When you were mine
I am still trying to track down the definitive list of the top 10 breakup songs – apparently George Michael’s “Careless Whisper” got ranked #6. Personally I think “When you were mine” would need to be in there somewhere.
First recorded by Prince, in 1980, it seems this track has been covered by a fairly large number of people.
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When you were mine I gave you all of my money Time after time You done me wrong It was just like a dream You let all my friends come over and meet And you were so strange You didnt have the decency to change the sheets Oh girl, when you were mine I know (I know) When you were mine I know (I know) When you were mine I know (I know) When you were mine, yeah, oh no |
The version I remember best is from Cyndi Lauper’s “Shes so unusual” album. As a female singer, you’d expect her to change the pronouns throughout, but she didnt, leading to a fairly clear implication of a breakup with another woman (though it’s got to be said, Prince is pushing things with lines like “I used to let you wear all my clothes” and then later on, “When he was there / Sleeping inbetween the two of us“).
Other artists folowed and I found myself caught by a version by Tegan and Sara (that sounds like the Prince version but includes
Cyndi’s gender-bending lyrics.)
(and before you ask, no, I am not breaking up with anyone!)