The Breakup Song (They Don't Write 'Em)
| "The Breakup Song (They Don't Write 'Em)" | ||||||||||
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| Single by The Greg Kihn Band | ||||||||||
| from the album RocKihnRoll | ||||||||||
| B-side | "When the Music Starts" | |||||||||
| Released | May 1981 | |||||||||
| Format | 7", 12" | |||||||||
| Genre | Rock, pop rock | |||||||||
| Length |
2:56 (album version) 2:50 (single version) | |||||||||
| Label | Beserkley | |||||||||
| Writer(s) | Greg Kihn, Steve Wright | |||||||||
| Producer(s) | Matthew King Kaufman | |||||||||
| The Greg Kihn Band singles chronology | ||||||||||
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"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). It is one of the artist's most recognizable signature songs, and a favourite of many Kihn fans worldwide.
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.[1]
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) and The House of the Devil (2009) 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
- 12" Maxi (AS-11506)
- "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
- 7" Single (B-47149)
- "The Breakup Song (They Don't Write 'Em)" - 2:50
- "When the Music Starts" - 2:34