accompany her incredible vocal range is a hauntingly beautiful melody, and a beat that will have listeners nodding their heads while trying to catch their tears. It’s okay to cry. Williams’ vocals are just THAT beautiful.
Favorite line: “And maybe then we’ll remember to slow down at all of our favorite parts… All I wanted was you.”
- “Hold on Till May (feat. Lindsey Stamey)” by Pierce the Veil
This song is not necessarily a breakup song, but it is sad—especially for a band known for its heavier sound and screaming vocals. In one of their slowest (and most relaxed) songs, Pierce the Veil takes it down a notch to tell listeners the story of an old love, a rushed relationship, and the death of something beautiful, leaving both parties feeling sort of lost. But the most powerful part of this song is actually when Vic Fuentes slows things down to reassure the listener that they’re going to be okay. In fact, the lyrics he uses may suggest that the piece is an anti-self harm/hurt message. It is by far my favorite Pierce the Veil lyric and definitely a song worth listening to if you are feeling helpless or hopeless.
Favorite line: “See, you’re just wasted and thinking about the past again. Darling, you’ll be okay.”
- “Stone Cold” by Demi Lovato
Demi Lovato has one of the most powerful voices out of all the female artists currently in the pop scene. This song demonstrates that, as the very lyrically simple piece gives Lovato a chance to show off her range and drive a stake right through your heart. This is especially the case if you are a young lady who is watching your ex-love move on with another woman and trying to be supportive.
Favorite line: “Me and my heart, we’ll make it through. If happy is her, I’m happy for you.”