Songs for Every Stage in a Breakup

So maybe they broke it off with you, or you broke up with them. Maybe they cheated, or you lied, or it just didn't work. Perhaps you've mucked up a beautiful friendship or misinterpreted the relationship. Whatever the case, breakups are a proper Niagara of emotional waterfalls. Having been through as many failed relationship as T. Swift herself, I know firsthand that one breakup song does not fit all. The song that cried to one time may be the one you despise the next. Whether the separation leaves you filled with rage or regret, hopefully one of the songs below will be there next time you need it.

Songs for when you're pissed AF

It could be that your ex could never take the hint. Or that they were always forgetting important dates and details. Maybe they cheated on you, or didn't pay you the attention or respect you deserve. Whatever the case, these songs will help you feel justified when you ditch their ungrateful ass.

Let's kick things off with one of the most iconic breakup songs out there. Nothing like Underwood's powerful voice to soothe you as you methodically slash his tires and key his car.

This was the song for me growing up. I felt it hardcore, a decade before I even considered breaking up with someone.

Sometimes saying "I don't like you" just isn't enough. Sometimes you've gotta wish someone to hell and dream about taking a sledgehammer to their car, and I think that's beautiful.

One of the more passive aggressive songs, this is all about letting your ex know that you will always be the one that got away. F*ck you, Stephen!

The powerful female vocals in this song gives such a boost of confidence and vindication. Maybe they're just not taking the hint, and you need to spell your break up out really, really clearly.

Songs for when you're sad AF

There's a bit of an empty space in your life. You've just lost a friend, a comrade, a partner-in-crime. Waking up without them feels like a continuous punch to the gut. Yeah, breaking up sucks, majorly. And no matter how much your friends make fun of your ex or try to set you up with someone waaayy better, sometimes you just need a good cry. These songs know exactly what you're feeling.

In the wake of a break up, we often think of all the "what ifs?" and wonder exactly where we went wrong. You might want to call up your ex and beg them to take you back. One day you'll look back and realize that the split was for the best, but right now you just want them back.

When you see yourself having a future with someone, it's hard to watch it all disappear. The thought of 'almost' having it all can be crushing, and this haunting song will help draw those tears right out. Trust me, you'll feel better after a good cry.

Your friends are probably urging you to delete their pictures, burn their clothes, but you can't. You know it's totally illogical, but you keep hoping your ex will come crawling back and everything will be stitched together like the 'happily ever after' in a fairy tale.

Any kid that grew up amongst the High School Musical trilogy can tell you that the break up song in the second film is one of the best out there. Hands down. My eight-year old self felt this whole-heartedly, even if I'd never been in a love like Gabriella and Troy's.

Taylor Swift, especially in her early days, released a lot of heartstring-tugging songs. Watching someone you care about move on can feel like a dagger to the gut. You want to wish them well, but also...not.

Songs for moving TF on

You've had a good cry. Spent a couple nights binging rom-coms and soaps. Ate a pint of ice cream. Punched a pillow. Gotten black-out drunk and called your ex, screaming or crying. Now, it's time to move on. Get back out in the world, to your friends and family. Discover all the other fish in the sea. These are songs to let your ex now that you aren't wasting any more time on them.

Once you can take your ex off of a pedestal, it becomes so much easier to move on. When you realize that they were imperfect, you can put them in the past and look for someone that treats you better.

Dua Lipa knows that getting over someone is a process. Sometimes, it takes good friends and self-made rules to keep yourself from running back to someone you should be putting behind you.

When you can finally see that you "dodged a bullet," you can laugh at everything your ex is missing out on. You're on to greener pastures, and they're left in the past.

You've left them behind, knowing that you can do much better than someone constantly putting you down and making you feel worthless. Hell yeah!

If your ex does come crawling back, just quote this classic:

"Let me thank you for your time... [now] try not to waste anymore of mine."

Now get out into the world and let everyone know that you will never, ever, ever, be getting back together.