If you happen to be reading this article, you’re probably not looking forward to a day of romantic couple based bliss tomorrow.
You are however probably looking forward to a day of being surrounded by people infinitely more happy, less alone and entirely better adjusted than you are; and in turn having whatever your cynicism levels were previously increased tenfold.
But don’t worry, thousands of people have been as unlucky in love as you’ve been, and some of them have been kind enough to write songs about it.
I Just Don’t Know What to Do With Myself – The White Stripes
The White Stripes minimalistic arrangement of Dusty Springfield’s 1960’s hit perfectly captures the feeling of post breakup emptiness. With Jack White’s screeching vocals and distorted guitar summing up the complex mixture of boredom, frustration, and anger you may well is feeling. Sofia Coppola’s (Virgin Suicides, Lost in Translation) video of a youthful Kate Moss’s suggestive dancing, adds compelling visual accompaniment.
So Fresh So Clean – OutKast
If you’re happy and accepting of your status as single and brimming with optimism at your sexual value – or just in denial – Outkast’s early 90’s hip hop classic is the perfect soundtrack. Its squelchy bass line and laid back vocals convey a quite self-confidence I think we all wished we had.
Pair of Brown Eyes – The Pogues
A modern Irish classic, it tells the story of a one summers evening where a drunken man pining over his lost love hears the story of an old veteran of the Spanish Civil war. He recounts his tale of seeing untold death and horror everywhere only to return home to find his beautiful brown eyed girlfriend had left him. Just be thankful you’re not that guy, and enjoy Shane McGowan’s whisky drenched vocals and the rousing traditional instrumentation.
Janis Ian – At 17
Taking the charts by storm in the early 1970’s, this classic track brings back the near universal memories of high school misery by the truckload. Its intimate vocals, bossa nova influenced guitar chords, and tale of an ugly duckling teenager overlooked for clear skinned prom queen beauties still strikes a chord today.
Disciple – Slayer
If you’ve moved on from lovelorn heartbreak – to just plain angry, this may well just be the track for you. One of the extreme metal luminaries more approachable works; its catchy refrains of “God Hates Us All” and delectable trash metal riffing should match even the angriest among us for sheer destructive enthusiasm.