At The Split, we believe in the healing power of a breakup anthem. Whether you are sobbing into a pillow or indulging in a bout of dramatic wallowing, we’ve compiled a list of our favourite, painstaking breakup ballads for your listening pleasure.
Belt them in the car, cry in the shower, and embrace the melodrama. Then remember, life goes on. No matter how gut-wrenching these songs are, nothing is ever that serious.
A link to our full playlist for your listening pleasure. Be warned, not for the faint of heart.
Silver Springs, Fleetwood Mac, 1994
There’s no one quite as delusional as our queen Stevie. If your questionable behaviour at first goes unnoticed, threaten that you’ll follow him until your voice haunts him, remind him that he won’t ever forget you, and in between each hex, beg for just one more chance. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. Watch out, Lindsay, she’s behind you
The Winner Takes It All, ABBA, 1982
Fling your scarf (and your inhibitions) into the void, and with a raspy croak, ask every question you never want the answer to. Bargain with the gods, put words in his mouth, and take the time to victimize yourself. Don’t forget to apologise if it makes them feel bad; everyone gets to be a manipulator at least once in their lives.
I Know It’s Over, The Smiths, 1986
It is so easy to laugh. It is so easy to hate. It takes strength to be gentle and kind. Morrissey, go ahead, drop the mic on this one. I’ll go cry in the loo.
Nothing compares 2 U, Sinéad O’Connor, 1990
Oh, Sinéad. Didn’t anyone ever tell you that comparison is the thief of all joy? Going out every night and sleeping all day sounds pretty good to me.
Everybody Hurts, R.E.M., 1992
Everybody hurts. Everybody cries. Everybody develops an obsession with their ex’s new partner’s mum’s Facebook posts. Just me?
Lover, You Should’ve Come Over, Jeff Buckley, 1994
It’s never over, but when it is, Jeff Buckley will be there to serenade you with the reminder that it will not get better. The bed will stay cold, the open window will let the rain in, and sometimes all you need is to lie down in the shower and beg for a second, third, maybe fifteenth chance. Cheers, Jeff.
The Scientist, Coldplay, 2002
There’s nothing quite like a man admitting he was wrong and watching him chase his tail in pursuit of forgiveness. Mr Martin, what ever did they teach you at boarding school? If emotional maturity is part of the curriculum, do they take over 18s? Nobody said it was easy, but surely it can’t be this hard.
If I Were a Boy, Beyoncé, 2008
Miss Carter, there is no man on the planet (Jay-Z included) that can compete with your vengeful genius. If I were a boy, I would never drink beer with the guys. I don’t have time for that when the gender pay gap exists (I’m 6′ 7″, btw).
Someone Like You, Adele, 2011
If only Adele had consulted a friend before she showed up at her married ex-boyfriend’s door after years of no contact, she might not have been so disappointed when he slammed the door. It’s good to have an ideal man in mind, perhaps some memories for the daydream, but let’s not resort to homewrecking. You know how the time flies; you’ll get over it.
The Night We Met, Lord Huron, 2015
This one is a back draw. Lock it up, throw away the key, and only, I mean ONLY, retrieve it if you are a diehard fan of masochism. Gut-wrenching stuff. Take me back to the night before I knew this song… or the night that this song didn’t know me.
Angels Like You, Miley Cyrus, 2020
They say that misery loves company; maybe that’s why Miley hung around with Liam for so long. Miley is a boss, and the self-flagellating poetry and husky vocals (although slander to her name) remind us that even the greatest of us haggle with self-deprecation at the hands of a fragile man-boy.