Go to Hell Songs

Ah, the go to hell song. The public rebuke of one once loved. We’ve all listened to these songs after an ugly breakup, amirite or amirite? Hell, “Already Gone” by the Eagles got me through many a night after a love gone bad back in the day, and that song didn’t even make this list.

Here are my top songs that are an arctic blast at an ex, a cold shot of bristling hate at the one who did ya wrong. And the best thing is, it was a public put-down at it‘s highest form – on the acetate and over the airwaves.

Without further ado, here are just a few of my favorites …

Laughter Lou (Who Needs You?) – Steve Forbert

Ah, Steve absolutely eviscerates some poor schmuck in this one. Glorious.

You criticize most everyone

Ever have you got to show

At least the ones you’re putting down

Got up to have a go

I ain’t know one said the life in there

Or as up above no sludge

Just give me one good reason why

You are qualify to judge?

 

Death on Two Legs – Queen

This is the band’s ode to Norman Sheffield, a former manager who screwed the boys over (and in Freddie’s case I mean that literally) . . .

Death on two legs

You’ve never had a heart of your own

Kill joy, bad guy, big talking small fry,

You’re just an old barrow boy

Have you found a new toy to replace me? Can you face me?

But now you can kiss my ass goodbye . . .

The searing guitar and Freddie’s vocals make it even better. Love it.

 

You Oughta Know – Alanis Morissette

This one almost made me feel sorry for the tool it was written about until I found it was about Dave Coulier, that cat from Full House. After that I was OK with it.

Did you forget about me, Mr. Duplicity?

I hate to bug you in the middle of dinner

It was a slap in the face

How quickly I was replaced

And are you thinking of me when you fuck her?

Ouch. Do not piss Alanis off. She makes Taylor Swift sound like a scorned schoolgirl.

I See You – Hoodoo Gurus

No clue who this is about, but it fits one person that I used to work under know perfectly.

Don’t you get it?

Let me lend you a clue. I see you, I see right through you.

You’re a sad malignant loser, why do you continue?

I’m your mirror so wherever you go, man – I see you.

I can’t tolerate your self-righteous views.

I see you, I see right through you.

Preach it, Hoodoos.

 

How Do You Sleep? – John Lennon

Ah, John’s brutal missive to Sir Paul. Pure and total nasty . . .

Those freaks was right when they said you was dead

The one mistake you made was in your head

You live with straights who tell you you was king

Jump when your momma tell you anything

The only thing you done was yesterday

And since you’re gone you’re just another day

Ah, how do you sleep? Ah, how do you sleep at night?

I’m sure you recognize the references to the songs “Yesterday” and “Another Day”. Just brutal.

 

Evil Woman – ELO

I don’t know who hurt Jeff Lynne, but she’s had to listen to these lyrics every time this song popped up on the radio for the last 40-years:

You made a fool of me

But them broken dreams have got to end

Hey woman, you got the blues, cause you ain’t got no one else to use

There’s an open road that leads nowhere, so just make some miles between here and there

There’s a hole in my head where the rain comes in, you took my body and played to win

Ha-ha woman it’s a crying shame, but you ain’t got nobody else to blame

Evil woman, evil woman Evil woman, evil woman.

Rolled in from another town, hit some gold too hot to settle down

But a fool and his money soon go separate ways, and you found that fool lyin’ in a daze

Ha-ha woman, what you gonna do? You destroyed all the virtues that the Lord gave you

It’s so good that you’re feeling pain, yes you better get your face on board the very next train.

Yowza. Say what you mean, Jeff! Don’t hold back! On a related note, click on the song title to see how good Jeff Lynne really was. He should be in the Hall of Fame.

So there are just a few of my favorite “Go to Hell” songs, and I’m sure you guys know a few as well.

Whaddaya got?

Originally published on April 13th, 2012.

 

Queen: “Somebody to Love”

One-of-a-kind.