"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 (They Don't Write 'Em)" | ||||
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![]() Cover art of the U.S. release | ||||
Single by The Greg Kihn Band | ||||
from the album RocKihnRoll | ||||
B-side | "When the Music Starts" | |||
Released | May 1981 | |||
Recorded | 1980 | |||
Genre |
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Length | 2:56 (album version) 2:50 (single version) | |||
Label | Beserkley | |||
Songwriter(s) | Greg Kihn, Steve Wright | |||
Producer(s) | Matthew King Kaufman | |||
The Greg Kihn Band singles chronology | ||||
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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]
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.
Chart (1981) | Peak position |
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Australia (Kent Music Report)[4] | 14 |
US (Billboard Hot 100)[5] | 15 |
Year-end chart (1981) | Rank |
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US Top Pop Singles (Billboard)[6] | 47 |
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),"
with power-pop hits including "The Breakup Song (They Don't Write "Em)" in 1981
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Studio albums | |
Singles | |
Related articles |
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