15 Lyrics About Heartbreak To Turn To When You've Had Your Heart Broken
Music makes moving on from your ex so much easier.
Breakups suck. I know it, you know it. The recovery after a breakup — especially when you've had your heart broken — can take a split second, or months. However you heal, having a killer breakup playlist full of relatable song lyrics about heartbreak and powerful quotes about strength can help you power through the emotions and reach the last stage of grief: acceptance.
Here are 15 lyrics about heartbreak from songs that are a must to add to your sad girl hours playlist.
1. From "The Night We Met" by Lord Huron feat. Phoebe Bridgers
This song tugs at my heartstrings every time I hear it. "13 Reasons Why" may be a polarizing show, but dang it this song is so good, and it captures Clay’s emotions at the end of the season perfectly.
When you’re fresh off heartbreak, you’re deep in reminiscing about the good times you had, and this is the perfect song to listen to while eating a tub of ice cream.
I had all and then most of you / Some and now none of you
Take me back to the night we met
I don't know what I'm supposed to do / Haunted by the ghost of you
Take me back to the night we met
2. From "Fix You" by Coldplay
This song isn’t exclusively a break-up song, but it definitely calls to the feeling of being blindsided by the one you love. The slow to quick tempo and dreamy quality of lead singer Chris Martin will echo the sadness you’re feeling and help you realize you deserve so much more.
You need to process your feelings, and sometimes that means crying a little (okay, maybe a lot).
Lights will guide you home / And ignite your bones / And I will try to fix you
3. From "When The Party’s Over" by Billie Eilish
I’m quite impartial to my girl Billie, especially with this particular song. Billie’s signature breathy head voice mixed with the soft chorus and simple piano makes for a killer song about toxic relationships and giving your all to someone who won’t do the same for you.
This is another song to cry to, and if you watch the music video too, then you’ll be crying right alongside Billie.
But nothing is better sometimes / Once we've both said our goodbyes
Let's just let it go / Let me let you go
4. From "Strangers" by Halsey feat. Lauren Jeuregui
Halsey and Lauren match so well in this LGBTQ+ breakup song. This is the song that will help you realize that your relationship really was meant to end. It talks about the signs, the frustration, and the reality of when lovers become strangers.
You will definitely be jamming out to this song while cropping your boyfriend out of all your pictures together.
When I wake up all alone / And I'm thinking of your skin
I remember, I remember what you told me
Said that we're not lovers, we're just strangers / With the same damn hunger
To be touched, to be loved, to feel anything at all
5. From "Too Good At Goodbyes" by Sam Smith
Sam Smith really is the king of sad boy hours songs. He’s iconic for his breakup songs like “Stay With Me,” but today I’m recommending “Too Good at Goodbyes”. This is an important song for your moving on stage. You need to protect yourself, especially when your ex is still someone you deem to be super important to you. Protect your heart loves.
You must think that I'm stupid / You must think that I'm a fool
You must think that I'm new to this / But I have seen this all before
6. From "I Hate You, I Love You" by Gnash feat. Olivia O’Brien
This is a moving duet by Gnash and Olivia. This song talks about a couple that’s extremely toxic to each other but are still attracted to each other. He’s cocky, she’s hurt but hurt him too. They’ve lost the trust between them, and no matter their feelings for each other, they can’t get back together.
You may want him now, but you broke up for a reason, and you’ll be better in the long run.
Feeling used, but I'm / Still missing you and I can't
See the end of this / just wanna feel your kiss against my lips
And now all this time Is passing by / but I still can't seem to tell you why
It hurts me every time I see you / Realize how much I need you
I hate you, I love you / I hate that I love you
Don't want to, but I can't put / Nobody else above you
7. From "Let It Go" by James Bay
This is one of James Bay’s most popular songs. It talks about all of the love that can be shared even when the love is doomed to fail. Know that you have to let them go, and let them be themselves. More importantly, you gotta let you be you too.
So come on, let it go / Just let it be
Why don't you be you / And I'll be me
Everything that's broke / Leave it to the breeze
Why don't you be you / And I'll be me
8. From "Hope Is A Dangerous Thing For A Woman Like Me To Have, But I Have It" by Lana Del Rey
If Sam Smith is the king of sad boy hours, Lana Del Rey is the empress we all need. Her haunting voice is iconic throughout all of her songs. You follow Lana down the road of not being sad but also not being happy either. Let this song take you down the rabbit hole that is Lana’s discography if this list isn’t enough for you.
There's a new revolution, a loud evolution that I saw
Born of confusion and quiet collusion of which mostly I've known
A modern day woman with a weak constitution, 'cause I've got
Monsters still under my bed that I could never fight off
A gatekeeper carelessly dropping the keys on my nights off
9. From "Burn" sing by Phillipa Soo In "Hamilton: An American Musical," Written By Lin Manuel Miranda
Do not call me out on this one y’all. Eliza Schuyler went through the wringer during her relationship with the titular Alexander Hamilton. After he publishes his infidelity, this power ballad of Eliza’s heartbreak and resolve makes you stand behind her instead of pitying her.
Remove yourself from his narrative, ignore his texts, and keep your head up.
I saved every letter you wrote me / From the moment I read them
I knew you were mine / You said you were mine / I thought you were mine
Do you know what Angelica said when we saw your first letter arrive?
She said:/ 'Be careful with that one, love'
10. From "I Fall Apart" by Post Malone
Post Malone trades his usual party anthems for this slower, emotional breakup song. This song isn’t very rap heavy, but still keeps his signature beat style.
If you don’t understand why you broke up with your partner, you’ll definitely identify with his questions and longing for his ex and his relationship.
She told me that I'm not enough, yeah
And she left me with a broken heart, yeah
She fooled me twice and it's all my fault, yeah
She cut too deep, now she left me scarred, yeah
Now there's too many thoughts goin' through my brain, yeah
And now I'm takin' these shots like it's novacaine, yeah
11. From "The Good Side" by Troye Sivan
Troye’s charming voice takes it down a couple of notches with this trance-like song about getting the good side of a break up and relationship. Despite the speculation with who the song is in reference to, the guitar and softness of the song makes it a great addition to any breakup playlist.
I got the good side of things / Left you with both of the rings
My fingers danced and swayed in the breeze / The change in the wind took you down to your knees
I got the good side of you / Sent it out into the blue
The people danced to the sound of your heart / The world sang along to it falling apart
12. From "Happier" by Ed Sheeran
Ed has mastered the art of songs about love and loss. Ed’s story of heartbreak and moving on will speak to your hope for love in the future. Ed may still be getting over his own broken heart, but don’t let that keep yourself from being happy for you and for your ex. Moving on is bound to happen, and if it happens to him first, that’s ok.
Ain't nobody hurt you like I hurt you / But ain't nobody love you like I do
Promise that I will not take it personal, baby / If you're moving on with someone new
'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
13. From "Praying" by Kesha
Kesha has an epic story of redemption over the past few years, and “Praying” is the culmination of that. Her emotions and her struggle gives way to beauty and transformation, and you can have that too.
You can fight for yourself too. It’s ok to wish your partner well, and hopefully he learns from his mistakes, just like you.
Well, you almost had me fooled
Told me that I was nothing without you
Oh, but after everything you've done
I can thank you for how strong I have become
14. From "Skyscraper" by Demi Lovato
This is definitely and old school bop. Demi’s incredible vocal range gives so much power to her, and to you, to get back up on your feet after heartbreak. You are so much stronger than what he thinks you are. Prove him wrong, like Demi does, and be you.
You can take everything I have / You can break everything I am
Like I'm made of glass / Like I'm made of paper
Go on and try to tear me down / I will be rising from the ground
Like a skyscraper, like a skyscraper
15. From "Without Me" by Halsey
In my opinion, this song is the ultimate girl power anthem. This is the song you listen to at the beginning of your playlist and just cry-sing to. Put this song at the end of your journey, and the meaning and power behind it will morph and change from the ballad to the anthem it was meant to be.
Be that girl — the one that makes him realize that he can’t live without you.
I said I'd catch you if you fall / And if they laugh, then f--k 'em all (All)
And then I got you off your knees / Put you right back on your feet
Just so you can take advantage of me
Bonus: From "New Rules" by Dua Lipa
So now you’ve reached the end of your heartbreak journey. Congrats! Now listen to this song. You may be over the breakup, but a couple of drinks at night can still make you want to drunk text him. Don’t pick up the phone, don’t let him in, and don’t be his friend in the beginning. Listen to the wise words of Dua Lipa.
One: Don't pick up the phone / You know he's only callin' 'cause he's drunk and alone
Two: Don't let him in / You'll have to kick him out again
Three: Don't be his friend / You know you're gonna wake up in his bed in the morning
And if you're under him, you ain't gettin' over him
Kayla Baptista is a writer who covers astrology, pop culture and relationship topics.