The Best Breakup Songs to Heal Heartbreak

If you've ever been through a breakup, 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, 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 and songs about soulmates, 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 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.


— Additional reporting by Haley Lyndes and Charlotte Kho

01
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"Since U Been Gone," Kelly Clarkson

02
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"Forget You," Cee Lo Green

03
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"Irreplaceable," Beyoncé

04
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"Don't Speak," No Doubt

05
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"Cry Me a River," Justin Timberlake

06
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"Tainted Love," Soft Cell

08
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"We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together," Taylor Swift

09
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"Stronger," Britney Spears

10
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"Burn," Usher

11
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"Someone Like You," Adele

12
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"Smile," Lily Allen

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"Tears Dry on Their Own," Amy Winehouse

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"Roses," Outkast

16
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"Fighter," Christina Aguilera

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"My Favorite Mistake," Sheryl Crow

18
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"I'm Gonna Be Alright," Jennifer Lopez

19
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"Goodbye to You," Michelle Branch

20
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"Too Little Too Late," JoJo

22
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"Gives You Hell," The All-American Rejects

23
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"Before He Cheats," Carrie Underwood

24
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"Against All Odds," Phil Collins

25
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"Mr. Brightside," The Killers

26
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"Single Ladies," Beyoncé

27
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"I Knew You Were Trouble," Taylor Swift

29
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"Ain't No Sunshine," Bill Withers

30
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"The Scientist," Coldplay

31
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"Somebody That I Used to Know," Gotye

32
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"You Were Meant For Me," Jewel

33
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"Don't You Want Me," The Human League

34
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"Heartbreaker," Pat Benatar

36
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"Skinny Love," Bon Iver

37
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"Nothing Compares 2 U," Sinead O'Connor

38
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"I Want You Back," Jackson 5

39
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"Part of Me," Katy Perry

40
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"My Immortal," Evanescence

41
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"I Will Survive," Gloria Gaynor

43
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"Bye Bye Bye," *NSYNC

44
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"Ex-Factor," Lauryn Hill

45
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"Everybody Hurts," R.E.M.

46
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"End of the Road," Boyz II Men

47
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"Un-Break My Heart," Toni Braxton

48
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"Always Be My Baby," Mariah Carey

50
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"Mama's Broken Heart," Miranda Lambert

51
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"It'll Be Okay," Shawn Mendes

52
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"Best Thing I Never Had," Beyoncé

53
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"Good 4 U," Olivia Rodrigo

54
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"Happier Than Ever," Billie Eilish

55
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"ABCDEFU," Gayle

56
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"Drivers License," Olivia Rodrigo

57
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"Champagne Problems," Taylor Swift

58
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"Someone You Loved," Lewis Capaldi

59
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"Sorry to Your Next Ex," Haiden

60
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"Lose You to Love Me," Selena Gomez

61
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"All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor's Version)," Taylor Swift

62
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"I Bet You Think About Me (Taylor's Version)," Taylor Swift feat. Chris Stapleton

64
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"Deja Vu," Olivia Rodrigo

65
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"How to Be a Heartbreaker," Marina and the Diamonds

66
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"Traitor," Olivia Rodrigo

67
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"Naked," Finneas

68
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"About Damn Time," Lizzo

69
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"Wasting All These Tears," Cassadee Pope

71
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"Someone Else Calling You Baby," Luke Bryan

72
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"It Don't Hurt Like It Used To," Billy Currington

73
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"Somebody Else," The 1975

74
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"Truth Hurts," Lizzo

75
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"Thank U, Next," Ariana Grande

76
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"In My Head," Ariana Grande

78
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"Ghost of You," 5 Seconds of Summer

79
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"As It Was," Harry Styles

80
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"Take a Bow," Rihanna

81
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"I Hate U, I Love U," Gnash feat. Olivia O'Brien