The Scene

The Sweetest Revenge: How Musicians Turn Heartbreak Into Hits

Published on Monday, February 20 2012
Written by Audrey Cook

Millions of viewers tuned in to the 2012 Grammy Awards last Sunday, watching Adele sweep up six trophies for her album 21. The album was inspired by her former relationship and includes numerous songs about her ex-boyfriend, including “Someone Like You” and the song she performed at the awards show, “Rolling in the Deep.”

Adele wasn’t the only artist singing about a failed relationship at the Grammys; Katy Perry debuted her new song, “Part of Me”, stirring up speculation that it is about ex-husband Russell Brand. Some of the lyrics for Perry’s new single certainly drop clues she’s singing about her former hubby: "So you can keep the diamond ring / It don't mean anything / In fact you can keep everything, yeah yeah / Except for me."

At least Perry didn’t have to face her ex at the awards show like Taylor Swift had to at the CMT Awards in 2010, where she had an awkward encounter with ex-boyfriend John Mayer. Swift told MTV News they didn’t speak to each other at the awards show and pretended they didn’t care the other was there, prompting her to write “The Story of Us.” Swift also wrote “Dear John” aimed at Mayer, in addition to writing “Last Kiss” regarding her pervious relationship with Joe Jonas. Guys sure are giving Swift a reason to be successful.

Much controversy surrounded Lady Gaga’s song “Judas”, as Catholic groups slammed the pop singer for the controversial religious themes in the song and music video. However, that’s not what Gaga had in mind when writing the song; she wrote the song about an ex-lover who left her heartbroken, following the announcement of her split from boyfriend Luc Carl.

Other notable singers writing about failed relationships include James Blunt with his hit “You’re Beautiful,” inspired by seeing his former girlfriend with her new boyfriend on a subway in London. “And in that second, she and I caught eyes and really lived a lifetime in that moment. But I didn't do anything about it," Blunt said in 2009.

Gwen Stefani also found material for her music through her failed relationship with No Doubt bassist Tony Kanal, motivating her to write “Don’t Speak.”

Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine also used a trying time in his life to write tracks about his ex-girlfriend for the group’s debut album Songs About Jane.

Despite facing rough and public breakups, these musicians sure know how to turn heartbreak into dollars in the piggybank. Were you surprised by any of these revelations?

 

- Audrey Cook, YH Staff