Broken hearts, breaking hearts

I was listening today to classic country music. I know that country is not for everybody, but when it comes to heartbreak, I’m not sure any music does it better.

One standout today was Dolly Parton’s version of her own-written song I Will Always Love You, later a more dramatic hit by Whitney Houston. What makes Dolly’s take so aching is how plainly and plaintively she sings:

And I hope life will treat you kind
And I hope that you have all
That you ever dreamed of
I do wish you joy
And I wish you happiness
But above all this
I wish you love
I love you
I will always love you

I followed that with Patsy Cline singing I Fall to Pieces:

You tell me to find someone else to love
Someone who loves me too
The way you used to do
But each time I go out with someone new
You walk by and I fall to pieces

The good news is that it has been a long time since my heart was broken or I have broken a heart. But I admit to being that cliche as a younger guy, walking past her apartment house at night, looking up at the lights in the room, guessing (knowing) that there was someone else up there who wasn’t me.

This has me wondering whether heartbreak has some benefit besides just creativity. Speaking of cliches, there is “better to have loved and lost…” Maybe, probably. But at the time, it sure doesn’t seem like it.