Draw Us Lines: Breakup Mix
Words by Rick Moslen
We at Draw Us Lines care! You spend summer days watching friends swim, picnic, and tan in the happy sun while you remain at home with a broken heart from a lost relationship crumbled into yesterday’s rotting garbage. Hang in there—you’ll make it through this. To prove our greatest concern, let’s write a prescription for your sad soul: a break-up mix! The only music mix more meaningful than an “I think I really dig you” compilation is an “I think I hate your fucking guts” mix.
To elaborate, an I-Love-You mix is a gesture. As The Chills sang, “I’d like to say how I love you, but it’s all been said in other songs, and if I try to say it new, then I’ll say it wrong.” A congregation of songs combined into one fluid idea ignites a new way of saying “I think you’re really cool.” It represents a single sensation, while a break-up mix attempts the opposite.
So many emotional hammers nail at your brain after someone close demands a kept distance. A satisfying breakup mix merges your fluttered feelings together to somewhat depict the shittiness. It’s private. It’s internal. It’s not meant for the public—only you. Who cares if the songs don’t “flow well?” Who cares if it doesn’t make sense? Who cares if it sucks—life sucks … sometimes.
With that said, here’s a mix to match whatever point you are in that breakup. Keep in mind that millions of breakup songs exist—half the crap on the radio was written because of a breakup, so plenty of mix options are out there. Here’s one of them … Stream the songs as you read along, or click HERE for a handy-dandy little .zip package of all of the mp3s.
Maxine Nightingale / “Right Back Where We Started From”
Maxine Nightingale / Right Back Where We Started From
So your now-ex just broke the news to you during (what was) a nice home-cooked dinner, or over a clashing phone call, or via a phone text message (that asshole), but you’re obviously in denial. If things can switch back to how they once were, then everything will be better. Right? … Right? You can’t go wrong with this song, since it also puts you in the mood to watch Slapshot. A sweet breakup mix AND a viewing of Slapshot? How can you not feel terrific already?
New Order / “Thieves Like Us”
A day’s passed, you’ve made it this far, but rumors are already flying behind your back. Your friends might as well hear the news from the source, but don’t forget about your sly creativity. Quote a New Order song on your Twitter or Facebook wall and inform the world that you two are over. “It dies so quickly. It grows so slowly, but when it dies, it dies for good. It’s called love. And it belongs to everyone but us.” Appreciating the lyrical sentiment, your friends will instantly take your side. Score!
Joan of Arc / “A Tell-Tale Penis”
Joan of Arc / A Tell-Tale Penis
Everyone’s favorite bartender, Tim Kinsella, knows the right words to say at the right time. Include this on any breakup mix, especially at this stage in the breakup where confusion fades and the sadness flips shit.
Lee Hazelwood / “When a Fool Loves a Fool”
Lee Hazelwood / When a Fool Loves a Fool
Wait, you called off work? Because of the breakup? Oh man, this is rough—don’t lose your job, man. Perhaps the caring yet stern voice of Lee Hazlewood can help? His tone imitates a dad giving you advice—assuming your dad was a mustached hipster cowboy from the 60’s who boned Nancy Sinatra.
Shellac / “Prayer to God”
Let that burgeoning anger out of your system, be it healthy or not. Go to the bar, give her a ring after downing a few shots, and when she picks up, scream a series of expletives that you’ll regret tomorrow morning. Also, never end a relationship with any of the dudes from Shellac. They … ugh … won’t be happy (and you’ll miss out on Steve Albini’s home-cooking). This is the NSFW anthem of sheer breakup RAGE. Enjoy!
Heitmiser / “Cruel Reminder”
OK, I’m sorry—maybe my advice wasn’t the greatest. It’s the morning after the mean phone calls, and a short and sweet “I’m sorry” may be in order. Feel free to sound like a dork and blame a music blog for such actions. On a lighter note, Elliott Smith was bound to make an appearance somewhere on this mix, even if he’s just on guitar.
Jeremy Enigk / “World Waits”
Screw Bon Iver! Sunny Day Real Estate’s Jeremy Enigk was crafting orchestral lonely guy songs back when you were slamming pogs or jamming to Filter albums. Don’t confuse the sentiment and place this on an “I want you back” mix you suavely mail to her. She doesn’t want you back, man. It’s time to move on.
Nina Simone / “I Can’t See Nobody”
Nina Simone / I Can’t See Nobody
So you’ve trapped yourself in your room? Real mature—especially when he’s out having fun with all his “new friends.” While the legendary Nina Simone feels your pain, she wouldn’t approve. Why would you want to disappoint Nina Simone, you dummy!?
Slowdive / “40 Days”
40 days later … it’s time to go out and meet new people. Dance! Sing! Be happy! As for this tune, let the guitar squall at the end of the verses throw you backwards onto your bed and dream that you’re a random character in a Gregg Araki movie with a killer shoegazy soundtrack.
The 6ths / “Falling Out Of Love (With You)”
The 6ths / Falling Out Of Love (With You)
Things are looking up, and best yet, you’re falling out of love with him. Stephen Merritt (Magnetic Fields, Future Bible Heroes) pairs with Dean Wareham (Galaxie 500, Luna) and crafts a song so pop-perfect that you’ll count the days until you fall out of love with someone else and go through this process all over. Hopefully that mix will be even better!
What songs have gotten you through some tough breakups? Are there certain songs or albums that help you forget someone? Get angry at someone? Just move the hell on and get over it? We’ve all had to do it and we all have our own ways, so leave us some comments and let us know!
Filed under: Lists, Not Blake, Jim, or Brendan
Beck’s Sea Change album is pretty devastating. I definitely remember listening to that back in the day.