Joelle’s Top Five: Break Up Songs
If record-store people were smart, they would file breakup music in a separate section. Because even though breakup songs cross almost every genre, it’s a very distinct kind of music. We’ve chosen five Breakup Music Hall of Fame first-ballot inductees to accompany this article, and none of them is simply a love song. They’re all about getting dumped and getting even. In the best breakup music, the song is actually an instrument of vengeance.
5. ¨Cry Me A River¨ – Justin Timberlake (2002)
Classic breakup line: “Girl I refuse, you must have me confused/ with some other guy/ Your bridges were burned, and now it’s your turn to cry.”
The fact that Justin Timberlake wrote this for Britney Spears makes it legendary in its own right. This bittersweet song captured the heart of thousands of fans, and was a staple item in the beginning of Timberlake´s career. Bet he´s glad everything worked out the way it did.
4. ¨Piece Of My Heart¨ – Erma Franklin (1967)
