For my second audio assignment, I decided to do the Storytime! SongTag Style assignment. I decided my story would be about The 5 Stages of Loss & Grief, specifically following a break-up.
The process of selecting tracks was a bit tricky as some stages of break-ups are written about more often than others. Fortunately, I was able to find a song that fit each stage in my music library and I imported it into Audacity. Then it was just a matter of trimming and lining up the clips, which I found to be a much easier process this time around. Finally, after giving it one last once-over, I exported it as an mp3 and uploaded it to SoundCloud.
Here are the songs & lyrics and their corresponding stage:
[Denial & Isolation] “Elvis Ain’t Dead” by Scouting For Girls
I chose this song, because it is the quintessential song of denial. The singer is adamant that Elvis isn’t dead and the relationship isn’t over.
I wish it was me you chose
I wish it was me you chose
cause Elvis ain’t dead
and you’re coming back
and Elvis ain’t dead
and you’re coming back
[Anger] “Radio” by Alkaline Trio
This is one of my favorite break-up songs as it has gorgeous, jarring imagery throughout. I picked the angriest part, in which the singer basically tells the girl that he wishes she’d electrocute herself.
I’ve got a big fat fuckin’ bone to pick with you my darling
In case you haven’t heard I’m sick and tired of trying
I wish you would take my radio to bathe with you,
plugged in and ready to fall
[Bargaining] “Betrayed By Bones” by Hellogoodbye
This was probably the hardest song to choose as bargaining isn’t a really popular stage of breaking up that I’ve seen covered in music. However, I think this song gets into that with the idea of staying that he’ll stay still and not leave her and that his was wrong for leaving her beforehand.
Oh, I could lead a stationary life
Oh, you will see and you’ll believe
My love is carried to you by my feet
My bones are wrong sometimes
Sometimes my bones are wrong
[Depression] “Winter Passing” by The Academy Is…
While there are plenty of depressing break-up songs, I think this one adds to depression by setting it in winter around the holidays. There’s something about the cold and loneliness contrasted with a time of cheer and being around your loved ones that makes this song sell the depression of a relationship coming to a close.
But your voice rang clear.
You said, “For all I thought I’d ever need,
It’s hard to face the holidays without.”
Well I’ve left my last message on your machine.
It’s hard to face the holidays
When you’re looking for the words to say.
When you’re looking for the words to say.
[Acceptance] “To Love and Back” by This Century
This is such a great track as this post-relationship optimism is rarely sung about. Since this is the closing part of my story, I chose the end of the song to be the clip I selected from this song to include in my story.
Ooh, Ooh, Ooh I went to love and back
Ooh, Ooh, Ooh
I’m not giving up
I’m just starting over
You’re the one I loved
Thought it would last forever
I can’t be with you
When you want me to
I fell off track, I fell off track
I fell off track, I fell off track
I went to love and back
