Best Break Up Songs

I think this Sonata Arctica song is pretty apt, if you don't mind some light metal:

@sloppydetective: "Broke" is another good modest mouse breakup song. Bit on the nose, but a good tune either way.

Sam Smith- Stay with me is the most weirdest but probably the best break up song.

Train in Vain is my favorite. Its tone is sort of at odds with its lyrics, and it ends up expressing the weird ambivalence and mental gymnastics that my biggest breakup resulted in. The odd mix of relief and dread; blame and pity.

I'm not currently going through one, but I recently found this song that kind of evoked that:

Seriously tho, when her former S.O say "everything will be fine" I keep thinking, that dead guy sure was an asshole and you sure were dependant on him. Fuck him. I think it's a good breakup song since I keep thinking, was I this crazy?

Honestly one of the best songs from one of the finest bands this world has ever seen. Absolutely great lyrics, and a perfect performance from Noel on this track.

Boots of Spanish Leather

edit: also the entirety of Ghost Stories by Coldplay

Something more uplifting is always welcome :)

As someone who typically doesn't listen to light-hearted music, I don't think I can listen to sad break-up songs while going through a break-up. I would very much rather listen to something more uplifting. Some of Bruce Springsteen's songs usually do the trick, ones such as Hungry Heart or Dancing in the Dark.

That said, I totally understand that listening to depressing music can be cathartic in a way. Plenty of Angel Olsen's songs, I think, qualify as break-up songs and good ones at those, like Unfucktheworld, Hi-Five and Forgiven/Forgotten. Now that I think of it, I think Hi-Five may be my favorite break-up song. I also think Radiohead's True Love Waits might be worth checking out.

Always quite partial to:

Got quite a few here, from 80's cheese to 90's Ska and pop-punk to thrash metal.

Surprised by the lack of Phil Collins in a discussion about breakup songs. Allow me to correct that.

Posting from my phone so I can't post a link but Garth Brooks' The Dance is really good.

Prefab Sprout's "Knock on Wood" is a good one I didn't see mentioned. It's chorus goes:

He swore he'd never leave her

He meant it 'til he did

He swore he'd never leave her

He meant it 'til he did

Before you say you're lucky

Before you say he's good

Knock on wood

Then flips to "she" the second time. It's also catchy and subtly fun despite its mostly melancholic attitude.

Best break-up album:

The Good Life - Album of the Year

A narrative concept album about the dawn and eventual failure of a relationship, from the messy first time they met, to years after the last time they spoke. The song that is most beautiful to me is this one, from the girlfriend's perspective as she leaves:

Tim Kasher, also of Cursive, writes brilliant lyrics about relationships between damaged people - what drives them towards one another, and often what also drives them apart. His voice (in other songs where he sings lead) is an acquired taste, though, if you are used to clean, trained vocals. Here is an acoustic demo version of the full album, performed by Kasher, if this song works for you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZqUEQmQLws

Has anyone yet said Nude by Radiohead? I mean listen to those lyrics. Radiohead has some of the most depressing, melancholy, nostalgic longing music I can think of.

"When you were loving me you were just using me. You were employing me, you were destroying me."

I think it's been mentioned, but "For no one" by The Beatles is the one that always gets me...

Break Stuff by Limp Bizkit

This will make you laugh and cheer you up or fire you up

Ta-Ku has an EP called "Songs To Break Up To". The title is more than fitting.

If you're like me and you're not really into sad music with moody lyrics but still need something to listen to in such situations, this EP is a good option. Listen to it in order in one sitting and you'll feel nice.

The EP is available on Spotify, iTunes, Bandcamp, etc. Here's one of the tracks from it:

Other than that, I would go with Kanye West's 808s & Heartbreaks.

Cry me a river Timberlake and I will survive Houston lol

better go to the gym

Three big ones for me:

Guess I'm Doing Fine by Beck

Song for the Dumped and Landed by Ben Folds

shellac - prayer to god

then fucking kill him, fucking kill him
kill him already, kill him

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MLoY_zadsE

Ben Fold's Five - Song for the Dumped

Just found out this one, and it got a very optimistic vibe

It's a little more electro than some of you may like, but this is mine.

Fuck Buttons - Hidden XS

really anything from their catalogue

"The House That Heaven Built", Japandroids. For a more aggressive, bombastic feeling.

The entire Get Lonely album by The Mountain Goats. It understands every minute, gnawing detail of heartbreak and the desperation that comes with it. Don't listen if you're not down with really really depressing music. It'll make you realise just how much you need that person, and then accept the fact that they're gone. It's cathartic in a way.