Favorite Songs of the 2000's:Stars - 'Your Ex-Lover Is Dead' (2005)

When figuring out what songs I was going to do this feature on, some of them I've gone back and forth on. In fact, some of the songs on the list I have for these Favorite songs of the decade are still in question as to whether they'll make this final cut. This song, however, was a given.

When I heard Canadian band Stars third album, Set Yourself On Fire, I knew it was a special album. I haven't started making this list yet, but I'm guessing that album will find it's way in the top half of my favorite records of the decade, it's that good. The best track on this great album is definitely the album opener 'Your Ex-Lover Is Dead'. I read a magazine in early 2006 that asked musicians which one song of 2005 do you wish you could have written. If I remember right there were more than one person that named this song. That's a good sign.

'Your Ex-Lover Is Dead' is a different spin on the classic break-up song. It seems to be about a former couple seeing each other randomly for the first time in a long time. Some of the lyrics are just fabulous and somewhat heartbreaking. My favorite part of the song is definitely the end, where both singers Torquil Campbell and Amy Milan sing the final verse together. It's a rare instance for me when I can sense the emotions of a song and put myself in the writer/singers place, but 'Your Ex-Lover Is Dead' I always do.

"There's one thing I want to say, so I'll be brave
You were what I wanted
I gave what I gave
I'm not sorry I met you
I'm not sorry it's over
I'm not sorry there's nothing to say

I'm not sorry there's nothing to say..."

Here's the video for 'Your Ex-Lover Is Dead':



-Matt