Released May 1981 Genre Power poppop rock | Format 7", 12" | |
B-side "When the Music Starts" Length 2:56 (album version)2:50 (single version) | ||
"The Breakup Song (They Don't Write 'Em)" is a song written by Greg Kihn and Steve Wright and recorded by American rock band The Greg Kihn Band. It is the first single from the band's fourth studio album, RocKihnRoll (1981). The song's musical style encompasses pop rock and power pop.
Contents
Meaning
It celebrates the quality of break-up 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.
Release
The song reached #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 as well as the hit video game Grand Theft Auto V (2013). It was sampled in "Gone" by Yelawolf on his Arena Rap EP.
Track listing
- "The Breakup Song (They Don't Write 'Em)" - 3:42
- "The Girl Most Likely" - 3:46
- "Can't Stop Hurtin' Myself" - 4:30
- "Valerie" - 2:44
- "The Breakup Song (They Don't Write 'Em)" - 2:50
- "When the Music Starts" - 2:34