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Taylor Swifthas a heartbreak song for almost every situation:romantic relationships ending, friend breakups, professional betrayal.
The breakup song for those of us who keep dating Peter Pans (a.k.a.
people who wont grow up).
Rage Tears:1Cathartic scream-singing:2Scorched earth:1Ex text prevention:0.25Stop the wallowing:1TOTAL:5.25
61.Bad Blood,1989 (Taylors Version)
61.
This is the theme song for the anger phase of grief.
A step closer in the healing direction, but we still have a ways to go.
Rage Tears:1.25Cathartic scream-singing:2Scorched-earth:2Ex text prevention:0Stop the wallowing:1TOTAL:6.25
59.
Oh, soyoubroke up withthem.
Yeah, this is the one for you.
(And probably only for you, since the situation is so specific.)
I know you feel guilty, but maybe consult some friends and a therapist before you unload on them.
That could help too.
Rage Tears:.5Cathartic scream-singing:1Scorched-earth:0Ex text prevention:3Stop the wallowing:2TOTAL:6.5
58.loml,The Tortured Poets Department
58.
This simple piano ballad from Swifts latest albumis not going to help you move on.
But if your heart is still breaking and your favorite tearjerker isnt working anymore, giveloml a spin.
Last Kiss is for hurting your own feelings and keeping you submerged in melancholia.
This is heartbreak personified, so dont expect it to help you move on.
Rage Tears:4Cathartic scream-singing:1Scorched-earth:1Ex text prevention:1Stop the wallowing:0TOTAL:7
56.Perfectly Good Heart,Taylor Swift
56.
Taylors diaristic writing is what makes so many of her songs the perfect balm for heartbreak.
But they may only work if youre in the exact same boat as she is.
Sometimes a relationship ends, and you never see the person again.
And sometimes you run into them … with their new partner.
Your relationship wasnt like how it was in the movies, huh?
Weve all been there.
So say bye-bye, baby!
Taylor has better tracks in her catalogue for both scenarios.
Do you tend to break up with people to avoid being the one whos dumped?
Congratulations, Taylor has given you a new nickname.
Rage Tears:0Cathartic scream-singing:2.75Scorched earth:0Ex text prevention:3Stop the wallowing:3TOTAL:8.5
52.Picture to Burn,Taylor Swift
52.
This classic from Taylors debut perfectly captures the anger and pettiness of a teenager scorned.
Throw this one on while you throw away everything they ever touched.
Hey, as far as youre concerned, theyre just another picture to burn.
Rage Tears:0Cathartic scream-singing:2Scorched-earth:4Ex text prevention:1Stop the wallowing:2TOTAL: 9
51.Midnight Rain,Midnights
51.
Another track specifically for those who ended the relationship because you have feelings to process too!
Rage Tears:2Cathartic scream-singing:2Scorched-earth:0Ex text prevention:4Stop the wallowing:2TOTAL: 10
50.Shouldve Said No,Taylor Swift
50.
Heartbreak mantra: Want to tell them everything theyshouldvedone?
Cryptically tweet the lyrics, You shouldnt be beggin for forgiveness at my feet.
If youve recently been cheated on, this song will rank much higher.
But its not as broadly applicable as the songs higher on the list.
Rage Tears:1Cathartic scream-singing:4Scorched-earth:3Ex text prevention:1.5Stop the wallowing:1TOTAL: 10.5
49.Cold As You,Taylor Swift
49.
They never did give you a damn thing, honey.
So just walk away.
Friends, family, the barista at your favorite coffee shop … everyone wants to know what happened.
But no one asks you directly because theyre afraid to.
Here, Taylor muses on all the things the other person must be thinking about.
Daydream about them all you want, but protecting your heart is whats best.
Welcome to the anger stage of grief.
Everywhere you look, the fingerprints of your past love have tarnished other things you once enjoyed.
If its raining in your bedroom, you should probably close your window.
If the rain is metaphorical, then this classic fromFearlessis your soundtrack to closure.
Rage Tears:1Cathartic scream-singing:4.5Scorched earth:3Ex text prevention:2Stop the wallowing:2TOTAL:12.5
43.Happiness,evermore
43.
This song recognizes that even after heartbreak, its okay to hold onto the happy times.
)TOTAL: 13
42.Down Bad,The Tortured Poets Department
42.
Everything comes out teenage petulance.
If thats how youre feeling after your breakup, then this is your new go-to song.
Rage Tears:3.25Cathartic scream-singing:5Scorched earth:5Ex text prevention:0Stop the wallowing:0TOTAL:13.25
41.The Last Time, feat.
Gary LightbodyRed (Taylors Version)
41.
Taylor and Gary Lightbody from Snow Patrol each ask the other some pertinent unanswered questions.
Sure, they dont get the answers, but sometimes theyre not needed.
Its also one of the few duets on the list, which is both a pro and a con.
(Pro: You get both perspectives.
Con: You get both perspectives.)
For when a breakup leavesyou feeling like a toy in the hands of Sid fromToy Story.
Rage Tears:1Cathartic scream-singing:5Scorched earth:4.75Ex text prevention:1Stop the wallowing:2TOTAL:13.75
39.August,folklore
39.
Rage Tears:3Cathartic scream-singing:4Scorched-earth:2Ex text prevention:2Stop the wallowing:3TOTAL: 14
38.Mr.
Perfectly Fine (From the Vault),Fearless (Taylors Version)
38.
Hows your heart after breaking mine, jerk?
Going through your first breakup?
Realizing love might not be the fairy tale you expected?
This song is your knight on a white horse, reminding you that things will be okay eventually.
Not your first rodeo?
Then this isnt your horse.
For when your relationship ends because youve found out theyre a ghost.
An anthem for an emo kid who just broke up with another emo kid.
You saw the breakup coming and you braced for impact.
What are all the things that annoy you about your ex?
Call your mom, have a good vent sesh, and then make a list.
Even though youre hurting, youll realize youre better off.
Maren Morris,Fearless (Taylors Version)
32.
Rage Tears:3Cathartic scream-singing:5Scorched-earth:3Ex text prevention:3Stop the wallowing:2TOTAL: 16
31.Evermore feat.
Bon Iver,evermore
31.
Let Taylor remind you that this pain wont be for evermore.
Keep scrolling, this is not your song.
You knew he was bad and you did it anyway?
Well, then youre probably not surprised.
But you still have to validate your feelings.
Now you have a clearer idea of what you want next time.
Rage Tears:4Cathartic scream-singing:5Scorched-earth:4Ex text prevention:2Stop the wallowing:2TOTAL: 17
29.Florida!!!
Florence + the Machine),The Tortured Poets Department
29.
The title says it all.
This is the soundtrack to staring wistfully out of a window and contemplating love lost.
If thatsnotwhat you want to do, avoid this one.
You wont be able to stop yourself.
Rage Tears:4Cathartic scream-singing:3.25Scorched-earth:2Ex text prevention:4Stop the wallowing:4TOTAL: 17.25
27.Right Where You Left Me,evermore
27.
), then just seek help.
Were trying to close, maam, and youve eaten all the breadsticks.
Take a breath during this bangers four-minute run time to figure it before taking any drastic action.
Cue the montage of your first glimpse of post-heartbreak healing.
Yes, its time for your next chapter.
Rage Tears:2.75Cathartic scream-singing:5Scorched-earth:3Ex text prevention:4Stop the wallowing:3TOTAL: 17.75
24.High Infidelity,Midnights (3 A.M. Thats called arson and its illegal.
Blast this banger, pretend you are Taylor on the Eras Tour, and march yourself to your job.
Rage Tears:5Cathartic scream-singing:5Scorched earth:2Ex text prevention:2Stop the wallowing:4.25TOTAL:18.25
22.
(TIE) Maroon,Midnights
22.
Maroon is an ideal choice to scream-sing (quietly) at 2 a.m. while everyone is dreaming.
Rage Tears:3Cathartic scream-singing (quietly):5Scorched-earth:2Ex text prevention:5Stop the wallowing:3.5TOTAL: 18.5
22.
So how do you forge a new path?
The answer, according to Taylor, is witchcraft.
Rage Tears:3Cathartic scream-singing:4Scorched earth:3.75Ex text prevention:4Stop the wallowing:3.75TOTAL:18.5
20.Hits Different,Midnights (Target Exclusive)
20.
Some breakups just hit differently because of who they are and what you had.
Cant people just understand that?
Well, Taylor does.
(Its 2023; who has a CD player anywhere but their car?
Unfortunately, thats also why this track doesnt rank higher.)
Rage Tears:5Cathartic scream-singing:5Scorched-earth:1Ex text prevention:4Stop the wallowing:3.75TOTAL: 18.75
19.Coney Island feat.
the National,evermore
19.
What about your promises, promises?!
It might be tough to apply this one directly to your situation if your ex isnt named John.
This is nearly seven minutes of catharsis (for everyone who isnt John Mayer).
Rage Tears:5Cathartic scream-singing:5Scorched earth:5Ex text prevention:1.25Stop the wallowing:3.5TOTAL:19.75
15.Youre Not SorryFearless (Taylors Version)
15.
Its not worth it!
What do you wish you wouldve, couldve, shouldve done in the relationship?
It was a train wreck, and all you feel now is rage and regret.
In my experience, fun songs make the best breakup songs.
A getaway car in song form, if you will.
Rage Tears:3Cathartic scream-singing:5Scorched-earth:3.25Ex text prevention:5Stop the wallowing:4TOTAL: 20.25
12.Clean,1989 (Taylors Version)
12.
But one thing Taylor does so well in her best breakup songs is balance heartache with hope.
Its a good reminder that closure is coming, and youll be clean someday.
Rage Tears:3.5Cathartic scream-singing:5Scorched-earth:2Ex text prevention:5Stop the wallowing:5TOTAL:20.5
11.Closure,evermore
11.
The last thing you need after a breakup is the other person refusing to let you be.
I know Im just a wrinkle in your new life / Staying friends would iron it out so nice.
You dont need anyones closure but your own, baby.
Closure and Clean tie for 11th place because theyre almost two sides of the same coin.
Both need closure before you’re free to move on.
Together, these songs give you everything you need.
Rage Tears:5Cathartic scream-singing:5Scorched-earth:3Ex text prevention:4Stop the wallowing:3.5TOTAL: 20.5
10.Is It Over Now?
(From the Vault),1989 (Taylors Version)
10.
Need one you might cry and dance to at the same time?
Have you met my friend All You Had To Do Was Stay?
Rage Tears:5Cathartic scream-singing:5Scorched-earth:3Ex text prevention:3Stop the wallowing:5TOTAL: 21
8.Exile feat.
Bon Iver,evermore
8.
Taylor Swifts bridges are so expertly constructed, she should have an honorary civil-engineering degree at this point.
The one in exile makes your breath stop short.
But ultimately, this song needs a little less wallowing and a little more release to be top five.
Chris Stapleton,Red (Taylors Version)
7.
A top-tier breakup anthem.
This is for your smug era.
Specifically, the line, Mr. Superior-Thinkin / Do you have all the space that you need?
/ I dont have to be your shrink to know that youll never be happy.
Sure, you may be thinking about them, but what matters is that theyre thinking about you.
The great thing about this one is its upbeat, fun, and feels like an anthem.
Rage Tears:4Cathartic scream-singing:5Scorched-earth:3Ex text prevention:5Stop the wallowing:5TOTAL: 22
5.Champagne Problems,evermore
5.
This one builds and swells as the emotions keep coming.
The message: Breakups are a roller coaster.
Rage Tears:3.5Cathartic scream-singing:5Scorched-earth:5Ex text prevention:5Stop the wallowing:4TOTAL: 22.5
4.My Tears Ricochet,folkore
4.
Ricochet was written for a dramatic main-character moment.
Taylor wrote this one while processing her breakup with (probably) Jake Gyllenhaal.
Both versions contribute to securing the No.
It amazes me the queen of heartbreak songs initially skipped this one.
Taylor wrote it while working onRedin 2012.
But instead of locking it in the vault, she passed it on to country quartet Little Big Town.
Its one of the best in her catalogue.
This is a song that provides solidarity when youre unsure if youll be all right.
(You will be, but right now it stings like lemon juice on 1,000 paper cuts.)
Which is: Yes, you absolutely will be okay.
Rage Tears:5Cathartic scream-singing:5Scorched-earth:4Ex text prevention:5Stop the wallowing:5TOTAL: 24
Honorable Mentions
These three songs arenttechnicallybreakup songs.
Maybe your relationshipalmostended, or maybe it did and youre back together but youre still unsure of its stability.
Scream-sing about how you dont want to lose them to help you through.
Its still a love song, but this is where the insecurity and desperation start to creep in.
You love someone so much, your worst fear is you wont have them anymore.
Bejeweled,Midnights
Finally.
Your heart feels whole again, and you have remembered that you are defined by the things you love.
Whatever happened is in the past and you have your confidence back.
Put this on, hold your head high, and make the whole damn place shimmer.
