14 Depressing Indie and Rock Songs About Breakups, Heartbreak, and Rejection – Just In Time for Valentine’s Day!
Valentine’s Day is tomorrow – do you have someone to give a Valentine to? If not, then this playlist is for you! Whether you have had a recent breakup, rejection, or things aren’t going too well in your love life then join the club, the best medicine is some nice, depressing music that you can relate to.
Fortunately, there are thousands of songs that PeteHatesMusic could’ve chosen, as break ups are apparently a popular theme for artists. Oh, you poor, tortured soul! We tried to go with newer songs, not necessarily classics, and songs that might not jump out at you at first. Indie and rock songs are the major focus here, along with some brilliant lyrical storytelling that begs a second listen.
The list is below, and the video from the YouTube playlist is embedded, and you can skip ahead if you don’t like the song (or are too depressed) and the next song will show up. Magic! Alternatively, you can watch the videos via this link and head over to YouTube, since they don’t have enough web traffic. Since Valentine’s Day is on the 14th, we have chosen 14 songs. They are listed below, in no particular order, but perhaps most depressing to least depressing might’ve been a cool way to organize it. Without further adieu, your “anti-Valentine’s Day” playlist.
14 Breakup/Heartbreak/Crumbling Relationship/Rejection Songs
Coldplay – The Scientist: A brilliant analogy (and video), comparing Chris Martin’s relationship confusion with science. Too bad Bunsen and Beaker from the Muppets didn’t make a cameo in the video.
City and Colour – Sometimes (I Wish): Dallas Green ponders his lover’s feelings, questions himself and has doubts which he raises over a series of questions.
Keane – We Might As Well Be Strangers: If your relationship gets so bad, you don’t recognize the person you’ve fallen in love with, then this is the song for you.
The Black Keys – Things Ain’t Like They Used to Be: Time to move on, ‘cause things ain’t like they used to be
Arcade Fire – Crown of Love: Do you pursue your lost love and beg forgiveness or just let it go?
Amy Winehouse – Love is a Losing Game: Pretty sure the title says it all.
Stars – Your Ex-Lover is Dead: Brilliant opening verse, about running into an ex, and having moved on or forgotten about them (like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotlight Mind, sort of – which is a great movie to watch if you’re heartbroken and depressed!)
Joy Division – Love Will Tear Us Apart: When you love someone so much, it breaks you up.
Arctic Monkeys – Cornerstone: Alex Turner has a way with words. He crafts a story about a breakup, and looking for his ex’s image in other new girls.
Beck – Lonesome Tears: Beck threw everyone for a curve ball when he release Sea Change, an entire album full of breakup songs.
The Smashing Pumpkins – Perfect: I remember Howard Stern grilling Billy Corgan about this song, asking him if it was about his ex-wife. Hint: most likely.
Matthew Good – Born Losers: A vicious song, written shortly after Matthew Good’s divorce.
A Perfect Circle – 3 Libras: Heartfelt song about desiring someone, and them not knowing you even exist. It’s called HIGH SCHOOL!
The xx – Heart Skipped a Beat: When a relationship ends, and it’s not mutual (which is the case 99% of the time), then you can likely relate to this song.
Check out our 2013 playlist which has 14 more indie and rock songs for breakups.
How about your thoughts – obviously, there are many more songs we could’ve included, but any glaring omissions? How about your own favourite breakup songs? Were you inspired to breakup with someone after listening to the songs below? I know I am (sorry, baby)!
Let us know in the comments section, on Twitter @PeteHatesMusic, or on Facebook on the PeteHatesMusic page. But of course, you already follow us on Twitter and Like us on Facebook, right??
14 Depressing Songs About Breakups, Heartbreak, and Rejection
Good list – Matt Good was a bit of an odd choice though. I like Muse, Time is Running Out, as well as lots of Bright Eyes stuff.
There is no question about it. Pearl Jam’s Indifference is my favourite song when in the depths of despair of relationship hell or even when in hell itself. All in all a great mix- love the smashing pumpkins pick. Another fave when i’m feeling a little down-trodden!!
The Last Day of our Acquaintance by Sinead O’Connor is a great song.
Even better is REM’s The One I Love, made even better by the fact that most people don’t seem to get that it’s really obviously not a love song. I’ve heard Michael Stipe say he’s seen people fucking at concerts during that song, but it’s not a love song; it’s pretty dark.
Spot on with the One I Love comment. Same with Better Man by Pearl Jam; people just hear one snippet of a song and assume the WRONG thing about it, which is quite hilarious actually.