Looking for feel good breakup songs? Empowering breakup songs that actually lift you up when you’re feeling down? Then you’re in the right place! Here’s 21 songs you MUST listen to after a breakup to help you feel good again! Get ready to spruce up your breakup playlist with these unbeatable uplifting breakup songs…
21 Empowering Breakup Songs You Must Listen To
So let’s jump straight in, shall we? Here’s 21 songs you must add to your breakup playlist if you want to feel strong, confident and empowered. In no particular order, we’ve got:
1) I Will Survive
This is an absolute CLASSIC of a song. It’s old, very well-known but so powerful, especially when you really listen to the lyrics.
It’s also a “sing your heart out” kind of song which is great for feeling your emotions in order to release them after a breakup.
At first I was afraid, I was petrified
Thinking I could live without you by my side
And after spending nights
Thinking how you did me wrong
I grew strong
And I learned how to get along… ✊
2) Since You’ve Been Gone
Another feel good sing-your-heart-out song you MUST listen to after a breakup is, of course, Since You’ve Been Gone. It’s uplifting, empowering and certainly another classic.
Whether you feel this way right now or not, it certainly encourages you to feel better after a breakup.
But since you been gone…
I can breathe for the first time
I’m so moving on, yeah, yeah
Thanks to you
Now I get what I want
Since you been gone.
3) Shout Out To My Ex
Next up, we’ve got Shout Out To My Ex, by Little Mix. It’s fun, upbeat and definitely one of the best feel good breakup songs around…
Especially if you’ve been with someone who’s treated you badly. You’re basically saying, “you know what, I won’t let this beat me!” (Which we totally love and are 100% here for!)
Here’s to my ex, hey, look at me now
Well, I, I’m all the way up
I swear you’ll never bring me down
Shout out to my ex, you’re really quite the man
You made my heart break and that made me who I am
Here’s to my ex, hey, look at me now
Well, I’m, I’m all the way up
I swear you’ll never, you’ll never bring me down.
4) Gives You Hell
Next up, it’s Gives You Hell and okay, maybe it’s not the most empowering breakup song, but it IS a feel good breakup song, as it’s REAL…
You’re not being bitter or seeking revenge… You’re just angry and upset… And that’s relatable, and totally OKAY at the early breakup stage.
Gives You Hell is still an upbeat and fun song to sing along too, and will help a lot if you’re struggling to deal with your anger after a breakup.
Let it out, let all the hurt out, and lift your own mood!
When you see my face, hope it gives you hell, hope it gives you hell.
When you walk my way, hope it gives you hell, hope it gives you hell.
5) Shake It Out
Another empowering song to sing after a breakup is Shake It Out by Florence and the Machine.
It’s another song you can well-and-truly sing your heart out to, with simple words but a powerful message.
Just shake it out. Let it out. Let it go!
So tonight I’m gonna cut it out and then restart
‘Cause I like to keep my issues drawn
It’s always darkest before the dawn
Shake it out, shake it out
6) … Thank u, Next
On the flip side, if you’re looking for empowering breakup songs with more of a chilled vibe, Thank U, Next has got you covered.
The message of this song is incredibly important, but it’s the kind of breakup song you can just play in the background.
See as hard as breakups are, they do provide invaluable learning experiences, and so this song helps to remind you of that and put things into perspective.
One taught me love
One taught me patience
And one taught me pain
Now, I’m so amazing
Say I’ve loved and I’ve lost
But that’s not what I see
So, look what I got
Look at what you taught me
And for that, I say
Thank you, next (next)
Thank you, next (next)
Thank you, next
I’m so grateful for my ex
7) Take a Bow
Another empowering breakup song is undoubtably Take a Bow, because – despite being a little sad – it’s strong and very badass.
Rhianna sings about a guy who’s done her wrong but makes it very clear – she’s not taking him back.
This can help you accept your relationship is over, and accept the mistreatment that you may have gone through, too.
The song’s basically saying – look what YOU’VE done. It’s you, not me.
I like this one a lot, as it’s another breakup song that you can really sing your heart out to, which helps to release your emotions instead of repressing them.
And sure, it may make you cry a little but it’s still a STRONG, empowering song about going through it, but accepting it, and not blaming yourself.
You know the truth, but hey – YOU take a bow as this is on YOU.
And don’t tell me you’re sorry ’cause you’re not
Baby when I know you’re only sorry you got caught
But you put on quite a show
You really had me goin’
But now it’s time to go
Curtain’s finally closin’
That was quite a show
Very entertaining
But it’s over now
(But it’s over now)
Go on and take a bow
8) New Rules
What other feel good breakup songs have we got? Well, New Rules is pretty good.
It’s cool, catchy and actually includes some important reminders, like why you can’t be friends with your ex and that you shouldn’t call or text!
One, don’t pick up the phone
You know he’s only calling ’cause he’s drunk and alone
Two, don’t let him in
You’ll have to kick him out again
Three, don’t be his friend
You know you’re gonna wake up in his bed in the morning
And if you’re under him
You ain’t getting over him
I got new rules, I count ’em
9) Flowers
Another feel good breakup song that’s not always seen as a breakup song, is Flowers.
This “bad boy” will not only get you through the breakup itself, but help to keep you on track when you’re learning how to be happily single too.
Started to cry, but then remembered I
I can buy myself flowers
Write my name in the sand
Talk to myself for hours
Say things you don’t understand
I can take myself dancing
And I can hold my own hand
Yeah, I can love me better than you can…
10) Irreplaceable
We’re coming to the half way mark for the very best songs to listen to after a breakup, and so, we HAVE to bring out one from the Queen, Beyonce.
Beyonce has many badass empowering songs to listen to, but Irreplaceable is an especially good fit when looking for breakup songs.
After all, how many times has your ex said, “you’ll never find someone like me again!” (Only sometimes – that’s a good thing!)
So come move your bags, let me call you a cab
Standing in the front yard
Tellin’ me, how I’m such a fool
Talkin’ ’bout, I’ll never ever find a man like you
You got me twisted
You must not know about me, you must not know about me
I could have another you in a minute
Matter of fact, he’ll be here in a minute, baby
You must not know about me, you must not know about me
I can have another you by tomorrow
So don’t you ever for a second get to thinking…
You’re irreplaceable!
11) Rolling In The Deep
Keeping with the Queens of music, we’ve got to throw in a breakup song of Adele’s.
Adele writes a lot about love and heartbreak, but we especially like this one, as instead of sounding sad, it’s more fiery and about the rage and frustration.
Adele’s angry that “we could have had it all” and this is relatable as it’s tough starting over, thinking of what could have been.
Singing along to this, in turn, makes you feel good; even if you’re struggling to get over your ex because you still love them.
(You’re going to wish you, never had met me.)
We could have had it all (Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep.)
12) Before He Cheats
Another breakup song full of rage is Before He Cheats, and this is – well – for those who have been cheated on.
Again, it’s not sad or full or pity, but instead, all about the anger, making it helpful to sing along to, to help you release it!
… Just maybe stick to SINGING this one, as oppose to following the words and acting on them!
13) Look At Her Now
From breakup songs which bring out the raw emotions of the hurt and pain early on, to empowering breakup songs that are reflective and looking back months / years on…
Look At her Now isn’t really a sing your heart out empowering breakup song, but if you just want it in the background as you’re getting ready, it works a treat!
(It’s good to have a balance right?! And this shows you, you won’t always feel this way… You will learn and grow from the breakup and in turn – look back, feeling thankful.)
Of course she was sad
But now she’s glad she dodged a bullet (mm)
Took a few years to soak up the tears
But look at her now, watch her go
14) We Are Never Getting Back Together
It’s time for a badass breakup song from Swifty now then and what better song than We Are Never Getting Back Together? The title says it all.
It doesn’t matter if your ex is becoming interested again, sing those words again and again – “we are never getting back together!”
But ooh, this time I’m telling you, I’m telling you
We are never ever ever getting back together
We are never ever ever getting back together
You go talk to your friends, talk to my friends, talk to me
But we are never ever ever ever getting back together
Like, ever.
15) Get Out
On a similar note, Get Out is another empowering breakup song that reiterates – it’s over, done.
With this song, there’s still heart, betrayal and pain. But there’s also confidence and clarity with it too.
Get out (leave) right now
It’s the end of you and me
It’s too late (now) and I can’t wait for you to be gone
‘Cause I know about her (who?)
And I wonder (why?) how I bought all the lies
You said that you would treat me right
But you was just a waste of time (waste of time)
16) Stronger
Next up, it’s Stronger and boy does this feel good breakup song make you feel stronger!
It’s the perfect badass breakup song if you’re looking to build emotional stability and become resilient.
It’s also a reminder that everyone goes through similar things too… You’re not alone!
There’s nothing you can do or say, baby
I’ve had enough
I’m not your property as from today, baby
You might think that I won’t make it on my own
But now I’m
Stronger than yesterday
Now it’s nothing but my way
My loneliness ain’t killing me no more
I, I’m stronger
Then I ever thought that I could be, baby
17) Life Goes On
Sticking with those post-breakup reflections, there’s Life Goes On by LeAnn Rimes.
After all, as hard as it is – life really does go on after a breakup, and so it’s an important reminder to put things back into perspective.
Feel like your ex is testing you? Then listen to the lyrics and you’ll know what to do… “If you fool me once, shame on you. If you fool me twice, shame on me.”
Shame on you, if you fool me once
Shame on me, if you fool me twice
But you’ve been a pretty hard case to crack
I should’ve known better but I didn’t and I can’t go back
Oh life goes on and it’s only gonna make me strong
It’s a fact, once you get on board say good-bye
‘Cause you can’t go back oh it’s a fight
And I really wanna get it right where I’m at
It’s my life before me and this feelin’ that I can go back
18) Good 4 U
What else have we got? Well, Good 4 U has to come into the feel good breakup songs.
At first glance, looking at the lyrics, you’d think it was a sad breakup song but it’s NOT because it’s upbeat, fun and feels incredibly good to sing along to.
Olivia’s a little sarcastic with her words; angry even. Sure there’s pain, it’s still all a little raw, but it’s the perfect breakup song to sing along to if your ex moved on quickly and you’re trying to process it.
Well, good for you, I guess you moved on really easily
You found a new girl, and it only took a couple weeks
Remember when you said that you wanted to give me the world? (World)
And good for you, I guess that you’ve been working on yourself
I guess that therapist I found for you, she really helped
19) Tears Dry On Their Own
Another sad breakup song that isn’t as sad as you’d think because again – it feels good to sing to, is Tears Dry On Their Own.
In fact, this has got to be one of the most empowering breakup songs because of the powerful voice and grit that goes with it!
I cannot play myself again
I should just be my own best friend
Not fuck myself in the head with stupid men
… He walks away
The sun goes down
He takes the day, but I’m grown
And in your grey
In this cool shade
My tears dry on their own (tears dry on their own)
20) Survivor
Another sing your heart out empowering breakup song is Survivor.
And hey, it’s not STRICTLY a breakup song, but breakups are really something you have to survive, so we’d certainly class it as one!
I’m a survivor
I’m not gon’ give up
I’m not gon’ stop
I’m gon’ work harder
I’m a survivor
I’m gonna make it
I will survive
Keep on survivin’
21) Blow Me (One Last Kiss)
Last but not least, the perfect breakup song to finish on, is Blow Me One Last Kiss by Pink.
Watch the video, really listen to the lyrics and feel it… 🫶
I think that life’s too short for this
Want back my ignorance and bliss
I think I’ve had enough of this
Blow me one last kiss
That’s All For This One
So there we have it, that rounds up our top 21 feel good break up songs, that are actually quite empowering!
Remember, there’s an increasing amount of evidence that singing releases endorphins, serotonin and dopamine – the ‘happy’ chemicals that will genuinely help you feel better after a breakup.
So don’t underestimate the power of having a good old sing – especially to empowering breakup songs like this.
Turn up the music, let all of those emotions out and feel the release, my friends!
It may not fix everything, but it can certainly help in the moment.
Take care and remember – this will get easier.
Love,
Ell_xx