36 Of The Best Break-Up Songs To Dance, Cry, Scream And Wail Too (2025)

A huge majority of the music we listen to is born out of an experience of love.

Love is what makes us feel so intensely, builds our character and leaves us experiencing otherworldly highs and devastating lows. So it's no wonder that when putting pen to paper and developing emotive melodies and rhythms that artists draw on these feelings and create art that will resonate with fans for decades.

The break-up anthem has evolved over the years. While some still write heartbreaking songs about losing love, others turn it on its head and make it an uplifting, empowering dance tune (Dua Lipa, Ariana Grande). Over the years, other artists like Beyoncé and Adele have dedicated entire albums to relationships, whether that be the breakdown of one (like Adele's 21) or the learnings from the other side of a betrayal (like Beyoncé's Lemonade). Her recent album Renaissance focuses on release and new beginnings.

Beyoncé's 'Break My Soul' track broke the internet when it was released in 2022. Her song, which was known for fuelling conversations about the great resignation, is one for new beginnings. She refers to new love, a new drive and building her foundation. 'Release ya anger, release ya mind. Release the love, forget the rest,' as Bey says.

Dua Lipa's 'We're Good' track refers to being at peace when knowing a relationship has run its cause, being able to confidently let go, move on and try new experiences with no regrets.

Aptly named 'Don't Wait Up', this 2021 track from Shakira is all about making time for yourself and being able to focus on yourself and not feeling like you can't. Her lyrics remind us how brave we need to be sometimes.

Whether your break up was messy or not, Charli XCX's 'Used To Know Me', which she's her sing about feeling free from constraints, stresses that we can overcome anything - no matter how much something or someone has a hold over you.

Lizzo dropped her fourth studio album Special on July 15, and its namesake track is all about celebrating your self-worth and honing how exceptional you are, no matter what anyone else says. It's a feel-good tune imbued with the sass Lizzo is known for. We're here for it.

'To the left to the left'... never has someone moving their stuff out of a shared flat been so catchy. Beyoncé reminded us all that no one is ever 'irreplaceable', giving a modern update to the 'if it's meant to be' adage.

If we're honest, many of Destiny's Child's songs are appropriate for break-ups: 'Girl' reenforces the need to lean on friends post break-up, 'Jumpin' Jumpin' tells you to head to the club with your friends ASAP, 'Survivor' reminds us of how strong we are and, well, 'Independent Women' is pretty self-explanatory.

'About Damn Time' is another banger from Lizzo's 'Special' album, and it's clear to see why it was number one on the Radio Songs chart the day her album dropped. Lyrics like 'I'm way too fine to be this stressed' and 'I got a feelin' I'm gon' be alright' reflect the mood of the song, which nods liberation, feeling free and overcoming obstacles.

Is there a song more devastating? No, we don't think so. As for the lyrics, we have Prince to thank for that. O'Connor recorded the heartbreak track four years after the 'Purple Rain' singer wrote it with a new arrangement - and accompanied it with a simple yet powerful music video - and it was a hit.

'Back To Black' and 'Love Is A Losing Game' are two of Winehouse's best known break-up songs, but the upbeat tempo of 'Tears Dry On Their Own' coupled with the late singer's powerful, unrivalled vocals serves to uplift, reminding us that happier times can come after walking away from a relationship.

The late Bill Withers wrote this devastating song about heartbreak in 1971, yet it still stands as one of the most emotional break-up songs, which is why it's been featured in the sad moments of romantic movies like Notting Hill.

Despite the EDM beat and synth-esque sounds in the backing track, the lyrics to 'With Every Heartbeat' - where Robyn contemplates ending a relationship or continuing even though the relationship is difficult - are crushing.

Though Lemonade was an album about heartbreak, betrayal and ultimately choosing to stay with a partner in spite of the hurt, 'Sorry' has to be featured on this list for several reasons. 1. 'Tell that boy, bye' is now embedded in pop culture when referencing break-ups, 2. Serena Williams and Beyoncé are formidable in the video and 3. The song serves as a final warning for a straying partner.

Written and released in the aftermath of her separation from husband Liam Hemsworth, 'Midnight Sky' sees Cyrus reclaiming her independence with lyrics like 'I was born to run, I don't belong to anyone' set against samples of Stevie Nicks' 'Edge Of Seventeen'.

Lipa reminds everyone that 'if you're under him, you ain't getting over him' as part of her many new rules for what to do after a break-up in this huge hit from the Grammy winner's debut self-titled album.