Even more breakup songs

We didn't have room for all of the breakup songs that I wanted to put in Sunday's roundup of the best breakup songs. Also, some of my choices were deemed "too modern," so we tried to get as diverse of a group of songs in the paper as possible.

The rest ended up here, on my blog. To those of you who have not visited before, welcome to Rock Candy. (Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Leave a comment here or e-mail me at kevin.coffey@owh.com.)

Anyway, here is the rest of the list:

“Take It Easy (Love Nothing)” by Bright Eyes

Another Conor Oberst one, this time from the kinda electronic “Digital Ash in a Digital Urn” album. The song starts with with an, ahem, encounter with a woman and then ends with him getting dumped in a note left at the bedside. The experience makes him “do as I please and lie through my teeth” to women he meets in the future. Who hasn’t been there?
Favorite line: “Someone might get hurt, but it won’t be me/I should probably feel cheap but I just feel free/and a little bit empty”

“Black” by Pearl Jam

You didn’t know this was a breakup song, did you? This Pearl Jam classic from the band’s first album follows around a character who realizes that everything in the world isn’t so sweet now that his lady is gone.
Favorite line: “I know you’ll be a sun in somebody else’s sky, but why, why, why can’t it be, can’t it be mine?”

“Half Your Age” by Kid Rock

The self-proclaimed American Bad Ass has also been dumped. This is his anthem (presumably directed at ex-wife Pam Anderson) about meeting a more attractive, younger woman who does his laundry and loves his mama. What more could you ask for?
Favorite line: “She’s half your age and twice as hot”

“Fighter” by Christina Aguilera

Man, this woman hits all kinds of notes while speeding through lyrics words faster than Eminem. This tune is more of a “thank you” than a “get lost,” assuring the lost love that he made her better, faster, stronger, and a fighter.
Favorite line: “‘Cause if it wasn’t for all of your torture/I wouldn’t know how to be this way now, and never back down/So I wanna say thank you”

“Cry Me a River” by Justin Timberlake

Oh, JT. You may be a good dresser, a fantastic singer and one funny dude (see any of his SNL appearances for proof), but you've been hurt, too. After she dumped you and came running back, you told her to cry you a river. You're right, she has nothing to complain about because it was her choice. Deal with it, lady.
Favorite line: "You told me you loved me/Why did you leave me, all alone/Now you tell me you need me"

“Picture To Burn” by Taylor Swift

Wow. Taylor be angry. This song is all about the fighting after a couple breaks up. Oh, and there's that whole thing about lighting his picture on fire.
Favorite line: "So go and tell your friends/That I’m obsessive and crazy./That’s fine./I’ll tell mine you’re gay."

“Dammit” by Blink-182

The narrator in this fine '90s pop-punk tune seems to be at peace with the fact that the girl is gone, but he's ruminating on all the things that will be different now. And then the realization: "I guess this is growing up."
Favorite line: "I'll smile/and you'll wave/we'll pretend/it's okay/The charade/it won't last/when he's gone/I won't come back"

“Don't Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)” by Mötley Crüe

You don't know whether this song starts out sweet or bitter, but one thing's for certain: he's done with the girl. The refrain (and the song's title) certainly solidifies that sentiment.
Favorite line: "I don't want you to stay"

“Heartless” by Kanye West

After everything you've been through, how can you be so mean to someone you love so much? It's a question for the ages and it looks like one that Kanye has asked himself too.
Favorite line: "I decided we wasn't goin' speak so/Why we up 3 a.m. on the phone?"

“Gives You Hell” by the All-American Rejects

Some of the great breakup songs are the "look how good I'm doing now" ones. Sounds like this one is about a pretty specific girl. I bet she feels all kinds of hell now.
Favorite line: "Truth be told I miss you./ Truth be told I'm lying."