Best Breakup Albums
The 30 Best Breakup Albums of All Time
Sometimes, a simple song helps fuel your rage and channel your heartbreak. Other times, you need a little more. Like, an entire album more. Years ago, after the collapse of a four-year relationship with my college boyfriend, I listened to Adele's 21 and Fleetwood Mac's Rumors on repeat for two months straight. Nothing made me feel more understood, more vindicated, and more justified in my sadness and anger than hearing the words of people who'd gone through something similar. I laughed, I cried, I healed.
Sometimes an artist's greatest work comes from their darkest times, but through the lyrics and music, we can all feel a little less alone. Here are the best breakup albums ever, in no particular order. Get in the car, turn these up, and let it all out.
1 Adele — 21
2 Ryan Adams — Heartbreaker
3 Kanye West — 808s & Heartbreak
4 Bon Iver — For Emma, Forever Ago
5 Amy Winehouse — Back to Black
6 Alanis Morissette — Jagged Little Pill
7 Marvin Gaye — Here, My Dear
8 Joni Mitchell — Blue
9 Fleetwood Mac — Rumors
10 Beck — Sea Change
11 Ryan Adams — Prisoner
12 Robyn — Body Talk
13 Elliott Smith — Either/Or
14 Dashboard Confessional — The Places You Have Come to Fear the Most
15 The Mountain Goats — Get Lonely
16 The Weeknd — Trilogy
17 Kelly Clarkson — Breakaway
18 Nas — Life Is Good
19 Blur — 13
20 Björk — Homogenic
21 Lykke Li — I Never Learn
22 Beach House — Teen Dream
23 Frank Sinatra — In the Wee Small Hours
24 Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds — The Boatman's Call
25 Banks — Goddess
26 Jhene Aiko — Souled Out
27 Fiona Apple — The Idler Wheel
28 Stars — Set Yourself on Fire
29 The Cure — Disintegration
30 Liz Phair — Exile in Guyville
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