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On the JJ Barnes Blog, I share the most heartbreaking break-up songs to listen to when your heart is broken.
If your heart is broken, and you want to break it more, these are the most heart breaking break up songs I can think of. But feel free to comment with more.
Love Of My Life – Queen
“Love of My Life” is from Queen’s 1975 album, A Night at the Opera. This sentimental ballad, features a harp played by Brian May and was written by Freddie Mercury, inspired by his relationship with Mary Austin.
The song is a slow, acoustic ballad, with Mercury’s vocals accompanied by a simple piano melody. The lyrics are simple and heartfelt, expressing Mercury’s love for Austin.
It is also a ruiner of mascara.
Only Love Can Hurt Like This – Paloma Faith
“Only Love Can Hurt Like This” by Paloma Faith was written by Diane Warren and released as the second single from her third album, A Perfect Contradiction in 2014.
The song’s lyrics describe the pain of heartbreak, and how love can be both beautiful and destructive, and can both bring joy and pain.
And it will make you bawl.
No More I Love You’s – Annie Lennox
“No More ‘I Love You’s” by Annie Lennox is from her second solo album, Medusa. The song was written by David Freeman and Joseph Hughes, who recorded it as the Lover Speaks in 1986.
The song is a powerful ballad about the end of a relationship. The lyrics are full of emotion, as Lennox sings about the pain of heartbreak.
And if you can breathe straight after, you weren’t listening.
The Winner Takes It All – ABBA
“The Winner Takes It All” by ABBA was released as the first single from the group’s seventh studio album, Super Trouper in 1980.
The song was written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, two members of ABBA. It is sung from the perspective of a woman who has been left by her husband for another woman. The lyrics describe the pain of heartbreak and the narrator’s feelings of inadequacy.
Whether it’s performed in Mama Mia!, or the original by the band, you’ll break.
Death By A Thousand Cuts – Taylor Swift
“Death by a Thousand Cuts” was written and recorded Taylor Swift, and released on August 23, 2019, as the third single from her seventh studio album, Lover. The song is a pop ballad with elements of country music. It has been praised for its honest and vulnerable lyrics, as well as Swift’s emotional vocals.
The song’s lyrics describe the pain of heartbreak. The narrator sings about how her ex-partner has moved on with someone else, and how she is struggling to cope with the loss.
If you know anything about me, you know Taylor Swift speaks to my soul. And knows how to access my pain.
You Broke Me First – Tate McRae
“You Broke Me First” by Tate McRae was released on February 28, 2020, as the lead single from her debut EP, All the Things I Never Said.
The song was written by McRae, Victoria Zaro, and Blake Harnage. It is sung from the perspective of a woman who has been left by her partner, and describes the pain of heartbreak and the narrator’s determination to move on.
And it makes the heart hurt.
I Can’t Make You Love Me – Bonnie Raitt
“I Can’t Make You Love Me” was written by Mike Reid and Allen Shamblin and recorded by Bonnie Raitt for her eleventh studio album, Luck of the Draw in 1991.
The song is a slow-paced ballad about heartbreak and unrequited love. The lyrics describe the narrator’s longing for someone who does not love her back.
And yes you’ll sob if you know that feeling.
Not Like Loving You – Nell Bryden
“Not Like Loving You” by Nell Bryden was released in 2009 as the lead single from her sixth studio album, What Does It Take. The song was written by Bryden and produced by David Kershenbaum.
“Not Like Loving You” is a folk-pop ballad telling the story of a woman who is struggling to move on from a failed relationship.
Let the song access that pain.
Need You Now – Lady A
“Need You Now” by country music group Lady A was released in 2009 as the lead single from their second studio album. The song was written by Lady A members Charles Kelley, Dave Haywood, and Hillary Scott, along with Josh Kear.
“Need You Now” tells the story of a woman who is feeling lonely and lost after a breakup.
And that is a sadness that you need to feel sometimes.
I Will Always Love You – Dolly Parton
“I Will Always Love You” was originally written and recorded by singer-songwriter Dolly Parton, although the version by Whitney Houston ultimately became more well known.
It is a song about love, loss, and moving on.
And I defy anyone heartbroken not to sob.
If you have any more songs to add, please comment. We all need a good cry sometimes.
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