The Breakup Song (They Don't Write 'Em)

"The Breakup Song (They Don't Write 'Em)" is a song written by Greg Kihn and Steve Wright and recorded by the American rock band The Greg Kihn Band. It is the first single from the band's sixth studio album, RocKihnRoll (1981). The song's musical style encompasses pop rock[1] and power pop.[2]

"The Breakup Song" redirects here. For the American Hi-Fi song, see The Art of Losing (American Hi-Fi album).
"The Breakup Song (They Don't Write 'Em)"
Cover art of the U.S. release
Single by The Greg Kihn Band
from the album RocKihnRoll
B-side"When the Music Starts"
ReleasedMay 1981
Recorded1980
Genre
Length2:56 (album version)
2:50 (single version)
LabelBeserkley
Songwriter(s)Greg Kihn, Steve Wright
Producer(s)Matthew King Kaufman
The Greg Kihn Band singles chronology
"Remember"
(1978)		 "The Breakup Song (They Don't Write 'Em)"
(1981)		 "Sheila"
(1981)

Meaning

It celebrates the quality of breakup 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.[3]

Release

The song reached No. 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart and #5 on the Billboard Top Tracks chart.

It has been featured in several films, including Let Me In (2010), The House of the Devil (2009), The Groomsmen (2006) and Beautiful Girls (1996) as well as the hit video game Grand Theft Auto V (2013). It was sampled in "Gone" by Yelawolf on his Arena Rap EP. It was also featured in a season five episode of "The Sopranos". Additionally the TV show The Nanny made a reference to the song when Fran said they don't write them like that anymore.

Track listing
  • 12" Maxi (AS-11506)
  1. "The Breakup Song (They Don't Write 'Em)" - 3:42
  2. "The Girl Most Likely" - 3:46
  3. "Can't Stop Hurtin' Myself" - 4:30
  4. "Valerie" - 2:44
  • 7" Single (B-47149)
  1. "The Breakup Song (They Don't Write 'Em)" - 2:50
  2. "When the Music Starts" - 2:34

Charts

Weekly charts
Chart (1981) Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[4] 14
US (Billboard Hot 100)[5] 15

Year-end charts
Year-end chart (1981)Rank
US Top Pop Singles (Billboard)[6] 47

References
  1. Dave Marsh; John Swenson (12 October 1983). The new Rolling stone record guide. Random House/Rolling Stone Press. p. 273. ISBN 978-0-394-72107-1. the entire nation's pop-rock sensibility was so benumbed that when Kihn recorded his first competent tune in the genre, "The Breakup Song (They Don't Write 'Em),"
  2. Neal Walters; Brian Mansfield (1998). MusicHound Folk: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink. ISBN 978-1-57859-037-7. with power-pop hits including "The Breakup Song (They Don't Write "Em)" in 1981
  3. "THE BREAKUP SONG (THEY DON'T WRITE 'EM) by GREG KIHN BAND". Songfacts.com. Retrieved 2016-10-17.
  4. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 166. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  5. Whitburn, Joel (2010). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits (rev. & expanded 9th ed.). New York: Billboard Books. p. 357. ISBN 9780823085545.
  6. "Number One Awards – Billboard's 1981 Year-End Charts : Pop Singles". Billboard. Vol. 93, no. 51. December 26, 1981. p. YE-9. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
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