2010s songs, heartbreak

#339 You Can’t Break My Heart- Kat Edmonson

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Now I have nothing left/
Only heartache and regret.

I like the concept of Kat Edmonson’s “You Can’t Break My Heart”. Edmonson sings a song to her lover telling them that she really isn’t heartbroken.  By the sound of her voice we know that’s not true. She’ll admit to heartache and regret, and that her world is falling apart, but “broken” is one step too far for her.

That seems to be an important distinction in her mind. Her heart might be left with a little scar, but it will not break.  We understand that there is a distinction between heartache and a full-on broken heart: the former is temporary and less severe.  But the tone of the song and the tone of her voice lead us to believe she is just putting on a brave face.

You Can't Break My Heart Meaning
Kat Edmonson

The sound of the song is really unique. The first thing we notice is Edmonson’s voice. The best way to describe it is “vintage”. The song sounds like a French woman pulled from the 1940s singing a contemporary song with a Latino vibe…in English. But I like it. I think the Latino vibe comes from the nylon string acoustic guitar in a minor key (I assume)…along with the muted trumpets. It is an interesting combination. I also like the subtle use of the timpani. I wouldn’t mind more timpani in my rock and pop music.

You Can’t Break My Heart Lyrics

What good does true love do?
Why’d I fall in love with you?
You can break a promise but
You can’t break my heart
If I can’t change your mind
You go your way and I’ll go mine
You can tear my world apart but
You can’t break my heart
Who do you think you are
Walkin’ out on me now
You might leave a little scar
Now I have nothing left
Only heartache and regret
Can break promise but
You can’t break my heart
Who do you think you are
Walkin’ out on me now
You might leave a little scar

But you can’t break my heart
You don’t know where to start
You can break a promise but
You can’t break my heart

Songwriters: Zuniga Alfredo Joaquin

1970s songs, memories

#338 Photographs and Memories- Jim Croce

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And of all of the things that we knew/
Not a dream survived.

Jim Croce might be the best at capturing the bittersweet feelings of remembering an ex-lover. He is an under-rated songwriter and performer. “Photographs and Memories” are all we have of our once happy past, and it is sad. We made many plans together and had good times and bad, but that all came to an end for whatever reason. At the time it meant everything. Now all that is left of that time is photographs and memories, and that shows how fragile relationships are but also how short life can be.

Photographs and Memories Meaning
Jim Croce

Croce’s sings “Photographs and Memories” in a remorseful tone. What if things had turned out differently? He never exaggerates his voice to fake emotion, but he expresses so much. The song is mostly played with two acoustic guitars, but there are some strings added in.

The song ends with a slightly more upbeat outro about how they did have a good time together. It is funny: it is more upbeat compared to the rest of the song but compared to any other song it would still be downright depressing. I like sad songs. Anything that can make you feel anything is a good song in my book.

Photographs and Memories Lyrics
Photographs and memories
Christmas cards you sent to me
All that I have are these
To remember you

Memories that come at night
Take me to another time
Back to a happier day
When I called you mine

But we sure had a good time
When we started way back when
Morning walks and bedroom talks
Oh how I loved you then

Summer skies and lullabies
Nights we couldn’t say good-bye
And of all of the things that we knew
Not a dream survived

Photographs and memories
All the love you gave to me
Somehow it just can’t be true
That’s all I’ve left of you

But we sure had a good time
When we started way back when
Morning walks and bedroom talks
Oh how I loved you then

Songwriters: Jim Croce

1980s songs, life is hard

#337 Ordinary World- Duran Duran

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Where is the life that I recognize?
Gone away.

Duran Duran’s “Ordinary World” is a breakup song and a coming of age song in one. The narrator is missing his significant other who he recently broke up with. Life doesn’t feel the same, and it doesn’t feel like it ever will. It is ironic how he wishes for her shoulder to cry on…as she is his best friend. This thought depresses him more. He knows he needs to get over this somehow and make a new life for himself and find a place for himself in this ordinary world.

Ordinary World Meaning
Duran Duran

His epiphany seems to come in the form of reading the news. There are so many horrible things like wars and poverty, does he have any right to feel this horrible about just a breakup? He will survive, and that is better than a lot of people can say. And that is what he must concentrate on doing now.

That is a lot to express in a five minute song. The song works primarily because it has such a recognizable chorus. The verses are surprisingly recognizable as well. People recognize the theme of the song; it is uplifting and something everybody can relate to feeling a need to hear every once and awhile. The theme is in the chorus: “I will learn to survive”.

Ordinary World Lyrics

Came in from a rainy Thursday on the avenue,
Thought I heard you talking softly.
I turned on the lights, the TV, and the radio,
Still I can’t escape the ghost of you.

What has happened to it all?
Crazy, some’d say.
Where is the life that I recognize?
Gone away.

But I won’t cry for yesterday,
There’s an ordinary world
Somehow I have to find.
And as I try to make my way
To the ordinary world,
I will learn to survive.

Passion or coincidence,
Once prompted you to say,
“Pride will tear us both apart”.
Well, now pride’s gone out the window.
Cross the rooftops,
Run away.
Left me in the vacuum of my heart.

What is happening to me?
Crazy, some’d say.
Where is my friend when I need you most?
Gone away.

But I won’t cry for yesterday,
There’s an ordinary world
Somehow I have to find.
And as I try to make my way
To the ordinary world,
I will learn to survive.

Papers in the roadside
Tell of suffering and greed.
Fear today, forgot tomorrow.
Ooh, here besides the news
Of holy war and holy need,
Ours is just a little sorrowed talk.

And I don’t cry for yesterday,
There’s an ordinary world
Somehow I have to find.
And as I try to make my way
To the ordinary world,
I will learn to survive.

Every world
Is my world
(I will learn to survive).
Any world
Is my world
(I will learn to survive).
Any world
Is my world.

Songwriters: Warren Cuccurullo / Nigel John Taylor / Nick Rhodes / Simon John Charles Le-Bon