10 Best Break Up Songs

Sometimes the best thing to help get through the aftermath of a relationship is a good break up song. No one wants to get their heart broken, but sometimes it just happens. After you read the list, soak up those tears by tunning into AOL Radio's Break Up Songs station.

'Since U Been Gone'

Kelly Clarkson

Kelly received a Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for 'Since U Been Gone.' Shooting for a more rock-oriented image, Clarkson added more drums to this track.

iTunes | Lyrics

'With or Without You'

This was the band's first American No. 1 hit and their second song to enter the Billboard Hot 100. The song was listed at number 131 by Rolling Stone magazine on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

iTunes | Lyrics

'Here Without You'

3 Doors Down

Lead singer Brad Arnold has said this break up song is about missing his now ex-wife -- and the loneliness he feels when dreaming about her: "I'm here without you baby / But you're still on my lonely mind / I think about you baby / And I dream about you all the time."

iTunes | Lyrics

'Against All Odds'

Phil Collins

This break up song -- featured on Collins' 1981 debut solo album 'Face Value' -- is just one of dozens written about Collins' ex-wife who left him. The song took two days to record, one day in New York and one day in California. The mixes for the song were done over the phone.

iTunes | Lyrics

'All Out of Love'

Air Supply

Reaching No. 2 on the US charts and No. 11 in the UK, this song about breaking up is easily Air Supply's signature song.

iTunes | Lyrics

'Hard to Say I'm Sorry'

Chicago

Chicago has always been known for their use of horns, but this song was a departure from that sound. The deviation worked for the band, gaining a No. 1 hit.

iTunes | Lyrics

'Nothing Compares 2 U'

Sinéad O'Connor

The song was originally written by Prince in 1985 for the funk band Family. The song received little recognition until Irish singer Sinéad O'Connor recorded the song in 1990. 12 years later, VH1 ranked the break up song as the 18th greatest one-hit wonder.

iTunes | Lyrics

'Total Eclipse of the Heart'

Bonnie Tyler

At its peak, this 1983 song was selling 60,000 copies per day. According to Meat Loaf, the Jim Steinman-penned song was originally offered to him but his record label was not willing to pay the hefty fee.

iTunes | Lyrics

'What Hurts the Most'

Rascal Flatts

Originally recorded by Jo O'Meara in 2005, this break up song was written by Steve Robson and Jeffrey Steele. While the writers had originally intended the song to be about the loss of a father, they decided the universal theme of lost love was more suitable.

iTunes | Lyrics

'You Give Love a Bad Name'

Bon Jovi

Richie Sambora, Jon Bon Jovi and Desmond Child wrote this break up song for the band Loverboy. Bon Jovi ended up recording it, making it the band's first No. 1 hit. In 2009, VH1 named it the 20th Greatest Hard Rock Song of all Time.

iTunes | Lyrics

More Break Up Songs

If you still need more chicken soup for those break up blues, check out our Best Break Up Lyrics compiled by the most searched on Metro Lyrics. Or you can read our roundup of the Best Love Songs.

Listen to Break Up Songs on AOL Radio

Filed under: Best Songs, Top 10 Lists

Reader Comments

(Page 1)

1. you totally overlooked 'Believe' by Cher and 'Just when I needed you most' by Dan Fogelberg or the Alison Krause version

Posted at 12:17PM on Aug 21st 2009 by Bil Whitley

2. It does sound a bit like Dan Fogelberg, but "Just When I Needed You Most" was by Randy Vanwarmer. Good choices, though!

Posted at 12:39PM on Aug 21st 2009 by Bob Reynolds

3. Nice list -
Total Eclipse of the Heart is one of my choices also.
How about "Our Love's in Jeopardy" Greg Kihn (?)

Posted at 1:05PM on Aug 21st 2009 by qurook

4. My God, how could this list not have at the very top, "YOU WON'T MATTER ANY MORE" the best of all breakup songs, written by Paul Anka for Buddy Holly,with a great cover by Linda Ronstadt
Get right with God, folks!

Posted at 7:35PM on Aug 21st 2009 by Charles Purviance

5. haha these are OK, but wow, what sappy songs! Cry me a river, puleezeee... What about "Love Stinks" by G.Giels Band? That's a classic. There's Rod Stewart's great line -- "someone like you, makes it hard to live without...somebody else.." I always liked that one. My personal favorite is "Goodbye, You Suck" by Shiloh. Not a huge hit, but it's the perfect song to dump a loser by.

Posted at 7:49PM on Aug 21st 2009 by lori

6. It may not be number one, but I think Green Day's Time of Your Life should be in the top ten.

Posted at 12:00AM on Aug 22nd 2009 by Evie

7. Where's "I Ain't Missing You" by John Waite? It's a classic and one of my favorites.

Posted at 6:22AM on Aug 22nd 2009 by KMJS

8. "Missing You" was a mega-hit, BTW. Also, where' is Jim Croce's "Operator"? So sad, and so poignant and real. Jim was a legend.

Posted at 6:24AM on Aug 22nd 2009 by KMJS

9. "Everything I am not" played and sung by The Veronicas. Hot-n-Cold sung by Kate Perry (The description when it comes to dealing with his ups and downs)to drive women mentally crazy). Played and Sung By When In Rome: Kiss Good Bye and Disengage(christian music) Played and sung by Sleepstar. Sung by Krista: "Crash and Burn" "I'm Leaving you" sung by Alesya. And after critical analysis of a relationship(?) Sung by Jenny Goodspeed: "Broken".

Posted at 8:39AM on Aug 22nd 2009 by trailfinder37

10. Wicked Game by Chris Isaaks. And several other songs on Heart Shaped World. HIDE ALL THE SHARP OBJECTS IN THE HOUSE!!!

Posted at 5:06PM on Aug 22nd 2009 by Oddibe

11. ew ew ew at all of these songs.. except good ol' Collins

Posted at 6:32PM on Aug 22nd 2009 by lilly

12. Yes! Croce's "Operator" is wonderful. Maybe those of us who remember these are showing our age? Although the fabulous "Total Eclipse of the Heart" is pretty old, too.

Posted at 6:58PM on Aug 22nd 2009 by Oddibe

13. What about Phil Collins' Separate Ways?

Posted at 9:54PM on Aug 22nd 2009 by Laura

14. Call Me When You're Sober. Duh!

Don't cry to me, if you loved me, you would be here with me!

You never call me when you're sober, you only want it cuz it's over! It's over!

Posted at 5:20PM on Aug 27th 2009 by Jill

15. "I Will Survive" anyone? I figured that would be an all-too-obvious No. 1

Posted at 12:10AM on Aug 23rd 2009 by ell26greatone

16. How about Paul Simon's "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" and every woman's triumph song "I Will Survive." How can you possibly miss THAT one?

Posted at 8:34AM on Aug 23rd 2009 by Linda

17. 'Never Gonna Fall In Love Again'
My Fav

Posted at 12:04PM on Aug 23rd 2009 by cinderelli55

18. "At This Moment" by Billy Vera and the Beaters - what a heartbreaker

Posted at 2:09PM on Aug 23rd 2009 by jen

19. sorry but these aren't even good break-up songs unless you want to sit there and mope and feel bad about the loss. i got excited with kelly clarksons since u been gone, and then was disappointed :/

Posted at 3:41PM on Aug 23rd 2009 by yellowsunshine14

20. How about Garth Brooks "The Dance"....about a moment so special it was worth all the pain and heartache to follow.

Posted at 7:01PM on Aug 23rd 2009 by Philip

21. "That's What You Get" By Paramore is a good one.

Posted at 8:43PM on Aug 23rd 2009 by Sarah-Beth

22. All of these are good, but you should have had Neil Sedaka's "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do" included also.

Posted at 10:20PM on Aug 23rd 2009 by Linda

23. How about...Babyface..Nobody knows it but me...Great song.

Posted at 12:40AM on Oct 3rd 2009 by Kimberly

24. I'd like to've seen Elton John's "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me" on this list.
And I agree with whoever brought up "Good Riddance" by GreenDay.

Posted at 1:58AM on Aug 24th 2009 by tonnie

25. How about "Alone" by Heart, "It Hurts So Bad" by Susan Tadeshi (spelling?), "Neon Moon" by Brooks and Dunn, "We All Fall Down" by Bekka Bramlett. A classic would be "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" by Hank Williams, "Anymore" by Travis Tritt, "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" by Poison, "Gravity" by Sara Barellies, "She's Got You" by Patsy Cline, "You Got It All" by the Jets if you want to go the 'I'm over him' route, "please Bleed" by Ben Harper, "Tired of Being Alone" by Al Green, "Irreplacable" by Beyonce, and "Slow Dancing In A Burning Room" by John Mayer for something current. "A Bad Goodbye" by Wynonna and Clint Black, "Heart Half Full or Half Empty" by Ty Herndon and Stephanie Bentley, "How Do I Live" by Trisha Yearwood. I could actually come up will tons more just from my country list, but instead I will leave you with one final favorite "I Wish It Would Rain" by the Temptations - absolutly awesome song that would probably make you want to start looking for alcohol.

Posted at 1:53AM on Aug 24th 2009 by Robin

26. Oh, and definitely "We've Got Tonight" by Bob Seger and "I Can't Make You Love Me" by Bonnie Raitt

Posted at 2:07AM on Aug 24th 2009 by Robin

27. "Yesterday" is still one of the best received when McCartney plays it....and I never thought "Without You" by Nillson would ever stop playing.

Posted at 3:15AM on Aug 24th 2009 by PQnVa

28. what about "waisted time" by eagles? or "I'm movin on" by Rascal Flatts? Or the one that says something like "I've got your sweater, she's got you" or something like that. I cant remember the name or exactly how it goes. Been awhile since I wore out any break up songs. Guess I should count my blessings. And To get outta the pitty pot I loved " The next time you cheat" you know the one about "I carved my name on the side of your little red swooped up 4-wheel drive."

Posted at 11:07AM on Aug 24th 2009 by julieannhale13

29. Erotic but not pornographic......Sexy but not scandalous
......Merry and not indecent......
Bad site good place :http://www.Sugarloves.Com !!!!!
Hidden bitterness Girls, ,Merry suaveMen!! click it!! WWWonderful Is it wrong for a rich andsuccessful man to have a sugar baby? is it right that he falls in love with a graceful and charming girl?

Posted at 11:18PM on Sep 7th 2009 by pinky

30. I listened to I'm sorry by the veer union and Let it go by Cavo when I had my breakup those are a couple of good songs they just aren't old school like most of the list.

Posted at 10:26PM on Sep 10th 2009 by Adam

31. How about "how it Going to be" by third eye blind? Just listen to that one

Posted at 10:01PM on Sep 14th 2009 by yo

32. "Let it Burn" by Usher really has me reminiscing!

Posted at 4:21PM on Sep 24th 2009 by encrayton07

33. What about "Changes" by Yes?

Posted at 11:44AM on Sep 25th 2009 by mysticalfairy45

34. I think that "Open Arms, by Journey, should be applIED to the break up songs, please give it some consideration. thank you. KATTIE

Posted at 10:50PM on Sep 25th 2009 by katherine cox

35. not sure of the spelling but how about it's over now by roxcet. that is a real tear jerker.

Posted at 12:25PM on Sep 26th 2009 by matthew

36. how bout dis all dese songs r LAME nd WACK u all need sum mario nd maxwell on dis thingy 4 breakup songs.

Posted at 11:28PM on Sep 26th 2009 by Killa

37. Nothing compares 2 you is my ultimate fav..

Posted at 10:01PM on Sep 27th 2009 by Brittany

38. How about Pearl Jam's Black? "I know someday you'll have a beautiful life, I know you'll be a star; in someone else's sky! But why? Why can't it be mine?" It defines high school love in the early 90's!

Posted at 5:24PM on Sep 29th 2009 by David

39. on my own patty la belle& Michael mcdonald and
heart breaker Dionne Warwick

Posted at 8:35AM on Sep 29th 2009 by joyce thomason

40. Unbreak my Heart by Toni Braxton

Posted at 9:51AM on Sep 29th 2009 by bond

41. UNBREAK MY HEART-----------TONI BRAXTON

Posted at 9:46AM on Sep 29th 2009 by bond

42. PLEASE!! The ultimate breakup song of all time.... Elvis Presley, " It's Over" !!!!

Posted at 11:31AM on Sep 29th 2009 by kimmysue

43. For No One by The Beatles. 'Nuff said.

Posted at 1:01PM on Sep 29th 2009 by BeatleJEB

44. "He stopped loving her today"

Posted at 1:28PM on Sep 29th 2009 by acadio

45. Lest we forget "one less bell to answer"

too far back?

Posted at 3:49PM on Sep 29th 2009 by Es

46. "Can't Stand Losin' You" The Police
"I'd Rather Slash My Wrists and Cut My Throat Than Spend the Night with You" Tuffdarts
"Talk to You Later" The Tubes (she won't even miss me when she's gone, that's okay with me, I'll cry later on)(I don't mean to be cruel, but, I'm finished with you)
"Tired of Waitin' for You" The Kinks
and the hits keep comin'...

Posted at 9:14PM on Sep 29th 2009 by Oldman

47. "Glad to See You Go" The Ramones

Posted at 9:20PM on Sep 29th 2009 by Oldman

48. "I Used to Love Her, But I Had to Kill Her" Guns'n'Roses... I think that counts

Posted at 9:27PM on Sep 29th 2009 by Oldman

49. "Sylvia's Mother" Doctor Hook (Please Mrs. Avery, I've got to talk to her/ I'll only keep her awhile/ Please Mrs. Avery I just got to tell her/ "Good-bye"

Posted at 9:42PM on Sep 29th 2009 by Oldman

50. toby keith, "would have lost you anyway"

Posted at 11:26PM on Sep 29th 2009 by jwg

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