Breaking Up with A Drama Queen
Broken hearts – most of us have had them.
I, however, am the Queen of Broken Hearts. Not because I’m special or have had my heart broken more than the average person, but because I am dramatic. I can take a little heartbreak and turn it into a rock opera; I have been known to take YEARS to get over a lost love (to be fair, those particular years were times I spent off my antidepressants).
So when my excellent friend Jen Kehl over at My Skewed View announced that her Twisted MixTape blog hop theme for this week would be broken hearts, I had to jump in, even though I don’t often write about music. Specifically, the theme is “you are the biggest jerk ever for breaking my heart” – I HAVE SO MANY SONGS THAT SPECIFICALLY ANSWER TO THIS THEME!
I’m sorry I shouted, but as this is the most enthusiasm I’ve felt in quite a while, I’m just going to be expressive.
So I’ve organized my selections for my mix tape according to the proper stages of break-up grief, starting with soul-crushing sadness, moving through rage and on to cheerful acceptance and a middle finger. Let’s face it, we all hope for the day when we can say, “Meh, I can do better.”
We just hope it comes before you spend three years of your life crying in your car while the C.D. player blasts Boyz-II-Men’s “End of the Road“… for the fifth consecutive time.
Hemorrhage – Fuel
This one…man, I wore out my burned copy of this. We were soul mates. We were fated to love each other forever. Not Romeo and Juliet forever, but Brontë forever. Eternity and shit.
Don’t fall away and leave love bleeding in my hands, in my hands again
Dramatic enough for you?
Sidebar: Please don’t watch the music video. It’s terrible. Just listen to the song. Please, this once, trust me.
Back to Black – Amy Winehouse
This one is a good one to indulge in as you move from despair to bitterness; not quite at the rage-roadmark, but well en-route. It’s a little nasty, for my more sensitive readers, but what part about heartbreak is neatly tied up with a rick-rack ribbon?
We only said good-bye with words
I died a hundred times
You go back to her
And I go back to black
Violet – Hole
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwzMuDi7PcU
This song came out when I first discovered music (and, incidentally, boys) – and man, did I ever cling to the angry-girl-screaming aspects of this song.
When they get what they want, they never want it again
Go on, take everything, take everything, I want you to.
Naturally, I appreciate the lyrics more now that I’m older and embittered wise in the ways of love, but something in me always knew that Courtney Love was really pissed off about a guy, and I related.
Sleep to Dream – Fiona Apple
No one knows heartbreak like Fiona Apple. This one is where healthy anger meets well-timed acceptance…with maybe a little “go to hell.”
Don’t you plead me your case
Don’t bother to explain
Don’t even show me your face
‘Cause it’s a crying shame
Just go back to the rock
From under which you came
Irreplaceable – Beyoncé
Ah, Beyoncé, you empower me. Every time I hear this song, I want to kick every cad I’ve ever dated to the curb with such confidence. You show us all how it should be done, and that’s why we love you.
And keep talking that mess, that’s fine
Could you walk and talk, at the same time?
And it’s my name that’s on that jag
So go move your bags, let me call you a cab
Rather than moving out, Beyoncé kicks her lying, cheating ex out of the house. At this point in the break-up process of grief, there’s no more need to wallow over a broken heart – “replacing you is so easy.”
If only I could handle my emotions with as much badass panache as Beyoncé. I’d also like to be able to produce a multi-platinum album, but one goal at a time, right?
– – –
32 Comments
Suzanne
I love the way you’ve arranged the songs in a progression – so clever! And I’m pretty sure Courtney Love is still angry about something. 😉
Love that Beyoncé song. I sometimes wish I could go back in time and channel her to deal with certain break-ups…
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Natalie DeYoung
I love a good progression!
And you’re right – Courtney Love will always represent female angst for me.
Tracy@CrazyAsNormal
Love your list! And I prefer to call myself “theatrical”. Dramatic has so stigma attached to it. 😉
Tracy@CrazyAsNormal recently posted…Hit the Road Jack
Natalie DeYoung
You’re right – I’m “theatrical.” 😉
Dream
Fabulous soundtrack to the post break-up emotions. And while I’m not a Beyonce fan, the lyrics were my favorite kind of payback for an ex.
Dream recently posted…Don’t Get Mad…Get Even
Natalie DeYoung
Yeah, you don’t have to be a fan to appreciate the message… 😉
Michelle Liew
I have to say that Beyonce’s is my favorite!
Michelle Liew recently posted…Sorry is indeed the hardest word!
Natalie DeYoung
Isn’t it AWESOME? 🙂
Beduwen
I love how music helps us get through things. And makes a moment that much more poignant. It is so cathartic! Great post.
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Natalie DeYoung
I know, music has gotten me through some heavy stuff…
troy P.
Dammit! I watched the video…!
And YAY You for including Fiona! Tight list, and a great story to go along with =)
troy P. recently posted…You Suck.
Natalie DeYoung
I WARNED YOU. 😉
I don’t know how anyone could possibly break up without a little Fiona Apple.
Natalie DeYoung recently posted…Breaking Up with A Drama Queen
Quick Stepp- Melissa
Yes! This list is perfection…..minus the Beyonce 😉
Rocking out to Hole right now. Forgot how much I love this song. And I’m glad to see someone else included Fiona. I mean, you could easily list move than half her catalog for this theme.
Quick Stepp- Melissa recently posted…Twisted Mix Tape Tuesday: Maybe I Should Have Picked Brian Krakow
Natalie DeYoung
I know! It’s now an oldie, but still a goodie!
And you’re right about the Fiona Apple catalogue – I had to be very discriminating here. 😉
Lance
Great songs. Fuel, Fiona, and that Hole song is their best. I almost titled my book, Soul To Body, Violet, because of one of the main characters, a teen girl, being named that.
Love this list because of the rock. good job.
Oh and by far the best titled playlist this week.
Lance recently posted…I Hope You’re Happy Now – Twisted Mixtape Tuesday
Natalie DeYoung
Haha, thanks! Love the name Violet.
Rock, for me is a staple of processing difficult emotions.
Darla @ Moms World
I was all about this list until Beyonce…she just is not cool. But I love that Hole song…except I still kinda believe that Courtney had something to do with Kurt’s death. Other than Beyonce though, GREAT LIST!
Darla @ Moms World recently posted…Twisted Mix-Tape Tuesday: You suck, you jackass!
Natalie DeYoung
I’m generally a rock’n’roll kind of girl, but Beyonce is someone I grew to appreciate. Not ALL of her songs, but definitely this one.
Lol, thanks!
Katia
Awesome list! I did Back to Black too, glad for the confirmation on it being a breakup song. Wasn’t sure about that one… I so get what you mean about dragging drama on for years. I’m exactly the same way.
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Natalie DeYoung
It’s SUCH A GOOD SONG! I just kinda assumed it was a break-up song; I’m not the most observant person. 🙂
JenKehl
And she hits it out of the park!!!! I don’t know what makes me happier? That this mix is so awesomely done, that you tell such a great story or that I get to hang with Natalie who I’ve missed so much! I know, I’ve missed you! I’m so happy to hear your voice in my head with this amazing post! I hope you come back again!
JenKehl recently posted…Twisted MixTape 22
Natalie DeYoung
Thanks, Jen! I’ve missed you too, but finally got my butt in gear to participate this week!
Kristi Campbell
Awesome awesome list this week, Cat Lady! Seriously loved the dialogue next to each and how you went from the bleeding in my hands to Beyonce (who, I agree, is beyond cool).
Natalie DeYoung
It’s a progression. Sometimes it takes me a while, but I always make it through all the songs (and feelings). 😉
Julie DeNeen
Beyonce is so bad ass. I love to listen to tortured broken heart songs. I think I’m a little twisted!
Julie DeNeen recently posted…Triplicate Emotions that Accompany the First Day of School
Natalie DeYoung
Oh, come sit by me – I am definitely a little twisted. 😉
Undiangosed but okay
Great list, although it was kind of scary for a drama queen 🙂
Undiangosed but okay recently posted…Twisted Tuesday….
Natalie DeYoung
Yeah, I can go pretty dark when the feelings take over…
Chris plumb
Ah, Fiona, you haunting and frail little thing. She was a true talent, but didn’t learn like Beyonce, that we also like happy songs.
My list, because I dated a tortured soul in my youth, would’ve included Tonic’s If You Could Only See, and the Verve Pipe’s Freshmen.
And Cuba Gooding Jr? I don’t miss you.
Chris plumb recently posted…High School Didn’t Define Me (or Did It?)
Natalie DeYoung
I know. You definitely have to be in a specific mood for Fiona Apple.
Both of your songs are definitely iconic for breaking up in the mid-90’s, especially if you were dealing with a tortured soul. I do have some experience with those…
Shae
I LOVE this post! I just recently went through a break up and a few of these songs are on my break up list. I like to add a few man hater songs too to try and give myself a bad ass boost because I, like you, tend to be a bit of a drama queen. Thanks for showing me I am not alone in my dramatic outbursts of love!
Shae recently posted…Oui Oui- Ladies Agree, Accents Bring Sexy Back
Natalie DeYoung
Here’s to drama queens everywhere!