The good news about breaking up? There are upbeat songs to tip the emotional rollercoaster to the positive side! Here are 9 to brighten your day.
To quote Bob Marley, “One good thing about music is when it hits you, you feel no pain.” And he’s right. Music can literally decide our mood for us.
So why bother trying to uplift your spirits with nights out getting wasted, or ditching your diet for that tub of Ben and Jerry’s? Why waste another moment trying to fake a smile with a rebound that will only come back to haunt you? Why wallow in post-breakup misery?
Let music uplift your mood! There are tons of tunes out there that are sure to help you heal that broken heart until you find yourself dancing and partying to the thought that you’re now free, single, and ready to mingle!
Happy breakup songs for broken hearts
If you’ve been down in the dumps after a recent breakup, listening to all your favorite sad songs, it’s time to change your playlist and listen to songs that will make you feel better instantly.
#1 You Don’t Own Me by Lesley Gore. You may recognize this tune from the movie First Wives Club when Goldie Hawn, Diane Keaton, and Bette Midler belted it out at the top of their lungs in the final scene. That’s because this song is amazing, powerful, and empowering.
With lyrics like “You don’t own me. Don’t try to change me in any way. You don’t own me. Don’t tie me down, ‘cause I’d never stay,” this song is not going to disappoint you. Not now, not ever.
#2 Ur So Gay by Katy Perry. The lyrics “You’re so gay, and you don’t even like boys” essentially describe the difficulty of being with a guy who is never happy and nearly impossible to please. If you’ve been with a guy who was never happy, or always disagreed with you, give this song a go!
If you felt like even if you were to bring your ex the moon and the stars, he would ask you why you didn’t bring him the sun, this is your perfect breakup jam! [Read: 14 perfectly valid reasons to break up with someone]
#3 Say My Name by Destiny’s Child. This song should be a national anthem for all the broken-hearted people out there who have ever broken it off with a shade ball, a douchebag, or an absolute player. It’s super catchy and gets straight to the point with lyrics like, “Say my name, say my name. You actin’ kind shady, ain’t callin’ me baby. Why the sudden change?”
#4 Somebody That I Used To Know by Gotye. Everything you need to know is in the title of this song. Elaborating a little more with the lyrics, “You can get addicted to a certain kind of sadness, like resignation to the end, always the end. So when we found that we could not make sense, well, you said that we would still be friends. But I’ll admit that I was glad that it was over.”
This song is about breaking up, and the whole “we’ll always be friends” scenario, only for your ex to turn into someone completely opposite of who you thought they were and who they said they would be. Thus the whole “now you’re just somebody that I used to know” meaning. Be sure to sing out loud to this one over and over again.
#5 Not Ready To Make Nice by The Dixie Chicks. The Dixie Chicks do not disappoint with this song. It’s about forgiving someone who hurt you, but also not forgetting that they hurt you and not quite being ready to move on from it. Here’s a sample of their lyrics: “I’m not ready to make nice. I’m not ready to back down. I’m still mad as hell, and I don’t have time to go ‘round and ‘round and ‘round.” Right? Sometimes, you just have to feel the anger before you can let it go.
Speaking from my own personal experience of having played this song too many times to count, while singing as loudly as possible, I assure you: it will make you feel amazing. [Read: How to stop holding on to a relationship that’s over]
#6 Irreplaceable by Beyoncé. If you just got out of a relationship where you felt taken for granted, were cheated on, or both, this song is your anthem! Listen as Beyoncé belts out, “Standing in the front yard telling me how I’m such a fool, talking about how I’ll never ever find a man like you.” But when you think about it, your ex is right. You probably won’t even bother trying to find another lying douchebag, so good riddance!
And as for your ex, well, be sure to sing along with Beyoncé when she croons, “You must not know ‘bout me. I could have another you in a minute, matter ‘fact he’ll be here in a minute, baby.” And then direct him to the box to the left. [Read: Why are you still dating the wrong person?]
#7 Stronger by Britney Spears. Who doesn’t love a song by Britney Spears–especially one that is all about getting yourself back after a breakup? This song is about finding the strength you’ve always had inside of you–strength that seemed to go missing when you were dating your ex. It’s all about finding the courage and strength inside of you to walk away from something that isn’t good for you.
Just check out these empowering lyrics: “There’s nothing you can do or say, baby. I’ve had enough. I’m not your property as from today, baby. You might think that I won’t make it on my own, but now I’m stronger than yesterday.”
#8 I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor. Ah, the anthem for those who have survived a tough relationship or breakup. This song might be the best one on the list to listen to when it comes to uplifting your spirits. I mean, is there really a song better than this one when it comes to breaking up and getting your groove back? I don’t think so.
For some reason, exes always try to weasel back into your life one way or another. When you eventually realize that you will not put up with them anymore, that’s the most freeing and exciting moment of all. This song will help you stand up for yourself at lightning speed.
You should do it just like Gloria Gaynor does when she says, “Go on now, walk out the door. Just turn around now, ‘cause you’re not welcome anymore. You’re the one who tried to hurt me with goodbye. Do you think I’d crumble? Did you think I’d lay down and die?”
#9 Taylor Swift songs. It’s probably pretty obvious as to why we couldn’t name just one song by Taylor Swift. She has sung her little heart out about so many relationship situations that basically all of her songs are fantastic choices to listen to when wanting to uplift your spirits after a heartbreak.
But if you’re in need of a little direction, try starting with tracks such as Picture to Burn, Should’ve Said No, 22, All You Had to Do Was Stay, Mean, Knew You Were Trouble, and the ever-catchy We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together. [Read: 10 cathartic love songs about the one that got away]
It’s true that music is the shorthand of emotion. It’s perfectly normal to be emotional, feeling many moments of highs and lows after a breakup. But eventually, and much sooner than you probably imagine, you’ll start having more highs than lows. The good days will outweigh the bad, and you won’t even care what your ex is doing or if they’re dating anyone because you’ll be busy and happy living your life free of your ex.
[Read: 12 awesome breakup songs to uplift your spirits]
Just in case you need a push in the right direction and a little extra motivation to get started, tune in to all these happy breakup songs! In no time, your spirits should be up, running, and letting that last love go.
