I’m not breaking up with anybody. I’m just breaking up with my job, so I made you this mix. We’ll always have the music!
Aural Fixation
1) "You’re Gonna Miss Me" • The 13th Floor Elevators • The Psychedelic Sounds of The 13th Floor ElevatorsHere Roky Erikson expresses perfectly the indignation involved in being emotionally abandoned.
Aural Fixation
2) "Girl Don’t Tell Me" • The Beach Boys • Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!)The excellent B-side to the highly annoying cover "Barbara Ann." I promise to write!
Aural Fixation
3) "Sorrow" • David Bowie • Pin UpsBowie laments an abusive woman in this cover of a merseybeat track.
Aural Fixation
4) "Sonic Reducer" • Dead Boys • Young Loud and SnottyNot necessarily a relationship song, but a good soundtrack for being angry at someone. Plus I had to—get it?! You know, the column?
Aural Fixation
5) "Look Back In Anger" • Television Personalities • And Don’t The Kids Just Love ItThe last track on one of the best albums ever—a fine piece of protopunk dealing with regrets and, indeed, anger.
Aural Fixation
6) "You Can’t Put Your Arms Around A Memory" • Johnny Thunders • So AloneSelf-loathing, hopelessness and amazing hair.
Aural Fixation
7) "Telephone Line" • Electric Light Orchestra • A New World RecordShe’s never going to talk to you again, Jeff Lynne.
Aural Fixation
8) "Superstar" • Carpenters • CarpentersFull-on heartbreak in sugary, easy listeningsville.
Aural Fixation
9) "Breakaway" • Irma Thomas • Soul Queen of New OrleansThis is a jumpy little number about not being able to leave someone who’s mean to you.
Aural Fixation
10) "Shivers" • Hamachshefot and Nick Cave • MitkasotIsraeli musician Inbal Perlmuter covers and duets with Nick Cave on this Boys Next Door-era song.
Aural Fixation
11) "Feel a Whole Lot Better" • Flamin’ Groovies • NowA Byrds cover about being better off without you.
Aural Fixation
12) "Part Company" • The Go-Betweens • Spring Hill FairBreaking up, administered through the fully appealing conduit of Australian ’80s indie pop.
Aural Fixation
13) "Take Me With You" • Morphine • The NightA song about leaving.
Aural Fixation
14) "Baby Blue" • Chocolate Watch Band • The Inner MystiqueA cover of Them’s take on Bob Dylan, far superior than previous versions.
Aural Fixation
15) "The Universal" • Blur • The Great EscapeJust let them go.
