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Best Songs for Getting Over a Breakup: 15 Tracks to Mend the Wreckage and Move the Story Forward
Looking for breakup songs to cry, heal, or rage to? Here’s a curated mix of 15 tracks categorized by mood: sad ballads, empowerment anthems, rage-fueled bangers, and reflective slow burners.
Heartbreak isn’t clean.
It’s late-night spirals, empty inboxes, and the strange ache of deleting shared playlists. But it’s also where music does its most precise work—lifting you up, ripping you open, patching the parts, sometimes all at once. These songs won’t fix you. But they’ll sit with you in the wreckage, help you cry it out, scream it out, or finally walk away.
Here’s the playlist for every part of the recovery arc—from crushed to cathartic.
4 Types of Breakup Songs (Pick Your Mood)
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Cry in the Car Ballads | Raw and emotional—meant for sobbing at red lights or staring out of rainy windows. |
| Empowerment Anthems | The “I’m actually better off” songs—confident, catchy, and just the right amount of petty. |
| Reflective Slow Burners | Introspective, sad, but not hopeless. Good for long walks or quiet nights. |
| Fk-You Bangers** | Scorched-earth energy. Screaming in your room optional, but encouraged. |
Top 10 Songs for Getting Over a Breakup
These tracks were handpicked based on emotional resonance, streaming popularity post-breakup, and expert music editor insight.
Dancing On My Own – Robyn
Lonely, defiant, iconic. Crying in the club never sounded so liberating.
I Bet You Think About Me – Taylor Swift (feat. Chris Stapleton)
Soft revenge delivered with a smile. Country-pop sarcasm at its finest.
Liability – Lorde
Painfully honest. Feels like reading someone’s diary on a stormy night.
Irreplaceable – Beyoncé
To the left, to the left. Still one of the most satisfying kiss-offs in modern music.
Ex-Factor – Lauryn Hill
The ultimate heartbreak anthem. Soul, pain, poetry—unmatched.
You Oughta Know – Alanis Morissette
All the rage. All the venom. All the catharsis. A breakup classic.
Someone Like You – Adele
Soft devastation, sung like an open wound. Still hurts after all these years.
Additional Reading
- 🎧 Songs to Sob to When the Tears Won’t Wait
- 💔 Heartache Hits Harder with These Broken-Heart Ballads
- 🕊️ Grief Songs That Mirror the Ache of Goodbye
- 😢 Crying Playlist for Late Nights and Long Walks
- 🌅 Fresh Start Anthems for After the Breakup Fog Lifts
- 💞 When You’re Ready to Love Again
- 🎭 Explore Music by Emotion—From Joy to Rage to Sorrow
- 🤖 Build Your Own Breakup Playlist with AI Tools
- 🧠 Why Certain Breakup Songs Hit Your Brain Differently
- 🎶 The Neuroscience of Why Sad Songs Feel So Good
IDGAF – Dua Lipa
Cold, clean, no-contact energy with a pop sheen.
Nothing Arrived (Live) – Villagers
Existential and quiet—like a sigh after the storm.
abcdefu – GAYLE
Petty, loud, and absolutely therapeutic. Your ex will hate this.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best songs to help get over a breakup?
The best songs to help get over a breakup include emotional ballads, empowerment anthems, and high-energy tracks like “Dancing On My Own” by Robyn and “You Oughta Know” by Alanis Morissette.
Why is music helpful during a breakup?
Music is helpful during a breakup because it validates your emotions, provides catharsis, and creates a safe space for healing through relatable lyrics and melodies.
Which songs are good for crying it out after a breakup?
Songs like “Someone Like You” by Adele and “Liability” by Lorde are perfect for crying it out, offering emotional depth and raw vulnerability.
What are some empowering breakup anthems?
Empowering breakup anthems include “Irreplaceable” by Beyoncé and “IDGAF” by Dua Lipa, which promote self-worth and independence.
Are there breakup songs that channel anger or frustration?
Yes, songs like “abcdefu” by GAYLE and “You Oughta Know” by Alanis Morissette channel raw anger and defiance in a cathartic way.
Can breakup songs actually help you heal emotionally?
Breakup songs can help you heal emotionally by allowing you to process pain, shift perspective, and move forward through shared experience.
At New Music World, we believe in the power of sound to shape experience. Our editors curate playlists and guides that blend emotional insight with musical depth, helping listeners find the right track for every moment.
