Does Valentine’s Day get you feeling down? Do you feel like February 14th is “Singles Awareness Day”? Are you pining over a long lost love in a cold, dark room while a raven mocks you? Let’s experience the heartache and pain together with this “A Stake Through the Heart” anti-valentine’s day 2021 playlist.
Although – full disclosure – I currently have a wonderful Honey-Bunny to spend the 14th with, I have not forgotten what it felt like to not have that comfort at this time of year. Therefore, I have curated a playlist with thirteen spooky songs that embody the downs and – eventually – ups of being on your own.
I think it is impossible to be named Emily, love all things morbid and spooky, and not have a soft spot for this song by The Zombies. It is certainly one of my favorite songs of all time and a staple of any self-pity playlist I create for myself. So, let’s start our anti-valentine’s day 2021 playlist journey with this beautifully forlorn tune.
“The ceilings are white, but the shadows are black. The ghost in my heart say’s you’re never coming back. The house is haunted by the echo of your last goodbye”.
This is an old song that has been covered a number of times. In this version The Phantom Chords have done a wonderful job of creating a jazzy, more upbeat tune to feel downbeat to. Haunted houses, ghosts, and other spooky imagery work very well to symbolize loss and loneliness.
I’ve certainly been haunted by the ghosts of my past. Weezer’s Haunt You Every Day continues the previous song’s theme of losing yourself in the memories of faded love. Of course, we would all rather be the one doing the haunting instead of the one haunted.
When Karen Elson was married to The White Stripes’ Jack White, Third Man Records produced her first album, The Ghost Who Walks. The hauntingly beautiful titular song conveys the heartbreak and betrayal felt when a former love breaks up with you. As the lyrics state, it can cut like a knife.
One line from the song that resonates with me is “she’s crying to herself because his eyes never once looked cruel”. Sometimes love ends and a relationship is just not working. There is not always cruelty and malintent behind it.
An organ sound adds extra mystery and spookiness to the track. Also, that cover art is eerily beautiful!
No matter how bad you have it, there is always someone who has it worse. Remains of the day is the origin story for the Corpse Bride, Emily (no relation to yours truly). Unlike the previous song, here our protagonist literally had a knife plunged deep into her heart.
For those of you who aren’t aware of this amazing band, they take inspiration from horror films. The World in My Hands is based on Edward Scissorhands, but it still fits nicely in the spurned love theme of this list. We can all relate to the feeling of having a crush on someone above us in the social strata – and, of course, the knowledge that nice guys finish last.
This fun, rockin’ song concerns a breakup gone wrong. When the song’s protagonist broke it off with her beau, he put a voodoo curse on her. If she wouldn’t be with him, she wouldn’t be with anyone else either.
The first half of this list featured songs of sadness, pity, and loneliness. Now, it is time to move on to starting to feel a little more empowered. Tainted love is a classic 80’s anthem of those who realize they have gotten out of a toxic relationship. No one can make a song as creepy and dark as Marilyn Manson, so this cover is a must-have on a spooky anti-Valentine’s Day song list.
Next on our empowerment track here is Monster by Paramore. Being single is not always a bad thing. “Now that you’re gone, the world is ours”. We have a lot more strength than we realize!
This song combines spooky/horror and empowerment. Sabrina is a strong, independent woman. Even though I strongly disagree with her taste in men (I’m team Harvey 100%), I love how the character is headstrong and confident. When I am feeling down or insecure, this is my current go-to song. An upbeat and peppy melody will certainly brighten your day!
Lead female vocalists are not often altos, but Amanda Palmer is outstanding. Her deep voice is mesmerizing in this song about thriving on one’s own – and rubbing it in your ex’s face! That is certainly the best part about being single and empowered.
If A Rose for Emily has a special place in my heart, Bust Your Kneecaps also does for a similar reason. This song educates “Johnny” on exactly what he faces after he breaks up with the main character. As my Honey-Bunny is also a Johnny this song is a fun little tune I love to play for him as a cautionary tale.
The lyrics are not so much spooky as they are violent – or, rather, persuasive. They are certainly not threats, just promises.
Okay, I know that this one seems like the odd one out – what does a video game song from a passive-aggressive computer have to do with a break-up playlist? Let’s take a look at those lyrics:
“I used to want you dead, but now I only want you gone.”
“Go make some new disaster. That’s what I’m counting on. You’re someone else’s problem. Now I only want you gone.”
All that sounds pretty applicable to a bad relationship to me!
Did you like it? What songs are on your breakup playlist? Let me know in the comments!
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