Ultimate List of 30 Best Breakup Songs
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Rachael Pace, Author
Rachael Pace inspires with motivational articles on loving partnerships. She encourages making room for love and facing challenges together.
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Updated: 17 Oct, 2023
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Key Takeaways
Breakups are hard and sad. When that time comes, it’s only natural to look for some soothing distraction to help you gather yourself again and face the world.
So, how to get over a broken heart?
Nothing does it much better than music. It’s common for most of us to want to listen to some soothing goodbye songs or breakup songs during a breakup from a relationship that we had hoped would go the full distance.
But, sometimes things happen so fast that you lose track of everything including your favorite breakup songs that always lingered on your mind otherwise.
The fact that some of the most successful artists, irrespective of the genre, have made billions from releasing hit sad love songs that touch on relationship breakups, goes a long way in explaining why and how music is a powerful tool when it comes to dealing with heart issues.
The list below provides 30 best breakup songs that have garnered millions of views on YouTube and Vevo.
1. “Call Out My Name,” The Weeknd
Released from an EP My Dear Melancholy, this raw heartbreak song comes through loud and clear, especially if you just had a breakup. 
2. “Chelsea Hotel #2,” Leonard Cohen
It is one of the top sad breakup songs in which Leonard almost predicted his breakup with the girlfriend.
3. “Love Yourself,” Justin Bieber
Justin Bieber’s song ‘love yourself’ ruled the airwaves for quite some time and became an all-time hit in most radio stations across the globe.
4. “Ain’t No Sunshine,” Bill Withers
If you happen to be a fan of Bill Withers, this song needs no introduction. It perfectly fits the category of sad breakup songs.
5. “Skinny Love,” Bon Iver
Bon Iver, one of the greatest indie-folk band of our century, presents a folk musical salvation for people going through painful breakups.
6. “Irreplaceable,” Beyoncé
“Irreplaceable” is one of the best sad songs recorded by Beyoncé for her second studio album, B’Day (2006). The song remained at the top of the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart for ten successive weeks.
7. “I Fall Apart,” Post Malone
This song which was released in 2016 as a part of Post Malone’s album ranked at number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100.
8. “New York,” St. Vincent
“New York” is a somber ballad by St. Vincent. It is one of the popular broken heart songs that mourns the end of a relationship.
9. “Someone Like You” by Adele
The song ‘Someone like you’ was inspired by a broken relationship. It is one of the most-liked empowering songs that lyrically speaks of Adele’s coming to terms with the snapped relationship.
10. “Elastic Heart” by Sia
“Elastic Heart” ranked at number 7 on the singles chart of New Zealand. It also garnered fame as one of the top breakup songs in Belgium, Switzerland, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
11. “Goodbye My Lover” by James Blunt
Despite the single being not formally released in the US, the song had modest success on the Billboard singles chart. It reached number 66 on the Billboard Hot 100 due to digital downloads.
12. “Almost Lover” by A Fine Frenzy
This break-up song garnered huge success in Europe and made it to the top 10 in the singles charts of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
13. “Habits” by Tove Lo
It is one of the famed songs about heartbreak. This song became a sleeper hit as it entered the music charts in 2014 which is one year after its original release.
14. “Jar of Hearts” by Christin
Jar of hearts is one of the popular angry songs which was released in the year 2010.
15. “Fix You,” Coldplay
Coldplay needs no introduction! Put this song on loop when you are in a mood to listen to some songs about leaving.
16. “Tears Dry On Their Own,” by Amy Winehouse
Have you recently been through a heartbreak? If yes, this song deserves a place in your playlist of breakup songs.
17. “It Ain’t Me,” by Kygo & Selena Gomez
This song can help you with getting over heartbreak as it will remind you about the importance of withdrawing yourself from a relationship after it has turned sour.
18. “Let It Go,” by James Bay
The breakup song, which was released in 2015, gave us all the feels on how difficult it can be to walk away from your relationship although you know its no longer working.
19. “It’s Not Right, But It’s Okay,” by Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston released this ultimate empowering song in 1998. Needles to say, this song became an instant hit among the girls.
20. “Thinking of You,” by Kesha
This is one of the fabulous songs about overcoming heartbreak. Tune into this song if you need a strong dose to get out of your agony.
21. “The Greatest,” by Sia
This is yet another empowering song by Sia. Sia enforces the thought of not giving up through this beautiful composition.
22. “Un-Break My Heart,” by Toni Braxton
This is one of the greatest breakup songs of all time. Do you need a good cry? Tune into this song!
23. “Dancing On My Own,” by Robyn
Dancing on my own is one of the top songs about losing someone. It is a perfect sad song having catchy beats, composed by the songwriting genius Robyn.
24. “Without Me,” by Halsey
It is one of the must-listen breakup songs. It speaks about getting into a relationship only to have your heart broken in the end.
25. “Wrecking Ball,” by Miley Cyrus
You need to jam to this song at-least-once if you have been through a sour separation recently. It is the perfect song with pure lyrics to make you go through an array of raw emotions.
26. “Somebody That I Used to Know,” by Gotye
This is one of the best breakup songs by Gotye which has the perfect harmony and flawless rhythm to make you dance along while you sing.
27. “You Oughta Know,” by Alanis Morrisette
You cannot complete your playlist of break-up songs without including this one. It is truly empowering and one of the best songs about letting go.
28. “Never Again,” by Kelly Clarkson
Looking for some cheating songs? ‘Never again’ tops the list with strong hateful lyrics.
29. “(I Know) I’m Losing You,” by The Temptations
What makes this song special is- it is one of those breakup songs that you can cry to while singing along. At the same time, its catchy beat allows you to get on your feet if you are in a mood to shake a leg.
30. “Stay,” by Rihanna ft. Mikky Ekko
If you wish to spill out your emotions and let your tears flow, put on your earphones, close your eyes and tune into this painful yet beautiful song by Rihanna.
There you go. We hope our list of the best breakup songs will help you achieve some good shape after your breakup. They’re always great stuff and new experiences after every setback in life’s journey.
Take heart, be courageous and face it. Something beautiful is waiting at the finish line.
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Rachael Pace
Author
Rachael Pace is a noted relationship writer associated with Marriage.com. She provides inspiration, support, and empowerment in the form of motivational articles and essays. Rachael enjoys studying the evolution of loving partnerships... Read more and is passionate about writing on them. She believes that everyone should make room for love in their lives and encourages couples to work on overcoming their challenges together. Read less
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