10 Angry Breakup Songs To Help You Forget Your Ex
Because everyone needs a good cry (or scream, for that matter).
Getty By Cassie Ciopryna
Going through a breakup can bring forward many difficult emotions — especially anger — so there’s nothing better than finding a collection of the best angry breakup songs by artists who get how you feel about your ex.
When you're going through a bad breakup, sometimes you need a powerful rage anthem to get you through that difficult period, and the right music can be the perfect antidote for a broken heart.
Breakups happen to everyone, but some are worse than others. It's nice to hear other people's stories told through the lyrics of their songs.
Plus, they are often empowering and make you feel like a boss — which we all know you totally are.
Find the song that speaks to you most, crank up the volume, and let your emotions flow.
To that end, we compiled this playlist of the 10 best angry breakup songs that speak to the pain you feel when you think about your ex.
1. "The Boys" by Nicki Minaj ft. Cassie
Nicki Minaj always knows how to hit below the belt with her rhymes, whether explicitly or in a hidden way where whoever it’s aimed at gets it good. This song is about getting back at a cheating ex.
It actually isn’t one of Nicki’s meanest songs, but it definitely gets the point across: stay away!
Lyrics to yell out:
I hope you have the time of your life / I hope I don’t lose it tonight
2. "Ex-Girlfriend" by No Doubt
It's a sad realization when you come to understand your relationship was never really working all along. If he wanted to go right whenever you wanted to go left, your breakup was inevitable.
Lyrics to yell out:
I kinda always knew I'd end up your ex-girlfriend / I hope I hold a special place with the rest of them
And you know it makes me sick to be on that list / But I should have thought of that before we kissed
3. "Cry Me a River" by Justin Timberlake
We all know this person — the one who completely and totally broke your heart. They cheated on you, you found out, and you had your share of tearful nights. Then weeks, months, who knows how long after, they’re hitting you up and trying to get you back.
Think again! You’re a stronger person now. See ya!
Lyrics to yell out:
You told me you love me / Why did you leave me all alone
Now you tell me you need me / When you call me on the phone
Girl, I refuse / You must have me confused with some other guy
The bridges were burned / Now it's your turn, to cry
Cry me a river
4. "F— It (I Don’t Want You Back)" by Eamon
Who can forget this one hit wonder from 2003? This is anger at its best, hidden under some rhythmic, smooth R&B beats. You can smile while singing these angry words as if you’re not swearing with every other word. It's the ultimate F.U.
Lyrics to yell out:
F— what I said it don't mean sh*t now / F— the presents might as well throw em out
F— all those kisses, they didn't mean jack / F— you, you h—, I don't want you back
5. "Caught Out There" by Kelis
So, her milkshake brought the boys to the yard, and it seems that one of those men ended up hurting her. Now, she’s singing a song for all the girls out there who have been lied to by their men, as she states in the song’s intro. This song is the classic "caught your man cheating and now you need to scream" song.
Lyrics to yell out:
This song is for all the women out there / That been lied to by their men
And I know you all been lied to / Over and over again
This is for y'all
6. "Wake Up Call" by Maroon 5
So much cheating (but who would ever cheat on Adam Levine?). The catchy beat and double meaning of the title of this song ropes you in and then gets you thinking ... wait, this song isn’t just catchy, it's sad! Now, you’re angry.
Lyrics to yell out:
Wake up call / Caught you in the morning with another one in my bed
Don't you care about me anymore? Don't you care about me?
I don't think so
7. "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" by Taylor Swift
We all know that T-Swift has, like, a zillion breakup songs, so it was hard to pick just one. But we think this one earns a top spot because it’s so relatable — something we all have to tell ourselves after one (or five) too many times getting back with the same no-good ex.
It's time to move on and stop repeating past mistakes.
Lyrics to yell out:
We are never ever, ever getting back together / We are never ever, ever getting back together
You go talk to your friends, talk to my friends, talk to me (talk to me) / But, we are never ever, ever, ever getting back together
8. "So What" by P!nk
Breakups can bring out a totally different personality in us that we didn’t know existed. Life as a woman in a relationship vs. being single (especially being a newly single woman after a very long relationship) is very different.
P!nk shows that we can go out and have tons of fun even as we get over a completely devastating breakup.
Lyrics to yell out:
So, so what? I'm still a rock star
I got my rock moves / And I don't need you
And guess what / I'm having more fun
And now that we're done / I'm gonna show you tonight
I'm alright, I'm just fine / And you're a tool
So, so what? I am a rock star
I got my rock moves / And I don't want you tonight
9. "Before He Cheats" by Carrie Underwood
This is the ultimate angry Country breakup song. We all need to vent after a breakup, and sometimes words just aren’t enough. Sometimes, you just need to break something. (Not that we're advocating for you do that, of course.)
Lyrics to yell out:
I dug my key into the side / Of his pretty little souped-up four-wheel drive
Carved my name into his leather seats
I took a Louisville slugger to both head lights / I slashed a hole in all four tires
Maybe next time he'll think before he cheats
10. "You Oughta Know" by Alanis Morissette
Oh, Alanis. So much anger. So much love for independent, boss babes. We love you. This song shows some of the insecurities we all have when we see our ex with a new beau. We know we’re better off without them, and we’re better than their new woman, but sometimes we gotta let these things out of our system.
Lyrics to yell out:
And every time you speak her name / Does she know how you told me
You'd hold me until you died / 'Til you died, but you're still alive
And I'm here, to remind you / Of the mess you left when you went away
It's not fair, to deny me / Of the cross I bear that you gave to me
You, you, you oughta know
Never Liked It Anyway is the eBay for breakups — a place to buy, sell and tell all things exes.