Most pop singers have breakup anthems; what’s more relatable than someone feeling the pain of a split with an ex-? These breakup ballads have a special place in the world of music since they allow us to connect with the pain and frustration of a relationship’s demise. Some singers even channel their own heartbreak into their music, making it even more heartfelt.  

People who are in happy relationships (even those who aren’t in one) gravitate to listening to these sad songs, which therapists explain to be completely normal, healthy even (whew!). 

Benefits of Listening to Breakup Songs 

It will help you access deep emotions: Dr. Paul Thagard said, “Because of their lyrics and melodies, breakup songs are emotionally engaging,” per Psychology Today. Listening to these songs helps us access and eventually understand our deeper emotions about our failed relationship. 

It will make you cry (which is a good thing!): Crying is one of the most effective ways to move on from heartbreak, and listening to breakup songs can help us have that release. According to Dr. Mike Dow, author of Healing the Broken Brain (via Vice), “When we go through a breakup, the pain and addiction centers light up in the brain. Having a cathartic experience can help rewire the brain by allowing us to fully immerse ourselves in the feeling.” 

It will give you clarity about what you’re feeling: Sometimes, it’s difficult to articulate what you feel or even understand what you’re feeling since you might be experiencing all the emotions. Per Good Therapy, “The lyrics of a song can bring unresolved, unspoken, unknown thoughts to the surface and bring you closer to understanding what is happening inside of you.” 

With these benefits in mind, feel free to listen to these artists, the unofficial “kings” and “queens” of the breakup song genre. 

• Taylor Swift

  You knew that Taylor Swift was going to be on this list. With 11 studio albums under her belt, there’s not a shortage of Swift songs you can listen to when you’re experiencing a breakup. Her ability to capture the emotional highs and lows in a relationship and turn them into relatable song lyrics proved she is one of history’s greatest artists. Some of her most notable breakup anthems include: “All Too Well,” “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” “The Story of Us,” and “Back to December.”

  Heartbreaking lyrics: So, this is me swallowing my pride/Standin’ in front of you sayin’, “I’m sorry for that night”/And I go back to December all the time/It turns out freedom ain’t nothing but missin’ you/Wishin’ I’d realized what I had when you were mine.”

• Adele

  Adele, with her powerful vocals, is known for her ballads about love and heartbreak. Her breakup songs are some of the most iconic tracks in recent music history. Her ability to sing pain and heartbreak beautifully resonates deeply with listeners. Key breakup songs by Adele include “Someone Like You” (play this song on a loop to convince yourself you’ll find a new love), “Send My Love (To Your New Lover),” and “All I Ask.”

  Heartbreaking lyrics: “I heard that you’re settled down/That you found a girl and you’re married now/I heard that your dreams came true/Guess she gave you things I didn’t give to you.”

• Bruno Mars

  While Bruno Mars is known for his catchy pop tunes and danceable songs, he still has some notable breakup ballads that you need to listen to when you want a good cry. With his notable songwriting skills, it’s no wonder some of his songs describe the regret of losing a loved one and the difficulty of letting go of a relationship with clarity. Some of his well-known breakup ballads include “When I Was Your Man,” “It Will Rain,” and “Too Good to Say Goodbye.”

  Heartbreaking lyrics: “That I should’ve bought you flowers/And held your hand/Shoulda gave you all my hours/When I had the chance/Take you to every party/’Cause all you wanted to do was dance/Now my baby’s dancin’/But she’s dancin’ with another man.”

• Olivia Rodrigo

  Who could forget about Olivia Rodrigo’s famous breakup song “driver’s license?” It’s the song that catapulted her to fame (and Sabrina Carpenter, too). Her songs often talk about the intense emotions of youth and sigh, breaking up with your first love.

  Aside from “driver’s license,” Rodrigo’s Sour album also has “deja vu,” and “good 4 u.”

  Heartbreaking lyrics: “I know we weren’t perfect, but I’ve never felt this way for no one/And I just can’t imagine how you could be so okay now that I’m gone/Guess you didn’t mean what you wrote in that song about me/’Cause you said forever, now I drive alone past your street.”

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• Ed Sheeran

  Ed Sheeran is known for love songs that are really about love, not just the lovey-dovey-being-in-cloud-nine-giddy-kind-of-love, but also the everyday kind of love. It’s like there was no wedding held in 2014 that did not have “Thinking Out Loud” as the wedding dance. Aside from his love ballads, Sheeran also penned achingly beautiful songs about lost love and regret such as, “Happier,” “One,” and “Dive.”

  Heartbreaking lyrics: “’Cause, baby, you look happier, you do/My friends told me one day I’ll feel it too/And until then, I’ll smile to hide the truth/But I know I was happier with you.”

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