Reflection 5: All By Myself—Anatomy of a Heartbreak Song

Love, we can’t get enough of it. 

But when things go south, we often turn to the old standby, the heartbreak song. Paradoxically, it is often not cheerful, uplifting music that gets us through our darkest moments, but sad songs. In fact, there’s a heartbreak song for just about every occasion—getting dumped, despair, unrequited love, regret, anger, infidelity, and unrelenting heartache.

For this reflection, analyze three of the following classic heartbreak songs. For example, how have these songs become stand-in therapy for millions? Why do they speak to people?

1. Toni Braxton, "Un-Break My Heart"
2. Bonnie Raitt, "I Can't Make You Love Me" 
3. Bill Withers, "Ain't No Sunshine"
4. ABBA, "The Winner Takes it All" 
5. Olivia Newton-John, "Hopelessly Devoted to You" [from Grease]
6. Roxette, "It Must Have Been Love"
7. Jewel, "You Were Meant for Me"
8. Candace Glover, "I Who Have Nothing" [Tom Jones cover] 
9. Beyoncé , “Irreplaceable”
10. Jim Croce, "Operator (That's Not the Way it Feels)"
11. Patsy Cline, "She's Got You" 
12. Elvis Presley, "You Were Always on My Mind"
13. Roy Orbison, "Crying" 
14. Eric Carmen, "All By Myself" 
15. Alicia Keys, "If I Ain't Got You"
16. Sam Smith, "I Know I'm Not the Only One"
17. Macy Gray, "I Try"
18. Sinéad O'Connor, "Nothing Compares 2 U" [Prince cover]
19. Adele, "make You Feel My Love" [Bob Dylan cover]
20. Lea Michele, 'What I Did For Love" [from A Chorus Line] 
21. Elton John, "Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word"
22. Bee Gees, "How Do You Mend a Broken Heart" 
23. Boyz II Men, "End of the Road"
24. Hank Williams, “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry”
25. Carole King, "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" 
26. Adele, "Hello"
27. Des'ree, "I'm Kissing You"
28. Dusty Springfield, "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me"
29. The Beatles, "Yesterday"  
30. Alanis Morissette. "You Oughta Know"
31. Barbra Streisand, "The Way We Were"
32. Mariah Carey, "I'll Be There" [Jackson Five cover]
33. Brenda Lee, "I'm Sorry"
34. Samantha Banks, "On My Own [from Les Miserables]
35. George Michael, "Careless Whisper" 

Required:

• MLA Style
• Short answer responses
• One page in length

Due: Wed 10.17