The Greatest Oldies Music

Oldies Musics

Neil Sedaka – Breaking Up Is Hard to Do

Introduction

“Breaking Up Is Hard to Do” by Neil Sedaka is a timeless anthem that captures the emotional turmoil of ending a romantic relationship. Originally released in 1962 as a single, the song became one of Sedaka’s most iconic hits, resonating with listeners around the world with its catchy melody and relatable lyrics. With its upbeat rhythm and poignant message, “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do” has stood the test of time, remaining a staple on radio playlists and in the hearts of fans for generations. Join us as we explore the enduring significance of Neil Sedaka’s “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do.”

Did You Know?

  • “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do” was written by Neil Sedaka and Howard Greenfield, who collaborated on many of Sedaka’s biggest hits.
  • The song reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, becoming Sedaka’s first chart-topping single as a performer.
  • Sedaka later re-recorded “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do” in a slower, ballad-style version in 1975, which also became a hit.
  • The song’s universal theme of heartbreak and resilience has made it a favorite for cover versions by artists spanning various genres.

Video

Lyrics: Breaking Up Is Hard to Do

Do do do
Down dooby doo down down
Comma, comma, down dooby doo down down
Comma, comma, down dooby doo down down
Breaking up is hard to doDon’t take your love away from me
Don’t you leave my heart in misery
If you go then I’ll be blue
Cause breaking up is hard to doRemember when you held me tight
And you kissed me all through the night
Think of all that we’ve been through
And breaking up is hard to do

They say that breaking up is hard to do
Now I know
I know that it’s true
Don’t say that this is the end
Instead of breaking up I wish that we were making up again

I beg of you don’t say goodbye
Can’t we give our love another try?
Come on, baby, let’s start anew
Cause breaking up is hard to do

(They say that breaking up is hard to do)
Now I know
I know that it’s true
(Don’t say that this is the end)
Instead of breaking up I wish that we were making up again

I beg of you don’t say goodbye
Can’t we give our love another try?
Come on, baby, let’s start anew
Cause breaking up is hard to do

(Down dooby doo down down)
Comma, comma, down dooby doo down down
Comma, comma, down dooby doo down down
Comma, comma, down dooby doo down down
Comma, comma, down dooby doo down

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NOBODY BECOMES A LEGEND BY STANDING AT THE BOTTOM OF A HARMONY. EXCEPT HAROLD REID. Don Reid sang the words. Jimmy Fortune reached the high notes. Phil Balsley held the middle. But Harold Reid held the floor beneath all of them. He was the bass of The Statler Brothers — not always the first voice people hummed on the way home, but the one they felt before they understood why the song worked. Take Harold out of a Statler record and the song still plays. It just does not land the same way. Something underneath is gone. That was his power. He was also funny enough to own a room before the first chorus ever arrived. In a group known for faith, family, and harmony, Harold gave the Statlers something just as important: warmth. He made the crowd laugh, then dropped his voice so low it felt like the whole song had found its foundation. Near the end, he told Jimmy Fortune he had been a blessed man and was ready whenever the Lord called him. When Harold passed in 2020, Jimmy wrote the plainest truth: “Our hearts are broken tonight.” Some singers want you to look at them. Harold Reid made you feel what was missing when he was gone.