The cure to a broken heart goes as follows: crying it out, isolation, ice cream (Ben and Jerry's if it's available), a catharsis with a playlist of breakup songs and then finally, acceptance. The most important step in this process is the act of purging all the emotions with breakup songs. With a list of songs that go from "Baby, Come Back" to "It's My Party and I'll Cry If I Want To", I find myself accepting the fact that a relationship has ended and I can easily find my bearings again. This list has been created by not only myself but by friends and family members who helped introduce me to new songs that they listen to when their hearts are broken. It gives the list some diversity, so there's something there for everyone. Play these on repeat and you'll slowly be on your way to being okay again.
1. Unbreak My Heart by Toni Braxton.
"Un-break my heart, say you love me again. Undo this hurt you caused when you walked out the door and right out of my life."
This song is an older one, but it definitely portrays the sadness that you feel after a breakup. For my singer friends, this is a pretty fun alto song to sing to. Show off your range while cry-singing to this. It's pretty fun.
2. The Boy Who Blocked His Own Shot by Brand New.
" Call me a safe bet, I'm betting that I'm not. Glad you can forgive, only hoping as time goes, you can forget."
Sometimes you're the one who ended things and sometimes you feel bad about it. This song really exposes that feeling. You may feel awful for hurting someone else, but it's okay to let go of someone if they aren't right for you. Brand New made a poetic song that has different verses that touch the different feelings that are felt during a breakup.
3. I Hate Everything About You by Three Days Grace.
" I hate everything about you, why do I love you?"
I believe that breaking up is truly a grieving process. There's always that moment where you're angry. You want to throw things, you want to make snide subtweets and you want to scream into a pillow for a second. I think this song shows that off pretty well. You may be angry with your new ex, but you will have a soft spot for them for awhile until you're finally over them.
4. The Man Who Can't Be Moved by The Script.
"And if your heart starts to wonder where on this Earth I could be, thinking maybe you'll come back here to the place that we'd meet, and you'll see me waiting for you on the corner of the street."
This song is not only catchy, but it's great if all you want is your ex to come back to you. It's nice to think of someone waiting around for you, right? There could be a little bit of hope out there.
5. All Too Well by Taylor Swift.
"And you call me up again just to break me like a promise. So casually cruel in the name of being honest. I'm a crumpled up piece of paper lying here. I remember it all too well."
From the Queen of Breakups herself, Taylor Swift delivers our emotions on a silver platter with this simple song. If you feel angry, or sad, or if your ex continues to try to talk to you and you're over it, just listen to this song and channel your frustrations on Taylor Swift. She understands.
6. All The Ways You Let Me Down by Candy Hearts.
"I could count all the ways that you let me down, let my head hang low 'cause I keep you around."
This song is a perfect one to jam to if you need to get your anger and resentment out. Realizing that the person you once loved was really only a giant disappointment helps heal the hurt a little bit. Don't stay with someone who only makes you frustrated. Find someone else who can be better suited for your needs.
7. I Look So Good Without You by Jessie James.
"Ain't biting my nails since you walked out the door. I realize now that I deserve so much more than what you gave."
Realizing that you are better off without your ex bringing you down is such an amazing feeling. Get back out there and show off that your happiness comes first. You deserve it.
8. It's A Beautiful Day by Michael Bublé.
"I'm glad you're the one that got away. It's a beautiful day."
First of all, the music video to this song is hilarious. Finding something to laugh at after a breakup is incredibly important. So make sure to watch this video in all its entirety just for giggles. When you realize that this song is clever and something to dance to, it wins the prize of being a feel-good song.
9. Get Away by G-Eazy feat. Kehlani.
"So tonight you should go and take a chance with her. She could be everything you wanted, everything you wanted, boy. Don't let that get away, don't let that slip away, don't let that love escape."
When Kehlani's verse pops in during this song, I scream to it every time. Even if you've been dumped, you may go into that moment where you find yourself rooting for them to find someone new. Maybe you weren't the best one for them, but you can still hope that they find someone who treats them better.
10. Best Thing I Never Had by Beyonce.
" Thank God I found the good in goodbye."
Not only is this song catchy, but it's completely honest. Being sad after a breakup is normal, but after awhile you may be able to clearly see where things went very wrong. After a moment of reflection, you may realize that your ex is not someone you wanted to spend the rest of your life with. There is someone better out there, you just have to wait it out. The best thing you'll ever have is right around the corner.
I hope this playlist helps you get back on your feet. Breakups can be tough, but luckily we live in a world of music where heartbreak is the subject of many incredible songs. Hopefully in time you can get back on your feet once again. Keep your friends close, and your Ben and Jerry's closer. You'll get through this.
