Song Club #21: Saltiness & Heartbreak

If you’ve ever been cheated on you will know the balm that is listening to these kinds of songs

This week, I belatedly succumbed to the charms of Chappell Roan. Specifically, I listened to the song ‘Casual’ on repeat, then learnt it on guitar, then tried to get my sister into it … juuuust a little bit obsessed right now. 

I’m a sucker for songs like ‘Casual’. I love the “No, fuck YOU” energy. I love the specificity: small particular details that ensure if the dead-shit subject is listening they know it’s about them. I love the combination of saltiness and heartbreak. 

‘Night Shift’ by Lucy Dacus,  ‘Motion Sickness’ by Phoebe Bridgers, and ‘Jonathan’ by Adrianne Lenker are other favorites that play in a similar space. Each of them woven through with longing ache, anger, and subtle shade. 

These lyrics in the bridge of ‘Motion Sickness’, fill me with particular glee: 

You said when you met you were bored 
You were in a band when I were born    

If you’ve ever been treated as an afterthought, taken for granted, or cheated on you will know the balm that is listening to these kinds of songs. It’s even more satisfying to write one. 

So, this week, let’s explore saltiness and heartbreak in our songwriting. 

Keep going, 

Lucy 

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SONG PROVOCATIONS

Write a song about a time you stayed too long in a shitty situationship