Breakups suck, but they sting a little bit less when you've got some soulful musicians who somehow always put your exact feelings into the perfect song. Whether you just broke up with your sweetheart or just dig angry, empowering breakup anthems like we do, we've got 15 of our personal favorites to fuel your obsession.
1. "Since U Been Gone," Kelly Clarkson
Perfect for: That moment when you realize what a relief it is to be done with your relationship
Lyrics to remember: "But since you've been gone I can breathe for the first time. I'm so movin' on, yeah yeah. Thanks to you now I get what I want. Since you've been gone."
2. "I Will Always Love You," Whitney Houston
Perfect for: The breakup that ends amicably
Lyrics to remember: "I hope life treats you kind. And I hope you'll have all you've dreamed of. And I wish to you, joy and happiness. But above all this, I wish you love. And I will always love you."
3. "Don't Speak," No Doubt
Perfect for: When you realize you're about to break up but aren't quite ready
Lyrics to remember: "Don't speak, I know just what you're saying. So please stop explaining, don't tell me 'cause it hurts. Don't speak, I know what you're thinking. I don't need your reasons. Don't tell me 'cause it hurts."
4. "Part of Me," Katy Perry
Perfect for: Helping you realize you're so much stronger on your own
Lyrics to remember: "Now look at me I'm sparkling, a firework, a dancing' flame. You won't ever put me out again, I'm glowing. So you can keep the diamond ring, it don't mean nothing anyway.
In fact you can keep everything, yeah, yeah, yeah except for me!"5. "Dreaming With a Broken Heart," John Mayer
Perfect for: That brief moment we all experience when we wake up and forget we just broke up with our best friend
Lyrics to remember: "When you're dreaming with a broken heart, the giving up is the hardest part. She takes you in with her crying eyes, then all at once, you have to say goodbye."
6. "Single Ladies," Beyoncé
Perfect for: The pleasure of knowing that it's totally his loss, not yours
Lyrics to remember: "Cause if you liked it, then you should have put a ring on it. If you liked it, then you shoulda put a ring on it. Don't be mad once you see that he want it. 'Cause if you liked it, then you shoulda put a ring on it"
7. "Shake It Off," Mariah Carey
Perfect for: Encouraging you to find a guy who will treat you so much better
Lyrics to remember: "I gotta shake you off, gotta make that move. Find somebody who appreciates all the love I give."
8. "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together," Taylor Swift
Perfect for: When you're just so over this breakup and need it to end already
Lyrics to remember: "Uggg… so he calls me up and he's like, 'I still love you,' And I'm like... 'I just... I mean this is exhausting, you know, like, We are never getting back together. Like, ever.'"
9. "Bye Bye Bye," 'N Sync
Perfect for: Telling his sorry a** it's over
Lyrics to remember: "Bye bye. Don't want to be a fool for you, just another player in your game for two. You may hate me but it ain't no lie baby bye bye bye. Bye bye. Don't want to make it tough. I just want to tell you that I've had enough. It might sound crazy but it ain't no lie baby bye bye bye."
10. "Wrecking Ball," Miley Cyrus
Perfect for: When you just need to cry for a sec post-breakup
Lyrics to remember: "I came in like a wrecking ball. I never hit so hard in love. All I wanted was to break your walls. All you ever did was break me. Yeah, you wreck me"
11. "Cry Me a River," Justin Timberlake
Perfect for: Contemplating how sweet revenge really is
Lyrics to remember: "You told me you loved me. Why did you leave me all alone? Now you tell me you need me when you call me on the phone. But girl I refuse you must have me confused with some other guy, the bridges were burned and now it's your turn to cry. Cry me a river."
12. "Stronger," Britney Spears
Perfect for: Feeling totally liberated and free from all the drama
Lyrics to remember: "Hush, just stop. 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."
13. "Fighter," Christina Aguilera
Perfect for: The lady who comes out totally on top and so much stronger, despite a toxic relationship
Lyrics to remember: "Made me learn a little bit faster, made my skin a little bit thicker, makes me that much smarter. So thanks for making me a fighter"
14. "Set Fire to the Rain," Adele
Perfect for: A bitter post-breakup cry session
Lyrics to remember: "But there's a side to you that I never knew, never knew. All the things you'd say, they were never true, never true. And the games you'd play, you would always win, always win."
15. "Burn," Usher
Perfect for: The breakup you knew was coming but that didn't make it any less painful
Lyrics to remember: "I know this is something I gotta do, but that don't mean I want to. What I'm trying to say is that I love you, I just, I feel like this is coming to an end. And it's better for me to let it go now than hold on and hurt you. I gotta let it burn."