Songs for the Heart Broken

Cupid, n. The so-called god of love. This bastard creation of a barbarous fancy was no doubt inflicted upon mythology for the sins of its deities. Of all unbeautiful and inappropriate conceptions this is the most reasonless and offensive. The notion of symbolizing sexual love by a semisexless babe, and comparing the pains of passion to the wounds of an arrow—of introducing this pudgy homunculus into art grossly to materialize the subtle spirit and suggestion of the work—this is eminently worthy of the age that giving it birth, laid it on the doorstep of posterity.
Ambrose Bierce (1842 – 1914?), writer, from “The Devil’s Dictionary”

What kind of misanthrope would I be if I didn’t offer up songs for the day after Valentine’s Day? While everything maybe hunky dory today just remember there is tomorrow, as the optimistic “Annie” sings. So, looking toward tomorrow and the days after Cupid’s day, I offer you a collection of songs for the broken hearted:

The Party’s Over – (when you wake up Sunday you may realize the truth) – Nate King Cole, The Billy May Sessions

Cottage for Sale – (my personal saddest song) – Nate King Cole, The Billy May Sessions

I’m Hurtin’ – (a honest assessment without sounding heartbroken) – Nate King Cole, The Billy May Sessions

Don’t Worry ‘bout Me – (“Live at the Sands” offers the best version, but the version on “Where are You” released in 1957 showcases the silky voiced Chairman of the Board) – Frank Sinatra

Thanks for the Memory – (this is not the happy Bing Crosby/Bob Hope tune, if you still know who they were) Frank Sinatra “She Shot me Down” released in 1981

In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning – (this is where you could be in just hours after midnight; this classic captures those lonely hours best) – In the Wee Small Hours by Frank Sinatra released in 1954

I Wanna Be Around – (this is one of the best ‘you’ll get yours’ songs) – from the Might as Well Be Swing Sinatra and Basie album released in 1961

Now let’s listen to what the rock and rollers have to say:

Almost Hear You Sigh – (every female who has heard this song likes it, including daughter) – Rolling Stones from “Steel Wheels”

Slippin’ Away – (or maybe this was the song every female who has heard this song likes it, including daughter) – Rolling Stones from “Steel Wheels”

Already Over Me – (Mick being a bit melodramatic, but good nonetheless) – Rolling Stones “Bridges to Babylon”

Melt My Heart to Stone – (see, I listen to some new music, this song is very good, but I enjoy the whole CD months before she appeared on Saturday Night Live) – From the singer Adele and her début CD “Adele 19”

Hate it Here – (this is the modern version of Cottage for Sale and strikes me as very sad) – Wilco from “Sky Blue Sky”

Love Stinks – (a bit too commercial for me, but good nonetheless) – The J. Geils Band

You’re Breaking My Heart – (this sums it all up) – Harry Nilsson from “Son of Schmilsson”

This is by no means my definitive list, but just quickly scrolling through my list of music, I thought this would be a good starter list for the realists out there.