This is the first of a series of posts we’ll be doing on the best breakup songs of all time. The below 100 was originally published in our book BUH BYE: The Ultimate Guide to Dumping and Being Dumped (which was called “hilarious and fantastic” by our one Amazon reviewer). Naturally, we like the list, but want to know which essential songs you think are missing, and which, if any, you would definitely not include. Unleash your wrath in the comments section.
1   “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” – Paul Simon
2   “Absolutely Zero” – Jason Mraz
3   “Against All Odds” – Phil Collins or The Postal Service version
4   “All Alone Am I” – Brenda Lee
5   “All By Myself” – Eric Carmen (definitely not the Celine Dion version; the Bridget Jones version works, but only with the visual)
6Â Â Â “All My Ex’s Live in Texas” – George Strait
7   “Alone Again (Naturally)” – Gilbert O’Sullivan
8   “Another Lonely Day” – Ben Harper
9   “Apart” – The Cure
10   “Are You Lonesome Tonight” – Elvis Presley
11   “Ballad of Big Nothing” – Elliott Smith
12   “Black” – Pearl Jam
13   “Blackout” – Muse
14   “Blue Moon Revisited” – Cowboy Junkies
15   “Can’t Stand Losing You” – The Police
16   “Careless Whisper” – Wham!
17   “Crazy” – Patsy Cline or Willie Nelson
18   “Crown of Love” – Arcade Fire
19   “Crying” – Roy Orbison
20   “Don’t Cry Out Loud” – Melissa Manchester
21   “Don’t Leave Me This Way” – Thelma Houston
22   “Don’t Walk Away” – ELO
23   “Don’t You Want Me” – The Human League
24   “Ever Fallen in Love” – The Buzzcocks
25   “Every Breath You Take” – The Police
26   “Everybody Hurts” – R.E.M.
27   “Everyday I Love You Less and Less” – Kaiser Chiefs
28   “Ex-Factor” – Lauren Hill
29   “Ex-Girlfriend” – No Doubt
30   “Girl from the North Country” – Bob Dylan
31   “Girl” – Beatles
32   “Grace Cathedral Hill” – The Decemberists
33   “Harden My Heart” – QuarterFlash
34   “Heartbreak Hotel” – Elvis Presley
35   “Heartbreaker” – Pat Benatar
36   “Hopelessly Devoted to You” – Olivia Newton John (Grease Soundtrack)
37   “How Can You Be Sure?” – Radiohead
38   “I Fall to Pieces” – Patsy Cline
39   “I Hope You’re Happy Now” – Elvis Costello
40   “I Never Cared for You” – Willie Nelson
41   “I Used to Love Her” – Guns n’ Roses
42   “I Want You” – Elvis Costello
43   “I Will Survive” – Gloria Gaynor
44   “If I Can’t Have You” – Yvonne Ellimen
45   “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” – Take your pick: Hank Williams, Elvis Presley, Cowboy Junkies, or Johnny Cash
46   “I’m Sorry” – Brenda Lee
47   “It’s a Heartache” – Juice Newton or Bonnie Tyler
48   “It’s Not Right, But It’s Okay” – Whitney Houston (the Thunderpuss remix)
49   “It’s Over” – Roy Orbison
50   “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long” – Otis Redding
51   “Killing Me Softly with His Song” – Fugees over Roberta Flack
52   “Last Goodbye” – Jeff Buckley
53   “Leavin’ on Your Mind” – Patsy Cline
54   “Lilac Wine” – Jeff Buckley
55   “Lonesome Tears” – Beck
56   “Lost Cause” – Beck
57   “Love Hurts” – Nazareth (the cover by Joan Jett will do in a pinch)
58   “Love is Stronger Than Death” – The The
59   “Love on the Rocks” – Neil Diamond
60   “Love Stinks” – J. Geils Band
61   “Love Will Tear Us Apart” – Joy Division
62   “Lover, You Should Have Come Over” – Jeff Buckley
63   “Lush Life” – Billy Strayhorn
64   “Mandy” – Barry Manilow
65   “No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)” – Barbra Streisand & Donna Summer
66   “Nothing Compares to You” – Sinead O’Connor or Prince
67   “One” – Aimee Mann (Magnolia soundtrack)
68   “Ordinary World” – Duran Duran
69   “Run” – Snow Patrol
70   “Separate Ways” – Journey
71   “She Is Gone” – Willie Nelson
72   “She’s Got You” – Patsy Cline
73   “Should’ve Been in Love” – Wilco
74   “Since I Don’t Have You” – Guns N’ Roses version
75   “Since U Been Gone” – Kelly Clarkson
76   “So Lonely” – The Police
77   “So Wrong” – Patsy Cline
78   “Soma” – Smashing Pumpkins
79   “Somebody That I Used to Know” – Elliott Smith
80   “Strange” – Patsy Cline
81   “Sweet Dreams” – Patsy Cline
82   “Tainted Love” – Soft Cell
83   “The Seventh Stranger” – Duran Duran
84   “The Sign” – Ace of Base
85Â Â Â “There’s a Tear in My Beer” – Hank Williams
86   “These Arms of Mine” – Otis Redding
87   “This Woman’s Work” – Kate Bush
88   “Total Eclipse of the Heart” – Bonnie Tyler
89   “True Happiness This Way Lies” – The The
90   “Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad” – Meatloaf
91   “We Belong ” – Pat Benatar
92   “Why Can’t He Be You” – Patsy Cline
93   “Without You” – Henry Nilsson (not the Mariah Carey version)
94   “Writing to Reach You” – Travis
95   “You Give Love a Bad Name” – Bon Jovi
96   “You Oughta Know” – Alanis Morissette
97   “You’ll Never Find Another Love Like Mine” – Lou Rawls
98   “Your Ex-Lover is Dead” – Stars
99   “You’re Not the Girl You Think You Are” – Crowded House
100  “You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling” – Righteous Brothers
July 2nd, 2009 at 5:33 pm
So many good songs already on the list!
But, I gotta go with…
“Alone” and “It Hurt So Bad”- Susan Tedeschi
There are SO many from Otis Redding: “Pain in My Heart”, “Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out”, “I’ve Got Dreams to Remember”, “Just One More Day”, “I Love You More Than Words Can Say”
Oh, & don’t forget Cake’s version of “I Will Survive”.
The rest of an eclectic list:
“Who Will Comfort Me”, “Your Heart Is Black As Night”, and “Gone” – Melody Gardot
“Here without you” – 3 Doors Down
“Lost” – Michael Buble
“You Don’t Love Me” and “Don’t Go” – Matthew Sweet
“Nothing Ever Hurt Like You”, “If You Don’t Wanna Love Me”, and “The Last Goodbye” – James Morrison
“Last Request” and “Rewind” – Paolo Nutini
80′s/90′s style:
“Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)”, “I’ll Be Alright Without You,” “Ask the Lonely” – Journey
“Who’s Lovin’ You” – Terence Trent d’Arby
“Kiss Off” – Violent Femmes
R&B style:
“One Last Cry” – Brian McKnight
“Un-break My Heart”, “Love Shoulda Brought You Home”, “How Could An Angel Break My Heart”, and “Breathe Again” – Toni Braxton
July 2nd, 2009 at 8:00 pm
“Say it Ain’t So” – Weezer
July 2nd, 2009 at 8:30 pm
Ne Me Quitte Pas – Nina Simone
July 2nd, 2009 at 9:03 pm
Innumerable Magnetic Fields songs, including but not limited to
“All My Little Words”
“I don’t want to get over you”
“busby berkely dreams” (for the mopier moments)
Also “People Ain’t no good” by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds.
July 2nd, 2009 at 9:38 pm
Elliott Smith – “Say Yes”
George Michael – Waiting For that Day/You Can’t Always Get What You Want”
July 2nd, 2009 at 9:55 pm
Jewel – You Were Meant For Me
July 2nd, 2009 at 10:08 pm
It aint me babe – bob dylan
July 3rd, 2009 at 12:58 am
Bob Dylan – “Don’t Think Twice”
July 3rd, 2009 at 1:42 am
“I Can’t Make You Love Me” – Bonnie Raitt
“Already Gone” – The Eagles
“Till Death Do Us Part” – Madonna
“Cry Me A River” – Justin Timberlake
“Bye Bye Love” – Everly Brothers
“Donna” – Ritchie Valens
“I Will Always Love You” – Dolly Parton
“Big Girls Don’t Cry” – Fergie
“Leave(Get Out)” – Jojo
“Your Time is Gonna Come” and
“Babe I’m Gonna Leave You” – Led Zeppelin
“Still Ain’t Over You” – Augustana(live on Letterman pref’d)
“Hemorrhage(in my hands)” – Fuel
“Yesterday”??? – The Beatles
July 3rd, 2009 at 2:06 am
SO HAPPY to see Your Ex-Lover is Dead by Stars on this list!!! Wonderful song, perfect for getting over a breakup.
I’m not sorry I met you
I’m not sorry it’s over
I’m not sorry there’s nothing to save
<3
July 3rd, 2009 at 2:11 am
There are already some fantastic suggestions, but I’d like to submit the following for consideration:
“Diary”- Bread
“The Last Day of Our Acquaintance”- Sinead O’Connor
“Tuesday’s Gone”- Lynyrd Skynyrd
“Breathe (2AM)”- Anna Nalick
“Cumbersome”- 7 Mary 3
“Valse Bebe”- Beausoleil
“If You Could Read My Mind”- Gordon Lightfoot
July 3rd, 2009 at 2:30 am
Bob Dylan’s entire album “Blood on the Tracks”, probably the best breakup album of all time. Depending on your mood, “Idiot Wind” (angry, self-righteous), “You’re Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go” (wistful), “If You See Her, Say Hello” (resigned), “You’re A Big Girl Now” (like a corkscrew to my heart)… or the masterpiece opening track, “Tangled Up In Blue” (contemplative).
The Wallflowers’ Jakob Dylan said of this album “The songs are my parents talking.” And no, they didn’t stay together.
July 3rd, 2009 at 10:13 am
Props for mentioning Jeff Buckley. I could put the songs you listed on repeat and that’s enough for a tear fest.
A couple of others:
Paper Bag- Fiona Apple
Nicest Thing – Kate Nash
House of Cards- Radiohead
Those three above are more unrequited love songs, but still.
Walk Away – Ben Harper
I’m Gonna Find Another You – John Mayer
How’s the World Treating You?- James Taylor & Alison Krauss
Sleep to Dream – Fiona Apple
Wreck of the Day – Anna Malick
And throwing in a bit of country cause I can…
Songs About Rain & Smoke Rings in the Dark – Gary Allen
Kerosene – Miranda Lambert
July 3rd, 2009 at 12:32 pm
It’s worth pointing out that music did not begin with Elvis. Cole Porter, anyone? Sondheim? About half of all of Sinatra’s stuff?
But anyway,,,you can’t do better than Dylan”s “It ain’t me babe,” as mentioned before. And almost all of Leonard Cohen’s songs are nasty, with “Everybody knows” perhaps the king. (“They’ll be a meter round your bed” indeed.)
July 3rd, 2009 at 5:07 pm
#1 in my list: Nine Inch Nails: “Something I Can Never Have” (there’s a beautiful version on Youtube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEW8riKU_tE – “Gray would be the color if I had a heart”, come on!)
July 3rd, 2009 at 9:34 pm
AlanK-
“Everybody Knows” is a brilliant suggestion! I couldn’t choose between Leonard’s recording or Concrete Blonde’s cover myself, but either one is spot-on in my book. And let’s not give short shrift to “Greensleeves” either. At least, it’s always been a favorite of mine.
July 5th, 2009 at 11:43 am
I Believe- Chris Issak
July 5th, 2009 at 10:22 pm
I’m really not a Death Cab fan, but I’d have to say that “Summer Skin” would fit pretty well on this list.
July 7th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
Who Knew-Pink
2 AM/ Breathe- Anna Nalick!! i cry every time.lol.
July 8th, 2009 at 2:58 pm
“Walk Away” by Ben Harper- How could this not make this list???? I cry every time!
July 8th, 2009 at 4:39 pm
I’m suprised “Gives you Hell” by the AAR… Especially when you find out that ex stole from the wrong cookie Jar… hehehe
July 8th, 2009 at 5:46 pm
“Boys of Summer” – Ataris over Don Henley
July 8th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
He Stopped Loving Her Today – George Jones (I think)
Surprised it wasn’t on the list!
July 8th, 2009 at 10:32 pm
“Para Noir” by Marilyn Manson. The best angry break-up song EVER. It helps you feel vindicated after you’ve been used, abused, or neglected.
July 9th, 2009 at 11:18 am
Best I Ever Had – Vertical Horizon just listen to it and ull understand
July 10th, 2009 at 5:36 am
What about Roses From My Friends by Ben Harper since we’re mentioning him, or Mexico by Incubus, or a rarer one by them still, which is Monuments & Melodies
July 10th, 2009 at 2:03 pm
“Time of Your Life” – Green Day
That this breakup song is (or was) one of the most played at weddings makes it a supreme irony!
July 11th, 2009 at 9:24 pm
Lets see….”I Don’t Want You Back”-Emon (hilariously awesome, now that is one heated bloke)
Fiona Apple: “Limp”
Mary J Blige: “Ain’t really Love” & “Not Gonna Cry”
Profyle: “Liar”
Toni Braxton: “Another Sad Love Song”
Changing Faces: “Ghettout”
Chrisette Michele: “Best of Me” & “Epiphany”
Ideal: “Get Gone”
Beyonce: “Me, Myself & I” & “If I Were a Boy”
Diana Krall: “Walk On By”
Aaliyah: The One I Gave My Heart To
Brandy: “Have You Ever?”
Anthony Hamilton: “Can’t Let Go” (for those of us who can’t leave well enough alone)
Avant: “Separated”
Believe it or not, Snoop Dogg has a song called “Waste of Time,” I’m pretty sure we’ve all been here in one form or another. Who woulda thunk Snoop? May not like hip-hop, but the lyrics are pretty spot on in his owny Doggy way.
July 14th, 2009 at 6:33 am
Great tunes here, so have some more
“outta love”- Anastasia
“pictures of you”- Cure
“wicked game”- Chris Issak
“goodbye to you”- Michelle Branch
“what do i have to do” Stabbing Westward
“the thing i hate”- Stabbing Westward
“it’ll be alright” Ween
“fighter”- Christina Agulaira (whats her face)
July 15th, 2009 at 5:45 pm
“Don’t Speak” No Doubt
“Kissing a Fool” George Michael
July 21st, 2009 at 2:46 pm
My list:
Cher– Believe
Cher– Strong Enough
Destiny’s Child– Survivor
Lara Fabian– I Will Love Again
M People- Moving on Up
Scandal– Goodbye to You
Don’t Bother by Shakira
Christina Aguilera– Fighter
Gloria Gaynor– I Will Survive
Nancy Sinatra– These Boots are Made For Walkin’
Get Out (Leave) – JoJo
Beyonce – Irreplacable
Britney Spears – Stronger
Daughtry – Over You
Fireflight – Unbreakable
Hilary Duff – So Yesterday
JoJo – Leave (Get Out)
Katharine McPhee – Over It
Kelly Clarkson – Never Again
Kelly Clarkson – Since U Been Gone
Kristinia DeBarge – Goodbye
Linkin Park – Don’t Stay
Pink – So What
Pussycat Dolls – I Don’t Need A Man
September- Cry For You
Stacy Orrico – I’m Not Missing You
The All American Rejects – Gives You Hell
July 21st, 2009 at 5:19 pm
First one that comes to mind is Debra cox along with the dude from that group called “Next”. It’s called “We can’t be friends”… I almost burst out into tears whenever I hear it. Really, a wonderful collaberation!
August 2nd, 2009 at 3:23 am
So many possibilities…..
D-I-V-O-R-C-E byTammy Wynette
Tears Of A Clown by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
Walk Away Renee by The Left Banke
You Don’t Bring Me Flowers by Barbra Streisand
What Becomes of the Brokenhearted – The Temptations
The Story In Your Eyes by Moody Blues
Would love to see the lists combined & voted on…..
August 6th, 2009 at 3:34 pm
Any song by Fiona Apple is basically a good break up song, especially…
Carrion
“Won’t do no good to hold no seance/What’s gone is gone and you can’t bring it back around”
Sick In My head
“And the signature thing that used to bring a following I have trouble now even remembering”
Get Him Back
“Now every other man I see reminds me of the one man who disappoint me”
Not About Love
“This is not about love/’Cause I am not in love/In fact I can’t stop falling out”
Yeah – she’s my favorite angry chick
September 20th, 2009 at 1:51 am
what about “Hit ‘Em Up Style” by Blu Cantrell
September 20th, 2009 at 9:41 pm
Don’t fear the reaper – blue oyster cult
Street fighting man – the stones
Champagne and reefer – muddy waters
Tnt – ac/dc
Imagine – john lennon
September 22nd, 2009 at 4:07 am
many excellent suggestions on here, but wanted to include:
“Its Too Late” by Carole King and
“Traces of Love” by the Classics IV
September 28th, 2009 at 8:24 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEP7zQlaC1g
October 2nd, 2009 at 5:43 am
Daughtry – NO SURPRISE
Straight to the point and layin it out on the line! Can’t put a quote without putting the whole song on here. But here is the link to the video, which I feel could have been better but hey, it still doesn’t take away from the lyrics.
October 11th, 2009 at 4:01 pm
“Our Song” – Aventura
“Losing My Religion” – R.E.M.
“My Immortal” – Evanessene
Just a few I thought should be added
November 14th, 2009 at 11:40 am
Let’s just kiss and say goodbye by the Manhattans
November 19th, 2009 at 9:16 pm
Like A Drug – Queens of The Stone Age (Desert Sessions version)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3hBYTkI-sE
Here I Go Again – Whitesnake
November 20th, 2009 at 10:22 am
Two songs by the Beatles are the all time best break up songs.
Yesterday
For No One
(The day breaks, your mind aches, you find that all her words of kindness linger on…..when she no longer needs you……and in your mind you see nothing, no trace of love behind the tears…..shed……for No One….a Love which should have lasted years)
Second place
John Lennon’s
Woman
Jealous Guy
December 17th, 2009 at 8:50 pm
Seconding “Don’t Think Twice,” the cover by Joan Baez + The Indigo Girls is the best.
Also on my playlist:
Untouchable Face – Ani DiFranco
Won’t Be Home – Old 97s
Wish the Worst – Old 97s
Bust Your Windows – Jazmine Sullivan (or … Glee)
Love is Just A Four Letter Word – also Bobby D, I think? But Joan does it best
There You Go – P!nk
Ring The Alarm – Beyonce
… and others that have been listed already. I’m really all about the righteous indignation, I guess.
December 18th, 2009 at 1:09 am
My favorites lately have been:
“No Children,” the Mountain Goats
“I’ll Miss You,” Ween
“Sunshine,” Handsome Boy Modeling School
“You Were My Fiji,” John Vanderslice
Jeff Buckley is always good but I like to keep some healthy bitterness in there.
December 19th, 2009 at 3:57 pm
Go ahead…alicia keys
December 19th, 2009 at 6:19 pm
how do you keep love alive -ryan adams
December 22nd, 2009 at 7:29 pm
Aimee Mann – That’s Just What You Are.
It’s bitter without leaving a bad taste.
December 22nd, 2009 at 7:30 pm
Oh! And Liz Phair – Ant In Alaska
December 23rd, 2009 at 10:49 am
Don’t Cry – GunsN’ Roses
Babe I’m Gonna Leave You – Led Zepplin
Painted On My Heart – The Cult
Angel – Amanda Perez
Something To Lose – Nadia Ali
Apologise – One Republic
Hole In The Head – Sugababes
Right Here Waiting – Staind
What Hurts The Most – Rascal Flatts
He Wasn’t Man Enough – Toni Braxton
Just Feel Better – Steven Tyler Ft. Santana
9 Crimes – Damien Rice
Moving Mountains – Usher
Won’t Go Home Without You – Maroon 5
Stop – Sam Brown
Rain On Me – Ashanti
Heartless – Kanye West
Heel Over Head – Puddle Of Mudd
Away From Me – Puddle Of Mudd
Sick & Tired – Anastacia
Pieces of A Dream – Anastacia
It Must Have Been Love – Roxette
Under The Thumb – Amy Studt
Stuck – Stacie Orrico
Nobody Knows It But Me – The Tony Rich Project
Kiss – Korn
Over – Lindsay Lohan
She Fucking Hates Me – Puddle Of Mudd
Supergirl – Reamon
Always – Bon Jovi
Cry Baby Cry – Sean Paul, Joss Stone, Santana