All of you who are going through a breakup or a failed relationship might feel that the following sad songs seem to mirror your feelings and reflect the low point you are experiencing. This list of sad breakup songs in the following article might make you want to cry out loud, but at the same time can act as a soothing balm for your aching heart.
A breakup is like a broken mirror. It is better to leave it broken than hurt yourself trying to fix it.
― Anonymous
Going through a breakup is indeed a difficult time. Life seems so meaningless, your world flips upside down, and all you feel like doing is to sit alone with your deplorable thoughts, and cry your heart out. It is one of those moments when the only person who can heal your wounds is your ex. They always say, “People who matter would never leave you, and if they have left you, they don’t matter.” As hurtful this statement may appear to be in these times, you have to learn to let go, because it is all for the better.
Just as you can’t help falling in love, likewise breakups are sometimes unavoidable. One can try one’s best to hold on and take control of the existing situation, but, at times, it is best to let nature take its course. I know, it is easier said than done, but as Adele writes, “Sometimes it lasts in love, but sometimes it hurts instead.” While it is difficult to speak your heart out to someone, music can definitely help soothe the heartache and may even aid in recovering from the gutted feeling of experiencing a breakup. Here is my pick of the top 10 sad songs which helped me cry my heart out in times of pain and sadness. It is important to cry, to let this bitter fact sink in, so that eventually, one learns to come in peace with the situation through acceptance, and gathers enough courage to move on in life.
My Top 10 Breakup Songs
It Must Have Been Love
Artist: Roxette
Featured in the movie Pretty Woman, this song talks about desperation. The lyrics portray a short, sugar-coated dream which, with aching grim, will end soon. It talks about love which might have been present ‘but is over now’.
With or Without You
Artist: U2
The song is written in such a way that in can be interpreted as a sad breakup song, or a soul-searching for spiritual redemption after a bad phase (Originally, the song was written as an Apostolic psalm). I like listening to this song because it gives a church-like feel with a controlled beginning and astounding climax. Acts very well as a therapy, especially when you are going through a breakup or a rough patch in your relationship.
The Scientist
Artist: Coldplay
Originally a ballad, The Scientist talks about the phase of helplessness we go through after a breakup. Even though we want to undo the wrong, we realize even though we want to go ‘back to the start’, certain things are not in our hands. The lyrics reflect honesty.
Careless Whisper
Artist: George Michael
This painful, campy yet sweet, melodious track changed the face of Pop, all thanks to George Michael. This is one of my favorite because it can melt any ordinary human being’s heart. This song will help you recollect your broken relationship and some might feel guilty, as ‘guilty feet have got no rhythm.’
November Rain
Artist: Guns N’ Roses
Based on a short story, ‘Without You’ by Del James, this song talks about pure and unrequited love. This song is pictured around a troubled relationship in real-life so one can relate to the lyrics even more. This song might seem to raise your hopes in terms of feeling better ‘Cause nothin’ lasts forever, and we both know hearts can change’.
Heartbreak Hotel
Artist: Elvis Presley
The lyrics of this song is based on a lonely man who decided to end his life by jumping off from a hotel window who claimed to have walked an empty street. The song implicitly talks about how one tries to get out of a broken relationship. You might get over it or you might dwell ‘at the end of lonely street, at heartbreak hotel.’
Yesterday
Artist: The Beatles
I will be frank, this song is in my top 10 list because it is a track by The Beatles and to add on to it, the vocalist is Paul McCartney. Hence, I took the liberty to include this in the list of my personal favorites. The lyrics of this track is very practical because generally after a breakup you do feel fine for a short while but after some time, the old memories come rushing back to you. That is what this song is all about when ‘all my troubles seemed so far away, now it looks as though they’re here to stay.’
Sacrifice
Artist: Elton John
This is arguably one of the best ballads ever written. This song talks about a more serious relationship, i.e., marriage. The lyrics circle around when a couple starts having problems in their marital relationship, they separate and the husband raises the daughter alone. The lyrics points out how there is no compromise or sacrifice from the spouses to settle the differences in their relationship. They live together under the same roof but it’s like ‘two hearts living, in two separate worlds.’
Un-Break My Heart
Artist: Toni Braxton
The classic breakup song, I am sure I am not the only one who thinks this way. This song made its mark for the melancholic lyrics and what better than the R&B powerhouse adding on to the lyrics herself. At a point in the song, your emotions are heightened and I will not be surprised if you have to wipe off a tear after listening to this powerful track.
Somebody That I Used to Know
Artist: Gotye feat. Kimbra
A song that I can relate to, as it comes from both the boy and a girl in a bad relationship. The lyrics talk about misunderstanding from one side. The girl immediately retaliates so that there is no element of sympathy involved for the boy. The lyrics tell us how letting go can be a boon, especially if the relationship has become too messy. The moral of this song is, give it a try to patch things up, be patient, if it doesn’t work out then ‘I’ll admit that I was glad that it was over.’
Other Recommended Tracks
- Better In Time – Leona Lewis
- Goodbye To You – Michelle Branch
- Love On The Rocks – Neil Diamond
- Ex-Factor – Lauryn Hill
- Carousel – Laura Izibor
- Irreplaceable – Beyoncé
- I Fall To Pieces – Patsy Cline
- I Will Survive – Gloria Gaynor
- Everybody Hurts – R.E.M.
- Cruel Summer – Ace of Base
- It’s Over – Roy Orbison
- Don’t Want You Back – Backstreet Boys
- Always On My Mind – Elvis Presley
- Yester-Me, Yester-You, Yesterday – Stevie Wonder
- Over And Over – Nelly Song
- Skyscraper – Demi Lovato
- Impossible – Shontelle
- What About Now – Chris Daughtry
- Dosed – Red Hot Chili Peppers
- I Heard It Through The Grapevine – Marvin Gaye
- Someone Like You – Adele
- Cry Me A River – Justin Timberlake
- You’ll Think Of Me – Keith Urban
- What Hurts The Most – Rascal Flatts
- Rehab – Rihanna
- The Best I Ever Had – Gary Allan
- You’re Gonna Miss Me – Lulu and the Lampshades
- I Can’t Make You Love Me – Bonnie Raitt
- I Will Always Love You – Whitney Houston
- My Immortal – Evanescence
- The Reason – Hoobastank
- Don’t You Remember – Adele
- Holes – Rascal Flatts
- Neon Moon – Brooks & Dunn
- She’s Gone – Hall & Oates
- What Now My Love – Shirley Bassey
- Don’t Go Breaking My Heart – Elton John and Kiki Dee
- Can’t Smile Without You – Barry Manilow
- Heartbreaker – Pat Benatar
- Mrs. Major Tom – K.I.A.
- We Just Disagree – Dave Mason
- Hole In My Soul – Aerosmith
- Somebody’s Crying – Chris Isaak
- Total Eclipse Of The Heart – Bonnie Tyler
- Where Does My Heart Beat Now – Celine Dion
- One More Night – Phil Collins
- If You See Her, Say Hello – Bob Dylan
- You’re Gonna Make Me Lonesome – Bob Dylan
- Don’t Cry – Guns N’ Roses
- Goodbye My Lover – James Blunt
- Nothing Compares To You – Sinead O’Connor
- Don’t Leave Me This Way – Thelma Houston
- You Were Meant for Me – Jewel
- You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling – The Righteous Brothers
- I Don’t Love You – My Chemical Romance
- Say Goodbye – Chris Brown
- Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart – Alicia Keys
- Smoke Rings In The Dark – Gary Allan
- Lonely – Akon
- Incomplete – Backstreet Boys
- Cry – Rihanna
- Bleeding Love – Leona Lewis
- Don’t Know What You Got (Till It’s Gone) – Cinderella
Breaking up with the one who meant a lot to you can be difficult initially, but you can look at it from a more optimistic point of view. Think of it as losing something in order to make way for something better. Hope for the best, and hope that you get over your ‘Bonjour Tristesse‘ phase soon. Remember, it’s all for the better.
