Top 10 Songs for...Overcoming Heartbreak

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Whether you're new to the Heartbreak Hotel, or you're a returning visitor, this playlist will hopefully help you get an early check-out.

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10. Heartbreak Anthem - Galantis, David Guetta and Little Mix

In my opinion, EDM is the musical equivalent of caffeine, giving you a sudden energy boost when you most need it. This Little Mix hit is more accurately an anti-heartbreak anthem, summed up by the opening lines - “Hello, it’s me, your ex/I called to say not sorry but I wish you the best”. It has the overarching message of ‘Que sera sera’, for anyone needing reassurance that, no matter how bad it seems, everything’s going to be okay. MM

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9. Meant to Be - Bebe Rexha ft. Florida Georgia Line

So putting a love song about how people are meant to be together seems a bit counter-intuitive for helping you recover from heartbreak. However, I think this song could be the reminder you need to restore your faith in love. If you’ve been through a particularly tough break up you’re probably having some pretty strong feelings against love and relationships – but the chorus line of this song, "If it’s meant to be, it’ll be" assures you that things happen for a reason. Sure heartbreak hurts for now, but it's all part of the journey to meeting that person with whom it's 'Meant to Be'. DD

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8. Paranoid - Kanye West ft. Mr Hudson

Appearing on Kanye’s hugely underrated Auto-Tune album, 808s & Heartbreak, this song is one of the more upbeat tracks on the project. The verses are directed at someone who is struggling with their self-esteem because of a bad break-up. In typical Kanye fashion, he tells them to stop worrying so much about what people are thinking, and to just go out and cut loose. It can sometimes feel like a competition as to who’s handling the break-up the best, and this song just reminds you not to get trapped by that mindset - “You heard about all the word of mouth/Don’t worry ‘bout what we can’t control”. MM

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7. Karma - MOD SUN

The brilliant opening to MOD SUN’s ‘Internet Killed the Rockstar’; ‘Karma’ can be just the reassurance you need. Opening with MOD wishing a string of poor fate onto his former lover for all the times he was mistreated it really demonstrates some of the frustration and anger that can come with heartbreak, particularly if you were wronged in the process. The reassuring part of the song is that after listing all the things he wishes on his former lover MOD takes pleasure in singing "Karma’s a bitch, I heard" before a repeated chant of "What goes around comes around." If you’ve been hurt, this song is just the reminder you need that the world has wonderful ways of making sure people get their comeuppance. DD

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6. Everglow - Coldplay

After Chris Martin’s very public split from Gwyneth Paltrow, either party could’ve been forgiven for lashing out or holding onto some resentment - you know, regular heartbreak stuff. But Martin seems to have an incredible (and almost annoying) level of emotional stability that makes me think he might be secretly teaching meditation classes to the Dalai Lama in his spare time. ‘Everglow’ is all about feeling grateful that the two people got to experience so much life together, rather than lamenting the fact that it’s over. MM

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5. Carrie Underwood - Before he Cheats

This song is the fantasy for those who have been cheated on. Whilst in the real world acts of vengeful violence aren’t the answer, it doesn’t mean we can’t dream, right? This resilient anthem describes in beautiful detail the meticulously planned damage that Carrie will exact on her ex’s pride and joy: his car. "I dug my key into the side of his pretty little souped-up-four-wheel drive, Carved my name into his leather seat, I took a Louisville slugger to both headlights, I slashed a hole in all four tyres, Maybe next time he’ll think before he cheats." You know what? I think he just might. DD

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4. Next Girl - Carly Pearce

Similarly to Chris and Gwyneth, this song was written in the aftermath of a celebrity divorce. In this Country equivalent of a diss-track, Pearce warns her ex’s current partner to beware of the ways he draws you in and then subsequently ruins the relationship. This song is ideal for anyone suffering from a recent break-up, where the emotions are raw and you’re still hurting - ‘Next Girl’ channels this frustration in a playful way. MM

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3. Good 4 U - Olivia Rodrigo

There are a number of songs from Olivia Rodrigo’s ‘Sour’ album that could have made the cut, but this is by far my favourite. Providing all the aggression, bitterness and resentment that a break-up has to offer this song will get you through hard times (you’ll get this reference very soon). Harking back to early Paramore or Avril Lavigne; Olivia Rodrigo channels all her frustration at how easy it was for her ex to move on and find someone new while she still struggles to get past the initial break-up. The video is great too, showing Rodrigo channel her crazy side could be just the boost you need to really get rid of some of those negative feelings. DD
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2. I Was On A Boat That Day - Old Dominion

This song is way too fun to really be called a heartbreak song - it’s all about enjoying yourself so much on a boat that you barely notice the fact that your partner is leaving you. It’s hardly realistic, of course, but during a break-up some light relief can be the perfect tonic to all the seriousness. Old Dominion’s light-hearted tone is ideal for this (“Was she laughing, was she crying/As she walked away?/I can’t say/I was on a boat that day”). MM

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1. Sex (Acoustic) - The 1975

So this song is pretty good in its fast paced original, but in its slowed down acoustic it’s hauntingly beautiful. This won’t be the track that gets you fired up and ready to move on but it will be the cathartic crutch that helps you confront your emotions. The song tells the story of the other man; the protagonist being the lover of a woman who is already in a relationship. The heartbreak comes when we learn that he has fallen completely in love with this woman and despite his numerous attempts to open up to her she sees him as nothing more than a meaningless physical affair. The lyrics tell the unrequited love story perfectly, and couple this with Matty Healey’s stunning acoustic vocals and you’ve got one of the masterpieces of heartbreak. My description really doesn’t do it justice so make sure you listen to the song! DD
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