50 Songs About Lost Love To Get You Through The Pain
These heartbreaking songs can help you through.
Farknot Architect / Shutterstock When you're heartbroken after a breakup, sad songs about lost love can help you through the hardest times — especially when you're feeling alone.
Your ex may not have been what was intended for you in the long run, but sometimes, even when we know that, it's tough to move on. Whether you broke up amicably or if it was a huge blowout of a fight, using music can help your heart heal when it feels like your life is falling apart.
Sad music sounds like it would just be upsetting, but it helps to know that the artist who wrote and sang these songs made it through — and you can, too. Plus, sometimes you really have to sit with your feelings and get to know them before you can overcome this sadness.
Instead of hastily making a bad decision and begging to have the relationship back, listen to these songs about heartbreak. Let the lyrics ruminate in your mind and when you start to feel a little better, remember the ones that helped you the most as you heal.
While experiencing a breakup is no fun, the following songs about lost love might make you feel a little bit better.
50 Best Songs About Lost Love
1. "We Don't Talk Anymore" by Charlie Puth & Selena Gomez
It sucks when you put your all into loving someone only for it to amount to a broken, lonely heart.
"We don't love anymore / What was all of it for?
Oh, we don't talk anymore / Like we used to do"
2. "Sandcastles" by Beyoncé
The realization that no matter how tall you build it up, love is still delicate is made all the more heartbreaking when you know that Beyoncé is singing about her real heartbreak with Jay-Z.
"We built sandcastles that washed away
I made you cry when I walked away"
3. "Visions Of Gideon" by Sufjan Stevens
If Timothée Chalamet can improvise an entire scene of silent crying to this song in Call Me By Your Name, you can muster up a few heartfelt tears, too.
"I have loved you for the last time
Visions of Gideon, visions of Gideon
And I have kissed you for the last time"
4. "The Chain" by Fleetwood Mac
Who said love lost has to be something that drags you down? This song will make you feel powerful to break out of the chains of heartbreak.
"And if you don't love me now
You will never love me again"
5. "Yesterday" by The Beatles
The OGs of crooning still know exactly how to hit us in the feels. Love really can be lost in an instant.
"Why she had to go
I don't know, she wouldn't say
I said something wrong
Now I long for yesterday"
6. "Back To Black" by Amy Winehouse
There's regular heartbreak, and then there's the gut-wrenching pain of someone leaving you for someone else.
"We only said goodbye with words
I died a hundred times
You go back to her
And I go back to black"
7. "Miss You Like Crazy" by Natalie Cole
They say time heals all wounds, but no one ever tells you how much time! Some love really feels like it can last forever, even if it's one-sided.
"Even though it's been so long
My love for you keeps going strong"
8. "I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself" by The White Stripes
When you're used to spending all your time with the one you love, it can be hard to know what to do with yourself once that love goes away.
"Planning everything for two
Doing everything with you
And now that we're through
I just don't know what to do."
9. "Linger" by The Cranberries
When you're holding on to someone that you know is falling out of love with you, you can feel as melancholy and dark as this song sounds.
"You know I'm such a fool for you
You've got me wrapped around your finger
Do you have to let it linger?"
10. "Unusual You" by Britney Spears
The vocal effect making Britney sound far away and distant really captures how it feels when you're trying to open up to new people after being tainted by a past love.
"Up 'til now, I thought I knew love
Nothing to lose and its damaged cause
Patterns will fall as quick as I do"
11. "Since U Been Gone" by Kelly Clarkson
Why cry into a pillow when you can scream this in your bedroom instead?
"But since you been gone
I can breathe for the first time
I'm so moving on, yeah, yeah
Thanks to you, now I get what I want"
12. "Never Really Over" by Katy Perry
When you want to take your ex back, give this a listen.
"I'm losing my self-control
Yeah, you're starting to trickle back in
But I don't wanna fall down the rabbit hole
Cross my heart, I won't do it again"
13. "Like To Be You" by Shawn Mendes ft. Julia Michaels
This is for those who are falling out of love when still holding on to something that's fading.
"Don't cry
Or do whatever makes you feel comfortable
I'm tired, too
There's nothin' left to say
Let's call a truce"
14. "Lose You To Love Me" by Selena Gomez
This has to be one of the most uplifting heartbreak songs. You may not realize it yet, but your heartbreak is making room for more love for yourself.
"We'd always go into it blindly
I needed to lose you to find me
This dancing was killing me softly
I needed to hate you to love me"
15. "I'm So Tired..." by Lauv
Why is it that whenever you're trying to get over someone, suddenly everywhere you go there's a love song playing, a couple kissing, or a rom-com on the TV?
"I'm so tired of love songs, tired of love songs
Tired of love songs, tired of love
Just wanna go home, wanna go home"
16. "Don't Speak" by No Doubt
You think your breakup is tough, imagine being Gwen Stefani and bandmate Tony Kanal having to perform this song together after their relationship ended!
"Don't speak, I know what you're thinkin'
I don't need your reasons
Don't tell me 'cause it hurts"
17. "Missing You" by Diana Ross
You can practically hear Diana Ross's heart breaking as she wonders where her love is now.
"Since you've been away
I've been thinking of you
Trying to understand
The reason you left me"
18. "Someone Like You" by Adele
Adele has probably been responsible for as many tears as heartbreak itself has. One of her earliest hits is still one of the most emotional songs ever written.
"I couldn't stay away
I couldn't fight it
I had hoped you'd see my face
And that you'd be reminded that for me, it isn't over"
19. "Just Friends" by Hayden James
Even relationships that don't grow out of the "friendzone" can be heartbreaking (and confusing!).
"I found out the way to your heart
Then found myself completely lost
Whatever, it doesn't matter, we fine"
20. "River" by Joni Mitchell
Those who do the breaking up often get villainized and have their feelings undermined. But hurting someone else can hurt you, too! This is for those who chose to walk away from a relationship but are struggling with the decision.
"I'm so hard to handle
I'm selfish and I'm sad
Now I've gone and lost the best baby
That I ever had"
21. "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" by Marvin Gaye
Once that beat kicks in, you know trouble is about to go down. If you ever find out your partner is cheating, dump them and jive to this Motown classic.
"I know a man ain't supposed to cry
But these tears I can't hold inside
Losin' you would end my life you see"
22. "Strong Enough" by Sheryl Crow
Oof, this song is a gut punch. It's going to tear you down and make you feel unloveable, but that's just the heart's way of emptying itself out so you can love again.
"Lie to me, I promise I'll believe
Lie to me, but please don't leave"
23. "Play Date" by Melanie Martinez
Games, games, games. Exes love to play games with your mind. Don't give in!
"I don't want to play no games
I'm tired of always chasing, chasing after you"
24. "The City" by The 1975
We all have that one ex who, no matter what happens, will always come back eventually.
"Yeah, you wanna find love
Then you know where the city is"
25. "Let Her Go" by Passenger
You don't even need to have had a heartbreak to cry to this. Don't listen while driving!
"But you only need the light when it's burning low
Only miss the sun when it starts to snow
Only know you love her when you let her go"
26. "Too Good At Goodbyes" by Sam Smith
Always the bridesmaid, never the bride. This is for those going through yet another breakup and can't seem to let anyone in.
"I'm never gonna let you close to me
Even though you mean the most to me
'Cause every time I open up, it hurts"
27. "Faithfully" by— Journey
Enough about sad breakups — This song is about having love for someone without being in love with them. A good breakup, if you could call it that.
"I'm not like all of my friends
I'd rather get lost in conversation
Until we fade into each other again
I won't let this moment, slip right through my hands
Go on never knowing if we had a chance"
28. "The Fool" by Ryn Weaver
Time to heal up those open wounds and find love again.
"I tend to stack the deck with wild cards
You're betting all you got on a broken heart
I say don't, oh
But now you know, oh"
29. "thank u, next" by Ariana Grande
I would argue that this is one of the best breakup songs ever made. Not because it will break you down, but because it will build you up and make you grateful for your ex.
"I've loved and I've lost
But that's not what I see
So, look what I got
Look at what you taught me"
30. "The Man Who Can't Be Moved" by The Script
Camping outside until your ex notices you isn't generally recommended, but desperate times call for desperate measures.
"'Cause if one day you wake up and find that you're missing me
And 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"
31. "Magic" by Coldplay
With the line "I just got broken, broken in two," Chris Martin alludes to the breakdown of his marriage with Gwenyth Paltrow. Or, as they would call it, their "conscious uncoupling."
"And I can't get over
Can't get over you
Still I call it magic
Such a precious jewel"
32. "Passionfruit" by Drake
Drake manages to make a crumbling relationship sound, dare I say, fun? It's freeing to let go of things that don't serve you anymore.
"Passionate from miles away
Passive with the things you say
Passin' up my old ways
I can't blame you, no no"
33. "Un-Break My Heart" by Toni Braxton
Rewind the clocks, change your mind, take back what you said, please don't leave! Braxton is saying everything we wish we could tell our exes.
"Unbreak my heart
Say you'll love me again
Undo this hurt you caused
When you walked out the door
And walked out of my life"
34. "Always" by Bon Jovi
Looking at old photos is probably the worst thing you can do when you've lost a love, but that doesn't stop any of us. Not even Bon Jovi.
"Now your pictures that you left behind
Are just memories of a different life
Some that made us laugh, some that made us cry"
35. "Irreplacable" by Beyoncé
You tell 'em Bey — no man is worth your tears and there's plenty of fish in the sea!
"I can have another you by tomorrow
So don't you ever for a second get
To thinking you're irreplaceable"
36. "Cry Me A River" by Justin Timberlake
Britney Spears, we love you, but this song about your breakup has to be one of the best ever made. Tell your ex to save their tears for someone who cares.
"Girl, I refuse
You must have me confused with some other guy
The bridges were burned
Now it's your turn, to cry"
37. "Nothing Compares 2 U" by Sinead O'Connor
O'Connor's voice is raw and torn up by heartbreak in this song. You'll be rocking back and forth crying in no time.
"It's been so lonely without you here
Like a bird without a song
Nothing can stop these lonely tears from falling"
38. "Losing You" by Solange
A breakup song that you can dance to? Sign me up. Looks like Beyoncé isn't the only Knowles sister who has experienced her share of heartbreak.
"Tell me the truth boy
Am I losing you for good?
We used to kiss all night
But now there's just no use
I don't know why I fight it, clearly we are through"
39. "Torn" by Natalie Imbruglia
There comes a moment in a relationship where you have to face up to the fact that you're sitting on a sinking ship.
"I'm wide awake and I can see the perfect sky is torn
You're a little late
I'm already torn"
40. "Nobody To Love" by Sigma
Don't let your love go to waste. If they don't love you, you can love yourself instead.
"I know you're tired of loving, of loving
With nobody to love, nobody, nobody"
41. "Before He Cheats" by Carrie Underwood
Breakups are 50 percent crying, 50 percent unbearable rage. This song is for those moments when you're brewing a revenge plot.
"I dug my key into the side of his pretty little souped-up four-wheel drive
Carved my name into his leather seats
I took a Louisville slugger to both head lights"
42. "Bleeding Love" by Leona Lewis
Leona Lewis spills her heart out in this song, and it will leave you feeling all kinds of cut-up inside.
"Closed off from love, I didn't need the pain
Once or twice was enough and it was all in vain
Time starts to pass, before you know it you're frozen"
43. "So Sick" by Ne-Yo
Ever wish you could just delete memories? They say it takes time, but sometimes your mind is done waiting for your heart to heal.
"I'm so sick of love songs, so tired of tears
So done with wishin,' you were still here"
44. "Go Your Own Way" by Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac have a way of making these sad, painful lyrics sound upbeat and cheerful. It's the perfect song to ease you out of sadness and restore some joy.
"If I could
Maybe I'd give you my world
How can I
When you won't take it from me"
45. "Somebody That I Used To Know" by Gotye ft. Kimbra
This is probably one of the greatest one-hit wonders ever made. It truly captures that feeling of going back to be strangers even after sharing so much.
"But you didn't have to cut me off
Make out like it never happened and that we were nothing
And I don't even need your love
But you treat me like a stranger and that feels so rough"
46. "Stay" by Rihanna ft. Mikky Ekko
Even though we know it's not good for us to hold, letting go can be terrifying. You just want them to stay.
"Something in the way you move
Makes me feel like I can't live without you
It takes me all the way
I want you to stay"
47. "Love Will Tear Us Apart" by Joy Division
There's a reason this 1980s classic keeps appearing in romantic films and television series. For better or for worse, love will tear us apart.
"Is my timing that flawed, our respect run so dry?
Yet there's still this appeal that we've kept through our lives
Love, love will tear us apart again"
48. "Ain't No Sunshine" by Bill Withers
Heartbreak brings on the kind of darkness that can only be described with this song.
"Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
And this house just ain't no home
Anytime she goes away"
49. "Skinny Love" by Birdy
Every indie singer under the song has taken their shot at covering this song, but nothing beats Birdy's emotive, captivating version.
"And in the morning I'll be with you
But it will be a different kind
And I'm holding all the tickets
And you'll be owning all the fines"
50. "Wrecking Ball" by Miley Cyrus
Cyrus was inspired by Sinead O'Connor's "Nothing Compares To You" for this music video — for the staring into the camera part, not the part where she's swinging on a wrecking ball in her underwear.
"I came in like a wrecking ball
I never hit so hard in love
All I wanted was to break your walls
All you ever did was wreck me"
Alice Kelly is a writer and storyteller with a passion for love, relationships, astrology, and all things related to the soul. For more, you can find her on Twitter.