100 Best Breakup Songs of All Time

Breaking up is hard to do. But if there’s any upside to splitting up, it’s the opportunity to experience and relate to breakup songs like never before. 

It’s true – tracks from breakup balladeers Taylor Swift, Adele and countless other artists whose work spans back decades and genres just hit different when you’re personally mourning the loss of a romantic partner in real time. Not all breakup songs are sad, though, even if in some cases, the more devastating the better. The range of tracks in this specific canon reflect the vast spectrum of emotions a person can feel after calling it quits with someone, from fury to anguish, relief, guilt, indifference, nostalgia and happiness.  

Whatever you’re feeling, now’s the time to process those emotions by pressing play on any one of the songs out there that’s perfect for your scenario. Perhaps you’ve had to watch as your former flame left you for an older blonde girl they had previously told you not to worry about — possibly right before you passed your driver’s license test – in which case, Olivia Rodrigo’s got you. Maybe you had to give your ex the boot because they started acting like they were a little too irreplaceable; if so, allow Beyoncé to reaffirm your self worth.  

Or maybe, God forbid, you’ve even been dumped by someone you, uhh … had an intimate moment with at a theater. Hey, Billboard doesn’t judge – and Alanis Morrissette understands exactly how you feel. 

Whether you’re angry, relieved, wallowing in grief or gleefully moving on from your latest romantic split and ready to embrace the single life, allow Billboard’s 100 favorite songs for the occasion to ease you through the aftermath. See our staff picks for the most iconic breakup tracks below.