Breakups are hard, and getting over one is even harder. What better way to release your emotions than to listen to a breakup playlist? Here are 15 breakup songs to listen to for when you’re angry, sad, or just trying to forget about an ex.
1. “I Hate U” by SZA
“And if you wondered if I hate you, I do.”
SZA
SZA is your go-to artist when you’re going through it with a partner. “I Hate U” is the perfect song to listen to for when your partner has you messed up!
2. “Frustrated” by R.LUM.R
“Frustrated over you. Frustrated I’m a fool.”
R.Lum.R
On this track, R.LUM.R croons and begs his partner to make their relationship work but, realizes the process is too frustrating and gives up. Not only are the lyrics emotionally profound, but R.LUM.R’s falsetto makes “Frustrated” an intense, tear-jerking breakup song. “Frustrated” will have you wanting to cuss out your ex and cry in the shower simultaneously.
3. “Onto Something” by Jayla Darden
“Night and day like Al. B Sure, babe. I can tell you if you said the word, I was your baby.”
Jayla darden
Underrated R&B singer, Jayla Darden is one to look out for when it comes to breakup songs. “Onto Something” is a moving sad song that elaborates on the feelings of anguish and sadness after a breakup, especially under the pretenses of a filler relationship. So, grab your Kleenex, a drink, and prepare to bawl your eyes out with this melancholy tune.
4. “Good Luck” by Nao featuring Lucky Daye
“Don’t run to me crying. I won’t feel your rain.”
Nao
From her album And Then Life Was Beautiful, Nao captures the feelings of mixed emotions – relieved and somewhat bitter – about a breakup in “Good Luck”. Nao and Lucky Daye do a phenomenal job vocally and lyrically conveying the message of leaving an ex where you left them and moving on to better things.
Bonus Nao breakup songs: “Orbit“, “Inhale Exhale“, “In the Morning“, and “Fool to Love“
5. “Truth Hurts” by Lizzo
“You’re ‘posed to hold me down, but you’re holding my back, and that’s the sound of me not calling you back!”
lizzo
“You could’ve had a bad b***h!” Well, now they don’t! “Truth Hurts” is the perfect song to belt for when you break up with an ex and need a reminder to be the baddest bih you were before.
6. “Gone and Never Coming Back” by Melanie Fiona
“Whoever said look on the brighter side, has never been on mine. Whoever said that he’ll get his, never felt like this.”
Melanie fiona
Melanie Fiona’s vocals pack a punch in “Gone And Never Coming Back” as she belts about the hardships of a relationship and mourning a breakup. Be prepared to start screaming the lyrics once the chorus hits.
7. “The Crying Game” by Nicki Minaj
“Thousand words don’t change a thing.”
Nicki Minaj
One of Nicki Minaj’s best breakup songs is “The Crying Game”. In the song, Minaj talks about feeling overwhelmed in her toxic relationship with a partner. Considering Nicki and Jessie Ware’s vocals, “The Crying Game” is a powerful, tear-jerker.
8. “Heard It All Before” by Sunshine Anderson
“And there’s nothing you can say that could persuade me to stay with you another day.”
Sunshine anderson
Now is the perfect time to give Sunshine Anderson her flowers for this early 2000s breakup anthem. “Heard It All Before” is the breakup song to listen especially if you’re throwing out a trifling ex’s stuff.
9. “Until It’s Gone” by Monica
“It’s a shame you ain’t want it when you had it.”
monica
Monica touches the souls of listeners as she croons about leaving a conniving partner and that she’s a force to forever be reckoned with. “Until It’s Gone” is made for those who know their worth but will still let an ex know where they had them messed up.
10. “Not Gon’ Cry” by Mary J. Blige
“No, I’m not gon’ cry. It’s not the time ’cause you’re not worth my tears.”
Mary j. blige
Auntie Mary always comes through with the heartbreak songs. “Not Gon’ Cry” is the staple heartbreak song to listen to after a breakup. While the song is meant to encourage listeners to not cry over an ex, you can still expect to shed a tear or two.
11. “Fine Time” by SWV
“You picked a fine time to tell me you don’t love me. You picked a fine time to tell me you don’t care.”
SWV
You can always count on SWV to bring the emotional ballads. “Fine Time” is SWV’s underrated breakup song that tells a story about being heartbroken over a lover that discarded a relationship without care. If you resonate with the lyrics, “Fine Time” is sure to have you crying by the end.
12. “Reminders” by Mariah the Scientist
“Know that our parents called it. Said I’d end up broken-hearted.”
Mariah the scientist
“Reminders” is a song about metaphorically killing a partner that has damaged the relationship. This 80s-sounding bop will make you want to grab a drink and belt out the chorus while going through a breakup.
13. “Unloyal” by Summer Walker and Ari Lennox
“You think I’m just gon’ stand on by and watch you waste my time. Boy, I am way too fine so, I’m out.”
Summer walker
If “Still Not Over It” is not on your playlist, you are missing out. Summer Walker always puts raw emotion into her music so, expect nothing less than soulful harmonies and heart-tugging lyrics about rediscovering oneself after a breakup in “Unloyal”. Ari Lennox offers her vocals for this song, which makes it even more harmoniously beautiful.
14. “The One I Gave My Heart To” by Aaliyah
“If you love me, how could you hurt me like that?”
Aaliyah
Aaliyah makes listeners feel her pain with her buttery vocals and pillowy falsetto in “The One I Gave My Heart To”. This song is great for when you’re feeling angry about a breakup and need a good cry (or yelling) session.
15. “Hookers” by Tierra Whack
“Money won’t make me stay. I got my own paper.”
tierra whack
We’re used to Tierra Whack‘s fun and overexaggerated sound, but her sad songs hit a little deeper. In “Hookers”, Whack sings about not sticking around with a partner who thinks they can win her heart (and presence) with money. If you’re getting out of a bad relationship, like Tierra Whack, tell your ex to move out of your way and move on!
Getting over a breakup is going to be hard, but getting all your emotions out and reflecting will make the healing process go smoother. It might hurt now, but in a few months, you’ll look back and be glad you moved on to better opportunities. Take this journey to prioritize your goals and wellbeing before moving on to someone else.
What songs do you listen to while going through a breakup? Let us know on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest!