She left you. For a woman.

He had mommy issues. With your mommy.

It’s over. Done. Kaput.

It’s time to drown your sorrow and soothe the anger that burns inside you with the heat of a thousand suns.

Booze. Drugs. Xbox. Knitting. Insert the addiction of your choice. They all seem like good ideas right now, but they’ll only leave you with a crushing hangover and carpal tunnel.

No, my friend, what you need is music! Heart-wrenching, soul-searching, furniture-breaking songs that help you mourn your loss while preserving your self-respect.

Might I suggest the following in ranked list form:

10. “Washing of the Water” (Peter Gabriel)
Letting go, it’s so hard, the way it’s hurting now
To get this love untied

9. “Come Pick Me Up” (Ryan Adams)
Come pick me up
Take me out
Fuck me up
Steal my records

8. “But Not for Me” (by George & Ira Gershwin, perf. by Harry Connick, Jr.)
Although I can’t dismiss the memory of her kiss
I guess she’s not for me

7. “I and Love and You” (The Avett Brothers)
Three words that became hard to say
I and love and you

6. “I Just Don’t Think I’ll Ever Get Over You” (Colin Hay)
Without you here there is less to say

5. “Have You Ever Loved a Woman” (by Billy Myles, perf. by Eric Clapton)
Listen to EC’s guitar and you’ll understand.

4 “La Cienega Just Smiled” (Ryan Adams)
I hold you close in the back of my mind
Feels so good but damn, it makes me hurt

3. “A Case of You” (by Joni Mitchell, perf. by Diana Krall)
Part of you pours out of me
In these lines from time to time

2. “Everybody’s Got to Learn Sometime” (by James Warren, perf. by Beck)
Change your heart, look around you
Change your heart, it will astound you

1. “The Trapeze Swinger” (Iron & Wine)
Please, remember me
Seldomly

There. Feel better? I hope so. If not, well, maybe one drink wouldn’t hurt.