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Just an old-fashioned breakup song

How many of you had a wonderful Valentine’s Day with a special love? Aw, good for you. While you’re still hooked on the feeling and high on believing, revisit our celebration of love songs and have a nice weekend.

Now, how many of you got dumped yesterday, right on the buttocks? If so, you have plenty of company. According to canada.com, six million people break up on Valentine’s Day. And even more break up in the two weeks leading up to February 14.

OK, I know that doesn’t help much. But the fact is that most, if not all, of us have had a bad breakup that devastated us or royally pissed us off – or both. And that’s the beauty of breakup songs. They’re written by people who have been stepped on, lied to, cheated on and treated like dirt. So no matter how alone you feel, you always have musical company. In fact, let’s help out Alice with the track scribe suggested for the breakup scene with Tasha. (For you young’uns, this is The 5th Dimension.)

My favorite breakup songs tend to be of the angry variety. I confess, every Valentine’s Day I commemorate a Very Special Breakup by singing “I’m the Only One” along with Melissa, at the top of my lungs.

Ah, the sweet pill of bitterness. You never forget your first cheater.

Another good top-of-your-lungs number is an oldie, but goodie, from Nancy Sinatra. Are ya ready, boots? Start walkin’.

My AfterEllen.com co-bloggers have their own breakup soundtracks. In fact, when I asked for their favorite love songs a few weeks ago, I only got a few. But when I asked for breakup songs, I got dozens. That’s why we’re all so empathetic, ya know?

Karman’s favorite breakup song is the classic “Kiss and Say Goodbye” by The Manhattans – a different perspective on breaking up. In this musical story, the cheater is breaking up with a co-cheater. Joan Osborne has a version, too, but getting turned on by a song like this just feels wrong.

Ani DiFranco‘s “Untouchable Face” cropped up on three lists. The video is NSFW (or for posting here), but the song certainly captures the special feelings we have for our recent exes.

Browne keeps Alanis Morissette‘s “You Oughta Know” in her iTunes folder, just in case she needs to work up a good rage. (Another NSFW, in case you don’t quite remember all the words.)

Also in the still-pissed-off-but-so-over-you category is scribegrrrl’s pick, “Control,” by Poe. I could only find a link to a Buffy video version, but I’m sure you won’t mind.

Another popular choice is Fleetwood Mac‘s “Go Your Own Way.” As Ace said, the song is Lindsey Buckingham‘s way of saying, “Go to Hell” to Stevie Nicks when they split. This version is from 1977, the year it was released. Proof that hair is the power behind the music.

Our resident MeShell Ndegeocello stalker fan, roc, relates to MeShell’s Bitter album, especially “Faithful,” “Bitter” and “Fool of Me.”

MeShell’s songs seem to segue naturally into one of Dorothy Snarker’s choices, “Ex-Factor,” by Lauryn Hill (before she joined the circus).

Country music would barely exist if not for breakup music, usually slow, sad melodies that can just rip your broken heart out. “Break It to Me Gently,” by Juice Newton, is the song my friend Chris plays when she needs a good cry. I’m slightly worried about the fact that “Goodbye Earl” by the Dixie Chicks is one of Dorothy Snarker’s favorites, mainly because she included a note: “Hey, murder is a way to break up.” (Has anyone seen Ms. Snarker’s last ex?) And, of course, no self-respecting lesbian breakup song list would be complete without Miss Patsy Cline.

I know you have plenty of your own to add, but I have to include one last song – the one that you finally get to after the breakup has settled in and you wouldn’t take that biotch back if she begged you. Women of AfterEllen.com, I present Ms. Gloria Gaynor.

Amen, sister.

Your turn. What songs get you through the night after a breakup? What do you sing to your ex when you’re alone with your iPod? What tunes make the tears flow no matter when you hear them?

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