I’ve always thought of break up songs as superior to love songs. It’s like the o
I’ve always thought of break up songs as superior to love songs. It’s like the opening line from Leo Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina: “Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.”
Whereas I think love songs say pretty much the same thing every time (“Oooh, baby, baby, I love you, baby, you’re my heart and soul, babybabybaby.”), break up songs tend to tell unique stories and often involve alot of detail and scandal. (Remember last week’s lesson on spotting fact and opinion? This is 100% my opinion. Dissent is welcome.)
For our next assignment, we’re going to delve into the fascinating world of break-up songs! I’ve compiled the following list. (If you feel that a great example is missing, please let me know.) Chances are you’re familiar with some. Read through some lyrics that are new to you and be prepared to discuss, think, and write.
“Driver’s License” – Olivia Rodrigo
“Violets for Roses” – Lana Del Rey
“I Will Always Love You” – Dolly Parton/ Whitney Houston
“I Lied” – Lord Huron w/ Allison Ponthier
“F*@k You” – CeeLo Green
“It Must Have Been Love” – Roxette
“Before He Cheats” – Carrie Underwood
“Nothing Compares 2 U” – Sinead O’Connor
“Somebody That I Used to Know” – Gotye
“We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” – Taylor Swift
“Someone Like You” – Adele
“You Oughta Know” – Alanis Morrissette
“I Heard It Through the Grapevine” – Marvin Gaye
“End of the Road” – Boyz 2 Men
“Say Something” – A Great Big World
“Truth Hurts” – Lizzo
“Tracks of My Tears” – Smokey Robinson
“Tears Dry on Their Own” – Amy Winehouse
“Irreplaceable” – Beyonce
“Someone Like You” – Adele
“Ex-Factor” – Lauryn Hill
“Mrs. Jackson” – Outkast
“What’s Love Got to do with It” – Tina Turner
“thank u, next” – Ariana Grande
“Never Ever” – All Saints
“New Rules” – Dua Lipa
“I Will Survive” – Gloria Gaynor/ Cake
“I Wish I Missed My Ex” – Mahalia
“I’d Rather Go Blind” – Etta James
“No Children” – Mountain Goats
“Just a Friend” – Biz Markie
choose between one of two possible compare and contrast essays to write.
Option One: Choose two songs provided to compare and contrast.
Option Two: Choose one break-up song from the list and one love song of your choice by the same artist to compare and contrast.
tell us which option you’re going to pursue, which two songs you’ll explore, and what your thesis will be. Next week, I will ask you to write an essay that contains one paragraph on each song and a final PIE paragraph before the conclusion which tells readers which song creates a more meaningful or consistent message. (By consistency, does the tempo, singer’s voice, tone, etc. match what you perceive to be the message of the song?)
