If you've ever been through a breakup [1], you probably know from personal experience how essential sad breakup songs (and angry breakup songs and empowering breakup songs) are to the healing process.
That's true whether you were the breakup-er or the breakup-ee; whether it feels like your entire world is ending, or you feel freed. Because while there are many different ways to handle a breakup [2], depending on the situation, one truth remains: music makes it all better. In fact, we'd argue that the most effective way to heal a broken heart is by listening to the best breakup songs out there.
And there are plenty to choose from. While the love-ballad genre gets a lot of attention, when you move past the makeout songs [3] and songs about soulmates [4], and enter the powerful and always-welcoming world of breakup songs, you begin to realize how much variety there really is. From sad breakup songs lamenting lost love to angry breakup songs that will inspire you to block your ex's number to country breakup songs that will make you want to dig those cowboy boots you impulse-bought [5] out of the closet, there is a song out there for you. There are even potential breakup songs you can cue up when you suspect your bestie is on the verge of a split.
So grab some tissues, and crank up the volume. These tunes are everything you need to deal with the aftermath of a split [6].
— Additional reporting by Haley Lyndes and Charlotte Kho
"Since U Been Gone," Kelly Clarkson
"Forget You," Cee Lo Green
"Cry Me a River," Justin Timberlake
"Tainted Love," Soft Cell
"You Oughta Know," Alanis Morissette
"We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together," Taylor Swift
"Stronger," Britney Spears
"Someone Like You," Adele
"Tears Dry on Their Own," Amy Winehouse
"Fighter," Christina Aguilera
"My Favorite Mistake," Sheryl Crow
"I'm Gonna Be Alright," Jennifer Lopez
"Goodbye to You," Michelle Branch
"Too Little Too Late," JoJo
"I Hate This Part," The Pussycat Dolls
"Gives You Hell," The All-American Rejects
"Before He Cheats," Carrie Underwood
"Against All Odds," Phil Collins
"Mr. Brightside," The Killers
"I Knew You Were Trouble," Taylor Swift
"Ain't No Sunshine," Bill Withers
"The Scientist," Coldplay
"Somebody That I Used to Know," Gotye
"You Were Meant For Me," Jewel
"Don't You Want Me," The Human League
"Heartbreaker," Pat Benatar
"Pictures of You," The Cure
"Nothing Compares 2 U," Sinead O'Connor
"I Want You Back," Jackson 5
"My Immortal," Evanescence
"I Will Survive," Gloria Gaynor
"Everybody Hurts," R.E.M.
"End of the Road," Boyz II Men
"Un-Break My Heart," Toni Braxton
"Always Be My Baby," Mariah Carey
"Mama's Broken Heart," Miranda Lambert
"It'll Be Okay," Shawn Mendes
"Best Thing I Never Had," Beyoncé
"Good 4 U," Olivia Rodrigo
"Happier Than Ever," Billie Eilish
"Drivers License," Olivia Rodrigo
"Champagne Problems," Taylor Swift
"Someone You Loved," Lewis Capaldi
"Sorry to Your Next Ex," Haiden
"Lose You to Love Me," Selena Gomez
"All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor's Version)," Taylor Swift
"I Bet You Think About Me (Taylor's Version)," Taylor Swift feat. Chris Stapleton
"Break My Heart Again," Finneas
"Deja Vu," Olivia Rodrigo
"How to Be a Heartbreaker," Marina and the Diamonds
"Traitor," Olivia Rodrigo
"Wasting All These Tears," Cassadee Pope
"Someone Else Calling You Baby," Luke Bryan
"It Don't Hurt Like It Used To," Billy Currington
"Somebody Else," The 1975
"Thank U, Next," Ariana Grande
"In My Head," Ariana Grande
"Buy My Own Drinks," Runaway June
"Ghost of You," 5 Seconds of Summer
"As It Was," Harry Styles
"I Hate U, I Love U," Gnash feat. Olivia O'Brien
