Relationships July 19, 2017
We'll wait while you grab the tissues.
You know what a bad breakup feels like.
You can’t sleep, eat or do anything productive. And who can blame you when you just lost the person who was your everything?
Regardless, there is one thing you still can do: listen to good music. Thankfully, we’re here to help.
And because we know everyone has a slightly different musical taste, we put together 13 sad breakup songs from every genre. We aren’t promising they won’t make you cry, but hopefully they can help with the healing process.
When you’re going through a breakup, everything seems to remind you of that person. Like Ne-Yo explains, love songs can bring the worst pain. And no sad breakup songs list would be complete without his iconic track “So Sick.”
Genre: Contemporary R&B
The tear-jerking line: “And I’m so sick of love songs / so tired of tears / so done with wishing you were still here / said I’m so sick of love songs so sad and slow / Why can’t I turn off the radio?”
When your ex totally screws you over, it’s hard to understand your mixed feelings. You know, the kind that make you want to punch them in the face and kiss them right after.
Genre: Metal
The tear-jerking line: “I hate everything about you / Why do I love you?”
Pictures are worth a thousand words and, in the case of an ex, a thousand memories. Putting those pictures away and trying to move on is never easy. Sad breakup songs in the country genre always have that relatable feel.
Genre: Country
The tear-jerking line: “I put your picture away / I wonder where you been / I can’t look at you while I’m lyin’ next to him.”
Breaking up is hard to do. This can be especially hard when you know you haven’t been honest with the person you love, and the only thing you can do is tell the truth and walk away.
Genre: Rap
The tear-jerking line: “I been trying so hard, I know I gotta be real with you / Can’t be playing with hearts, I know you feel like you feel it too / I’m gon’ step into the shade, I don’t want the sun in my face / But I don’t want to walk away without me saying what I have to say.”
Reggae is usually known for its laid-back vibe. But, even rastas get their hearts broken. And when it comes to sad breakup songs, the way they describe the pain is super sincere and meaningful.
Genre: Reggae
The tear-jerking line: “Dry cry even tears / Even my heart cry, but who cares / Who’s fault? No one but myself / Things do happen words can’t explain / The only human reasoning, joy mixed with pain.”
One thing everyone can relate to when it comes to a breakup is the racing thoughts of their lost love. You may not see them anymore, but as all the best sad breakup songs will tell you, it’s nearly impossible to get them out of your head.
Genre: Alternative Rock
The tear-jerking line: “I’m here without you, baby / but you’re still on my lonely mind / I think about you, baby / and I dream about you all the time.”
Some of us would rather stay in the dark. Gwen Stefani isn’t looking for your excuses or for you to tell her why you’re done with the relationship. She’d rather cut her losses with her ex and stay in ignorant bliss.
Genre: Ska
The tear-jerking line: “You and me / we used to be together / everyday together, always / I really feel / that I’m losing my best friend / I can’t believe this could be / the end.”
Another iconic track on the sad breakup songs list is Mariah Carey’s hit “We Belong Together.” When your relationship just ended, it’s hard not to imagine what life would be like if they just walked back into your arms.
Genre: Pop
The tear-jerking line: “Baby when you left, I lost a part of me / It’s still so hard to believe / Come back baby please / ’cause we belong together.”
If soundtracks are more your thing, who can pass up the heartbreaking story of “Titanic”? This love anthem reminds us that life must continue even after love is lost.
Genre: Soundtrack
The tear-jerking line: “Near, far, wherever you are / I believe that the heart does, go on / Once more, you open the door / and you’re here in my heart and / my heart will / go on and on.”
Sometimes there is nothing left to do but walk away. Every relationship has issues, but when the trust is gone and the spark is lost, you’re left just staring at someone who you used to know.
Genre: Indie Rock
The tear-jerking line: “‘Cause I remember the rush, when forever was us / Before all of the winds of regret and mistrust / Now we sit in your car and our love is a ghost / Well I guess I should go / Yeah I guess I should go.”
Sad breakup songs are epitomized in the punk hit, “I Miss You.” And if you don’t sing the “where are you” line, are you even really listening to the song?
Genre: Punk
The tear-jerking line: “Where are you / And I’m so sorry / I cannot sleep, I cannot dream tonight / I need somebody and always / This sick strange darkness / comes creeping on so haunting every time.”
Again, breakups are tough. Doing the breaking up can be even tougher, especially when you don’t want to hurt the other person’s feelings or risk them completely hating you.
Genre: Hip Hop
The tear-jerking line: “How do you let it go, when you / you just don’t know, what’s on / the other side of the door / when you’re walking out, talk about it / Everything I tried to remember to say / just went out my head / so I’ma do the best I can to get you to understand / Cause I know / there’s never a right time to say goodbye.”
On the list of sad breakup songs, “How Do I Breathe” is the ultimate track. Super dramatic and deep in the feels, everyone knows the feeling of questioning how life can go on without the person you love. This whole song is a tearjerker, so it’s hard to pick just one single line that calls on the water works.
Genre: Soul
The tear-jerking line: “How do I breathe / without you here by my side / How will I see / when your love brought me to the light / Where do I go / when your heart’s where I lay my head? / When you’re not with me / how do I breathe?
You probably just went through a whole box of tissues, but it’s okay, things will get better. Maybe things will turn around in your relationship, but if not, there’s always other fish in the sea.
