As you might know, overcoming a break up involves a roller coaster ride of emotions.
One minute you feel great, the next you are in deep depression.
Escaping these downtimes is often a big challenge.
While there are some techniques that can help you avoid these moments, a lot of break up victims listen to sad break up songs to ease their pain.
And it works: certain tunes can help you to get over those hard moments.
But I would like to warn you against making a big mistake in this situation.
There is one critical premise you need to remember when listening to these songs:
They have to be empowering, inspirational and they have to pick you up again.
There is a temptation to listen to those “heart-killing” ballads, (you know what I mean).
Don't do it!
I made that terrible mistake back then.
I listened to some of these that reminded me of her over and over for weeks.
It not only delayed my healing process, I fell into a deep depression and wallowed in my own misery.
Don't make that same mistake.
These kinds of songs can help you to cry out accrued emotions, but this will only work at the very beginning – the 1st Phase.
Later, they would likely throw you into the vicious cycle of your memories, from which it is very hard to escape. (Trust me – I know what I'm talking about).
The other kinds of music that you have to avoid are “hate-your-ex-songs.”
The goal in the long run is to get rid of your anger towards your Ex, so listening to this kind of song will only give you false ease, which will hurt you in the long run.
Listed below, I have collected for you the ten best songs that you should listen to after a break up.
I have not taken my personal musical taste into consideration here, (mine is really not mainstream), but rather focused on lyrics that will pick you up and pull you out of your depression.
Additionally, I looked for tunes which can convey these kinds of lyrics, (what's the use of the great, uplifting lyrics if the song makes you fall asleep?).
So, pull out your iPod, check out the following tunes and create your playlist:
1. Gloria Gaynor – I Will Survive
This is the mother of all uplifting break up songs. Strong beat, great lyrics:
“I used to cry,
Now I hold my head up high
and you see me,
somebody new.
I'm not that chained up little person
still in love with you.”
2. Cher – Strong Enough
Are you?
“‘Cos I'm strong enough
To live without you.
Strong enough and I quit crying,
Long enough now I'm strong enough,
To know you gotta go.”
3. Johnny Nash – I Can See Clearly Now
A catchy tune and positive “feel-good” lyrics.
“Think I can make it now, the pain is gone
All of the bad feelings have disappeared.
Here is the rainbow I've been prayin' for.
It's gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day.”
4. REO Speedwagon – Time For Me To Fly
A classic!
“It's time for me to fly.
Oh, I've got to set myself free.
Time for me to fly,
And that's just how it's got to be.
I know it hurts to say goodbye,
But it's time for me to fly.”
5. REM – Everybody Hurts
This is a GREAT song, one of my all-time favorites.
“When the day is long and the night, the night is yours alone,
When you're sure you've had enough of this life, well hang on.
Don't let yourself go, everybody cries and everybody hurts sometimes.”
6. Bob Dylan – Most Of The Time
You don't have to like Bob Dylan to like this song. Great lyrics.
“Stay right with it, when the road unwinds,
I can handle whatever I stumble upon,
I don't even notice she's gone,
Most of the time.”
7. Ace Of Base – Don't Turn Around
“If you ever think about me,
Just know that I'll be alright
I'm gonna be strong,
I'm gonna do fine,
Don't worry about this heart of mine.
I know I'll survive
Sure I'll make it through.”
8. Carrie Underwood – Wasted
The proof that they really exist: positive country songs. A wonderful song!
“I don't wanna' spend my life jaded,
Waiting to wake up one day and find,
That I've let all these years go by,
Wasted.”
9. Justin Timberlake – Cry Me A River
I listened to this one a lot. A great musical piece and it gets you into an empowering mood.
“You told me you loved 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.
Your bridges were burned, and now it's your turn,
To cry, cry me a river.”
10. Louis Armstrong – What A Wonderful World
This is simply a classic feel-good song.
It always reminds me that there is a life out there beyond the problems that we might have and that there is strength already within us.
Listen and dream.
“The colors of the rainbow so pretty in the sky,
Are also on the faces of people going by.
I see friends shaking hands saying how do you do.
They're really saying I love you.”
There you have them, the best positive music that I listened to back then.
They have helped me to overcome my break up, and they can help you too.
Never forget – positivity is the key to success. Surround yourself with positivity, and your life will improve.
You will survive. I promise.
Your friend,
Eddie Corbano
Do you know some good heartbreak songs? Please share them in the comment section below!
If you liked this article, please share it. I'd appreciate it. 🙂
goodbye to you – patty smyth and scandal
also good for a pick me up
Smile – Nat King Cole’s version
That song makes you smile, no matter what….
Good songs suggested so far.
Part Of Me by Saint John and the Revelations always puts things into perspective for me.
These are all excellent songs. Many of the author’s songs are already in my playlist. I love Johnny Nash’s “I can see clearly now.” There are great ideas listed in the responses. I’d like to add a few more:
Pop/Rock:
Celine Dion – Misled (One of my favs)
Jann Arden – Where No One Knows Me
Def Leppard – Gotta Let It Go
Elton John – I’m Still Standing
Daughtry – Over You
Lifehouse – If This Is Goodbye
Madonna – Power of Goodbye
Tina Turner – When the Heartache is Over
Country:
Jo Dee Messina – My Give A Damn’s Busted
Jo Dee Messina – Bye, Bye
Gary Allan – I Don’t Look Back
Rodney Atkins – If You’re Going Through Hell
Mindy McCready – A Girl’s Gotta Do (What a Girl’s Gotta Do)
Kathy Mattea – Walking Away A Winner
Aaron Tippin – Kiss This
Lorrie Morgan – I Didn’t Know My Own Strength
These are just a few of the ones I use to heal. Not all country songs are about heartbroken people crying in their beers 🙂
Faith No More – Midlife Crisis
You’re perfect, yes, it’s true
But without me you’re only you
Your menstruating heart
It ain’t big enough for two
Already Gone! the Eagles
All these are horrible. What the hell are you guys thinking? It’s mostly soft juicy stuff that give the opposite effect to what you’re trying to achieve here.
Put some guitars in the bundle!
Lynyrd Skynyrd – Free Bird
Disturbed – Stricken
Then if you WANT a softer song, try Orbital – Halycon & On & On (no vocals).
For the happy-go-lucky song, try Kraak & Smaak – Squeeze Me. Yes, the lyrics may be a bit “wrong” but the tune is sweeeeet.
And by then, if you’re still the sobbing sad panda, put on some random Aphex Twin song to confuse you to hell. It’ll help get rid of the thoughts of your passed relationship.
Trust me, I know. I’ve been single for 8 days now after a 3-year relationship. Happy to help.
How about a more bile-filled Dylan song like “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright”
Porcelain and The Tramps- My Leftovers
Since You’ve Been Gone ~ Kelly Clarkson
Best break-up song ever.
You Oughta Know-Alanis Morrissette
We’re Not Gonna Take It-Twisted Sister
Dizzy-Orgy
Stronger-Britney Spears
In Too Deep-Sum 41
My Happy Ending-Avril Lavigne
@almost better –
Could you post a link or something to Hooray for the Day? I can’t find it anywhere in Google or Imeem.
=]?
Thank you so much.
Ben Folds 5 – Song For The Dumped
Hard-fi – Better Do Better
Taio Cruz – I Can Be
Britney Spears – Toy Solider
Look for all the ‘F** you songs’
they help A LOT!
i just went through a really bad breakup 2 month ago. my ex bf dump me for another girl. o was devastated. but i listen to leona lewes – better in time everyday. it help a lot
This is a good one too, I always listen to it in my car. I feel much better, and feel stronger.
Christina Aguilera – Fighter
‘Cause it makes me that much stronger
Makes me work a little bit harder
Makes me that much wiser
So thanks for making me a fighter
Made me learn a little bit faster
Made my skin a little bit thicker
It makes me that much smarter
So thanks for making me a fighter
i have been single for 2 weeks now and one of the songs that has helped me a lot is ” tears dry on their own” by Amy winehouse.
Tom Waits – Walk Away
Blind Melon – Change
Hurray For The Day – Open Fields
”hurray for the day when you realize just what you threw away…”
I am single for the last 4 hours and this really helped many thanks.
A song I would also suggest is Baz Luhrmanns ‘Everybodys Free (the Sunscreen song)’…. it puts things in perspective.
really really good. thank you!
dey r helpful….good efforts