Cold and Bitter: The Best Breakup Songs in Film & TV

So it's November, and Christmas is coming up fast and furious. It's a time for loved ones to gather near, huddled under the mistletoe, and whisper "I don't think this is working out." Christmas might be one of the cruelest seasons to break up, but we've all seen it happen. To get over it as soon as possible, enjoy these songs - then you'll be ready for a rebound by Valentine's Day.

Happiness - Grant Lee Buffalo (House)
Although it wasn't used as a breakup song in the show, mostly because Dr. House is far too bitter to be with anyone, this song gets a pass. Pretty much every time House is alone there is a desperately sad song playing, and this is no exception. "Never mind the words that came out of my mouth when all that I could feel was pain..." At times, only the soundtrack seems to admit how crushingly depressed Gregory House must be.

Tiny Tears - Tindersticks (The Sopranos)
There are few sights more pathetic than a big fat tough mob boss wallowing in bed. Stricken with depression, Tony can barely move until he sees a beautiful girl outside his window. Thing is - spoilers - she turns out to be a lithium hallucination. Pretty heartbreaking, especially in conjunction with this slow tune about a man ignoring his woman's sadness. "Tiny tears," it turns out, do in fact "make up an ocean."

All By Myself - Jamie O'Neal, Jewel, pretty much everyone (Bridget Jones' Diary, Clueless)
After being shot down by a handsome man in a reindeer sweater, Bridget Jones returns home and loses herself in the bottle. We've all been there. Maybe we haven't all donned red pajamas and sung along to "Sad FM," as Bridget describes it, but that's not really the point. It would be impossible to list all the silver and small screen appearances of this song, but its credentials speak for themselves.

My Heart Will Go On - Celine Dion (Titanic)
Don't you judge me.

If You Leave Me Now - Chicago (Shaun of the Dead)
Although first and foremost a comedy, SotD offers heart-wrenching drama of many types, starting with Shaun and Liz's breakup. Shaun, red-eyed, slumps in the local pub, Lemon Jelly's remix of this song (called "Soft") filling the air. Friend Ed demands "who the hell put this on?" Shaun moans "it's on random." Oh, cruel fate. "If you leave me now, you'll take away the biggest part of me...oooh, baby please don't go..."

At This Moment - Billy Vera and the Beaters (Family Ties, Family Guy)
I was two years old when "Family Ties" was canceled, but Seth MacFarlane, creator of "Family Guy," describes the song as "surprisingly poignant" for when Alex and Ellen break up at a dance. On the latter show, intelligent but alcoholic dog Brian passionately belts this song while a contestant on "The Bachelorette," vying for the affections of a sexy jazz fan. "What did you think I would do at this moment, when you're standing before me with tears in your eyes?"

Full of Grace - Sarah McLachlan (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)
No matter how badly your relationship turned out, it's unlikely that your lover lost his soul, became a vicious killer, tried to send the world spinning into hell, then regained his soul moments before you had to impale him on a sword to save the universe. Lost and broken, Buffy wanders away from her hometown of Sunnydale at the end of Season Two, taking a bus to Los Angeles as this tearjerking song plays - "I know I can love you much better than this..." Yeah, I think you probably could. Just don't stab him this time.