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Is it okay to write sad (subset=breakup) songs?

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Schmendrick:
I believe that when people whine for the sake of whining or because they think of it as a way to get signed it's very difficult to take them seriously. I think that writing a song should be a reflection on yourself. It's just like when people write novels about places they've never been or don't bother to research it, the novel comes out sounding insincere or nieve. If someone writes a song about having this terrible life when they've never experianced it, than it will appear insincere. I think you can really tell when someone writes a song that means a lot to them. I'm not saying that songs can't be fun, but I think ones about things that are sad, or about breakups or whatever should be heartfelt.

Merkava:

--- Quote from: Inlander ---
--- Quote from: Skibas_clavicle ---Ben Gibbard.
--- End quote ---


Which segues nicely into my opinion . . . Basically, if you're going to be all whiny and self-pitying then keep it to yourself.  A break-up song only works with a bit of self-awareness, or even the ability to laugh at yourself.  A good example is "Nothing Better" by the Postal Service.  Sure, Gibbard whines like a champion in it - but he also had the good sense to offset this by having Jen Wood cutting him down to size throughout the song, and at the end of it all the listener's sympathy is definitely with her.  Another classic song in the same mould is "Fairytale of New York" by the Pogues.

My favourite, though, is "She Cuts Hair" by Darren Hanlon, about falling in love with a hairdresser.  If you can't write lyrics like this about being shot down in flames by someone you fancy, just don't bother trying:

As the town hall clock struck three
I delivered my soliloquy:
She wouldn't give the time of day to me,
But she gave my pride
A short back and sides
--- End quote ---


It's not a whine. That's how his voice sounds in and out of sing-song. :P

Really, it's more introspection than wallowing in self-pity. I'm never overwelmed or cheesed off by the lyrics, since they are never that whiney or personal.

onewheelwizzard:
I only like breakup songs, for the most part, when they're coming from the phase of a breakup during which you're finally actually over it.  Good example: Mark Lanegan's "Don't Forget Me":

I know you got somebody new, much better than me
But because my love is true, all my best to you, don't forget me dear

The exceptions are songs that simply rock regardless of lyrical content.  "Stabbed in the Back of the Heart" by the Burning Brides could have any lyrics they cared to give it, and it'd still rock.

My advice when it comes to breakup songs is to write them with the post-over-it period in mind, when you can write the song without whining.

Merkava:

--- Quote from: saturnine1979 ---I just heard "Pussy" by the Brazillian Girls the other day. Fantastic song.

And now to earn the rancor of this entire community:

I actually like Dashboard Confessional.

Obviously, most Dashboard songs are extremely melancholy and sad and boo hoo omgzsheleftme whining. I fully realize that, and I.don't.care. I really like the album The Places You Have Come To Fear The Most. It covers just about every kind of breakup in every whiny way imaginable and I think it's great at what it does. Sure, it's depressing as hell and good for nothing but wallowing in sadness, but with that, I think it accomplishes its objective very well.

The followup, A Mark, A Mission, A Brand, A Scar (a more pretentious title than the last) falls short to me because of its variety of moods and topics. It's much more straight up pop than "emo", and I think the electric guitars cause the songs to lose alot of the intimacy and "confessional" style that Carrabba had going with his previous work.

Places may be all tear stained diary entries, but damnit, I like it.

Noonch.
--- End quote ---


I love moody and sad. That's always awesome, but I think that Dashboard is just annoying. I think I'll need to listen to Places again, since most of my impressions come from the crapfest that is MMBS.

Cap'n Spoonie:
As far as I am concerned you can write about anything you want if you have the talent to back it up.

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