Jabeen Waheed, Charley Ross
Breakup songs are so powerful, aren’t they? They get you through a period in your life when you feel there may be no hope. No matter what stage of the breakup you’re in, there’s something for everyone to relate to and keep pulling you ahead to the other side of single-life freedom.
From heartbroken and sad to angry and bitter and to simply having the strength to leave the past in the past, failed romances have long served as inspiration for musical artists when it comes to penning their new songs. Whether you are in the throes of denial and want your ex back, processing what went wrong or finally moving on, we know full well that we can turn to music to help mend our broken hearts.
The great thing about breakup songs is that they don’t all have to be super sad. Take, for example, Miley Cyrus, who preaches empowerment with Flowers, while Ariana Grande knows she doesn’t have to settle with Thank U, Next, and Survivor by Destiny’s Child making us fiercely declare our independence.
But we get it, sometimes you want to be all up in your feels, and Adele is a genius at those tear-jerking songs about the difficulty of moving on, while Robyn perfectly captures the same struggle with her powerful pop anthem, Dancing On My Own. We can also feel the pain in Dolly Parton’s voice when she begs Jolene to stay away from her man.
While the list of fantastic breakup songs appears to be endless, here are 39 of GLAMOUR’s favourites:
1. Flowers by Miley Cyrus
When: 2023
What: As the ultimate message of female empowerment, being single and not needing a man, we still have Miley Cyrus’ catchy Flowers in our heads as we go and live our best single lives.
Stage of breakup: Single and free
2. Escapism by Raye
When: 2022
What: Escapism is a no-holds-barred, raw look into dealing with a sudden breakup with unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as alcohol, drugs and hook-ups. Our favourite line: “He told me that it’s over, dumb decision.”
Stage of breakup: The immediate aftermath.
3. Break My Heart Myself by Bebe Rexha
When: 2021
What: Bebe Rexha powerfully reclaims her power over a break-up as she takes back the narrative and informs her tumultuous ex that his vile behaviour does not affect her much as she can break her own heart and doesn’t need his help to do so.
Stage of breakup: Fiercly single
4. The One That Got Away by Katy Perry
When: 2010
What: You may have moved on, but sometimes you can’t help but reminisce over that lover from years earlier when things were meant to work out, but unfortunately, they did not. What would have happened if the romance was still going strong? Would life be completely different? You may never know.
Stage of breakup: Reminiscing
5. We Belong Together by Mariah Carey
When: 2005
What: “Who am I gon’ lean on when times get rough? Who’s gon’ to talk to me ’til the sun comes up?” These lyrics, via Mariah’s buttery smooth, effortless vocals, highlight yearning for the other person. Sometimes, breaking up is not the answer, and life is so much better together
Stage of breakup: In the thick of it
6. I Have Nothing by Whitney Houston
When: 1992
What: “I have nothing” is the feeling many of us have when we feel like we’ve given our all in fighting for a relationship to work, and nothing more can be done on our end. Heartbreaking, chilling, powerful, and with those Whitney’s vocals, this song is a true masterpiece.
Stage of breakup: In the thick of it
7. Potential Breakup Song by Aly and AJ
When: 2007
What: The ultimate angsty teenage breakup song that saw sisters Aly and AJ look back in anger at their failed relationship as they noted all the things their boyfriend did that made them fuming. They definitely won’t settle for anything less than perfect, and we salute them for it!
Stage of breakup: Angry
8. Thank U, Next by Ariana Grande
When: 2019
What: Ariana comes to plenty of eye-opening realisations as she reflects on her previous relationships. As a result, she is happily ready to leave the past in the past and move on. Thank U, Next went viral thanks to its catchiness and epic music video, which brilliantly referenced movies such as Mean Girls and Legally Blonde.
Stage of breakup: Over it
9. Irreplaceable by Beyoncé
When: 2006
What: “To the left, to the left. Everything you own in the box to the left..” Ahh, we loved Queen Bey‘s no-nonsense attitude in this song about not shedding any tears and moving on from an ex who won’t get the hint. Goodbye!
Stage of breakup: Over it
10. I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor
When: 1978
What: The ultimate power anthem full of motivation and inspiration that expertly addresses the stages of grief following a relationship’s demise. At first, Gloria sings that she was “petrified” and “kept thinking I could never live without you by my side” before realising how her ex did her wrong and how she’s so much better on her own.
Stage of breakup: Single and free
11. New Rules by Dua Lipa
When: 2017
What: In this catchy song which propelled her to stardom, Dua sings about setting boundaries and establishing new rules in a bid to move on from her ex. We all have done this at some point to stop us from falling back into toxic, failed relationships.
Stage of breakup: Moving on
12. Rolling In The Deep by Adele
When: 2011
What: Eurgh, Adele‘s vocals are truly something else! Especially when she sang about her tumultuous relationship with an ex and all the scored emotions she felt as a result of the breakup in the fiery hit tune, Rolling In the Deep.
Stage of breakup: Reflecting
13. Don’t Speak by No Doubt
When: 1995
What: This song was deeply personal for lead singer Gwen Stefani as she sang about her relationship with bassist Tony Kanal, who she dated for seven years. Gwen admits in the tune that it was a pity that things didn’t work out romantically between the pair and that explaining the failed romance hurt.
Stage of breakup: Reminiscing
14. Since U Been Gone by Kelly Clarkson
When: 2004
What: Wow, Kelly Clarkson truly had up singing along at the top of our lungs to this inspiring song about getting your freedom and feeling relief following a relationship. It’s no surprise that this catapulted the American Idol winner’s career to astronomical heights.
Stage of breakup: Fiercely single.
15. Dancing On My Own by Robyn
When: 2010
What: Not all breakup songs need to be slow-moving ballads. This song by Robyn was an electropop smash-hit that was big on the dancefloor despite being centred on the story of a woman watching her ex-boyfriend out at the club with another woman while pondering if it’s right to confront him one last time…
Stage of breakup: In the thick of it.
16. Shoutout To My Ex by Little Mix
When: 2016
What: We’re pretty sure this song was inspired by Perrie Edwards’ breakup with Zayn Malik. This upbeat tune focused on the positives of a failed romance, including the lessons an ex taught them about what they won’t settle for going forward.
Stage of breakup: Learning lessons.
17. Before He Cheats by Carrie Underwood
When: 2005
What: Oh, Carrie was angry, wasn’t she? And understandably so, as she furiously belted her heart out about taking revenge on her potentially unfaithful partner, who didn’t seem to learn from his past mistakes.
Stage of breakup: Angry
18. Somebody That I Used To Know by Gotye
When: 2011
What: We can all relate to this song about a person who was once a special somebody in our life feeling like a complete stranger despite the hoards of great memories once shared between them.
Stage of breakup: Reminiscing
19. We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together by Taylor Swift
When: 2012
What: The queen of singing about relationships, Taylor Swift’s song We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together says it all in the title. Sometimes, second chances aren’t worth it!
Stage of breakup: Over it
20. Leave (Get Out) by JoJo
When: 2004
What: JoJo might have only been thirteen-years-old while singing this song, but the message of independence was loud and clear because boys will be boys, no matter their age.
Stage of breakup: Angry
21. I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston
When: 1992
What: Sometimes, no matter what went down between you and your ex, you’ll fondly look back at the relationship, and that’s precisely what Whitney Houston sings about in the iconic power ballad I Will Always Love You, which was recorded for the soundtrack of the 1992 film The Bodyguard.
Stage of breakup: The one that got away.
22. Someone Like You by Adele
When: 2011
What: While you may have that special someone who got away, we usually have to accept that getting back together will never happen. And we always break down when Adele describes the heartbreaking push to move on and find someone else like her ex.
Stage of breakup: Reminiscing
23. End of the Road by Boyz II Men
When: 1991
What: This classic that spent weeks at the top of the charts was about processing an extremely tough breakup and was inspired by some of the members’ real-life relationships.
Stage of breakup: Moving on
24. Un-Break My Heart by Toni Braxton
When: 1996
What: Toni pulls at our heartstrings as she begs an ex to return to her and undo all the pain and misery he had caused her. Relatable, but we all know that we deserve to be treated better.
Stage of breakup: In the thick of it
25. Survivor by Destiny’s Child
When: 2001
What: While this song addressed the replacement of previous members LaTavia Roberson and LeToya Luckett in Destiny’s Child, the lyrics are so empowering that they could most certainly be used to get over a breakup. Just listen: “Now that you’re out of my life, I’m so much better. You thought that I’d be weak without you But I’m stronger…”
Stage of breakup: Moving on
26. Stronger by Britney Spears
When: 2000
What: This feisty pop song by Britney saw her sing and dance to the message of finding strength and living without her cheating ex. Everything about the song and the music video, including her fantastic outfit and chair dance, was excellent. More power to you, Britney!
Stage of breakup: Freedom
27. Life Goes On by LeAnn Rimes
When: 2022
What: LeAnn is in the process of moving on in this song, where she details the shame her ex should have felt the first time he fooled her as well as the shame she should have felt the second time he fooled her. Learning your lessons and moving on is most definitely the mantra.
Stage of breakup: Moving on
28. Good 4 U by Olivia Rodrigo
When: 2021
What: We’ve all had that ex who moved on a bit too quickly, but do we care? No. Including Olivia, who makes plenty of sarcastic remarks as she tells her former flame, “Good 4 U,” while levelling up.
Stage of breakup: Over it
29. Say Something by A Great Big World & Christina Aguilera
When: 2014
What: It can be a really dark, lonely place when it only feels like one person is trying in a relationship. And this song delicately details the last resort and desperation of getting the other person to speak up to save their romance.
Stage of breakup: Holding on to hope
30. My Happy Ending by Avril Lavigne
When: 2004
What: It’s tough having a million answered questions when you’re heartbroken, and in true angsty Avril style, she laments the status of her current relationship while also saying goodbye to all the memories they shared.
Stage of breakup: In the thick of it.
31. Wrecking Ball by Miley Cyrus
When: 2013
What: This story is all about getting through the pain and emotions of a toxic relationship so powerfully destructive that it can sometimes sweep you off your feet.
Stage of breakup: Moving on
32. Cry Me a River by Justin Timberlake
When: 2002
What: JT had enough as he sang about a cheating ex and how there was no way they were ever getting back together after the pain that was caused.
Stage of breakup: Angry
33. Jolene by Dolly Parton
When: 1974
What: This potential breakup song may not be directed at the man but more so at the insecurity of having another woman in the picture. While it is true that a man cheating will always be his fault and Dolly’s focus is misguided, she will always break us with her pleas to Jolene to stay out of the picture.
Stage of breakup: Desperation
34. Blow Me (One Last Kiss) by Pink
When: 2012
What: This track sums up perfectly the pure frustration that comes with break ups, not just with the person you’re breaking up with but just the entire situation. Inspired by her on-off relationship with partner Carey Heart, Pink’s testament to the self-destructive nature of broken hearts is a perfect one to blast when you’ve “finally had enough”.
Stage of breakup: Totally done
35. All Too Well by Taylor Swift
When: 2012
What: Where do we begin? This iconic Swiftie favourite has celebrity relationship lore woven deep (in that it’s pretty much definitely about the singer’s relationship with Jake Gyllenhaal), beautiful imagery (what does the scarf symbolise) and an uber sad 10-minute version if you just need to bathe in your break up misery for a while.
Stage of breakup: Reflective
36. Tubthumping by Chumbawamba
When: 1997
What: While often used as a football anthem or in a soundtrack for a film, this track is undoubtedly one of the best break up songs in the world. It gives you a catchy beat to let all your heartbreak out to, with the best lyrics anyone can hear post-break up: “I get knocked down, but I get up again, you’re never gonna keep me down.” Perfection.
Stage of breakup: Dancing it out at the height of the pain
37. You Oughta Know by Alanis Morissette
When: 1995
What: This super catchy 90s anthem saw Alanis’ shift from bubblegum pop to alt rock – and we can see how it boosted her success. The lyrics are frank, outlining how it feels to see an ex move on, the anger felt when you see an ex happy with someone else. Most memorably used in the soundtrack for rom-com The Break Up, starring Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn. It plays while Jennifer’s character Brooke starts chucking her partner Gary (Vaughn)’s stuff out. Prime drama and angry vibes.
Stage of breakup: When you have just about had enough of your ex’s bull sh*t.
38. Vampire by Olivia Rodrigo
When: 2023
What: A complete classic from our gal – perfectly encapsulating what it’s like when certain partners and relationships suck the life out of you. The lyrics are genius, with Olivia describing the song pouring out of her, an “out of body experience”. We love it.
Stage of breakup: You’re starting to question why you loved them in the first place. A dark one.
39. Best Thing I Never Had by Beyoncé
When: 2011
What: Just the classiest of breakup anthems, nothing less than we’d expect from Queen Bey herself. Obviously, there are times to call an ex out on bad behaviour (see many of the above song recommendations) but this song highlights the empowering and freeing feeling you find when you realise you’re better off without them, and it’s them who is missing out on a life without you. A beautiful sentiment and one we should all channel post-break up, when you’re ready.
Stage of breakup: When you’re feeling thankful for the breakup, and are moving on.
40. Tears Dry On Their Own by Amy Winehouse
When: 2007
What: Released from arguably one of the best break up albums of all time, Back to Black, inspired by Amy’s heartbreak over ex-husband Blake Fielder-Civil and their tumultuous relationship. It perfectly nails how helpless you can feel when someone has broken your heart, but how you know deep down that you do have the strength to move on.
Stage of breakup: Almost ready to let them go.
41. Everytime by Britney Spears
When: 2003
What: This one is definitely a haunting one – rumoured to be a plea for forgiveness to a lover, Britney sings about how hard it is to forget someone you love. So whether it’s meant to be a quest for reconciliation or not, we love this one for reassuring us it’s totally normal to feel unable to escape how much you love someone, even after it’s over.
Stage of breakup: In the thick of it.
42. Stay by Rihanna ft Mikky Ekko
When: 2012
What: A beautiful track, definitely telling the story of a dysfunctional, feverish, probably unhealthy relationship – and wanting to be around someone all the same. We can all relate to these feelings. Rihanna’s vocals are off the charts here, and the lyrics hit home how hard it is to walk away from something that feels compelling, but isn’t ultimately good for us.
Stage of breakup: Potential backslide time.
43. I Can Do It With A Broken Heart by Taylor Swift
When: 2024
What: Released from her much-analysed latest album, The Tortured Poets Department, this one is all about facing heartbreak in the public eye, an experience we may not all have had but that Taylor perfectly describes. Also, her boyfriend Travis Kelce also joined her on stage for this song during her Eras tour, creating an iconic “moving on” moment for us all.
Stage of breakup: Ready to be on your own.
44. Wish You The Best by Lewis Capaldi
When: 2023
What: The singer has spoken about the track being about things “left unsaid” between yourself and a former friend or lover, and reaching a point where you want to tell them you want the best for them. Sob.
Stage of breakup: Still broken, but ultimately want happiness for you and your ex.
45. Lose You To Love Me by Selena Gomez
When: 2020
What: Also spawning an amazing cover from indie band Bombay Bicycle Club, this track is a break up anthem for a reason. Because really, most break ups are about walking away from something towards something better for yourself. And that’s what Selena is singing about.
Stage of breakup: Acceptance.
46. Don’t Start Now by Dua Lipa
When: 2019
What: An absolute banger from our girl Dua Lipa. It’s all about embracing your independence, and feelings that any contact from an ex is too late because you’re already on your own path. Empowering stuff.
Stage of breakup: Ready to move on.