12 classic breakup songs that are actually just incredibly toxic: Do you agree?
Is there any music style that you feel sounds kind of special, one that you listen to when you’re just transitioning out of love? Some of the most popular breakup anthems in popular music can be evocations of stalking, property destruction, obsession and emotional manipulation if you listen closely enough.
We sang along. We sang along a lot.
“Every breath you take” by The Police (1983)
Sting says in interviews, frequently with people from a broad cross-section of society, it’s about obsession and surveillance, not love. Billboard confirmed it is often played at weddings.
“You oughta know” by Alanis Morissette (1995)
A revenge fantasy. Morissette said so herself. Hell Music Theory observes that the song is one that will prove endless trouble.
“Before he cheats” by Carrie Underwood (2005)
You may think the song doesn’t do much but suddenly you hear she destroys his truck. Billboard calls it one of the greatest breakup songs ever.
“Someone like you” by Adele (2011)
We all love Adele, but some of her songs can make you feel uneasy if you listen carefully. This song is about a person who, unannounced, walks into their ex’s house after he’s long since moved on and married. Hell Music Theory claims this as emotional release.
“I will always love you” by Whitney Houston (1992)
Loving someone for eternity and then some can be borderline obsessive. Most hold that the Dolly Parton version is nothing more than a soft goodbye.
“Mr. Brightside” by The Killers (2003)
Considering what your ex is doing with her new partner. In detail. Billboard defines it as a defining song of the 2000s.
“Total eclipse of the heart” by Bonnie Tyler (1983)
Jim Steinman wrote it for a vampire musical, so that seems like a good bit. This is the kind of relationship the textbook talks about, Public Domain Music notes, in which neither party has an outside personality.
“Jar of hearts” by Christina Perri (2010)
Hell Music Theory describes it as one of the more accurate descriptions imaginable of a narcissistic pattern in the pop catalog.
“Hot n cold” by Katy Perry (2008)
Lyrical contradiction: yes then no, up then down, right then wrong. Public Domain Music makes it a portrait of emotional doubt.
“Bad romance” by Lady Gaga (2009)
A good recipe for romantic disaster. Billboard classified it as one of the top pop songs of the century.
“Irreplaceable” by Beyoncé (2006)
“All the way to the left” certainly elevated the English language. But “I can have another you in a minute,” at least, is something to hear. Billboard thinks it’s one of the best breakup songs.
“Back to December” by Taylor Swift (2010)
That’s full force emotion, according to Billboard. It concerns someone who is unwilling to move on and has pledged to explain that to whoever, in particular, has moved on.
The bottom line
None of these songs are bad. They’re great songs about behaviors, for which outside of the music you would almost gently say a friend just needs help, that something is going to help someone else. Turn the music off. Read only the lyrics. Different story.
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