Breaking up is hard to do Neil Sedaka Cover
Breaking Up is Hard to Do is considered as Sedaka’s signature song, Breaking Up is Hard to Do was co-written by Neil Sedaka and Howard Greenfield. The lyrics were penned down by Howie who was nudged forward by Sedaka. After which, the song was presented to Barry Mann for appraisal who did not think too much of this single until Sedaka added the dooby doo opening part. Sedaka then recorded the song twice; the original in 1962 and again in 1975 using two immensely different arrangements. While the first release became a hit and even topped the Billboard Hot 100, the 1975 version made Sedaka the second artist to ever make the Billboard top 10 with two versions of the same song.
History and Meaning of the Song - Breaking Up is Hard to Do by Neil Sedaka (1975 Version)
Although the first release was originally an uptempo song, Neil redid it as a ballad in 1975. The song was very well received and it even peaked at number 8 on the US Billboard charts in December the same year. This much slower version went on to achieve a number one position on the Easy Listening Chart. Neil claims that the second version was only an afterthought on the album Hungry Years and that the song itself was inspired by the Showmen’s song – It Will Stand.
From the song title alone, it’s quite easy to get the meaning and intention of the song. For anyone who has ever been in love, then you know just how hard and painful it can be to lose your soul mate. Unlike the first version where fans could get down to a nice beat, the second version is much slower and has a somber mood to it. Many have said that this version better represents the message being put forward.
The song is about a person who is begging the love of his life not to end their relationship as this will fill the jilted lover’s heart with pain and sorrow. Neil recalls just how beautiful the relationship was and all those wonderful things they did as a couple, urging his love to reconsider. Instead of breaking up, the writer wishes that they would make up and give their love another try. All it takes is just one more chance; one more chance to make things right because breaking up is so hard to do.
Breaking Up is Hard to Do has received numerous covers from various artists over the years including The Carpenters, Nick Carter, Paul Anka, Gloria Estefan, Lucy Hale, Tom Jones, Little Eva, Lenny Welch, Andy Williams, Alvin and the Chipmunks and many more.
• Breaking up is hard to do Neil Sedaka Cover