Singer Kelis and her former husband, hip-hop artist Nas attend the Trace Magazine ten year celebration at Room Service on December 13, 2006 in New York City. (Photo by Brad Barket /Getty Images)
Artist: Kelis
Song: “Caught Out There”
Synopsis: The ultimate break-up song best for when it’s officially over and there’s no chance of going back to an old love.
Artist: Beyonce
Song: “Green Light”
Synopsis: When you’re flirting with the idea of making your split official.
Artist: Usher
Song: “Burn”
Synopsis: When you have tried to make the relationship work. Your only resolve is hitting the replay button to “Burn” as you say, “Bye, bye love.”
Artist: Kanye West
Song: “Heartless”
Synopsis: It’s officially over after you discovered the one you loved showed his/ her true colors. The rose colored glasses are off as your romance enters the realm of deception and the lyrics in this song ring truer than ever before.
Artist: Donnell Jones
Song: Where I Wanna Be
Synopsis: Wait a minute, and think it over a little while as this song sets the atmosphere for re-evaluating your options.
Artist: Maxwell
Song: “Pretty Wings”
Synopsis: When you’ve opted to bow out gracefully and settle your differences fairly. This song may serves as the grand finale for couples who have mutually agreed to dissolve their love and set one another free.
Artist: Alicia Keys
Song: “Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart”
Synopsis: During the initial loss of love this ballad may help to get you through the night, as you ponder ways to carry on without your beau by your side.
Artist: Stevie Wonder
Song: “Superwoman (Where Were You When I Needed You)”
Synopsis: This harmonious song melodically cries out for a love lost that cannot be found, the artist exclaims.
Artist: Mary J. Blige
Song: “Not Gon’ Cry”
Synopsis: After devoting time and energy to a no-good relationship; here is a song that will inspire you to cut your losses, gather yourself and move on.
Artist: Biz Markie
Song: “Just a Friend”
Synopsis: Trouble in paradise? After discovering your significant other left out a few major details about the extent of his/ her “friendships”; here’s a song to sing/scream-along at the top of your lungs to help calm your nerves.
Artist: Gloria Gaynor
Song: “I Will Survive”
Synopsis: You’ve gathered your composure from the devastation of a ruptured love. Now you’ve decided your next step, whether it’s to pause from dating or to play the field, this disco hit is just the song to pull you from the slumps.
Artist: Lauryn Hill
Song: “Ex-Factor”
Synopsis: This song speaks to the agony you feel while your relationship dives into the — it’s complicated phase. You’re trying to reason with the one you love, as you work to resolve the kinks. “It ain’t working.”
Artist: Cee-Lo Green
Song: F**k You
Synopsis: Fed up? This throwback hit says it all with two simple words.
Artist: Bill Withers/ Michael Jackson
Song: “Ain’t No Sunshine”
Synopsis: When your heart is feeling heavy from the pangs of love; these are the lyrics to help express the depths of your sorrow.
Breaking up never happens at a convenient time. Somehow it seems tragically more devastating when the relationship fades around Valentine’s Day.
Oftentimes, music is the best remedy for coping from a ruptured relationship. With this in mind, we’ve compiled a list of the best break-up songs, including a mixture of oldies but goodies and contemporary chart-topping hits.
Browse through our list of songs to help recuperate from a broken heart. If you’re feeling inspired, create your own playlist, and add additional songs to help you get out of the slumps feeling vibrant and lively again.
