10 Songs To Get Through A Breakup

Break-ups are always tough, but music can always make your healing journey a little easier.

Whether you’re navigating heartbreak, finding closure, or reclaiming your independence, the right songs can be like a friend who understands exactly how you feel.

From empowering anthems to soothing ballads, this curated list of 10 tracks will take you on a journey from sadness to strength.

So grab your headphones, press play, and let your healing journey begin. 

Pain - Pink Pantheress

Pink Pantheress is a British singer, songwriter, and producer who emerged in 2021 as a breakout talent. Known for blending nostalgic UK garage, drum and bass, and bedroom pop, her ethereal vocals and introspective lyrics have captured the hearts of listeners worldwide.

At just over two minutes, “Pain” is a fleeting, diary-like confession, as PinkPantheress navigates longing and vulnerability with poetic simplicity, making it the perfect song to kick off our list.

Waiting in Vain - Bob Marley and the Wailers

Probably the most recognizable and influential artist to ever come out of the Caribbean, reggae legend Bob Marley is an artist whose sterling reputation and body of work precedes him.

Released in 1977 as part of his Exodus album, “Waiting in Vain” blends Marley’s signature warm, lilting rhythms with heartfelt lyrics that explore the tension between hope and heartbreak.

Marley’s voice is tender yet resolute as he pleads for a love that seems just out of reach, with lines like “It's been three years since I'm knocking on your door, and I still can knock some more” conveying both patience and quiet desperation.

Easy Easy - King Krule

King Krule is the stage name of Archy Marshall, an English singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist. Known for his genre-defying sound, deeply introspective lyrics and instantly recognizable baritone vocals, “Out Getting Ribs” is one of his very first and most iconic creations.

Initially created under his now retired “Zoo Boy” moniker, “Out Getting Ribs” is a hauntingly poetic exploration of vulnerability, heartbreak, and longing, delivered with a raw intimacy that feels both deeply personal and universally resonant. 

Sex Money Feelings Die - Lykke Li

Lykke Li, born Li Lykke Timotej Zachrisson, is a Swedish singer, songwriter, and producer known for her deeply emotive and genre-blurring music. Her work blends elements of indie pop, electronic, and R&B, often characterized by themes of heartbreak, longing, and introspection.

Taken from her 2018 album “so sad so sexy”, “Sex Money Feelings Die” is a sultry and melancholic ode to fleeting pleasures and emotional emptiness.

The title “Sex Money Feelings Die” acts like a mantra, encapsulating the transient highs and inevitable lows of desire, materialism, and emotional connections. Possessing an almost dreamlike quality, “Sex Money Feelings Die” is quintessential Li.

I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor

We just couldn’t make a list and leave this one out. Born in Newark, New Jersey, Gaynor rose to prominence in the 1970s and became one of the defining voices of the disco era.

Known for her powerful, soulful voice and emotive delivery, it was only a matter of time before an artist of her calibre made it big. Her biggest break eventually came through her timeless hit “I Will Survive.” Released in 1978, “I Will Survive” has since become a cultural touchstone, celebrated for its empowering message of resilience in the face of hardship.

Cleaner Air - Yeek

Yeek is the alias of American musician and producer Alejandro Salazar. Known for his willingness to experiment with different styles, his releases are an eclectic blend of indie, R&B, alternative, and hip-hop influences, although some of his recent works have subtle electronic influences as well.

“Cleaner Air” features a blend of indie, R&B, and alternative sounds, with the track’s smooth, relaxed instrumentals providing a perfect foil to Yeek’s laid-back yet emotionally charged atmosphere.

Lyrics like “I had things that I could not vocalize / here’s my two cents don’t go baby / cause if you leave I’ll go crazy” convey a sense of searching for clarity and a breath of fresh air in the midst of personal turmoil. 

Cold Heart, PNAU remix - Elton John and Dua Lipa

Two legends in their own right, magic was the only feasible outcome when two musicians of Elton John and Dua Lipa’s calibre came together to make “Cold Heart.” Utilizing a clever sample from another of Elton John’s classics Sacrifice, “Cold Heart” explores themes of love and heartbreak.

With lyrics like “Some things look better baby, just passing through” setting a bittersweet tone as Dua Lipa’s cool, sultry delivery contrasts with Elton John’s emotive performance.

PNAU, an Australian electronic music trio, brings their signature upbeat, house-infused production style to the track, transforming it into a vibrant, infectious dance anthem.

No Buses - Arctic Monkeys

Arctic Monkeys are widely regarded as one of the most influential and innovative rock bands of their generation, known for their ever-evolving sound and lead singer Alex Turner’s sharp, often cryptic songwriting. “No Buses” by Arctic Monkeys is a playful and somewhat wistful song from their 2006 EP “Who The F*** Are The Arctic Monkeys?”

It blends elements of indie rock with catchy, upbeat rhythms and witty lyrics, offering a snapshot of youthful experiences and fleeting relationships.

Lyrically, the song narrates the story of someone who is stuck in a seemingly endless cycle of disappointment and longing, specifically revolving around a girl who may not feel the same way.

Birds Don’t Sing - TV Girl

TV Girl is an American indie pop band known for their lo-fi, nostalgic sound that blends subtle elements of indie pop and electronic with very classic vocal delivery. If you didn’t pay close attention to the lyrics, you might end up with the impression that TV Girl’s “Birds Don’t Sing” was about an upbeat song as they come.

High energy, sunny and upbeat, “Birds Don’t Sing” beautifully flips the usual melancholic energy of a breakup into something that uplifts rather than deflates.

Lyrics that would be crushing in another circumstance like “Birds don’t sing, they just fall from the sky / girls don’t call, and they never tell you why / that's just how they say goodbye” instead feel witty and lighthearted.

Do Better - AB Soul

Rounding off our list is AB Soul, an American rapper and songwriter from Carson, California. He is a key member of the hip-hop collective Black Hippy, alongside fellow rappers Kendrick Lamar, Schoolboy Q, and Jay Rock.

Known for his introspective, thought-provoking lyrics, his release “Do Better” delves into themes of self-improvement, accountability, and personal growth. Although “Do Better” isn’t about breakups per se, lyrics like “There's nothing they can do that I can't do better / better yet, there's nothing I can do that I can't do better” speak to powerful themes of self-reflection and improvement that will serve you well on your path to healing nonetheless.

Breakups may mark the end of a chapter, but they also open the door to growth, resilience, and new beginnings. This playlist captures the complexity of those moments—the heartbreak, the hope, and everything in between.