Story Songs: Breaking Up Is Hard To Do

It's not very often a singer can record an uptempo song and take it to No. 1, then turn around 13 years later and see it reach No. 8 on the charts as a ballad. 

Neil Sedaka, one of the great singer/songwriters in pop music, did just that with "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do," in 1962 and 1975. 

I grew up listening to Sedaka's songs, from "The Diary" to "Calendar Girl" to "Happy Birthday, Sweet Sixteen" to "Laughter in the Rain." 

But I thought one of his most expressive songs, written with Howard Greenfield, was "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do."  Those who've been in relationships, and left with a broken heart, know how painful it can be. So much, that you want to avoid it if at all possible.

So the song begins:

"Don't take your love away from me

Don't you leave my heart in misery

If you go then I'll be blue

'Cause breaking up is hard to do"

And later we hear:

"I beg of you, don't say goodbye

Can't we give our love another try

Come on baby, let's start anew

'Cause breaking up is hard to do"

And in the chorus:

"Don't say that this is the end

Instead of breaking up I wish that we were making up again"

I suppose most of us survive those breakups, and perhaps after some reflection, realize it was for the best. But it still hurts.

As for the Sedaka's bittersweet love song, I prefer the slow version because it comes across with so much sincerity. 

"Breaking Up Is Hard To Do" lyrics

Uptempo version:

Slow version:

Until the next time...

Story Songs: My Boyfriend's Back

Let's have a little fun with today's post. Most of the Story Song posts have been somewhat serious. This one is a fun tune with a serious message.

Back in 1963, The Angels recorded "My Boyfriend's Back" and took it to No. 1 on the Billboard charts. It was written by Bob Feldman, Jerry Goldstein, and Robert Gottehrer. The trio later formed the group, The Strangeloves, who produced the hit, "I Want Candy," in 1965.

The story in "My Boyfriend's Back" revolves around a girl who is being hit on by a guy while her boyfriend is away. When she rebuffs the wannabe suitor, he starts spreading lies about her:

"He went away and you hung around
And bothered me, every night
And when I wouldn't go out with you
You said things that weren't very nice"

We can only imagine what the guy was saying about her. But now that her boyfriend is back, he is going to face the consequences of bad-mouthing her:

"You're gonna be sorry you were ever born
(Hey-la-day-la my boyfriend's back)
Cause he's kinda big and he's awful strong
(Hey-la-day-la my boyfriend's back)"

So she suggests that the bum take a hike and never bother her again:

"My boyfriend's back he's gonna save my reputation
(Hey-la-day-la my boyfriend's back)
If I were you I'd take a permanent vacation
(Hey-la, hey-la, my boyfriend's back)"

I hope guys heed the warning that it's not nice to say bad things about a gal -- especially one who has a boyfriend! And, in this day and age, you might also get hit with a sexual-harrassment suit.


I believe the song is also interesting because it reflects a different time and culture in America; perhaps a bit more chivalry and male dominance. Your thoughts?

The song has been covered by numerous artists and is one of the featured tunes in the musicial "Jersey Boys" playlist. 


"My Boyfriend's Back" lyrics