Case Of The Ex: Artists Who Longed For Former Flames On Wax

July 9, 2014 - 7:59 pm by Shanelle Drakeford

Unofficial studies show that most artists find themselves wanting that old thing back. As heard in their music, singers and rappers aren't afraid to air out their grief with exes on-record or in Robin Thicke's case, an entire album.

While Thicke's Paula LP, aka propaganda for the "Get Paula Back" campaign, sunk in sales (he only sold 24,000 copies in the US and a reported 530 in UK), the art of serenading your exes is nothing new. See which artists have longed for their former flames on wax above.

CLICK THROUGH THE ARROWS ABOVE

Justin Bieber "Life Is Worth Living" Despite his bad boy ways, singer Justin Bieber has always had a soft spot for on-and-off-and-on-again girlfriend, Selena Gomez. Back in March, he posted a fifteen second clip of what looks like the perfect make-up ballad. Although the song hasn't been released, he clearly wanted the world to see that whoever the song is about, makes life worth living.

Chris Brown "Crawl" Chris Brown's high-profile relationship with Rihanna is the stuff that breakup songs are made of. While never singling the other out, the two have never shied away from dealing with their heartache on wax. In 2009, Breezy released the optimistic hit "Crawl," singing, "So we’ll crawl, until we can walk again," which many claimed was for then-ex Rihrih. Years later, the two would actually spark rumors they were dating again. [videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]

Lil Wayne "Something You Forgot" Lil Wayne has made it known that he's a lover of all women. However, he never ceases to remind the world who his true love was. Wayne has made several references to ex-girlfriend and baby mother Nivea in previous songs but the Heart-sampled "Something You Forgot" sounds like an ode to the former R&B singer. He even references their matching teardrop tattoos. [videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]

Kanye West "Coldest Winter" Back in 2008 (before Yeezus was even a thing), Kanye West hit an emotional low in his life. All within a close timespan, Kanye lost his mom and ended his six-year relationship and two-year engagement with his then-fiancee, Alexis Phifer. Hence, 808s & Heartbreak was born. One track in particular, "Coldest Winter" wallows in his break-up and questions his ability to love again, singing, "If spring can take the snow away/ Can it melt away all of our mistakes?" [videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]

Usher "Throwback" Usher's pristine 2004 album Confessions has widely been believed to detail his past relationship with ex-girlfriend, Chilli. The first track off the album talks about getting back with an ex and wishing they could rewind time and right their wrongs. He preaches, "You never miss a good thing 'til it leaves you." The two split that year. [videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]

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