The Best Heartbreak Songs for Mending a Broken Heart
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10348 VIEWSThere are few things in life that can be as tough to deal with as heartbreak. It can feel like the end of the world, and often leaves us feeling lost, confused and alone. But you're not alone – heartbreak is something that almost everyone goes through at some point in their lives. And while it may not seem like it in the moment, there is a silver lining to be found in songs about heartbreak. Music has a way of capturing our emotions and experiences in a way that nothing else can. And when it comes to heartbreak, there are plenty of songs out there that perfectly capture what we're going through. Are you dealing with a broken heart? Heartbreak can come in many forms, from a breakup with an ex lover, to a loved one passing on, and sometimes we even break our own hearts with the decisions we make that we later regret. Although having a broken heart is hard, it's something we all experience and that's why songs about heartbreak are so relatable and loved. Whether you're going through one of the aforementioned ailments or just need a good cry, these songs will help you get through it. From classics like "Yesterday" by The Beatles to more recent hits like "drivers license" by Olivia Rodrigo, there's a song on this list for everyone. We've put together a well-rounded list that encompasses the range of reasons someone could be broken-hearted. And if you were here to find songs to relate to or just to get a good cry out to, we hope this helps as well. So sit back, grab some tissues, put on your headphones and let this list of heartbreak songs help mend your broken heart. Is there a song missing that you feel really should have been included? Let us know by leaving a comment below this post.
There are times when you don't realise what you had until it's gone, and this track is the embodiment of missing what is gone and hoping they will come back. The chorus says "I know you were right, believing for so long," which probably means believing in the relationship while the singer didn't take it seriously until it was too late. Now, he just hopes she will call him so he can tell her how wrong he was.
Even though this song has a really fun beat you could dance to, it is also one of the saddest breakup songs from recent years. Julia Michaels' voice is heart wrenchingly emotional, and the lyrics talk about the pain of a fresh breakup and how she knows they’re not supposed to talk anymore but she keeps hoping her ex will change their mind and come back to her.
In this song, Mariah Carey sings about a love that she took for granted and then lost, but now realises that she made a mistake. The words are written like a letter to the person she lost and she admits her love and feelings of regret to them, hoping they will forgive her and get together again.
This is more of an angry, "over it" breakup song about someone who has taken advantage of you for the last time. It's about feeling unappreciated because the person you're with always lets you down, so you're finally putting your foot down and saying "it's too late to apologize."
This is a sad love song with a message that is so painful. Sometimes, even though you love someone with all your heart, they don't love you back the same and you find yourself giving up all the pieces of yourself to try to make them feel as strongly as you do. This emotional song is about Raitt spending one last night with someone before ending things even though she really loves them, because it's better for her than being taken advantage of any longer.
The most covered song in history thus far, "Yesterday" can definitely be considered one of the classic songs about heartbreak; it's poetically written and brings tears to the eye. The lyrics talk about reminiscing on a lost love, how much easier life was then and how his troubles felt distant when she was around and wondering why she left. Sometimes not knowing why someone left makes it that much harder to gain closure and move on.
Scott’s rendition breathed fresh air and raw emotion into the 2010 single by Robyn. It’s about seeing his ex with someone else while out at the club, and wanting to go talk to them to get closure, but being too afraid to. One of the toughest heartaches to get over is when you still love someone who has moved on.
This reimagining of Cat Steven's song is about how it's hard to open up to someone after being hurt the first time. The line "the first cut is the deepest" probably symbolizes how long a deep wound can take to fully heal and the scar to fade.
This song is about having a broken heart and still missing somebody after a breakup; it also has a great message to let yourself feel sad so that you can move on and feel better. The song is like a back-and-forth dialogue between the two ex lovers, and features mainly a piano melody and a faint percussion backing up the vocals.
As far as heartbreak songs go, this one is a tear jerker. Bruno Mars wrote this about a relationship that was very one sided, he gave all of his time and affection to a person who didn't reciprocate those actions. The song is talking about how far he would go to please this person in hopes that they would do the same for him, but they never do, and he doesn't understand why.
This is undoubtedly a heartbreak song, the words are undeniably begging their recipient to come back. In a way though, it's clear by the sadness in Braxton's delivery of this song that she knows it's too late and there's no going back to the way it was after all the pain caused and tears cried over that person.
Gotye has been widely acclaimed for his eclectic single ‘Somebody I Know' and it continues to be a popular breakup song since its release. Gotye sings about the feeling of not even knowing someone who he once loved. The verse by Kimbra is like the response to Gotye's words; it tells her account of the relationship's end. There are always two sides of the story!
This is definitely a sad breakup song, but with a light at the end of the tunnel. The message in the song is that even though you miss someone after they left, you deserve to move on and be happy. It will be hard at first because everything will remind you of them, but as time goes on and the wound heals, you will find your smile again.
This classic song is more about becoming stronger after a breakup, than a sad song. It's become an anthem of the ages for getting back up again and mending your own broken heart. Even though I Will Survive is one of the most popular breakup songs of all time, it's also a fun up-tempo disco song that is too irresistible not to dance and sing along to!
This was one of Rihanna's most vulnerable and emotional songs about heartbreak. Her vocal delivery was so emotional, raw and painful, and the story told in the lyrics is one of a toxic but passionate relationship that she didn't want to give up. Mikky Ekko wrote this song and features on it with backing vocals and a verse that is like a reply in dialogue to Rihanna's.
This Prince cover is one of the most iconic songs about heartbreak of our generation. The lyrics try to find a silver lining in being newly single, that they can do whatever they want, but it really doesn’t matter because they’d rather still be with their ex. If you’ve ever been in love, you will know the void left in your heart when you can’t be with that person anymore, even if they’re just away for a while.
Take A Bow is about an unfaithful ex who she's done with and never going back to. The word play beautifully uses the stage as a metaphor for the relationship, and her ex was a performer putting on an act while lying right to her face.
This is an up-beat breakup song but it's actually really sad. It's about Sam realizing their lover is cheating on them and denying it when they question him about it. Despite knowing this, they have a hard time letting go of him because they put so much into the relationship and still love him.
Even though this is pretty clearly a song about an ex, it's up beat and full of attitude. If you've ever given someone one too many chances that they totally blew, you'll probably relate! This is the perfect song if you're not trying to cry anymore but rather get over it and get on with your life!
Taylor Swift brings a cathartic like honesty to this song. It takes us through the best and worst memories of a relationship, and its painful end, with such specific detail that you might feel like you were there, too. Taylor Swift talks in the song about how hard it is to stop thinking about her ex and how she's still trying to find herself again even after time has passed.
Adele wrote this sad song about coming to terms with a relationship ending and her ex moving on, even though she still had feelings for them. She wonders what it is about her ex's new girl that is so much better than her, and why the things she did weren't enough, but she knows she will have to put their relationship in the past and move on.
Bruno Mars was very vulnerable and emotional when he wrote this heartbreak song about a past relationship that ended because he wasn't mindful enough of what his ex lover wanted. He admits his faults, and that he was too young and dumb to realize the things he should have done for his former lover, and how he truly hopes their new man does those things for them.
Unsteady is such a sad song because it’s told from the perspective of a child who is watching their parents grow distant and their home life become unstable. It must be so hard for a kid to experience this, not having any control and not knowing why things are changing. Kids crave stability so it’s no surprise this kind of change would later inspire the artist to sing about it.
This is one of those sad breakup songs that has a fun, upbeat melody but sad words. The lyrics talk about trying to feel ok again after a breakup, but if their name comes up, suddenly you're not ok anymore but try to laugh it off so you don't cry. They talk about how they're trying to have a good time and forget about their ex and the fact that it's over and all that time together was a waste.
This song is about Smith craving a deeper, more meaningful relationship with someone after having a one night stand. They are asking for the person to stay a while longer and pretending they have something more, even if it’s not real.
Charlie Puth is know for his fun, high energy songs, and this is no exception even though it is in this list of heartbreak songs. Don't let the catchy beat deceive you, this song is about fleeting love, and thinking about someone after they've moved on and how it's sad they don't talk to each other anymore.
This track is about ending a relationship that you had already internally gotten over. There is no need for the other person to try to change your mind because there’s no chance of working things out. They didn’t do anything wrong necessarily, the relationship just ran its course for you and they need to move on now.
This song is about the feeling of needing someone even though they hurt you. Mendes talks about the person saying hurtful things that cut like a knife, which is why he’s going to need stitches; still, he can’t bring himself to move on.
This groovy song from Beatles star John Lennon is about feeling yourself lose connection with someone because of wrongdoings of the past, and one person can't get over it. It may be about being unfaithful, too, but one thing’s for sure: it's not a happy love story! As the song goes on it's almost as though Lennon becomes angry because no matter what he does he can't change the past, but the other person can't let it go.
One of the most iconic sad, heartbreak songs of all time. Although it's technically not about a breakup, Chris Martin has said that he wrote this song to console his wife when her father had passed away. It's still a great breakup song as the lyrics can be interpreted in countless different ways.
Eilish has become known for her ability to break our hearts with her voice and this song was no exception. The song talks about Eilish putting distance between her and a fleeting lover who keeps disappointing her and keeps her waiting. She describes this song more of an angry than sad, despite the slow and melancholy melody.
This song is about the heartache of letting someone go who you still love so that they can go off and try to find themselves. Jesso sings with beautiful emotion that draws the listener into the feelings with him. It has got to hurt so much to watch someone you love set off into the world without you, and take great strength and wisdom to be able to do what you think is best for them even though it hurts you.
This is a deep and heartfelt track about breakup and friendship. The song starts off talking about how his girlfriend was unfaithful, and the relationship ended, so he goes to his friend for advice and comfort. His friend offers him great advice, that it’ll hurt for a while and then it’ll be alright, but until then they’ll drink to help ease the pain.
Inspired by the Buckleys relationship breakup with Rebecca Moore, you can feel the sad state of mind from Jeff was in. During the song he recognizes that he’s been too immature in his past relationship, but also accepts that she could be the one when looking back.
If you love something, let it go... And then write a song about it. This song is about not knowing what to do without someone after they leave. The person she's singing to in this song wanted to go and see the world, and Ridings didn't want to stop them. But, it doesn't stop her from feeling lost. This is a chilling song with solely a piano melody accompanying Ridings' voice.
This song is about being in love with someone who isn’t always good to you or there when you need them, but you can’t give them up. The message in the lyrics and the way Selena put her whole soul into singing them is what makes this such a sad song. She really makes us understand what that kind of heartache is like even if we’ve never been there.
Kelly Clarkson has blessed us with many soulful ballads over the years, but this one definitely hits the heart hard! It was apparently written by Clarkson when she was 16 about her experience around her parents' divorce when she was a child. Her label initially didn't let her release it but eventually they did, and the world is grateful for that! It talks about how she's always had her guard up, not fully trusting people. It could be interpreted as a song about breaking up, too, but knowing Clarkson's true meaning behind it makes it that much more special and emotional!
Even though this song has only been out a short while, it's already the heartbreak anthem for millions of people. The song is about Rodrigo getting her driver's license and driving past her ex's house who she still misses. When they were still together, they talked about her getting her license so she could come to his house. She sings about how she misses him and can't believe he's happy without her.
In this song, the artist wrote about a failing relationship and the pain of imagining their partner with someone else; but he realizes that he loves that person and just want them to be happy, and the only way for them to be happy is for him to leave. This is one of those sad love songs that you can't help but empathize with even if you haven't experienced it. It must be difficult to let go of someone you still care about because it's better for them.
This is a sad song with a haunting melody that draws you into its story. Benjamin wrote this account of the end of a past relationship and how he could feel the difference in the energy before it was actually over. He’s asking his partner that even though they know the relationship is ending, if they could be gentle when they break up with him.
Unlike a lot of the other sad love songs on this list, Someone You Loved isn't about romantic loss, but rather Capaldi's loss of his grandmother; however it could be interpreted as a breakup song, too. You can hear Capaldi's broken heart in his voice in this song. It talks about feeling lonely and overwhelmed, and no longer having someone to turn to. The music video stars Peter Capaldi as a widower who meets the young woman his late wife donated her heart to, and he gets to hear it beat again. It's such a beautiful but sad song and video!