3 Classic Rock Songs About Heartbreak

When it comes to songwriting, love—or the absence of it—is likely the oldest topic in the book. Which is why when paired with a genre like classic rock, it becomes so appealing. When people write lyrics, the thrill of new love or the sadness from it slipping through fingertips make for perhaps the most poignant art. Add some buzzy guitars behind it and you’ve got something great.

Here below, we wanted to explore three of the best examples of this partnership. A trio of tracks that exemplify the extraordinary relationship between heartache and classic rock. Indeed, these are three classic rock songs all about heartbreak.

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“Cryin’” by Aerosmith from Get a Grip (1993)

With the famous line: I was cryin’ when I met you / Now I’m dyin’ to forget you, this song is about the brutal feeling in your gut you seemingly can’t escape when the person you love leaves you. What is that feeling? Why does nature allow it? Those questions may never be answered. But they are certainly reflected in this song by the Boston-born rockers Aerosmith. The ultimate 1990s breakup song, lead singer Steven Tyler belts,

There was a time
When I was so broken-hearted
Luck wasn’t much of a friend of mine
The tables have turned, yeah
‘Cause me and them ways have parted
That kind of love was the killin’ kind

So listen
All I want is someone I can’t resist
I know all I need to know by the way that I got kissed

I was cryin’ when I met you
Now I’m tryin’ to forget you
Love is sweet misery

“Yesterday” by The Beatles from Help! (1965)

A song that came to Paul McCartney in a dream, this single is about what it was like to be in love … yesterday. Today, it’s heartbreak and heartache. Singing over a mournful acoustic guitar, McCartney is down on himself. Shadows hang over him. He feels like half a man. He is questioning his circumstances and all he can do is sing out like a songbird who has lost its mate. If only things could go back to the way they were; if only he didn’t say something wrong. Poor Paul. On the famed track, he croons,

Yesterday all my troubles seemed so far away.
Now it looks as though they’re here to stay.
Oh, I believe in yesterday.

Suddenly, I’m not half the man I used to be.
There’s a shadow hanging over me.
Oh, yesterday came suddenly.

Why she had to go?
I don’t know, she wouldn’t say.
I said something wrong.
Now I long for yesterday.

“Go Your Own Way” by Fleetwood Mac from Rumours (1977)

From the British-born band’s iconic 1977 LP Rumors, this acoustic-driven song is about splitting up—hence the title. Specifically, the song, which is written by Lindsey Buckingham, is about his breakup with bandmate Stevie Nicks. Fleetwood Mac, for as powerful and talented as the band was as a group, was also known for internal drama and infighting. And this track perhaps is at the center of the storm. On it, Buckingham belts about his bandmate and former lover,

Loving you
Isn’t the right thing to do
How can I ever change things
That I feel?

If I could
Baby, I’d give you my world
How can I
When you won’t take it from me?

You can go your own way
Go your own way

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