Making a playlist is my first response to every noteworthy life event.  Hence why most of my friends own 5-10 "mixes by Alyssa."  I support the idea that music is word power.  And listening to familiar tunes this week has been my torment and my salvation.

A torment because I'm under the belief that good playlists acknowledge the whole spectrum of emotion.  Thus, my playlists aren't restricted to songs that say "fuck him, it's over."  Nope, instead I acknowledge that there's regret and a continual wish that you could return to the love you once knew.  I torture my little heart by including songs like this one (and this, among others).

Salvation because lyrics that mirror your own experience are healing somehow.  The songs I put on repeat are the ones that make me feel peace or hope.  Or the songs that make me feel stronger.  So, for anyone who needs a good heartbreak playlist, enjoy my top 25 tunes.

1.  More -- Sam and Ruby
2.  Need Me Less -- Sam and Ruby
3.  Taking Memories -- Sam and Ruby
4.  Let Him Fly -- Patty Griffin
5.  World Spins Madly On -- The Weepies
6.  Where I Stood -- Missy Higgins
7.  Been a Long Day -- Rosi Golan
8.  I Can't Make You Love Me (cover) -- Adele
9.  Blue Skies -- Noah & The Whale
10.  King of Wishful Thinking (cover) -- Tessa Powers & Adam K.
11.  You've Got Growing Up to Do -- Joshua Radin (ft. Patty Griffin)
12.  Christ Alone -- Edens Edge
13.  This Love is Over -- Ray LaMontagne & the Pariah Dogs
14.  Let It Die -- Feist
15.  Battle -- Colbie Caillat
16.  Skinny Love (cover) -- Birdy
17.  F**K Was I -- Jenny Owen Youngs
18.  In Repair -- John Mayer
19.  Split Screen Sadness -- John Mayer
20.  Can't Go Back Now -- The Weepies
21.  Gonna Get Over You -- Sara Bareilles
22.  Half of My Heart -- John Mayer (ft. Taylor Swift)
23.  Too Much -- Sam and Ruby
24.  You Could Be Happy -- Snow Patrol
25.  I Hope You're Well -- Sam and Ruby

Note: an extended version of this heartache playlist is available here.


July Update: After two months of weeping, I finally had to separate the tormenting songs from the "getting over him" songs. For anyone interested, the torment playlist can be found here.





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A heartbreak mix is required for me because melodies and lyrics are powerful.