The Singles Awareness Weekend Set

"Faithfully" (Journey).

"Always" (Bon Jovi).

"Can't Fight This Feeling" (REO Speedwagon).

"Keep On Loving..."

Oops.

THAT'S what I go back to pretending to be a serenade artist for an imaginary audience; or even one person. (Seriously; ask Rockband 4; I've got pipes; sometimes).

Anyway, after an entire life of being single, I've had plenty of time to build a set list of "Heartbreak" tracks. (Even Sam Hunt's "Take Your Time" or Chris Lane's "Hold You Tonight," with no one to dedicate them to, are heartbreaking).

Anyway, here's a list of legitimate heartbreak and headache anthems:

"The Breakup Song (They Don't Write 'em)- Greg Kihn.

"Angryish" lyrics (for 80s pop rock). Good guitar work. They don't write 'em like this anymore (OH OH OH OH-OH-OH-OH OH!)

"Love Stinks"- J. Geils Band.

...If I need to explain this one to you, you've been very fortunate and haven't spent much time single.

"Knock Three Times"- Tony Orlando.

...and now it's in your head. My apologies. (If you AREN'T familiar yet with just how nauseating this is, do NOT make the same mistake that I did and download the song for yourself to hear it; trust me).

"Love Song For No One"- John Mayer.

It takes a lot for me to appreciate a John Mayer song. THIS is one of those songs, mostly because I feel for his character in the song. ("Dear Crush #...by-now-I've-lost-track; I'm tired of being alone, now hurry up and get here.")

"How Can We Be Lovers?"/"I Said I loved You...but I Lied" (Michael Bolton).

...Seriously, was there a bigger piece of sap in the 80s/90s than Michael Bolton...?

"Another One Down"/"Should Have Known Better"/"Hold Onto The Nights"/"Until I Find You Again" (Richard Marx).

I just HAD to ask that last question, didn't I? (I don't necessarily consider "Right Here Waiting" a breakup song, so much as lonely wailing. Take it from me; that's the ONLY way to vocalize to that particular song).

"Love Hurts"- Nazareth.

...Yes; yes it can.

"Separate Ways (World's Apart)"/"Oh Sherrie..."- Journey/Steve Perry/two incredible covers by Dan Vasc.

The infective musical accompaniment on "Separate Ways..." meets the raw emotion of "Oh, Sherrie." Both work.

"Ask The Lonely"/"I'll Be Alright Without You"- also Journey

Underappreciated; but as great as ANY Journey song.

"Hard Habit to Break"/"Look Away"/"Hard to Say I'm Sorry" (Chicago).

...Let's specifically address "Look Away" wishing WHIPLASH on your ex/unrequited crush

"If you see me walking by

and the tears are in my eyes,

LOOK AWAY [sound of whiplash];

baby, look away..."

Now could ANYONE be weepier than Chicago as a group...?

"I Wasn't The One (Who Said Goodbye)"/ "Do You Love Me That Much?" (Peter Cetera).

... I need to avoid asking rhetorical questions. (In speaking of rhetorical questions, "Do You Love Me...?" ...Pete, between us guys, if you have to ASK that, there's a good chance you won't like the answer).

"Taking It All Too Hard"/"Throwing It All Away" (Genesis).

"I Wish It Would Rain Down"/"Against All Odds"/"One More Night"/"Separate Lives" (Phil Collins).

Phil is yet another solo artist who should have stuck with his band. Again, there is SOME goodness to these sappy heartbreakers, or I'd have never given them the FIRST listen that led to the second, third...anyhoo...

"Broken Wings"- Mr. Mister.

"You Give Love a Bad Name"/"This Ain't a Love Song"- Bon Jovi

"Don't Tell Me You Love Me"- Night Ranger.

One side "Sister Christian;" THIS is the far superior song...

"Love Bites"/"Bringin' On The Heartbreak"/"Promises"- Def Leppard.

Say what you will; the heartache that these all emote is worth a listen/sing-along.

"Every Rose Has It's Thorn"/"So Tell Me Why"- Poison.

"Wasted Time"- Skid Row

"Don't Know What You Got ('Til It's Gone)"- Cinderella.

Just how sad is Mr. Cinderella's heartache, you ask? (Because of course you did)...

"Now I know what I've got; it's just this song!..."

Wow. He's so devastated that the howling in "Don't Know What You Got..." is all that he has left.

"Don't Treat Me Bad" (Firehouse).

Underrated band.

"What About Love?"- Heart

80s Heart>70s Heart. Just my opinion.

"Sometimes Love Just Ain't Enough"- Patti Smyth/Don Henley

"Don't Do Me Like That"/"Don't Come Around Here No More"/"Breakdown"- Tom Petty.

"Look What You've Done"/"Cold Hard B!+(h"- Jet

Sometimes frustration over heartache leads to extra angst...

"Diary of Jane"- Breaking Benjamin.

"Trail of Broken Hearts."- Dragonforce.

"Break Your Little Heart"- All Time Low

"Love Drunk"- Boys Like Girls

"Hate (I Really Don't Like You)"- Plain White T's

"If You Don't Know Me By Now"- Simply Red

...You will never, never, never knowww...okay; moving on...

"I Don't Have The Heart"- James Ingram.

"Broken Strings"- James Morrison.

"Dear Lie"- TLC

"Save Your Tears"- The Weeknd

"Grenade"/"It Will Rain"/"When I Was Your Man"- Bruno Mars

"I Don't Wanna Be in Love (Dance Floor Anthem)"- Good Charlotte

"You Don't Love Me Anymore"- Weird Al

"I Let Her Lie"- Daryle Singletary

Penultimate 90's country weeping ballad over a cheating partner.

"I'm Not Supposed to Love You Anymore"/"Someone Else's Star"- Bryan White.

"I Can't Reach Her Anymore"- Sammy Kershaw

"Somewhere In My Broken Heart"- Randy Travis/Billy Dean

"Even If It Breaks Your Heart"- Eli Young

"Pray For You"- Jaron and the Road to Love.

Warning: "Heartbreak/heartache" songs aren't always polite.

"Brokenheartsville"- Joe Nichols

"Stupid Boy"- Keith Urban.

This is just my "heartache" playlist for the moment and I've probably STILL forgotten some.

Whether you're with me and are celebrating Singles Awareness Weekend, or this is a Valentine's Day Weekend for you and your loved one, have the best weekend possible...