Top 10 Best Revenge Breakup Songs
#10: “Shakira: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53” (2023) Bizarrap & Shakira
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In 2022, Shakira and her husband, Gerard Piqué, announced their separation, allegedly due to the soccer player’s infidelity. Shakira channeled her emotions into music and released this scathing breakup song with plenty of potshots at her ex and his new girlfriend. As well as hinting that his new beau is a significant downgrade, she also references her former mother-in-law, the relentless media, and blames Piqué for her recent tax evasion scandal. It’s the perfect balance between diss track and empowerment anthem and broke YouTube records for Latin music, with more than 63 million views in just 24 hours. Shakira comes for her ex, and she comes for him hard. It’s savage, and we’re here for it.
#9: “Since U Been Gone” (2004) Kelly Clarkson
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Does anyone else feel the rage bubbling inside them when this song begins? We’ve been Kelly Clarkson stans since “American Idol,” but we adored her even more when she released this relatable thrashy banger about what happens when a good relationship turns bad. Hearing her sing out her anger with such vigor and watching her trash an apartment in the music video is surprisingly cathartic. On the one hand, we feel the rage; on the other hand, she’s celebrating the freedom of ending a soured relationship. This sentiment and the infectious rhythm made “Since U Been Gone” a timeless classic. It also earned her several awards, including a Grammy. Stick that in your ex’s face.
#8: “Shout out to My Ex” (2016) Little Mix
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When Little Mix released this catchy post-breakup, girl power anthem, we all side-eyed One Direction’s Zayn Malik, who had recently called off his engagement to band member Perrie Edwards. The first verse, sung by Edwards, is filled with shade, like referencing the duration of the relationship and calling out how quickly the former lover moved on. The group has all but denied these speculations; Edwards even claimed that since so many breakup songs are sad, they just wanted to release something empowering. The song is a perfect reminder that life and love are filled with learning experiences, and you should always strive to live it to the fullest. Plus, did we mention it’s a tune?
#7: “Love Yourself” (2015) Justin Bieber
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Jelena famously dated on and off for much of the 2010s and could easily release a joint album of songs they allegedly wrote about each other. Among the most notable is Beiber’s “Love Yourself,” co-written by Ed Sheeran. Some fans speculated that the title was inspired by Gomez’s tattoo, which reads “Love yourself first” in Arabic. The lyrics are incredibly biting and completely slander its intended subject. Whoever he’s singing about, it’s clear that this relationship did not end amicably. Still, the narrator wants that person to know that although they acknowledge the tumultuous relationship, they’re already over it. In 2019, Gomez seemingly responded, declaring she needed to “Lose You To Love Me.”
#6: “Cry Me a River” (2002) Justin Timberlake
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Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears were the IT couple of the late 90s and early 00s pop music scene. They broke up in 2002, the same year Timberlake released this song about getting cheated on and wanting revenge. The singer shared that he was so mad about the alleged infidelity between Spears and choreographer Wade Robson that it took him just two hours to pen the track. There’s even a Britney look-alike in the music video as if we needed more convincing. Supposedly, Britney responded with her 2004 hit “Everytime,” which is about asking for forgiveness. However, she has since accused him of exploiting their relationship and breakup to further his career.
#5: “Flowers” (2023) Miley Cyrus
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In 2019, Cyrus released "Slide Away," a somber reflection on her split from Liam Hemsworth. However, her 2023 jam "Flowers" put a more upbeat spin on the situation while celebrating self-love and self-care. It's also filled with easter eggs, from a possible reference to the 2018 Woolsey fire that burned down their home to shooting the music video in the house where Hemsworth allegedly cheated on her. Also, she released it on his 33rd birthday; now that's pretty savage. The song also seems to sample another iconic "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor, which shares a similar message. "Flowers" is a major earworm and so brilliant; it's essentially a masterclass in breakup songs.
#4: “So What” Pink (2008)
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Sometimes after a breakup, we have a strong desire to be petty AF. Usually, a little voice in our heads will talk us out of it, but this song proves that sometimes pettiness is the most freeing outlet. Okay, we don’t condone following Pink’s example to a tee, but you get what we mean. “So What,” co-penned by Pink, Shellback, and Max Martin, was inspired by the singer’s separation from former ex Carey Hart. He even stars in the music video since they were already back together by the time of its release. Still, it’s a cheeky, irreverent number about proving that you don’t need that person to live your best life.
#3: “You Oughta Know” (1995) Alanis Morissette
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Since its release in the mid-90s, fans have speculated who this song might be about. Names like Ryan Reynolds, Matt LeBlanc, Leslie Howe, and Mike Peluso have all been thrown into the mix. However, “Full House” actor Dave Coulier thinks “You Oughta Know” that it might be about him since she released it not long after they broke up. He doesn’t seem to know for sure, but he’s revealed that he can hear aspects of their relationship reflected in the song’s lyrics. Meanwhile, Morisette has no plans to spill the beans on the track’s intended subject. Still, this is a great song to listen to when you’re particularly enraged and need to let it all out.
#2: Much of Taylor Swift’s Discography Taylor Swift
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TSwift is no stranger to heartbreak. She famously channels her emotions into music, giving us a plethora of relatable heartache songs. From the peppy “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” the edgier “I Knew You Were Trouble,” to the rockier “Would've, Could've, Should've,” and countless others, there are too many unforgettable options to choose just one. Some of her tracks are more subtle and cryptic, like “All Too Well,” while others are self-explanatory, like “Dear John.” You can find a TayTay song for every emotion you’ve ever felt while going through or healing from a breakup. Incidentally, it’s rumored that she may be the subject of John Mayer’s “Paper Doll” and the Jonas Brothers’ “Paranoid.” Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. “Irreplaceable” (2006), Beyoncé This Track Is “Irreplaceable” in Our Post-Breakup Empowerment Playlist “Before He Cheats” (2005), Carrie Underwood Cheaters Suck, but We Don’t Commend Property Damage; However Compelling This Song Is “Triggered” (2019), Jhené Aiko Aiko Released the Song Shortly after Her Breakup with Big Sean “Rolling in the Deep” (2010), Adele Inspired by the End of Her “First Real Relationship” “Perfect Illusion” (2016), Lady Gaga Reportedly about Her Ex-Fiancé Taylor Kinney
#1: “You're So Vain” (1972) Carly Simon
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Which of Simon’s exes are so vain they probably think this song is about them? Could it have been Mick Jagger? Perhaps James Taylor? Or maybe it was David Cassidy or David Bowie? For decades, she’s been teasing us with little hints here and there, but she’s still not ready to spill the tea entirely. However, she has revealed that the second verse is about Warren Beatty and jokingly added that he thinks the entire song is about him. Mystery man (or men) aside, this is arguably Simon’s most synonymous track and a total earworm. Plus, who doesn’t love a song telling some arrogant ex that he’s not all that and needs to get over himself?
