Harry Nilsson’s Son of Schmilsson was released in 1972, a follow-up to the prior year’s Nilsson Schmilsson, his biggest commercial hit. This album was more experimental and risky than its predecessor.
A case in point is today’s jaunty SOTD, ‘You’re Breakin’ My Heart,’ which could have been a hit had it not opened with the lines “You’re breaking my heart, you’re tearing it apart, so fuck you.” Nearly 40 years later, in a much different era, Cee-Lo Green found success with a similar sentiment.
This track boasts guitar work by both George Harrison and Peter Frampton. Ringo Starr joined album sessions as well, and the second verse seems of this song seems to be a reference to him.
You’re breakin’ my heart
You’re tearing it apart
So fuck you
[Verse 1]
All I want to do
Is have a good time
Now I’m blue
You won’t boogaloo
Run down to Tramps
Have a dance or two – ooh!
[Chorus]
You’re breakin’ my heart
You’re tearing it apart
But fuck you
You’re breakin’ my heart
You’re tearing it apart, boo-hoo
You stepped on my ass
You’re breakin’ my glasses, too
[Verse 2]
You won’t drive my car
Might not be a star
I’ve had enough of you
I’m goin’ insane
There’s no one to blame
So fuck you
[Pre-Chorus]
You’ve gotta have your way
There’s nothing left to say
There’s nothing left to do, ooh
[Chorus]
You’re breakin’ my heart
You’re tearing it apart
So fuck you!
[Saxophone Solo]
[Pre-Chorus]
You’ve gotta have your way
There’s nothing left to say
There’s nothing left to do, oh
[Chorus]
You’re breakin’ my heart
You’re tearing it apart
But I love you
I guess they didn’t have the technology back then to sonically blur out the curse words. It’s amazing how nowadays a song can be a hit with a clean version cutting out almost every other word.