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

Album: Rockihnroll (1981)
Charted: 15
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song is better known as "They Don't Write Em' Like That Anymore," the song's memorable hook. 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. It was the first hit for The Greg Kihn Band, and their biggest until they scored with "Jeopardy" in 1983. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Mike - Santa Barbara, CA
  • Rockihnroll was the sixth album for Greg Kihn Band, who stuck to a Rock sound with a dose of R&B, steadfastly refusing to follow '80s trends, but managing anther hit in 1983 with "Jeopardy." Kihn explained in an interview with Creem how he keeps his music and his songwriting simple. Said Kihn: "I don't know what any song has been about since 1974. I mean, can you tell me what the f--k 'The Union Of The Snake' is supposed to be about? (actually, we can, but Songfacts didn't exist back then) I'm just an economical sort of writer; I don't go reading history books and writing about Cortez; I'd rather write songs about my girlfriend."

Comments: 1

  • Ken from San Mateo, CaThis was his best album - too bad there are no other songs.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Kiss

KissFact or Fiction

Kiss is the subject of many outlandish rumors - some of which happen to be true. See if you can spot the fakes.

Gary Brooker of Procol Harum

Gary Brooker of Procol HarumSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer and pianist for Procol Harum, Gary talks about finding the musical ideas to match the words.

Don Dokken

Don DokkenSongwriter Interviews

Dokken frontman Don Dokken explains what broke up the band at the height of their success in the late '80s, and talks about the botched surgery that paralyzed his right arm.

Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear: Teddy Bears and Teddy Boys in Songs

Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear: Teddy Bears and Teddy Boys in SongsSong Writing

Elvis, Little Richard and Cheryl Cole have all sung about Teddy Bears, but there is also a terrifying Teddy song from 1932 and a touching trucker Teddy tune from 1976.

Gavin Rossdale On Lyric Inspirations and Bush's Album The Kingdom

Gavin Rossdale On Lyric Inspirations and Bush's Album The KingdomSongwriter Interviews

The Bush frontman on where he finds inspiration for lyrics, if his "machine head" is a guitar tuner, and the stories behind songs from the album The Kingdom.

Is That Song Public Domain?

Is That Song Public Domain?Fact or Fiction

Are classic songs like "Over The Rainbow" and "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" in the public domain?