Mariah Carey once said...
"Someday ooh someday
The one you gave away will be the only one you're wishing for"
Happy Friday, Lambily! This week we are talking breakups! Mariah has a great selection of songs that will help you cope when bae is dragging you through the wringer!!
Mariah's music has gotten me through many failed relationships and nasty breakups. I wouldn't be doing my duty as a lamb by not sharing my recipe for "The Art of Letting Go" because we all know, "It ain't easy, baby."
I will mention my top 5 personal favorites for the breakups here, but the playlist includes 25 iconic records (in the order I think you should hear them) guaranteed to help you mend your broken heart. Stream my playlist, "For the Breakups" on Apple Music linked below.
#1 H.A.T.E.U
H.A.T.E.U. is the perfect breakup song to listen to during the angry phase of your grieving. It is my go-to record and one of my favorite songs of all time. This song is the story of my life in many ways.
It's for when you find yourself overly emotional and acknowledging how much you love someone that hurt you and more than anything you just wish you could let them go. Mariah said it best here:
"I can't wait to hate you, make you pain like I do
Still can't shake you off (Still can't shake you off)
I can't wait to break through these emotional changes
Seems like such a lost cause
I can't wait to face you, break you down so low
There's no place left to go
I can't wait to hate you"
This song feels like that moment when you finally have the inevitable meltdown and cry hysterically, but Mariah is signing it like an angel. The screams you feel bubbling inside you manifest in the form of Mariah's whistles tones and breathy vocals that just make you feel comforted.
I love this song so much it is "My Saving Grace" and I can't imagine having lived through my breakups without this song, or this album.
#2 It's A Wrap
Another "Memoirs" HIT! It's no coincidence that a group of songs from this masterpiece of an album made the playlist because honestly, the entire Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel album is THE album you want to play when you're going through a breakup, but I digress. The wine pouring in the intro of the song sets the tone and says it all for this record.
It's the track you play after a drunken angry argument with the disrespectful-ass, man or woman that has finally brought you to your breaking point. The vocals in this song are underrated. She gives us top-tier belting here.
The song has this nonchalant vibe that I love and resonate with. Although the lyrics aren't on the level of H.A.T.E.U, the amount of emotions it taps into are comparable. My favorite moment in the song is where she belts:
"Tryin' to keep holdin' on, holding on
Boy, let me go
You gon' wake my neighbors, get away from my door
That was your last shot, you ain't coming back
It's a wrap, it's a wrap"
She does everything right here. It's so satisfying to listen to!
#3 GTFO
I gotta tell ya, I stream this song A LOT! It's the first few lines that hook me!
"You took my love for granted
You left me lost and disenchanted
Bulldoze my heart as if you planned it"
I'm happily partnered, yet I blast this song like my man is no good. Current situation aside, this is the perfect record when you are finally telling the MF to GTFO of your life. "Close the door. Lose the key!"
#4 If It's Over
"If it's over, Let me go" This song is my 3rd favorite from the "Emotions" album and it's everything to me lyrically. It's for that moment when neither one of you wants to be the first to say goodbye even though you both know the end is here. At the end of the day, somebody has to do it and this song is perfect for capturing that energy. My favorite part of the song is where she sings:
"I don't need no apologies, no
I'm not looking for no sympathy
All I'm asking for is for your honesty
Won't you give it to me"
Also, Let's not forget she sang the absolute F*** out of this song live for her legendary 1992 Grammy Awards performance. It's one of my favorite vocal performances from the queen! This song hits hard and deep and is a must-listen when you are going through it.
Watch the performance below. You won't be sorry. If you're not familiar with Mariah as a vocalist, consider this exhibit A!!
#5 Candy Bling
Omg! Another "Memoirs" HIT! How does that happen!?
For some reason this song makes me think of one of my favorite lines in "H.A.T.E.U" when she sings "And I just keep on having one last thing to say" likely because "Candy Bling" feels like that moment you start feeling all nostalgic about the good times in your now deceased relationship.
You're all confused, so now you're sending endless texts back and forth with your ex trying to salvage what hope there is left. It wasn't all bad right?
Whether this is the mental space you need to be in to get over an ex or not, this song always puts me in my feelings. My favorite lines are:
"Back in the day we were in love
We're not in love anymore
But some days I sit and wish
We were in love again
Irresponsible things we would do like
Fall asleep on the phone
And skippin' school
Now I'm back to the future missin' you"
It's okay, I think, to acknowledge all of the good times you had with someone even if you're not together anymore. I love the instrumental of this song and lyrically, this song is my mindset when I'm teetering on the edge of choosing whether or not to fight for the relationship.
But what I love most about "Candy Bling," is that it helps me get to the acceptance stage of grieving a lost relationship. It guides me to closure. Respect the relationship for what it was, the good, bad, and ugly. Then, move on!
Don't agree with my picks?
Talk to me about it on Instagram @DarrellC.Scott or Twitter @DarrellC_Scott
Anyways, thanks for reading! I hope all the lambs in the land are staying safe and enjoying Mariah's season to the fullest! If you liked this post and want to see more, please feel free to subscribe! It's FREE.
While you're here, please don't forget to check out my book, Manstress Diaries which tells the story of an unstable therapist who falls in love with a married addict! It includes plenty of Mariah-inspired moments that only the Lambily could truly appreciate, including chapters: "Stay the Night" and "Don't Forget About Us."
See my previous post for more information about me, this blog, my book and also peep the complete list of chapters to whet your appetite, or shop my product page.
Thanks for reading and stream Mariah for clear skin!