Break-Up Rock Anthems on Spotify for Valentine’s Day

Sick of Valentine’s Day? Yeah, me too. Good thing Spotify’s music subscription rental service has pretty much any anti-love song you can think of. For every sappy, saccharine sweet, lovey dove song you can name there’s a grouchy B-side that tells the other side of the story. Rent It Today has a few choice selections for you to blast this February 14. Sorry, no “We’re Never Ever Getting Back Together”. Take some notes Ms. Swift.

“My Life” by Billy Joel (1978)
“I don’t care what you say anymore, this is my life. Go ahead with your own life, leave me alone!” Billy’s ultimate rejection of failed relationships in the past was turned into this late-70s anthem for independence. Hey, I’ll take his advice on moving on with life if it leads to marrying Christie Brinkley.

“I Don’t Care Anymore” by Phil Collins (1983)
This isn’t exactly the easy, Mersey-beat Phil of the 80s that we hear on romantic hit singles such as “You Can’t Hurry Love” or “One More Night”. The guy singing this song is pissed at whoever he’s singing about…really pissed.

“Separate Ways (World’s Apart)” by Journey (1983)
1983 must’ve been a good year for toxic relationship, break-up songs. Journey pumps up the Korg synthesizers on this anthemic, arena rock classic.  A haunting melody, strong chorus and bad attitude makes this an essential track. Love apocalypse.
“Positively 4th Street” by Bob Dylan (1965)
“You got a lotta nerve to say you are my friend. When I was down, you just stood there grinning.” Leave it to a Greenwich Village, Bohemian wordsmith to slice and dice an ex-lover with a hard-hitting, angst ridden anthem for all the guys who tried to make it work, only to be shut down by the Ice Princess.
“Go Your Own Way” by Fleetwood Mac (1977)
In addition to selling a ka-gillion copies of their seminal late-70s classic, Rumours, the Mac Attack also did one hell of a job at constructing a soap opera of backstabbing love. Fueled by the on again, off again bond of Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks, this song can be sung by either a guy or gal who is fresh out of a bad love quarrel and couldn’t care less.
“Solitary Man” by Neil Diamond (1966)
Neil was just a guy looking for a faithful girl who wouldn’t look to play games behind his back. A failure becomes yet, another anthem for independence and confidence in being a single person, with no strings attached. One of the best lone wolf songs ever written.
“Love Stinks” by The J. Geils Band (1980)
A simple guitar riff keeps the message of nihilistic disinterest towards love rocking in this 80s FM staple. Remember Adam Sandler in The Wedding Singer belting this out? Perfect song because it says it in the title.
“These Boots Were Made For Walkin'” by Nancy Sinatra (1965)
One of the best bitchy songs ever written. It couldn’t have been sung by a more alluring pop singer than the daughter of Frank Sinatra, 60s sex-kitten Nancy Sinatra. Sung with cool confidence, the roots of the feminist movement can be found in the grooves of this song of female independence.
“One Way Or Another” by Blondie (1978)
Inspired by Deborah Harry’s ex-boyfriend who once stalked and stabbed her after a bitter break-up. Sung from the perspective of someone who’s not exactly mentally stable, this New Wave classic illustrates how love can lead to revenge.
“You Oughta Know” by Alanis Morissette (1994)
You oughta know this song. This 90s, post-grunge masterpiece has been covered by Britney Spears and Beyonce, but neither match the anger found on the Jagged Little Pill album. She was inspired to write this song after her 31 year old boyfriend broke up with her when she was 16. Don’t mess with a young woman’s emotions, pal.