Written by Joyelle Ronan
Paul McCartney once wrote, “You’d think that people would have had enough of silly love songs.” Judging by the streaming records being broken by Olivia Rodrigo’s “Driver’s License,” it seems that people have had enough. When you feel the urge to sing “red light, stop signs” at the top of your lungs, maybe switch it up. There are plenty of alt-pop songs that perfectly juxtapose catchy tunes with lyrics about heartbreak. Whether you’ve recently gone through a breakup, very single, or just feeling that post-V-Day crash, here is the perfect playlist for you!
- Inches and Falling (I Love, Love) by The Format
Off the album “Dog Days”, The Format sings sarcastically about their love for love. If you love the idea of romance but find the reality not as great as you thought it would be, this song is for you. Best lyric: When we would take trips// We swore we’d never take pictures// Pictures only prove you can’t convince// Now I wish those photographs// Could convince you that what we had// Would only turn out a negative.
- I Don’t Want to Know by Fleetwood Mac
If any band knows how to write a breakup song, it’s Fleetwood Mac. The entire “Rumors” album was written amidst divorce and fighting. “I Don’t Want to Know,” in particular, attempts to make peace with an ending relationship. Best lyric: I don’t want to know the reasons why// Love keeps right on walking on down the line// I don’t want to stand between you and love// Honey, I just want you to feel fine.
- Dangerous Blues by The Young Veins
If you miss that very specific type of summer love, then give “Dangerous Blues” a listen. The song details the melancholy feelings that can come with love and uses clever sea analogies. Best lyric: This is a home, we just don’t have a door// Euphoria is a risk on the floor// Words keep on crawling from under the rug// Who knew that love was a dangerous drug?
- I Think Ur a Contra by Vampire Weekend
If you are unfamiliar with VW, they write their lyrics as glimpses or collages of life. “I Think Ur a Contra” is a collage of thoughts showing a failed relationship where one partner repeatedly contradicts themselves. Best lyric: But it’s not useful now// Since we both made up our minds// Your gonna watch out for yourself// And so will I.
- February by Beach Bunny
It’s the month of love, but what if the relationship doesn’t make it to February 14th? In this track off the EP, “Crybaby,” Beach Bunny fantasizes about what could have been if their significant other hadn’t walked away. Best lyric: Summer’s gone, seasons change// He’s got a heart of construction paper// All of his problems buried away// Inside the sleeve of a green windbreaker.
