I think it’s safe to say we’ve all been dumped before, some more than others, but if you’re like me, you turn to music for everything from good days and bad days– and let’s face it, there are a hell of a lot of break-up songs.  I’m going through a breakup myself with someone who’s married (scandalous– I know), and while I don’t know any songs that particularly cater to my brand of heartache, here are some of my personal choices for a perfect break-up playlist for those unlucky-in-loves (what up Jennifer Aniston?).  Leave any of your favs I might have missed in the comments section!

Janet Jackson - Again
While Miss Jackson was coming of age, so were her lyrics, moving from dance medleys and naive rhyme patterns into vulnerability and raw emotion with lines like “if I ever fall in love .. again”

Allure - All Cried Out
This 90’s ballad is one of those songs you don’t know, until you hear it.  The “oh yeahhhhhh!” factor.

Tori Amos - Tear In Your Hand
There’s not a lot you can say about Tori.  From her violent past (including sexual assault) and atonement to feminism, you get nothing but biting emotion here.

The Beatles - Let It Be
Classic break-up song from the group that revolutionized the contemporary pop ballad.

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10cc - I’m Not In Love
A haunting melody from this mid-80’s synth-pop group that examines that self-denial we all love to hate (or hate to love) after a breakup.

Patsy Cline - I Fall to Pieces

“How can I be just your friend” sung with such emotion sums up that sting we all feel when we get the “but we can still be friends right?” line.

Prince - I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man
Prince’s classic answer to one night stands that wanted it to be more, whether he/she had a significant other or not.

Blondie - Heart of Glass
This 80’s classic isn’t always thought of as a break-up song, but with the legendary lyric “Once I had a love, and it was a blast– soon turned out, had a heart of glass,” how could I overlook it?

The Police - King of Pain
A tale of a tortured soul who can’t seem to find love - a fable of the glutton for punishment, from arguably the 80’s greatest band.

Billie Holiday - Gloomy Sunday
Who knew heartache better than Miss Holiday herself?  From childhood sexual abuse, to bouncing around from orphanages and foster homes, drug abuse, and failed marriages, there’s a reason why she single-handedly defined the blues while remaining the jazziest broad of her generation. This is an amazing song.

Aaliyah - The One I Gave My Heart To
Before this song, Aaliyah was widely regarded as the princess in her crew of peas, the girl who wasn’t quite hood, but knew how to throw down on party records with her honey-dew-sweet melodies.  “How could the one I gave my heart to, make me feel so bad?” is something we’ve all asked ourselves at some point.

The Rolling Stones - It’s All Over Now
Classic break-up finality from Mick and the boys.

me’shell n’degeocello - Fool of Me
One of the most raw, gut-wrenching, and interesting break-up songs.  Picture yourself at your lowest, curled up in the fetal position, and you’ll have a glimmer of an idea what n’degeocello was going through writing this song.

Amy Winehouse - Back to Black
The most interesting songwriter of our generation, there’s no need to sum up Miss Winehouse’s journey into complete darkness.  Hopefully this won’t be one of her last songs to remember her by.

Lauryn Hill - Ex-Factor
Classic Fugee’s vibe from Miss Hill’s breakout debut album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill it chronicled her feelings after splitting from friend and collaborator Wyclef Jean.

The Platters - The Great Pretender
Even Motown girls knew how to tell tales of misguided intent.

Alanis Morisette - You Oughta Know
She used to be a pop singer - a pretty good one at that, until she broke up with Dave Coulier (yes, from Full House!) and she created the consumate anthem for all bitter ex-girlfriends (”are you thinking of me when you f*ck her?!)

Bon Jovi - You Give Love a Bad Name
“Shot through the heart, and you’re too blame.  You give love a bad name.”  ‘Nuf said!

Bill Withers - I Don’t Want You On My Mind
From the man who defined lonely-on-the-porch R&B, he puts into melody so perfectly the torture of having an ex hanging around, mentally at least.

Beyonce - Irreplacable
Probably the greatest female-empowering breakup anthem (aside from Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive”) to ever hit the ears.

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