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. 🙂
i second Ben Folds ‘song for the dumped’
along with ‘superman’ by eminem and ‘stay the fuck away from me’ by lightspeed champion.. these are for guys, no soppy shiz, just uplifting/bitter lol
Thanks for the songs I’d like to add:
Let it burn – Usher
Believe – Cher
Breakaway – Kelly Clarkson
Latif – I Don’t Wanna Hurt You
I think the best 2 songs for GUYS are:
HARD FI – BETTER DO BETTER
THE KOOKS – SHE MOVES IN HER OWN WAY
Fu*k it – “plenty more fish in the sea” everyone so heads up!!!!!
Time will heal all wounds – FACT!!!!!
Let’s not forget Bob Marley – Three little birds and of course No woman No cry.
Natalie Grant – No Sign Of It
It’s a long wait at the gate
Just to glimpse your fate
Just to see whether it all works out
It’s a long road, a heavy load
You gotta really want to go
And just let the others walk around you now
Up and down again
But this time it’s different
It took some waiting to straighten out the bend
In and out of luck
Yeah at times it was difficult
I got a new life baby, It takes some getting used to but…
Chorus:
No sign of any rain
My skies are clear today
I keep bracing for that hit
But there’s not sign of it
No obstacles in sight
My skies are clear tonight (My skies are full of light)
I keep thinking I might see that cloud arrive
Oh but there’s no sign of it
No sign of it
And as I look around, it’s all new ground
The leaves on the trees touch down
But I’m above weightless as a dream
It’s been a long road, a heavy load
I just simply had to go
Had to get here hard as it’s been
Thanks so much for this. Like everyone else I’ve been through a breakup recently and every song reminds me of him- we spent a lot of time singing to songs and listening to music together… this helped me a lot so thanks
I stumbled upon your site while looking for articles. Thanks for posting these songs! “Everybody Hurts” & “What a Wonderful World” is on my playlist, as well as
“From Now On” by Basia:
“I can’t make you love me anymore
Nothing matters now when you are gone
Tried so many times before
Only now I understand
We never felt the same
But I don’t mind
I don’t mind
A better combination won’t be hard to find
Got to learn to walk again
It’s so new—being free
Start the life of different kind
No more us
From now on it’s—me ”
a couple more:
“Here Comes the Sun” – Beatles
“Searchin’ My Soul” – Vonda Shepard
@Toni Ann:
Thank you so much. Your recommendation is soooooooooooooo good. I’m feeling much better now 🙂
Thanks very much. Good recommendation. “Strong enough” starts working on me now. It cannot heal my broken heart but at least it inspires me to live my good life without that jerk 🙁
Well, Survivor by Destiny’s Child is good too!
Going thru it right now. Here are mine…
Ain’t It Funny (Murder Remix) – Jennifer Lopez Feat. Ja Rule
Almost Doesn’t Count – Brandy
At Least (The Little Things) – Kelly Price
Better In Time – Leona Lewis
Breakaway – Kelly Clarkson
Bust Your Windows – Jazmine Sullivan
Enough Cryin’ – Mary J. Blige
Foolish – Ashanti
Gotta Move On – Monica
Hit ‘Em Up Style (Oops!) – Blu Cantrell
I’m Gonna Be Alright – Jennifer Lopez
I Bow Out – Whitney Houston
(I Just Want It) To Be Over – Keyshia Cole
I Learned From The Best – Whitney Houston
I Will Survive – Chantay Savage version
If You Love Me – Brownstone
Irreplaceable – Beyoncé
It’s Over Now – Deborah Cox
Leave (Get Out) – JoJo
Let It Go – Keyshia Cole
Love Shoulda Brought You Home – Toni Braxton
Me, Myself And I – Beyoncé
Never Again – Kelly Clarkson
No More Drama – Mary J. Blige
No Way – Faith Evans
Shake It Off – Mariah Carey
Shoulda Let You Go – Keyshia Cole
Since U Been Gone – Kelly Clarkson
Single Ladies – Beyoncé
There You Go – P!nk
‘Til You Do Me Right – After 7
Shannon Noll’s “Lift” is a great song when you are unhappy in a relationship and trying to muster up the strength to end it (and keep it that way) or if you are struggling with a break up. Good luck and be strong.
Here’s some good songs…
1- My Last Goodbye by Trading Yesterday
2- Clear by Miley Cyrus
3- Without You by Hinder
4- Trash by Demi Lovato
5- Picture to Burn by Taylor Swift
These songs have been helping me a lot lately. Maybe they’ll help you guys too =]
I found a great song is
Ill be ok – by Mcfly.
Not particularly about break up but it says…..
When your down and lost,
and you need a helping hand,
when your down and lost along your way,
just try a little harder,
try your best to make it through the day,
oh just tell yourself,
Ill be ok.
Brave by Idina Menzel:
I don't know just where I'm going
And tomorrow, it's a little overwhelming
And the air is cold
And I'm not the same anymore
I've been running in your direction
For to long now
I've lost my own reflection
And I can't look down
If you're not there to catch me when I fall.
If this is the moment I stand here on my own
If this is my rite of passage that somehow leads me home
I might be afraid
But it's my turn to be brave
If this is the last chance before we say goodbye
At least it's the first day of the rest of my life
I can't be afraid
Cause it's my turn to be brave
All along all I ever wanted, was to be the light
When your life was daunting
But I can't see mine
When I feel as though you're pushing me away
Well who's to blame, are we making the right choices
Cause we can't be sure if we're hearing our own voices
As we close the door even though we are so desperate to stay
If this is the moment I stand here on my own
If this is my rite of passage that somehow leads me home
I might be afraid
But it's my turn to be brave
If this is the last chance before we say goodbye
At least it's the first day of the rest of my life
I can't be afraid
Cause it's my turn to be brave
And I might still cry
And I might still bleed
These thorns in my side
This heart on my sleeve
And lightening may strike
This ground at my feet
And I might still crash
But I still believe
This is the moment I stand here all alone
With everything I have inside, everything I own
I might be afraid
But it's my turn to be brave
If this is the last time before we say goodbye
At least it's the first day of the rest of my life
I can't be afraid
Cause it's my turn to be brave
Anouk – If I go
This song help me out ,in the last time of my divorce
Morcheeba – “Let it go”
Let it go before it kills you
Let it fall and the fade away
Let’s have fun and do what thrills you
Please don’t waste another day
Lighthouse Family – “Goodbye Heartbreak”
You know that you’ll survive
The day you realize
You cant stop day from turning into night
There are certainly more, but these two have such a specific and unique message. They were actually like a slap in the face when I listened to them for the first time.
@laura
Thank you Laura, two great songs!
Eddie
Since my ex and I were so into music, almost every song reminded me of him. I made a cd of break up songs and wrote on it “OVER YOU”. A lot of these songs are on it. I get in my car and blast it. Sometimes I still cry, but sometimes I feel great strength.
One of the songs that helps is “Over It” by Katharine McPhee.
Thank you all very much for contributing these great songs.
I think that anyone who needs comfort and strength from a break up song will find the right one here.
Thanks,
Eddie
Ditto for Destiny’s Child “Survivor”, add Shakira “Don’t bother” and, if you are a woman and need to feel like you are “it” anything sexy by Sean Paul. Would like to add, if it’s a bitter break-up, any Linkin Park or “Thx 4 the mmrs” by Fallout Boy. Am going through a “mutual” breakup with a long-distance love and can’t stop bawling like a baby at the mo, but I know there’s life even after those!!! I just wish someone could give me a shortcut to the “over it” part right now…
@Clarissa –
Actually, I’d like to add Destiny’s Child’s song “Survivor” for a heartache recovery too.
You don’t seem like the R&B crowd but it’s such a great song when you want to feel like you’re going to be just fine…
Destiny’s Child- So Good