Mixtape Mondays: For the Forever Alone

Welcome to another Mixtape Monday. If you missed the last one, you can find it here.

This week's playlist is dedicated to everyone out there, fresh from a break up, searching, or just plain alone. I'm here to tell you guys that it's okay and if last week's Feel-Good playlist wasn't enough to make you feel better about yourself, maybe this playlist is just the thing for you. I present to you this week's playlist:

Songs for the Forever Alone.

To skip the banter and go directly to this week's playlist, click here.

The songs in this playlist cater to all the lonely hearts out there who're used to sitting by the sidelines whilst all their friend pair up in a frenzy of hormonal teen emotions. We here at Mixtape Mondays salute everybody who's been friendzoned, a third to fifth wheel or anybody who just isn't tough enough to seize the moment and grab the girl/guy he/she wants. We've all been that person at one point or the other. Some of us hate it and some of us are pretty okay with the fact. Most times, romance is overrated anyway, and who needs a lovelife when there's awesome music you can jam to? Sure girlfriends and boyfriends give you the love and company you've always craved, but can they make you jump around your bed  air-guitaring and headbanging like you just don't care all while maintaining a stoic face of non-judgement? Nope, not really. Music, however, lets you do that in the comforts of your own room and you don't even have to subject yourself to awkward social norms either.

Let's start this playlist with a crowd favorite. I Want You to Want Me by Cheap Trick is one of those timeless teen favorites with the retro vibe that's perfect for rocking out to or even bumming around in your room.

I Want You to Want Me - Cheap Trick

Popularized by the well-received 90s teen movie, 10 Things I Hate About You, this song, in the form of a cover by Letters to Cleo has been a staple for lonely people everywhere for ages. In fact, this song was a lot more popular in Japan than it was in the U.S. upon its release, spurring Cheap Trick's Nippon Budoukan Tour. Since then, the live performance of this song at this tour has been their biggest selling single, reaching #7 in the Billboard Hot 100 in 1979. Since then numerous covers of the song have seen use in pop culture, including dozens of teen and high school movies and series like John Tucker Must Die and the ABC Family TV Adaptation of 10 Things I Hate About You, not to mention one of my favorite series, yet again, Scrubs. It's no wonder then lonely people all over the world.

But maybe you're not pining over someone who doesn't love you back. Sure, I'll give you that. Maybe you're one of those people still wallowing in  their spite after having found out their significant other's been spending intimate time with somebody other than yourself. So you've broken up, and even though you know you're angry and deserve a lot better, you can't help but feel lonely, worthless and like a pile of dirt. Here, have this song. It might just make you feel better.

Cheatercheaterbestfriendeater - Never Shout Never

Cheatercheaterbestfriendeater by Never Shout Never is basically one of those songs you sing to yourself in your room whilst spitefully shooting darts at an old picture of your ex. It helps that the video to this song is pretty darn funny as well. The passive aggressive nature of the song is genius and endearing at the same time and will have you humming its tune in the back of your head whilst carving scars and stabbing pencils into a homemade voodoo doll model. It's the perfect catharsis for your bleeding soul in a nice ukulele wrapped package.


Okay, so maybe you aren't spiteful, but you've still been dumped and feel pretty bad about it. Luckily for you, Hot Chelle Rae has just the song for you. Tonight Tonight tells the story of a guy dumped by his girlfriend. But doesn't mean he's going to let that cruddy fact get to him. Nope, instead, he parties the night away.

Tonight Tonight - Hot Chelle Rae

And will you look at that, another #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Hot Chelle Rae had the potential to thrust this song into summer anthem status with its catchy beat and very relateable lyrics, but nope, that didn't happen. Do you know why? Because Call Me Maybe happened, that's why. The level of disappointment I hold in my little fangirl heart is too much to express in words.

But then maybe you haven't been dumped and instead choose to walk the righteous path of celibacy and monk-dom. We all know that's probably just an excuse, but hey, to each his own. This song doesn't exactly scream empowerment, but the beat, tempo and general atmosphere of the song does.

Audience of One - Rise Against

Audience of One from Rise Against is the perfect headbanger that reminds us that we're definitely aren't the only ones feeling alone. In the end we're just part of the crowd the says 'screw it, I don't need anyone else to make me feel alright about myself.' In the end, even with an audience of one, you can still sort of feel like a rockstar.

But then again, not many people choose to be single, and for most it is an unwilling status. So what most guys do is try to find something that makes them seem more appealing. They could hit the gym and probably tone themselves more - nope, too much effort. Maybe haircut and a shave to bring out those gorgeous moody eyes? But then you'd actually have the leave the house. Oh! Is that an old guitar lying unused on the floor? Maybe I should learn how to play it. Chicks like guys who play instruments right?

Jumper - Third Eye Blind

Jumper by Third Eye Blind is one of those songs people learn how to play on guitar to get some chicks. The chords are easy and the song makes you seem deep, mysterious and misunderstood. Pair that up with a leather jacket and some grungy look (it's effortless really) and you'll have the girls swooning for you in no time. At the same time, for people who really do feel alone in this world, this song is a call for them not to end it because somehow, no matter how alone you feel, there's always someone out there who cares. Even if it is just your mom. So in some way or the other, it serves a double purpose in this playlist.

One thing this author would like to remind her readers is that even though we're all alone, there's always hope. Put on an approachable disposition and things will somehow align themselves in your favor, with or without a significant other, so don't lose hope. And to end this playlist, I leave you with a song of encouragement and sincere sympathy.

 Hold on Hope - Guided by Voices

Hold on Hope by Guided by Voices is the most appropriate song that comes to mind at this moment. When I'm feeling extra emo and moody, wallowing in my own self-pity, this always seems to work my mood out. Here I am, single, happy, and content. It's not that hard to find happiness. Unless of course your depression is caused by a chemical imbalance, in which case appropriate medicine might actually help. But in general a few songs, some supportive friends and maybe a little attitude adjustment will get you places you've never even thought you could reach, heck it may even get you a girlfriend/boyfriend. So don't lose hope.


On that note, that just about wraps up this week's Mixtape Monday. If there are any songs you guys deem fit for this playlist, leave a comment below. I'd love to hear about you guys' awesome taste in music.

To view this week's full Mixtape Monday on playlist mode, feel free to visit my YouTube page or go directly to the playlist here.

Stay tuned for more Mixtape Mondays and comment below for next week's theme suggestions!