You recently ended a relationship. You’re feeling all the feelings, including anger, anguish, sadness, and tears.
coping mechanisms? You might binge on television shows, fast food, or write your feelings out in a private journal.
Or, if you’re a well-known musician, you can choose to make a fiery diss song directed at your ex.
Then post it online, step back, and watch the fireworks.
At least, that’s what Shakira accomplished with her song about former player Gerard Piqué, Out of Your League, which set YouTube records.
She is not alone either. Miley Cyrus’ song Flowers, according to fans, is about her ex-boyfriend Liam Hemsworth.
It’s nothing new for pop stars to express their unfiltered emotions through music. Just ask Adele or Taylor Swift, the two reigning ballad-breakup queens.
Or Justin Bieber, The Weeknd, and Ariana Grande—just a few of the famous performers said to have written songs with a heartbreak theme.
What’s the secret to creating the ideal breakup song, though? And why is listening to them so enjoyable?
A tale of (lost) love
Most of us get dumped (or perform the dumping) at some point in our lives, which is certainly the most evident factor contributing to the genre’s popularity.
It aches. We can connect.
Martin Wright, the director of the British and Irish Modern Music (BIMM) Institute in Brighton, claims as much.
He argues that the narrative is key to the best breakup songs.
The reason for the split is the subsequent ingredient.
Martin queries, “Is it lovers scorned, or might it be something along the lines of life changing and falling out of love?
“And after that, we analyse the present situation using a breakup song. So how does one feel about breaking up?
There are several alternatives available. The “I’m so over this” stance is a common one, as exemplified by Ariana Grande:
“I turned out amazing/I’ve learned from the sorrow.”
Alternately, you may adopt Olivia Rodrigo’s songwriting style and her slower-paced approach:
And now that I’m gone, I just don’t see how you can be doing so well.
stopping things
What happens next is the icing on the cake since no good story is complete without it.
Martin claims that this is where the chorus and gazing ahead are crucial.
You might use a positive tone, like Adele:
Nevermind, I’ll find someone who is similar to you.
or follow Beyoncé’s example:
“Baby, I won’t cry for you. I won’t miss a wink of sleep. The fact is, replacing you is so simple.”
Alternately, adopt Taylor Swift’s resolve:
But we won’t ever get back together, ever, ever, ever. possibly ever
What is the story, then?
Martin explains, “If I break up with you, it’s about empowerment, emancipation, and freedom.
But if you break up with me, it might be motivated by sadness, resentment, and occasionally even retribution.
Shakira impressively condenses the majority of these aspects into a single statement in the song “Out of Your League”:
“I won’t get back with you, not even if you plead,” she said.
tears were seen flowing down the page.
In addition to being enjoyable to listen to, break-up songs can be beneficial to the people who write them.
London-born singer-songwriter Nahli claims that immediately following a breakup, she begins writing “in the raw state.”
She describes the sensation as “being like you just have this lump in your throat, a heavy, dreadful feeling, and you feel ill.”
Nahli, who has shared the stage with artists such as Sigma, claims that she used to record her feelings in her diary. She is now composing music based on those notebook entries.
When you’ve recorded them at the time, when you’re sobbing onto the paper that the tears run down and smear the ink,
“That’s when my deepest emotions are spilling out,” the speaker said.
