Best Break-Up Songs 2021 To Heal that Broken Heart

Break My Soul - Lizzo

Beyoncé's 'Break My Soul' track broke the internet when it was released in 2022. Her song, which was known for fuelling conversations about the great resignation, is one for new beginnings. She refers to new love, a new drive and building her foundation. 'Release ya anger, release ya mind. Release the love, forget the rest,' as Bey says.

Dua Lipa - We're Good

Dua Lipa's 'We're Good' track refers to being at peace when knowing a relationship has run its cause, being able to confidently let go, move on and try new experiences with no regrets.

Shakira - Don't Wait Up

Aptly named 'Don't Wait Up', this 2021 track from Shakira is all about making time for yourself and being able to focus on yourself and not feeling like you can't. Her lyrics remind us how brave we need to be sometimes.

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Used To Know Me - Charli XCX

Whether your break up was messy or not, Charli XCX's 'Used To Know Me', which she's her sing about feeling free from constraints, stresses that we can overcome anything - no matter how much something or someone has a hold over you.

Lizzo - Speical

Lizzo dropped her fourth studio album Special on July 15, and its namesake track is all about celebrating your self-worth and honing how exceptional you are, no matter what anyone else says. It's a feel-good tune imbued with the sass Lizzo is known for. We're here for it.

Ariana Grande - thank u, next

Ariana Grande made the break-up song to end all break-up songs when she released 'thank u, next' in 2019 and name-checked four high-profile ex-boyfriends (Pete Davidson, Mac Miller, Big Sean and Ricky Alvarez). Grande is living proof that you can truly shine after aforementioned break-ups with this mighty music video being evidence in itself.

Perhaps this is a song for a few months/years down the line when you are actually grateful for the experience rather than in that immediate post-break up period.

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Beyoncé - Irreplaceable

'To the left to the left'... never has someone moving their stuff out of a shared flat been so catchy. Beyoncé reminded us all that no one is ever 'irreplaceable', giving a modern update to the 'if it's meant to be' adage.

Fleetwood Mac - Go Your Own Way

The song begins 'loving you isn't the right thing to do', suggesting that sometimes life gets in the way and relationships break down despite the love you may have for one another.

Written by Lyndsey Buckingham in 1976, in the aftermath of his break-up from bandmate Stevie Nicks, the song is still regarded as iconic all these years later.

Destiny's Child - Independent Women Part II

If we're honest, many of Destiny's Child's songs are appropriate for break-ups: 'Girl' reenforces the need to lean on friends post break-up, 'Jumpin' Jumpin' tells you to head to the club with your friends ASAP, 'Survivor' reminds us of how strong we are and, well, 'Independent Women' is pretty self-explanatory.

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Lizzo - About Damn Time

'About Damn Time' is another banger from Lizzo's 'Special' album, and it's clear to see why it was number one on the Radio Songs chart the day her album dropped. Lyrics like 'I'm way too fine to be this stressed' and 'I got a feelin' I'm gon' be alright' reflect the mood of the song, which nods liberation, feeling free and overcoming obstacles.

Lauryn Hill - Ex-Factor

Released in 1998 on her bestselling post-Fugees album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, 'Ex-Factor' documents the painful final stages of a relationship through Hill's soulful melodies and riffs.

Recently, the song has been sampled by Drake and Cardi B, proving its legacy status as the ultimate heartbreak song.

No Doubt - Don't Speak

In 1996, the band released 'Don't Speak' which had been rewritten by Gwen Stefani to reflect her break-up from her No Doubt bandmate Tony Kanal.

Reflecting on the hit single when the band reunited in 2021, Kanal told The Guardian: 'We were on tour for 28 months. We were going through the breakup and in every interview we were talking about it so we were opening this wound on an hourly basis. It was so brutal, but I don't know how we made it through.'

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Sinéad O'Connor - Nothing Compares 2 U

Is there a song more devastating? No, we don't think so. As for the lyrics, we have Prince to thank for that. O'Connor recorded the heartbreak track four years after the 'Purple Rain' singer wrote it with a new arrangement - and accompanied it with a simple yet powerful music video - and it was a hit.

Amy Winehouse - Tears Dry On Their Own

'Back To Black' and 'Love Is A Losing Game' are two of Winehouse's best known break-up songs, but the upbeat tempo of 'Tears Dry On Their Own' coupled with the late singer's powerful, unrivalled vocals serves to uplift, reminding us that happier times can come after walking away from a relationship.

All Saints - Never Ever

The instantly recognisable piano chords, spoken word intro and moody backing vocals cement this song's status as an iconic Nineties break-up anthem.

Penned by bandmate Shaznay Lewis after a break-up (who then delivers a rousing second bridge, we might add), the hurt, confusion and breakdown of communication around a break-up is felt through the lyrics.

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Bill Withers - Ain't No Sunshine

The late Bill Withers wrote this devastating song about heartbreak in 1971, yet it still stands as one of the most emotional break-up songs, which is why it's been featured in the sad moments of romantic movies like Notting Hill.

Robyn - With Every Heartbeat

Despite the EDM beat and synth-esque sounds in the backing track, the lyrics to 'With Every Heartbeat' - where Robyn contemplates ending a relationship or continuing even though the relationship is difficult - are crushing.

Beyoncè - Sorry

Though Lemonade was an album about heartbreak, betrayal and ultimately choosing to stay with a partner in spite of the hurt, 'Sorry' has to be featured on this list for several reasons. 1. 'Tell that boy, bye' is now embedded in pop culture when referencing break-ups, 2. Serena Williams and Beyoncé are formidable in the video and 3. The song serves as a final warning for a straying partner.

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Miley Cyrus - Midnight Sky

Written and released in the aftermath of her separation from husband Liam Hemsworth, 'Midnight Sky' sees Cyrus reclaiming her independence with lyrics like 'I was born to run, I don't belong to anyone' set against samples of Stevie Nicks' 'Edge Of Seventeen'.

Dua Lipa - New Rules

Lipa reminds everyone that 'if you're under him, you ain't getting over him' as part of her many new rules for what to do after a break-up in this huge hit from the Grammy winner's debut self-titled album.

Olivia Blair is Talent Editor at Hearst UK, working predominantly across Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Esquire and Harper's Bazaar. Olivia covers all things entertainment and has interviewed the likes of Margot Robbie, Emma Stone, Timothée Chalamet and Cynthia Erivo over the years.

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