Breakups are a universal part of the human experience, but let's not sugarcoat things: They freaking suck. Sometimes the only things that can help you through one are a blanket, the ice cream/pizza/wine of your choice, and some breakup music.
I hope you never need them, but just in case, here are some of the most cathartic breakup songs of all time, divided by mood so that you have something for every stage of your emotional journey.
Lots of breakup songs are sad, but they don't have to be! Some of the very best ones are empowering and triumphant, and others verge on full anger. Whatever kind of emotional release you're looking for, there's a breakup song for you.
CATEGORY 1: Songs for when "We need to talk"
Your relationship isn't working out and it's time for an awkward, sad conversation. These songs might sum up your feelings perfectly.
1. "Doing It Wrong" by Drake
2. "Burn" by Usher
3. "Purple Rain" by Prince
4. "With or Without You" by U2
5. "Heart Crush" by BJ the Chicago Kid
6. "No Nothing" by Curtis & Reinhard Feat. Blaire
CATEGORY 2: Songs for when you're just sad, okay?
Get in bed, grab the Kleenex, and let it out to the tune of these tearjerkers.
7. "Crying in the Rain" by a-Ha
8. "Dreaming With a Broken Heart" by John Mayer
9. "She's Gone" by Hall & Oates
10. "What Hurts the Most" by Rascal Flatts
11. "Where Did Our Love Go?" by the Supremes
12. "Only the Lonely" by Roy Orbison
13. "I'm Goin' Down" by Mary J. Blige
14. "End of the Road" by Boyz II Men
15. "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart" by Al Green
16. "It Must Have Been Love" by Roxette
17. "Crying" by Roy Orbison
18. "I'd Rather Go Blind" by Etta James
19. "Skinny Love" by Bon Iver
20. "New York" by St. Vincent
21. "Ain’t No Sunshine" by Bill Withers
22. "It's Too Late" by Carole King
23. "The Scientist" by Coldplay
24. "Call Out My Name" by the Weeknd
25. "Gone" by *NSYNC
26. "Someone You Loved" by Lewis Capaldi
27. "abcdefu" by GAYLE
28. "Someone Like You" by Adele
29. "Happy Ending" by Mika
30. "Almost Lover" by A Fine Frenzy
31. "Lover All Alone" by Clay Aiken
32. "Stitches" by Shawn Mendes
33. "Million Reasons" by Lady Gaga
34. "Dancing on My Own" by Robyn
35. "Drivers License" by Olivia Rodrigo
36. "Yesterday" by the Beatles
37. "I Can't Make You Love Me" by Bonnie Raitt
38. "Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)" by Phil Collins
39. "Wrecking Ball" by Miley Cyrus
40. "Back to Black" by Amy Winehouse
41. "Un-Break My Heart" by Toni Braxton
42. "Nothing Compares 2 U" by Sinéad O'Connor
43. "Vampire" by Olivia Rodrigo
44. "Jar of Hearts" by Christina Perri
45. "Too Good At Goodbyes" by Sam Smith
46. "On My Own" from Les Misérables
47. "Everytime" by Britney Spears
CATEGORY 3: Songs for when they did you wrong and probably regret it
Once your tears dry, you might be left feeling anger, and that's totally valid. Especially if someone has the audacity to come crawling back to you after breaking your heart. You might forgive them eventually, but you won't forget and never look back. These angry breakup songs are for when you need to rage.
48. "Silver Springs" by Fleetwood Mac
49. "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" by Marvin Gaye
50. "Grenade" by Bruno Mars
51. "Ex-Factor" by Lauryn Hill
52. "You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine" by Lou Rawls
53. "Too Little Too Late" by JoJo
54. "Don't Bother" by Shakira
55. "All Too Well" by Taylor Swift
56. "Rolling in the Deep" by Adele
57. "Love Yourself" by Justin Bieber
58. "Cry Me a River" by Justin Timberlake
59. "Gives You Hell" by the All-American Rejects
60. "Go Your Own Way" by Fleetwood Mac
61. "Tainted Love" by Soft Cell
62. "Heartbeat" by Childish Gambino
63. "S.O.S" by Jonas Brothers
64. "Take a Bow" by Rihanna
65. "Don't" by Ed Sheeran
66. "Potential Breakup Song" by Aly & AJ
67. "Cold" by Chris Stapleton
68. "Ghost" by Ella Henderson
69. "Fuck You" by CeeLo Green
70. "You Give Love a Bad Name" by Bon Jovi
71. "Happier Than Ever" by Billie Eilish
72. "You're So Vain" by Carly Simon
73. "Leave (Get Out)" by JoJo
74. "Apologize" by Timbaland Feat. OneRepublic
75. "I'm Not the Only One" by Sam Smith
76. "My Happy Ending" by Avril Lavigne
77. "You Oughta Know" by Alanis Morissette
78. "Before He Cheats" by Carrie Underwood
79. "Somebody That I Used to Know" by Gotye
80. "Maps" by Yeah Yeah Yeahs
81. "Torn" by Natalie Imbruglia
82. "Maggie May" by Rod Stewart
83. "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right" by Bob Dylan
84. "I Hate Myself for Loving You" by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
85. "You're Breaking My Heart" by Harry Nilsson
86. "The Best Deceptions" by Dashboard Confessional
CATEGORY 4: Songs for when it's over but you wish them well.
You're not quite healed from the breakup, and you may even have some regrets of your own, but you know it's time to let that person go. The general sentiment of these songs is best summed up by Dolly Parton's words as sung by Queen Whitney in "I Will Always Love You."
87. "I Will Always Love You" by Whitney Houston
88. "When I Was Your Man" by Bruno Mars
89. "Stone Cold" by Demi Lovato
AND FINALLY, CATEGORY 5: Songs for when you're better off without them.
At the end of the day, you're a bad bitch and one breakup can't change that. These songs will help you pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and be ready to face whatever's next. Let the wise words of Kelly Clarkson be your guide: It doesn't mean you're lonely when you're alone (single).