The Breakup Song (They Don't Write 'Em) Explained

The Breakup Song (They Don't Write 'Em)
Cover:Greg Kihn Breakup Song.jpg
Caption:U.S. release picture sleeve
Type:single
Artist:The Greg Kihn Band
Album:RocKihnRoll
B-Side:When the Music Starts
Released:May 1981
Recorded:1980
Length:2:56 (album version)
2:50 (single version)
Label:Beserkley
Producer:Matthew King Kaufman
Prev Title:Remember
Prev Year:1978
Next Title:Sheila
Next Year:1981

"The Breakup Song (They Don't Write 'Em)" is a song written by Greg Kihn and Steve Wright and recorded by the American rock band The Greg Kihn Band. It is the first single from the band's sixth studio album, RocKihnRoll (1981). The song's musical style encompasses pop rock[1] and power pop.[2]

Meaning

It celebrates the quality of breakup songs in rock's earlier times, as the narrator laments both his recent breakup and the fact that they don't write good breakup songs anymore.[3]

Release

The song reached No. 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart and #5 on the Billboard Top Tracks chart.

In popular culture

It has been featured in several films, including Let Me In (2010), The House of the Devil (2009), The Groomsmen (2006) and Beautiful Girls (1996) as well as the hit video game Grand Theft Auto V (2013). It was sampled in "Gone" by Yelawolf on his Arena Rap EP. It was also featured in a season five episode of The Sopranos. Additionally, the TV show The Nanny made a reference to the song when Fran said they don't write them like that anymore.

Track listing

  1. "The Breakup Song (They Don't Write 'Em)" - 3:42
  2. "The Girl Most Likely" - 3:46
  3. "Can't Stop Hurtin' Myself" - 4:30
  4. "Valerie" - 2:44
  1. "The Breakup Song (They Don't Write 'Em)" - 2:50
  2. "When the Music Starts" - 2:34

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1981)Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[4] 14
Canada (RPM)[5] 25
US (Billboard Hot 100)[6] 15

Year-end charts

Notes and References

  1. Book: Dave Marsh. John Swenson. The new Rolling stone record guide. registration. 12 October 1983. Random House/Rolling Stone Press. 978-0-394-72107-1. 273. the entire nation's pop-rock sensibility was so benumbed that when Kihn recorded his first competent tune in the genre, "The Breakup Song (They Don't Write 'Em),".
  2. Book: Neal Walters. Brian Mansfield. MusicHound Folk: The Essential Album Guide. 1998. Visible Ink. 978-1-57859-037-7. with power-pop hits including "The Breakup Song (They Don't Write "Em)" in 1981.
  3. Web site: THE BREAKUP SONG (THEY DON'T WRITE 'EM) by GREG KIHN BAND. Songfacts.com. 2016-10-17.
  4. Book: Kent, David. David Kent (historian)

    . David Kent (historian). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. illustrated. Australian Chart Book. St Ives, N.S.W.. 1993. 0-646-11917-6. 166.

  5. Web site: RPM Top 50 Singles - September 26, 1981.
  6. Book: Whitburn . Joel . The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits . 2010 . Billboard Books . New York . 9780823085545 . 357 . rev. & expanded 9th.
  7. December 26, 1981 . Number One Awards – Billboard's 1981 Year-End Charts : Pop Singles . YE-9 . Billboard . 93 . 51. 5 April 2020.