What makes Breaking Up Is Hard to Do by Neil Sedaka notable?

The title track became one of Sedaka's signature songs, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in August 1962. Its success not only helped define the sound of pop music at the time but also influenced numerous artists in the genre who sought to capture similar themes of love and loss. Released in June 1962, Breaking Up Is Hard to Do was Neil Sedaka's third studio album and marked a pivotal moment in his career. Following his earlier successes as a songwriter and performer, this album solidified his position as a leading figure in early 1960s pop music.

How many songs are on Breaking Up Is Hard to Do?

Breaking Up Is Hard to Do has 2 tracks, running approximately 2 minutes.

Breaking Up Is Hard to Do

Neil Sedaka · 1962

2 min · 2 tracks · pop music

Catchy melodies intertwine with heartfelt lyrics, capturing the bittersweet essence of young love and heartbreak.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Breaking Up Is Hard to Do — This track epitomizes Sedaka's ability to blend catchy pop melodies with relatable lyrics about heartache, making it a timeless classic.
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As Long as I Live — The song showcases Sedaka's vocal range and emotional delivery, enhancing the album's exploration of love’s complexities.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

51 /100

Foothills

Higher than 34% of albums we've rated

The album features strong melodies and distinct arrangements, particularly in its hit single.

What we noticed

The title track features a prominent piano melody that drives the song, while the backing vocals create a rich harmonic texture.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — This album defined Sedaka's sound and established his reputation with a hit single.
Themes: 1960s heartbreak· Brill Building pop· bittersweet love songs
Career context: Released in June 1962, Breaking Up Is Hard to Do was Neil Sedaka's third studio album and marked a pivotal moment in his career. Following his earlier successes as a songwriter and performer, this album solidified his position as a leading figure in early 1960s pop music.
Stylistic neighbors: Barry Manilow· Bobby Vinton· Paul Anka