Songs about Relationships Ending

Subject: Songs about Relationships Ending
From: GUEST,Pam
Date: 21 Apr 13 - 02:55 AM

Ok, this may be a hard one to track down.
I am looking for songs that talk about relationships ending (not necessarily marriage) but any long term (over 5 years of dating someone).
Now most relationships that end (that are long term) the person who wants out/to end it will usually tell the other person something or another - why they want to stop seeing that person or whatever their reason is. Or some people may be a coward and just send the other person a "Dear John" letter and explain it that way.
Some might choose just to call the other person on the phone and tell them, "It is over" which of course is very unfair and terrible.

However, the worst situation of all is not telling the other person anything at all, so unfair, so cruel, so cold and cowardly way to do this to another person. As difficult as it may be to tell someone you no longer want to see them anymore, I think that (especially when you have been seeing someone for 5 years) that you need to tell that person why you no longer want to see them.

But...I am looking for songs that are about long term relationships ending and there is absolutely no closure whatsoever.
Nothing said verbally, no letter, not even a phone call.

I can only think of songs where there is a line or two, "My guy, or my girl left me for someone new, they said it's over" etc, etc.
Just an example, but most songs about relationships do not mention the other person leaving them in such a cold and heartless way where there is absolutely no closure whatsoever.

If anyone can think of a song like that, please post it.

Subject: RE: Songs about Relationships Ending
From: Dave MacKenzie
Date: 21 Apr 13 - 04:10 AM

That sounds like more or else everything in Country and Western.

Subject: Lyr Add: USED TO BE
From: Kit Griffiths
Date: 21 Apr 13 - 04:21 AM

Two that spring to mind -"Let me down easy" by Ralph McTell, and "About the Children" by Tom Paxton.

When my first marriage broke up, I wrote this (don't know how to do music notation, so just the lyrics):

USED TO BE

Used to be I'd write you love-songs, just to see you smile,
Used to buy you foolish gifts, to make you laugh awhile,
Used to be we'd stop right there, and make love on the floor,
That's just the way it used to be, but never any more
-Any more.

Used to be I'd sing for you, and we would harmonise,
The songs were soft and sad, but there was laughter in our eyes.
But gin and late nights cracked that voice that rang like Lady Day,
And one too many hopeless vigils took my tunes away,
-My tunes away.

We killed all the love that we once lived for.
We chewed it up and spat it on the ground.
In the past, we bruised and bent and battered it,
But now we stepped right on in there and shattered it.
So now it's down to maintenance,
To weigh a marriage in pounds and pence,
And head for separate lifeboats now the ship is going down
-She's going down.

And Sunday summer evenings now aren't what they used to be,
I stay alone at home most times, and sit and watch TV,
And maybe I drink too much wine for our talks to go too deep,
And nights when you come home at all, we go to bed to sleep,
-Just to sleep.

Used to be my sad songs moved you, now you sit dry-eyed,
We've changed our ways: I think I liked you better when you cried.
Could be that we loved too early, maybe learned too late,
When love turns to indifference, it hurts much more than hate,
-So much more than hate.

It's no use blaming you, you're just the piper.
I called the tune and paid you in advance,
And now, with all these crowds of people watching,
-I'm scared to show that I don't know the dance.

Subject: RE: Songs about Relationships Ending
From: Acorn4
Date: 21 Apr 13 - 04:26 AM

Just go to any open mike night and you'll find an endless supply of singer songwriters bewailing their love lives - some very interesting angles in "Another Side of Bob Dylan" though.

Subject: RE: Songs about Relationships Ending
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 21 Apr 13 - 05:20 AM

As mentioned, there are a lot of country/western songs of the kind, although it would be hard to say whether on the basis of "broken hearts per song" the theme is better represented in CW than in folk. A difference might be that in folk(ish?) lore often someone gets killed (usually murdered?), while in C/W it's more likely just a "parting of ways."

While I may have missed some in the folk area, C/W seems to include many more that are "celebrations" rather than "lamentations."

"Thank God and Greyhound (She's Gone)" is a C/W of the latter kind that comes to mind and that's well known, but not well enough (by me) to quote lyrics or citation.

Mike Cross also does one called "Best Friend" that starts off:

The best friend I ever had has run off with my wife,
And left me here alone to face the problems of my life.
The best friend I ever had has stole my wife somehow,
I never liked him much before, but Lord I love him now.

...
He didn't have to sneak her off, I would have helped her pack,
But he'll still be my best friend, Long as he don't bring her back.

He's the one who'll get to feel her warm and tender touch,
But if she treats him like she did me, he won't feel it much.
In time he'll learn to understand, the nature of his luck,
And he'll love her like a 'possum on the higway loves a truck.

(verses may be out of order, and aren't complete, but ...)

Full lyrics for "Best Friend" may have been posted here previously, but I don't have an instant link handy.

Cross also has done one called just "Bill," IIRC, that's an exceedingly warped "funeral eulogy" that might qualify as the ending of a relationship, and may also have been posted in another thread.

John

Subject: RE: Songs about Relationships Ending
From: paul vaughan
Date: 21 Apr 13 - 05:47 AM

George Jones - Good Year For The Roses. I can hardly bear the sight of lipstick on the cigarettes there in the ashtray
Lyin cold the way you left em, but at least your lips caressed them while
You packed
Or the lip-print on a half-filled cup of coffee that you poured and didn't drink
But at least you thought you wanted it, that's so much more than I can say
For me

What a good year for the roses
Many blooms still linger there
The lawn could stand another mowin
Funny I don't even care
As you turn to walk away
As the door behind you closes
The only thing I have to say
Its been a good year for the roses

After three full years of marriage, it's the first time that you haven't
Made the bed
I guess the reason were not talkin, there's so little left to say we
Haven't said
While a million thoughts go racin through my mind, I find I haven't said a word
from the bedroom the familiar sound of a babys cryin goes unheard

What a good year for the roses
Many blooms still linger there
The lawn could stand another mowin
Funny I don't even care
As you turn to walk away
As the door behind you closes
The only thing I have to say
Its been a good year for the roses

Subject: RE: Songs about Relationships Ending
From: Susan of DT
Date: 21 Apr 13 - 06:02 AM

Tom Paxton wrote a couple:
Last Thing on my Mind
Hold onto Me
This is not a situation that comes up in the Child Ballads very often, in Fair Annie he is going to leave her after having seven sons by her, because he can get a dowry if he marries someone else. The plot twists from there, with him marrying her sister and then, depending on the version, either the original couple lives happily ever after or the sisters have him killed.

Subject: RE: Songs about Relationships Ending
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 21 Apr 13 - 10:54 AM

But broadside ballads and folk songs are full of them. Soldier/sailor gets girl pregnant or not then goes off to war and rest of song is a lament for the lost lover. Many songs are just the lament itself and often the girl commits suicide.

Subject: RE: Songs about Relationships Ending
From: olddude
Date: 21 Apr 13 - 11:04 AM

Here is one I wrote
Chasing the Wind

such as it is

Subject: RE: Songs about Relationships Ending
From: GUEST,LDB
Date: 21 Apr 13 - 11:21 AM

How about
Kenny Rogers "You Picked a Fine Time to Leave Me Lucille"

Subject: RE: Songs about Relationships Ending
From: Ebbie
Date: 21 Apr 13 - 12:36 PM

Good song, Dan. I enjoyed it.

Subject: RE: Songs about Relationships Ending
From: GUEST,olddude
Date: 21 Apr 13 - 01:09 PM

This one was written by mudcatter JT Oglesby   (jayto)
guess I'm a road

Subject: RE: Songs about Relationships Ending
From: GUEST,olddude
Date: 21 Apr 13 - 01:16 PM

Thanks Ebbie, I am just an amateur
I like Jt's song guess I'm a road, he did a great job writing that one
sadly JT doesn't visit us here at mudcat anymore either. Miss him

Subject: RE: Songs about Relationships Ending
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 21 Apr 13 - 02:17 PM

Certainly Paxton's Last Thing On My mind, mentioned above ~~

"Are you going away with no word of farewell?
Will there be not a trace left behind?"

Practically archetypal.

~M~

Subject: RE: Songs about Relationships Ending
From: GUEST,JTT
Date: 21 Apr 13 - 02:21 PM

He stopped loving her today,
They placed a wreath upon his door....

Subject: RE: Songs about Relationships Ending
From: fat B****rd
Date: 21 Apr 13 - 02:48 PM

I don't know whether pop songs are allowed here but Cher's "You'd better sit down, kids" whilst not to my taste, always had a sad sad ring to it. Charlie -reaching for tissues.

Subject: RE: Songs about Relationships Ending
From: GUEST,olddude
Date: 21 Apr 13 - 02:49 PM

Charlie, I forgot about that song, please pass the tissues

Subject: RE: Songs about Relationships Ending
From: GUEST,Gail
Date: 21 Apr 13 - 04:07 PM

Here are 3 verses from John Hiatt's 'Lipstick Sunset'.


And I left my lover waiting
In the dawn somewhere to wonder why
By the end of the day
All her sweet dreams would fade
To a lipstick sunset

Well, a radio was playing
And that ol' summer heat was on the rise
I just had to get away
Before some sad old song
Brought tears to my eyes

And lord I couldn't tell her
That her love was only killing me
By the end of the day
All her sweet dreams would fade
To a lipstick sunset

Subject: RE: Songs about Relationships Ending
From: GUEST,STM
Date: 21 Apr 13 - 04:23 PM

Perhaps slightly more cryptic than you're looking for but I always find Richard Thompson's Dimming of the Day to be a gut wrenching break up lament. Beautiful tune as always, here are the lyrics:

This old house is falling down around my ears
I'm drowning in a river of my tears
When all my will is gone you hold me sway
I need you at the dimming of the day

You pull me like the moon pulls on the tide
You know just where I keep my better side

What days have come to keep us far apart
A broken promise or a broken heart
Now all the bonnie birds have wheeled away
I need you at the dimming of the day

Come the night you're only what I want
Come the night you could be my confident

I see you on the street in company
Why don't you come and ease your mind with me
I'm living for the night we steal away
I need you at the dimming of the day
I need you at the dimming of the day

Subject: RE: Songs about Relationships Ending
From: GUEST,Whistle Stop
Date: 22 Apr 13 - 11:12 AM

Some good suggestions here. I was going to mention "Good Year For the Roses," but someone beat me to it. I learned that one through Elvis Costello's cover version, which was beautifully done.

Another Hiatt tune, in addition to "Lipstick Sunset," is "Crossing Muddy Water." The lyrics are easy to find, so I won't post them here, but I think it fits the criteria to a tee.

Subject: RE: Songs about Relationships Ending
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 22 Apr 13 - 12:11 PM

Red Apple Juice

Said all I can say and I've done all I can do
Ain't no living here for me with you

Done all I can do and I've said all I can say
Going home to my mammy next pay day

~M~

Subject: RE: Songs about Relationships Ending
From: Mr Red
Date: 22 Apr 13 - 12:25 PM

Richard Thompson wrote a few. What was the one about "She twists the knife"?

Subject: RE: Songs about Relationships Ending
From: Greg F.
Date: 22 Apr 13 - 12:28 PM

Pat Sky's "A Girl I Once Did Own"

Subject: RE: Songs about Relationships Ending
From: Greg F.
Date: 22 Apr 13 - 12:40 PM

Eric Anderson's "Close The Door Lightly When You Go"

Tom Rush's "No Regrets"

Subject: RE: Songs about Relationships Ending
From: kendall
Date: 22 Apr 13 - 01:26 PM

The road to Dunmoore, Robbie O'Connell.
Circle of friends, David Mallett

Subject: RE: Songs about Relationships Ending
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 22 Apr 13 - 02:36 PM

So fare thee well, my bonny own girl
I never may see you more
But I'll ne'er forget your kindness
In the cottage by the shore
And at each social gathering
A flowing glass I'll drain
And I'll drink a health to my Creole girl
By the lakes of Pontchartrain

Subject: RE: Songs about Relationships Ending
From: fat B****rd
Date: 22 Apr 13 - 03:16 PM

Your pretty brown eyes
Your wavy hair
I won't go home no more
'cos you're not there

I'm telling you now like I told you before
I'm so in love with you
Don't leave me no more

Lipstick traces
On a cigarette
Every memory lingers
With me yet.

Allen Toussaint/Benny Spellman

Subject: RE: Songs about Relationships Ending
From: Airymouse
Date: 22 Apr 13 - 04:09 PM

Not folk music, but two of William Butler Yeats's poems which have been set to music deal with your topic: Down by the Salley Gardens and Falling of the Leaves.

Subject: RE: Songs about Relationships Ending
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 22 Apr 13 - 04:16 PM

Check out Dave Carter's song I'm Walking Away From Caroline from their Tanglewood Tree CD.

Some great lines: Caroline says, I love you, but you know that she's lyin'/Cause I'm lyin' too, and I'm walking away from Caroline.

Earlier there's a line about: and it's four in the morning and I just don't care, and I'm walking away from Caroline.

Subject: RE: Songs about Relationships Ending
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 22 Apr 13 - 04:27 PM

Here's a youtube link to someone else playing Dave's song. I have had no luck doing the blicky thing, but you can copy and paste it in and it should work.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmt3LRvVYVE

Subject: RE: Songs about Relationships Ending
From: Elmore
Date: 22 Apr 13 - 08:25 PM

Red Foley's "Old Shep".

r

r

Subject: Lyr Add: IT'S OVER NOW (Ian Campbell)
From: GUEST,Frug
Date: 23 Apr 13 - 04:11 AM

IT'S OVER NOW
(Ian Campbell)

It seems that after all there is nothing left to say,
We've said it all a thousand times before.
Now you're taking your belongings from my bag of broken dreams
And shouting silent sadness through my door.

We knew we loved each other and the step was ours to take,
And happiness together we would find.
When I think of all the promises we made each other make
There's a hollow laughter echoes in my mind.

It's over now, it's gone forever.
Let's admit there's nothing left for us, my sweet.
And let's keep a shred of dignity and save each other's pride,
So we won't be too ashamed next time we meet.

Every time you made me suffer and I took you back again,
Your guilty smile would drive away my care.
I loved you and forgave you, but I didn't realize
That forgiveness can be just too much to bear.

It's over now, it's gone forever,
And we've often said (that?) every good thing ends.
Let's keep it nice and civilized, pretend for old time's sake,
That love is gone but still we can be friends.

Our secret words were whispered in the safety of the dark
As we traced each other's faces in the night.
But we shouted out the angry words that could not be unsaid
In the glaring face to face of blazing light.

Oh the things we bought together we'll divide with jealous care,
But we know that both of us will leave behind
Little things that get forgotten, maybe difficult to see -
A tie, a scarf, a scar upon the mind.

It's over now, it's gone forever,
And instead of parting tears, a graceful bow.
Let's be grateful for the lesson - love alone is not enough.
And when people ask we'll say "It's over now".

Subject: RE: Songs about Relationships Ending
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 23 Apr 13 - 03:58 PM

Oh and Roy Harper's I'll See You Again.

Subject: RE: Songs about Relationships Ending
From: Siochain
Date: 23 Apr 13 - 10:09 PM

"Where Are You Tonight I Wonder" - Andy Stewart

"Withered and Died" - Richard Thompson

Subject: RE: Songs about Relationships Ending
From: Stewie
Date: 23 Apr 13 - 10:33 PM

They seldom come better crafted than Chris Smither's 'Slow Surprise':

Slow Surprise

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Songs about Relationships Ending
From: akenaton
Date: 24 Apr 13 - 03:04 AM

One of the most moving songs about relationships that I've ever heard, is Mary Chapin Carpenter's "Goodbye Again",an examination of the destructive effect of a relationship between a married man and the "other woman"

Subject: RE: Songs about Relationships Ending
From: akenaton
Date: 24 Apr 13 - 03:10 AM

Goodbye Again HERE

Subject: Lyr Add: A FEW OLD MEMORIES (Hazel Dickens)
From: deepdoc1
Date: 27 Apr 13 - 09:11 AM

A FEW OLD MEMORIES
(Hazel Dickens)

Just a few old memories
Slipped in through my door
Though I thought I had closed it
So tightly before
I can't understand it
Why it should bother my mind
For it all belongs to
another place and time

Just a few old keep-sakes
Way back on the shelf
No, they don't mean nothin'
Well I'm surprised that they're left
Just a few old love letters
With the edges all brown
And an old faded picture
I keep turned upside-down

Just a few old memories
Going way back in time
Why I can hardly remember
I don't know why I'm cryin'
I can't understand it
Why I'm surprised myself
First thing tomorrow morning
I'll clean off that shelf

Just a few old keep-sakes
Way back on the shelf
No, they don't mean nothin'
I'm surprised that they're left
Just a few old love letters
With the edges all brown
And an old faded picture
I keep turned upside-down