It was all fast heartbeats and goo-goo eyes in the beginning, but now you're left with that sinking feeling that you're all alone again.
Others reach deep down for their survivor spirit. What will you do?
Here's a winner's playlist of songs showing a variety of reactions to breakups, broken hearts, and relationship bust ups. Have fun listening and go get your inspiration!
In this emotionally raw song, contemporary country group Rascal Flatts (2001) describes a man who has faced personal demons in his past and has come to realize that his life is passing him by in his current relationship. He has packed up his belongings and is leaving town, hoping to find forgiveness down the road.
In this 2004 rock song, Kelly Clarkson describes a girl who is relieved that her relationship is over. The couple began as friends, and their romance became intense. Now she is free and feels like she can breathe for the first time in a long time. And yes, she is glad he's miserable.
Justin Timberlake released this 2006 song as a sequel to "Cry Me A River" which was rumored to be about his breakup with Britney Spears. It's a can't-let-it-go song about a guy who was in love with a woman and ready to marry her.
However, she went and cheated on him. The brokenhearted Romeo reminds her that karma has a way of coming back around and kicking you in the backside. Ease up, Justin. She ain't worth it.
a battlefield, and I've been mortally wounded.
Blame and miscommunication are flying in this 2011 song. The man in the relationship tells his side of the story -- that he felt lonely in the relationship and glad when it was over. He didn't understand why his old lover cut him off completely and treated him like a stranger.
In this unforgettable 2008 number, Beyoncé Knowles sings about a girl who has just broken up with her boyfriend of three years. On the rebound, she now has all the male attention she can handle, and it's driving her ex-boyfriend crazy.
What do you regret most about your most recent break-up, if anything?
Not telling him/her how I truly felt.
Allowing or engaging in disrespectful treatment.
The relationship is coming to an end, and Usher delivers the final blow in this 2004 song. Even though he's the partner who is terminating the love relationship, he grieves the end of their romance.
He hates the thought of his ex-lover with someone else, even long after they have split. But hey, he lit the match that burned the bridge.
The lonely, heartbroken lady in this John Anderson song (1996) is friendly and fun when she's sipping Chablis. But when she's downing straight tequila, don't mess with the broad. That's when she's got her ex-lover on her mind. Baby, that's when she's a train wreck looking to tear up some tracks. Toot, toot!
Pressing Replay On the Past?
1. Tweet, update your Facebook status, or post messages on Internet message boards.
2. Call up your old flame to discuss unresolved relationship issues. Or show up at his/her apartment.
3. Call up your ex-lover's new romantic interest to give them the scoop on what Mr. or Ms. Right is really all about (or to wish the new couple well).
4. Try to find a new partner -- especially if that partner is also drunk and/or on the rebound.
5. Get a tattoo, cut your own hair, or both.
6. Profess your love to anyone.
7. Tell the world what you think of your ex through spraypaint.
8. Discuss your troubles with any and all who will listen.
9. Upload photos and videos to the Internet.
Okay, maybe you could get by with #10. But don't document your fun.
Jo Dee Messina is all fired up and tired of her man's lame excuses. She's kicking the no good buzzard to the curb in this 2005 country number. He's filled her head with lies, manipulated her, and used her. Ole' Jo Dee is DONE.
I will survive ... .
Are You an Angry Bird? Did the Breakup Ruffle Your Feathers?
Kellie Pickler wants to rub her ex-boyfriend's face in his mistake. The cheater broke her heart and is now marrying someone else, but she reminds him that she will always be there in the back of his mind as the one who got away.
Does it surprise you that Taylor Swift co-wrote this 2008 song?
This 2010 R&B song has two versions: the sanitized one and the naughty one, called "F*ck You." Cee Lo Green sings about the pain of being in love with a gold digger; she's left him for deeper pockets.
This song was written by Prince, although Sinéad O'Connor made it famous throughout the world in 1990. She describes feeling empty, and she counts the days since her lover left her.
Although she now has the freedom to do anything she wants, her sleeping is interrupted, she's having crying jags, and she's gone to see a doctor to no avail. She's even willing to give their disintegrated relationship another try. The song paints the picture of a broken woman.
One of the unhealthiest combinations is a broken hearted lover who's been drinking and has access to a phone late at night. It inevitably leads to the drunk dial. This is what Lady Antebellum is contemplating in this 2010 song.
N-o-o-o-o! Don't do it! Nothing good comes from the drunk dial. Just sleep it off, or go write a song.
Taylor Swift sings about an on-again/off-again love affair in this 2012 Grammy Award nominated song that was inspired by her ill-fated relationship with actor Jake Gyllenhaal (of Brokeback Mountain fame). There's frequent picking of fights, screaming, gossiping with friends. It doesn't sound like these two need to get back together. Sound familiar? Or are you and your ex more likely to put the pieces back together?
The odds of first marriages succeeding are about 1 in 2. The odds of second marriages succeeding are about 1 in 3. Third marriages? Almost 1 in 4.
The number of divorce filings tend to rise dramatically each January. There's even an unofficial "Divorce Day," the Monday after Christmas break when divorce attorneys return to their offices to LOTS of inquiries.
Relationships don't always end in verbal flame throwing and slammed doors. Sometimes they just die on the vine, as in this 1994 song by country singer Patty Loveless.
Timbaland (2006) describes the emotional torture that plagues some relationships as they die off.
He is a lover who desperately loves his sweetheart. However, she plays with his heart, letting him dangle "10 feet off the ground" ... seemingly for the fun of it. He finds that there are some things you can't take back, and it's too late to apologize.
Train brings rare humor to grieving the loss of relationship in this 2012 song. Left by his lover, a snarky man refuses to tell his friends the truth about the demise of their affair. Instead he tosses out suggestions of what happened to her. What great ways to say, "You are both gone and forgotten."
In this upbeat 1983 rock number, Elton John informs his cold-blooded ex-lover that threats and emotional manipulation are not enough to take him down. He's still standing, stronger than ever before. So take that! And take a listen to more great songs about getting over heartbreak.
Miley Cyrus shed her Disney Hannah Montana image like a snake discards its skin. By 2013 she was sporting a bleach blonde pixie cut, twerking with Robin Thicke on the VMA Awards, and announcing the breakup of her wedding engagement.
10 More Ideas for Paul Simon's "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover"
1. Become a fella, Stella.
2. Stow away on a plane, Elaine.
3. Pretend to be dead, Ned.
4. Fail to make bail, Mikail.
5. Tell it like it is, Liz.
6. Join the CIA, Ray.
7. Become a nun, hun.
8.Move out of state, Nate.
9. Hide under a rock, Jacque.
10. Claim to have ebola, Lola.
Adele shows up out of the blue to remind an ex-boyfriend that although he married is to someone else now, moving on is not so easy for her. Unable to stay away, she relives their old times, even if it's just in her memory.
In 2011, she was famously brought to tears performing the song at the Royal Albert Hall.
In this country ballad, Keith Urban grieves the end of his romance as his cheating girlfriend leaves him for someone else. He tells her to take what she feels she needs to -- it's only stuff. He is confident that while she is sleeping with her pride, he will long linger in the back of her memory.
If you've never heard it—for example, because it was released before you were born —then do yourself a favor and go listen!
P!nk has just lost her husband in this 2008 song, but you won't catch her crying on anyone's shoulder. She's sporting a new attitude. Look out because she also plans on drinking his rent money, starting fights, and living it up. You go, girl!
Be honest: Have you ever done the following after a break up?
Monitored my ex on Facebook.
Posted statuses or photos on social media with the intent of making my ex jealous.
Vandalized, damaged, or destroyed something that belonged to him/her.
Tried to interfere with my ex's new dating relationship.
None of these. I just let things go.
Have you used social media to monitor a former romantic partner's new life or had it done to you? Tell us in the Comments Section below.
Is Your Ex Creeping on You?
According to one study, 88 percent of Facebook users employed the social media site to monitor their former romantic partners' new lives.3 Such surveillance activities were associated with increased levels of distress.
Seventy percent of Facebook users in the study acknowledged using a mutual friend's profile to secretly monitor the ex-lover. Nearly 75% used Facebook to conduct research about their ex-partner's new love interest, and 50% were still Facebook friends with their ex.
Kelly Clarkson (2011) describes an empowered woman who has noticed that since her breakup, she is freer than ever before. The bed is warmer, she dreams in color, and she's found personal strength in flying solo.
Rascal Flatts (2006) sings this song of regret about a man who kept quiet instead of saying what needed to be said. The woman he loves has left, and all the words he meant to say won't help him now.
This 1995 Grammy-award winning song by Tracy Chapman describes the painful end of a relationship. The woman in the song tell her partner that she is leaving. Pained, she implores her lover: "give me one reason to stay here, and I'll turn right back around."
The lady in Brad Paisley's life misjudged him. In this tongue-in-cheek country song (2001), a man recounts how his sweetheart gave him an ultimatum: it was either her or fishing. Unfortunately for love, he chose to go to the lake.
Like a cat toying with a mouse, the confident woman in this 2011 Adele song reminds her ex-lover that what you do to others is gonna get done to you. He had left the song's narrator for a woman half her age and was cold-hearted in doing so.
In a winning psycho ex-girlfriend move, she gives him the same treatment. Schwing!
When a lover skips out on you and takes your heart with them, they can leave you with a lingering heartache, noticeable by "oooh oooh oooh you really hurt me" in the lyrics of this song.
Coldplay (2011) reminisces about how the couple used to be on the same side. The woman in the song could have been his princess if he hadn't gone and ruined it. Oddly, the song features Rhianna as the Chinese princess. Sometimes you just have to make believe.
Still, it doesn't make a relationship bust-up hurt any less.
Does Your Heart Feel Like a Crumbled Cookie?
A one-sided romance is one of the loneliest places on earth. Bonnie Raitt sheds all pride in this poignant 1991 song as she bares the raw vulnerability in loving someone who doesn't return the feelings.
Well here's a quarter, call someone who cares.
Pay Phones ... Remember Them?
What was Travis Tritt referring to when he said, "here's a quarter; call someone who cares?"
by 2002 many people were paying 50 cents (or using a calling card).
Prices typically varied by state. When was the last time you used a pay phone or even saw one?
Although this soft rock song was released in 1979, it's just as relevant today. It recounts the pain of being left alone, still loving the one who went away and yearning helplessly for their comfort.
This Marvin Gaye classic (1968), which made the Rolling Stone list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time and is one of the greatest go-to breakup anthems, is about a devastated man who hears gossip about his woman's plans to leave him for another man. Confused, he confronts her.
Disillusioned and emotionally spent by the tolls wracked up by marriage, the husband in this Tim McGraw song (2001) is walking away from his family. He provides a sad explanation of why he feels he cannot stay.
Bon Jovi (1986) describes the woman in this song as having an angel's smile. But beware, she is "a loaded gun" -- a game-player -- and she shoots him in the heart.
This is a philosophical way to look at the end of a relationship. In this 1989 song, Clint Black considers the value of knowing his sweetheart, although their relationship ultimately fizzled. Now that she is gone, he sees that he is a better man for knowing her. How very mature!
41. Have You Seen Her?
44. How Am I Supposed To Live Without You?
97. I Wonder Do You Think of Me?
Do you have a suggestion that needs to be on our Breakup, Heartbreak, and Divorce playlist? Tell us in the Comments Section below!
1 Divorce Statistics. "Divorce Statistics and Divorce Rate in the USA." Last modified 2014. http://www.divorcestatistics.info/divorce-statistics-and-divorce-rate-in-the-usa.html.
2James, Larry. "National Unmarried & Single Americans Week." Celebrate Love & Relationships with Larry James. Last modified 2014. http://www.celebratelove.com/singlesweek.htm.
3Flacy, Mike. "Nearly 9 out of 10 Facebook users keep tabs on their exes." Digital Trends. Last modified July 18, 2012. http://www.digitaltrends.com/social-media/nearly-9-out-of-10-facebook-users-keep-tabs-on-their-exes/.
4Wordwizard. "Pay phone history." Last modified September 30, 2008. http://www.wordwizard.com/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=20853.
Boomer Music Man - A big thank you to you! I pour a lot of energy into my playlist hubs and appreciate the positive comment! Have a great July 4th weekend!
50 ways to leave your lover and You've Lost That love and feelin' are two of my favorite songs. I like the write up you did on these two songs. Your research and writing is just fantastic. Kudos.
swalia - Thanks for stopping by! Have a marvelous week ahead!
Great list! You have a great taste in music!
Shyron - Thank you for taking a look at this playlist and for voting, sharing, commenting. Glad you enjoyed it!
Hi Flourish, you must know that I am a song lover, and this is awesome.
Catherine - I remember that hub well! You're right that sad songs can help with sharing the misery but I hope folks don't get stuck there too long! Put on the old boots and get back in the saddle.
I love the first picture you used to illustrate this piece. I did a hub about "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" that you might enjoy. After a break-up I think it is good therapy to listen to a lot of sad songs about lost love so that you can wallow in your grief. Then after a good wallow you are ready to dust your self off, pick your self up, and plunge back into life.
DDE - It's one of my favorites too! Thanks for stopping by!
Great list here. I enjoy listening to music and ''Forget you,'' is one of my favorites.
LadyFiddler - I agree. Sinéad O'Connor's "Nothing Compares To You" is one of my all time favorites. She sings it from such a lonely, desperate place. Thanks for reading, and have a great week.
What a spectacular hub this must have taken a lot of time to do, but in the end it was worth it. Life is like drawing without an eraser so break ups do happen and there is nothing we can do to erase them, except try to move on , but the pass is always there to haunt us if we let them.
SIGH!!! Just got to be strong to live with it , its certainly not a good feeling especially if you felt betrayed. Time after time we run into idiots who love breaking hearts.
Sinéad O'Connor has really sang that song with deep emotions you can hear and feel the sadness in it.
Fiddleman - Glad you enjoyed this. Break ups can be really uncomfortable and oh so memorable. Sometimes it's easier just to let it fade but some people don't get the hint. Have a great rest-of-your-week.
Mercy me!!! What a great hub. We have all been there. From our first "puppy love" to that "Dear John" many of us got when we were in the military. Rejection hurts but you have given some wonderful songs and tips to help with the emotional pain. Sometimes however, it never goes away which may or may not be a good thing. Enjoyed so much.
Audrey - Thanks for stopping by. I hope this never happens to you either!
What a great list! Hope this never happens to me!!
Nell - That's a good one. I'm sure it's harder to give up cigarettes than it is some old lovers. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment!
Hi, what a great list and I loved the emotion behind your words and the songs, I did smile when we got to Sinéad O'Connor's song, evidently it was not about love but about the fact that she was missing her cigarettes that she had given up! lol! wonderful hub, voted up!
Devika - Thank you! I appreciate your comments!
Hi FlourishAnyway, you did such a perfect hub. Voted up, useful and interesting.
You do a great job of song selections, according to the themes as you explain them. Number 36 and 37 are the only two I think I know. How do we get back the 1948 phone rates? Very entertaining!
Faith Reaper - Thank you so much for that lovely comment. I will definitely check that Lady Antebellum song out! Great group! I hope you are doing well!
Anyway, the song by Lady Antebellum is "Bartender" ... really pumps you up if you need it to get over that loser guy.
But who am I to even comment here, as I have been married forever! I remember growing up and listening to that song by Paul Simon, "50 Ways to Your Lover" ... I remember taking notes just in case ... lol, thankfully, I never had to resort to using any of them.
You have compiled and excellent list here of a lot of great music.
Ann - Thank you so much for your feedback! Have a terrific week!
Great selection and I love your comments and the 'extra' info. The first photo of the cat is priceless! And the owl. You've found some perfect illustrations.
I like '50 ways to leave your lover' and 'I heard it through the grapevine' - 2 classics. Well done; a great read.
Thanks, Savvy! He's a real good guy and has stuck through some very tough times. I hope you find someone awesome, too. Have a good night!
I hope I don't seem like a stalker, but I had to come back and say I loved the story about you and your husband. How cute that he had that country song in his mind. I love it!
Linda - Oh, they do, but I have found them to be a nice break. I've also learned some neat things doing the background research. Thanks for stopping by!
Savvy - Aww, sometimes it's better to just put it out there and take the gamble. Right before my husband and I got married about 20 years ago we had broken up. We both remember the break up completely differently, but when HE came back to ME (haha) I found that "What Might Have Been" by Little Texas was deep in his thoughts. He didn't even like country music but that song had stuck with him. I hope you find the one you can't live without. Thanks for the kind compliments.
Your song hubs must take you so long to compete! I only know two of the songs in this hub, but I appreciate your effort and the extra information that you've included.
Rascall Flatts, "What Hurts the Most" get me every time. (Sigh) Either I didn't say anything or he didn't say anything and there you go. Another love down the drain. The moral of my story is---sometimes it can't hurt to wear our heart on our sleeve ...a little bit. I should know, since I've got the walking away part nailed. Lol!
Great article, as always. I love all that stuff you write as side notes too. Another awesome piece. Voting up & awesome.
Frank - Isn't she a hoot? She has some great songs. Have a good weekend.
Heidi - I recall so many of the 70s love songs and think they don't always get enough play. Glad you enjoyed the throwback.
Velour - They can certainly help. Have a good weekend and thanks for stopping by!
Sharkeye11 - it's hard selecting those songs, isn't it? It took me awhile compiling these. Glad you enjoyed them!
Jackie - Glad you enjoyed this. Good to see you! Have a great weekend.
50 Ways to Leave Your Lover is the one that I always think of on this topic. But my fave is I Will Survive. Gettin' out my polyester and doin' The Hustle. Great playlist again!
Break up is very hard but songs can sooth the soul to a certain extent. Great list.
Aw, man. I was just working on a hub about the same topic! I got stuck after 7 songs though, so I think you were really the one destined to write this! Great hub! So glad you include Paul Simon. That's a great song, whether you are breaking up or not! Voting and sharing!
Writer Fox - Thank yo for the compliment and for pinning and bookmarking. It's funny that you don't realize how many songs there are on one topic until you compile a list like this one.
This is a humongous list of tearjerker songs. I don't know how you were able to find so many great ones for this collection. I'm bookmarking this and pinning. Voted up and awesome!
Marcelle - Thanks for the kind kudos. I love doing the playlists, although they are quite labor intensive! Have a great weekend!
justthemessenger - Oooh, I like that one (Have You Seen Her)! Good one. Thanks for suggesting it and for reading. Have a great weekend.
Carrie Lee Night - Thanks for taking a look. Glad you found something you enjoyed here!
Well done, Flourish! I'll be publishing a similar article after the holidays (closer to Valentine's Day) when I pull out my "break up" and "love" songs playlist for my spin classes. The folks in my classes love to see my songs published on here so. I really like the way you organized the article and added interesting information, lyrics, pictures, videos, and even a map! I always love to read your articles!
Sha - Yes, we all have our favorites! Have a great weekend, friend.
Bill - Glad you're happy and have no need for break up songs! Have a good weekend.
You led off with my favorite, so you had me from the very beginning. Happily, I can report I don't need to listen to any of these. :) Fun list my friend. Now, have a great weekend.
Rachael - today's lyrics seem to be so much more transparent with feelings and such fun, too. Thanks for reading!
Great list, Flourish. I think we all have a song (or 40!) that reminds us of a breakup.
I loved this article. I was a fun read (yes, even your comments under pix!) and voted up, interesting and funny.
Bill -Thanks for stopping by. it was fun researching for those who have been run over by Cupid and are left limping. Have a great weekend.
Hi Flourish. What a great list. I'm sure many a scorned heart has relied on these tunes for comfort. This was clearly a lot of work. Great job. Have a great weekend.