Neil Sedaka’s Biggest Hit Surprised Fans by Topping the Charts Twice

Meredith GordonFri, February 27, 2026 at 10:35 PM UTC

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(Photo by Bettmann on Getty Images)

Legendary singer Neil Sedaka has died at the age of 86 after being rushed to the hospitalFriday after “not feeling well.” Sedaka’s family released a statement to Daily Variety saying, “Our family is devastated by the sudden passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather, Neil Sedaka. A true rock and roll legend, an inspiration to millions, but most importantly, at least to those of us who were lucky enough to know him, an incredible human being who will be deeply missed.”

Fans of the ‘60s music legend are revisiting his lengthy catalog, diving into his biggest hit song “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do.” Released in 1962, the original version of “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do” was an upbeat, doo-wop-influenced pop track that expertly captured the ache of young heartbreak under the guise of a deceptively cheerful melody. Ten years later, in 1975, the singer re-recorded the song as a slow, dramatic ballad, giving it new life and an entirely fresh emotional tone.

How "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do" Topped the Charts Twice

The 1962 version of “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do” became Sedaka’s first No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, making him a fixture in early pop and rock history. The 1975 version also became a hit, reaching the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and climbing to No. 1 on the Adult Contemporary chart, a rare achievement. Sedaka became the first artist to record two completely different versions of the same song and have them both become major chart hits.

“Breaking Up Is Hard to Do” still holds its place as one of the ultimate breakup songs and has been featured in film and television shows for decades, including 9-1-1: Lone Star, Beverly Hills 90210, and Saturday Night Live.

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Neil Sedaka’s Musical Legacy

The song catapulted the Brooklyn-born singer-songwriter and pianist to fame. Classically trained at the Juilliard School of Music’s preparatory division before transitioning to pop music, Sedaka became known for crafting melodic, emotional hits that blended pop, rock, and the Brill Building songwriting style that defined much of pop music in the 1960s.

Sedaka is also famous for writing hits like “Calendar Girl,” “Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen,” “Laughter in the Rain,” "Love Will Keep Us Together," and “Bad Blood.”

Despite Sedaka’s decades-long career and extensive catalog of genre-defining hits, “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do” remains Sedaka’s signature song that fans will undoubtedly be listening to on repeat as they mourn his passing.

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This story was originally published by Parade on Feb 27, 2026, where it first appeared in the Celebs section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”