Category: Hip Hop

Foster Sylvers, a former child singer whose voice helped propel The Sylvers to R&B stardom in the 1970s, has died. Per multiple reports, Sylvers died on May 30 at the age of 64 following a battle with metastatic prostate cancer. His death was confirmed by his brother and longtime collaborator, Leon Sylvers III.

Born in Tennessee, Sylvers’ career began as a solo artist. In 1973, he scored a breakthrough hit with “Misdemeanor,” a track written by Leon that climbed the Billboard R&B charts. The song appeared on his first album, 1973’s Foster Sylvers. Its success led Sylvers to appear on programs including American Bandstand and Soul Train.

By 1975, Sylvers had joined his siblings in The Sylvers, a hugely successful family R&B act. The group released a number of hits, including the chart-topping “Boogie Fever.” The song, which featured Sylvers’ vocals, has been featured in media like The Stand, a Stephen King miniseries from 1994, the 2005 movie Roll Bounce, and Despicable Me in 2010.

The Sylvers released their eponymous debut album in 1972. Their music helped define the sound of 1970s R&B, disco, and soul. They released their final album, Bizarre, in 1984. For many fans, the group occupied a special place in Black music history. The siblings are remembered for their tight harmonies, catchy melodies, and a catalog that would go on to be sampled by generations of hip-hop artists.

Foster’s “Misdemeanor” became a beloved source of inspiration for producers. Samples on The D.O.C.’s 1989 song “It’s Funky Enough” and Shyne’s 2000 track “That’s Gangsta” introduced his music to younger audiences decades after its original release.

Beyond his role as a performer, Sylvers also worked as a songwriter, producer and musician, collaborating on projects throughout the 1980s. He continued to work in music after the group’s commercial peak that same decade.

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British musician Nia Smith has shared her new single “High” and announced her sophomore EP, Payback Is A Dog, due June 26. The Ivor Novello and MOBO-nominated artist released “High” on May 29 as the third song from the project, following her earlier single “Tough.”

“High” centers on leaving behind people, relationships, jobs, and interests that once felt defining. Smith said the song is “about outgrowing things that once made you feel on top of the world,” adding that it is “emotional and soft while also being dreamy and reflective.” The track includes the lyric “like jeans that are fading, lost and frayed, it’s nothing worth saving.”

Payback Is A Dog follows Smith’s debut EP, Give Up The Fear, which arrived last year. The new project is described as a narrative time capsule, with each song marking a make-or-break point in a relationship, whether romantic, familial, or rooted in friendship. Smith also said she recently took time away in Jamaica after releasing her first collection. “I’ve just been living life,” she said. “I think the whole break was just me living life and just gaining life experience to talk about.”

The announcement follows a run of live dates and media attention for the Brixton artist, who signed to Polydor in 2023 and later to Def Jam 0207. Smith attended the Brit School and ELAM, wrote songs as a teenager, and found an early audience on TikTok with cover songs. Smith has performed on Later… With Jools Holland and appeared at All Points East, City Splash, and Glastonbury through BBC Introducing. She was nominated for Rising Star at the Ivor Novello Awards this year and previously received coverage from Billboard, NME, and more. Smith has also performed at Mahalia Presents at the Jazz Cafe, supported Pip Millett at Somerset House, and joined Jordan Rakei and Elmiene on US, UK, and EU tour dates.

Listen to Nia Smith’s “High” here.

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In the decade after leaving The Supremes in 1970, Diana Ross had enormous success. She released ten solo albums, starred in Lady Sings the Blues and The Wiz, and was named the “Female Entertainer of the Century” by Billboard. But by the end of the decade, she knew it was time to turn her sound “upside down.” So, in 1979, she commissioned Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards of disco group Chic to create material for what became the album Diana.

“I’m Coming Out,” the second single from Diana, was born in the bathroom of a transgender night club called the Gilded Grape. After observing a group of drag queens dressed as Ross, Rodgers ran to a pay phone and instructed Edwards to write down the lyrics “I’m coming out.” “Because to the gay community, ‘I’m coming out’ is a battle cry,’” Rodgers recalled saying to Edwards. “It means the same thing as James Brown’s ‘Say it loud — I’m black and I’m proud.’” While Ross originally loved “I’m Coming Out,” she later expressed uncertainty about both the song and the album as a whole. Following the 1979 Disco Demolition Night and declarations that the genre was “dead,” she didn’t want her sound to be perceived as outdated. At the last minute, she took Diana to be remixed by Motown engineer Russ Terrana, who sped up many of the tracks and re-recorded Ross’ vocals to make them sound more prominent.

The originally released version of “I’m Coming Out” is shorter and glossier, but it still playfully teases out the beginning. Punchy electric guitar strums, dynamic drum fills, and a peppy horn section play for nearly a minute before settling into a groovy rhythm. “That’s Diana Ross, who we consider the queen of pop R&B,” Rodgers said. “If you listen to that intro, when we tried to explain it, no one got it. We said, ‘She’s the queen, it’s a fanfare.’” Before the final chorus, Meco Monardo also delivers a jazzy trombone solo. The jubilant track is at once polished and unpredictable.

While the song signaled the start of her new musical era, as Rodgers predicted, “I’m Coming Out” was quickly embraced by the LGBTQ+ community. Adding to the myriad meanings, Ross has also consistently used “I’m Coming Out” as the opener for her live performances, marking her “coming out” onto the stage. The beauty of “I’m Coming Out” is that it resonates widely, and that’s certainly reflected in the song’s commercial success. “I’m Coming Out” peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for three weeks. It’s also been a stalwart on Rolling Stone’s list of the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time.”

Listen to Diana Ross’ “I’m Coming Out” now.

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Good Girl Gone Bad opens with Jay Z introducing Rihanna as a “good girl gone bad,” but at this stage in her career, the rising pop star no longer needed a co-sign. With two albums under her belt, she’d already proven her potential, but on Good Girl Gone Bad the Bajan songstress announced her daring transformation from clean-cut pop starlet to “Bad Girl RiRi,” altering the course of her career.

The Umbrella effect

Rihanna had already found chart success with her No.1 hit “SOS,” along with her three Top 10 hits “Pon De Replay,” “Unfaithful” and “Break It Off.” While these were all commercial successes, critics were still sceptical of her artistry, looking for something to distinguish her from the pack – aside from being marketed as “that girl from the islands.” Even Rihanna herself felt the need to make a stark and dramatic change, prompting the May 31, 2007 release of Good Girl Gone Bad.

The night before the album’s cover shoot, the singer defiantly chopped off her hair, later debuted her new rebellious look in the music video for “Umbrella.” It matched the attitude of the song, which was dosed in arena-rock guitars and bass, as well as the undeniable “ella, ella, ay, ay” hook. Seemingly overnight, the song took over the airwaves, soundtracking the summer and becoming the bestselling track of the year.

As the opening track on Good Girl Gone Bad, “Umbrella” became Rihanna’s second No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned her a Grammy for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration, thanks to Jay Z’s contribution. “Umbrella” also served as the catalyst for turning the songstress into a beauty icon and a sex symbol, propelling her to undeniable “It Girl” status and putting her on the same path as fellow pop diva Madonna. The singer’s bold claim to become “the black Madonna” turned out to be prophecy more than wishful thinking.

While “Umbrella” was clearly the propulsive force behind the commercial success of Good Girl Gone Bad, “Shut Up And Drive” cemented the defiant tone of the album and once again saw the singer turning to New Wave anthems for inspiration. After sampling Soft Cell on “SOS,” this time around she referenced New Order’s “Blue Monday” as the electro-backdrop to “Shut Up And Drive.”

Iconic inspirations

If there are two albums that informed the creation of Good Girl Gone Bad, they would be Michael Jackson’s Thriller and Brandy’s Afrodisiac. In interviews from the era, Rihanna cited both as inspirations for her newly discovered direction. Listening through Good Girl Gone Bad, you can hear their influence in both the aesthetic and attitude of the album.

Following “Umbrella” on the album is the dance-pop ditty “Push Up On Me”; in many ways, the haunting sound effects and 80s vibes are reminiscent of “Beat It.” There’s also an emerging story arc that finds Rihanna inviting her partner from “Umbrella” to come join her at the club.

Continuing the narrative, Rihanna commands “Don’t Stop The Music,” energetically sampling Jackson’s “Wanna Be Startin’ Something.” The single shot to No.3 on the Billboard 100 chart, establishing her as the new queen of club anthems.

One of the most influential R&B albums of the decade

While Good Girl Gone Bad had its rock and dance-pop influences, it’s also one of the most influential R&B records of the decade. During the recording process, Rihanna spoke about the impact that listening to Afrodisiac had on her creative direction. While that album documented a newfound maturity for Brandy in 2004, it also experimented with the genre through its production: two things that Rihanna consciously explored on Good Girl Gone Bad.

After a stretch of angsty, techno-pop-fuelled bops including “Breakin’ Dishes” (in which the singer vows to “fight a man tonight”) and “Shut Up And Drive,” Rihanna delivers her purest R&B moments. Promoted as the album’s third single, “Hate That I Love You” featured Ne-Yo, who co-penned the song, as well as the slow burner “Question Existing” and the closing title cut on the original 12-track release. “Hate That I Love You” reached No.7 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming one of 2007’s most memorable love duets.

Sonic evolution

The next track, “Say It,” samples the 90s dancehall cruiser “Flex,” by Mad Cobra, and finds Rihanna coyly requesting that her lover “tell me what it is you like.” It’s followed by a sequence of Timbaland-produced tracks. Along with Tricky Stewart, Sean Garrett, and The-Dream, Timbaland played an integral role in Rihanna’s sonic evolution from singles artist to fully-formed pop star.

“Sell Me Candy” found Rihanna refashioning herself as a majorette leading the band for her own pep rally. The hypnotic production brings in both Caribbean and Indian influences which can also be heard on “Lemme Get That,” a swaggering, rhythmic chant on which Rihanna further slips into her man-eater persona.

Jay Z wasn’t the only A-list collaborator on Good Girl Gone Bad. Rihanna’s outsized charisma also impressed Justin Timberlake, another frequent Timbaland partner, and the two teamed up on the ballad single “Rehab.” Couched in an album full of club bangers, “Rehab,” proved that Rihanna had moved beyond earnest love songs and into sensual R&B territory, something she’d later perfect on “Love The Way You Lie.”

Locked and re-loaded

Rihanna’s creative risk-taking paid off, earning her seven Grammy Award nominations, a No.2 album, and six-times-platinum certification. Due to the overwhelming critical and commercial success of Good Girl Gone Bad, the album was reissued as Good Girl Gone Bad: Reloaded the following year, with three new songs, including the No.1 hits “Disturbia,” “Take A Bow” and the rock-fuelled “If I Never See Your Face Again,” her collaboration with Maroon 5.

Good Girl Gone Bad not only laid the foundation for Rihanna to become one of the best-selling artists of the decade, it proved that she was more than just another pop star with singles success. The first major step in establishing her as a singular artist and icon in the making, it set the scene for Rihanna’s further evolution on 2009’s Rated R.

Buy Rihanna’s music on limited edition vinyl now.

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15 years after it was originally released in 2011, Jennifer Lopez and Pitbull’s smash “On The Floor” is having a resurgence thanks to the hit Prime Video series Off Campus.

The show, which premiered on May 13, is based on Elle Kennedy’s popular college hockey romance book series of the same name. The track appears in episode two during a now-viral scene set at a Halloween party, where characters Allie Hayes and Dean Di Laurentis dance together. In a nod to Lopez herself, Allie arrives at the party wearing a replica of J.Lo’s iconic green Versace dress (the one that spawned the creation of Google image search), and a fellow partygoer plays “On the Floor” to set the tone for a charged moment between the two leads that has led viewers to run the track back up the Billboard charts.

Speaking at the Office Romance world premiere in Los Angeles on May 26, Lopez expressed her enthusiasm for the show and her genuine surprise at seeing the song re-ascend the charts. She even connected with Mika Abdalla, the actress who plays Allie, to recreate the scene in a TikTok video that went viral in its own right, further fueling the song’s resurgence.

Elsewhere lately, Lopez has appeared on Jimmy Kimmel and, on a familial note, watched her twin son and daughter graduate high school. Pitbull, in turn, is in the midst of his ongoing I’m Back tour—at a British stop coming up, he plans to attempt to break the Guinness World Record for gathering the most people in bald caps at one location.

Listen to Jennifer Lopez’s “On the Floor” now.

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Jae Stephens has released her new single and video “Attaboy!” via RAEDIO and Def Jam Recordings. The release begins a new phase for the Dallas-born, Los Angeles-based singer and songwriter, who is also set to perform at Lollapalooza in Chicago this July.

“Attaboy!” was produced by Dallas Caton and centers on Stephens turning a self-described bad boy into a plus one. The accompanying video places Stephens at the center of a stylized performance, with choreography and visual scenes built around the song’s direct, playful premise.

Stephens described the track as a signal for what comes next. “Attaboy! sets the tone for the world my album lives in: maximalist and unapologetic,” she said. “This song and video in particular is about me going after whatever or whoever I want.” The release follows Stephens’ SELLLOUT series, including SELLLOUT, SELLLOUT II, and TOTAL SELLOUT THE DELUXE. The first SELLLOUT EP helped lead to a support slot on FLO’s U.S. “AAA Tour,” followed by Stephens’ own SELLLOUT tour in October 2025, when initial dates in Los Angeles, New York, and London sold out within 24 hours.

Stephens first gained attention online as a teenager through vocal covers before breaking through with her 2017 single “24K” and a COLORS performance. She has collaborated with THEY., VanJess, Khamari, and Xavier Omär, and her catalog has surpassed 50 million streams. In 2025, SPIN named SELLLOUT II one of the year’s best EPs, while Reddit awarded Stephens the Popheads 2025 Best New Artist Award. Stephens is scheduled to perform at WeHo Pride Festival in Los Angeles on June 7, Lollapalooza in Chicago in July, and the European leg of Khalid’s “It’s Always Summer Somewhere” tour this October.

Listen to “Attaboy” here.

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For a generation of R&B fans, Forever My Lady is forever. This year Jodeci will celebrate their landmark debut album, released in 1991 at the height of the new jack swing era, with a new expanded vinyl reissue for its 35th anniversary.

The 2LP set will feature the original Forever My Lady tracklist plus five bonus tracks, including “Forever My Lady – Live From Uptown MTV Unplugged/1993,” the Swing Mob radio mix of “I’m Still Waiting” (as heard in the song’s music video), the radio remix of “Come And Talk To Me,” a previously unreleased a cappella version of “Stay,” and the hip hop version of the Fried Green Tomatoes soundtrack favorite “Cherish.”

Forever My Lady established Jodeci as hit-makers on the vanguard of R&B. The group’s pioneering mixture of traditional gospel-rooted vocals and synthetic production—spearheaded by Jodeci member DeVante Swing and young R&B peer Al B. Sure—became a dominating force at R&B radio. The forward-thinking sound was mirrored by the Charlotte quartet’s adoption of hip hop wardrobe and styling, which contributed to their status as game-changers.

Forever My Lady debuted atop the Billboard R&B chart, went 3x Platinum, and sent four singles to the Billboard Hot 100, including “Forever My Lady,” “Stay,” “I’m Still Waiting,” and the album’s biggest hit, “Come And Talk To Me.” In addition to its commercial success, Forever My Lady was a critical sensation. Critics praised the album for its innovative approach and masterful execution, including Entertainment Weekly’s Arion Berger, who called it a “forceful and assured debut,” “sophisticated beyond the band members’ years.”

“I was impressed with the fact that they were so young, but they knew who they were musically,” recording engineer Paul Logus later told Okayplayer. “They were so damn good at what they did. It was just unbelievable. The thing that blew me away instantly about DeVante was how musical he was and what a virtuoso he was with whatever he picked up.”

Listen to the 35th anniversary edition of Jodeci’s Forever My Lady here.

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Jodeci wasn’t the first soul singing R&B group to turn tales of lust and love into music. Their innovation was adding sinewy gospel-tinged harmonies and raunch unlike any R&B previously recorded, and trading in the usual coordinated tailored suits for leather vests, baggy jeans, and combat boots. Their message was clear from the beginning: They were not the typical straight-laced R&B group. While Boyz II Men were careful to be not too hard and not too soft, Jodeci had their shirts off and were ready for anything.

Jodeci, comprising two sets of brothers – Donald “DeVante” DeGrate Jr. and Dalvin “Mr. Dalvin” DeGrate, and Cedric “K-Ci” Hailey, and Joel “JoJo” Hailey” – got their respective starts singing in southern churches and touring on the gospel music circuit. The North Carolina boys eventually found each other and formed Jodeci – an amalgamation of their names – and made their way to New York City to pursue secular music. The rest is history.

Andre Harrell signed them to Uptown Records, where Al B. Sure helped to finesse their songwriting and production, and Sean “Puff Daddy” Combs helped them engineer what became their signature aesthetic – R&B with a hip-hop edge. They released their 1991 debut album, Forever My Lady to critical acclaim. Their sophomore album, Diary of a Mad Band followed in 1993. Their third album, The Show, The After Party, The Hotel came out in 1995, and their fourth album, The Past, The Present, The Future came out in 2015.

They achieved multi-platinum success during their run and established themselves as the fathers of modern R&B. They also inspired generations of groups who followed, including Dru Hill, Jagged Edge, and more. Now, decades later, it’s clear their formula has withstood the test of time.

Here, we celebrate Jodeci in the name of the woo-yeah with a breakdown of 15 of their best songs.

The New R&B

Producer savant DeVante Swing worked with Al B. Sure to craft the sultry, groundbreaking sound of Jodeci’s debut album. On “Come and Talk to Me,” they flipped the beat from EPMD’s “You’re a Customer” to make it more R&B and added lyrics that have become the hallmark of beckoning a crush. The hook, specifically, gave lots of lotharios the courage (and words) they needed to woo potential paramours.

“Stay” begins with DeVante talking in the intro, setting up what was to come as K-Ci and Jojo warbled about resetting a broken love affair. Think of it as a sexy apology in the key of G with lots of oh-ho’s and woo-yeah’s. The album’s title track, meanwhile, found the bad boys of R&B showcasing their softer side. They toned down the raunch to croon about the preciousness of family and bringing new life into the world.

Hot Sex on a Platter

Jodeci was highly skilled at singing about sex and, by their third studio album, they turned it up even more. Their album, The Show, The After Party, The Hotel was about life on the road, and “Freek’N You” was the type of song that could make any steadfast Jodeci fan feel like the group was singing specifically about them. It’s also a good contender for one of the sexiest songs of all time. They come in hot in the beginning of the song with a bold, straight to the point opener: “Every time I close my eyes, I wake up feeling so horny, I can’t get you out of my mind, cuz sexing you is all I see.”

The only thing steamier than the original “Freek’N You” is “Freek’N You (Remix),” which featured Wu-Tang. Raekwon tops the opening line of the original song with a new way to describe a curvy body: “You got stacks like the international house of pancakes.” It’s poetic and erotic, it’s hip-hop and R&B.

“Feenin,” from their sophomore album, took the popular slang at the time and applied it to sex. Colloquially speaking, “feening” typically means to yearn for something intensely or to be addicted to something, and was often used in describing drug addicts. In Jodeci-speak, feenin refers to being addicted to someone sexually. The lyrics make it clear that they’d give up money, houses, and cars for one hit (of her).

The Classics

There’s a popular internet meme that reads, “If the love doesn’t feel like 90s R&B then I don’t want it.” Whoever created that phrase was probably listening to “Love U 4 Life.” It’s another DeVante Swing ballad that still gets lots of play as a wedding song. The robust four-part harmony in the chorus screams passion and makes promises of a love that will last forever.

Most of Jodeci’s works were original compositions but they borrowed “Lately” from Stevie Wonder’s canon and remade it their own image. 90s TV fans may also remember that moment from Martin when Martin Lawrence hilariously crashes Jodeci’s performance of this song on the fictional Varnell Hill Show.

“Cry For You” is some high-powered melodic begging. The title makes it clear that they are pining for a lover who has been gone for way too long. (An hour to be exact.) The ending of the song is capped with one of the most classic lines in R&B – “Baby, I’m begging, baby I”m begging, begging, begging” – sung in four-part harmony. Rivaling that level of epic is the music video set in a desert, which sees most of the group in some variation of a leather jacket, leather vests, and combat boots.

“Gotta Love,” meanwhile, fits into Uptown Records’ signature new jack swing sound. It’s one of Jodeci’s more uptempo songs and proved they could switch up from ballads to a more hip-hop sound. “Alone” almost sounds like a four-minute interlude. It’s all about, you guessed it, sex, but the sound was a blueprint that many male-led 90s R&B groups would follow. Mr. Dalvin even raps at the end, showcasing yet another talent.

“My Heart Belongs to U” opens with DeVante delivering a sexy intro speech, something he did often, before the group kicks into high gear. Here, K-Ci and Jojo pick up the metaphorical mic to profess their love for a special lady. Most of Jodeci’s classic songs are timeless but “Play Thang” is distinctly New Jack Swing. Blending funky singing and rapping, it closely follows the template of the genre to great effect.

Motivational Melodies

“Get On Up” is a rarity in Jodeci’s catalog: It’s a song that’s rated E for everyone, simply celebrating having a good time. Crank up this motivational bop at the next cookout and watch everyone two-step.

“Nobody Wins,” from their 2015 album, not only marked a comeback for Jodeci after years of not putting out new material, it was also an evolution. DeVante’s production was more mature and they ditched sex this go-round to denounce domestic violence. It was still Jodeci, but with all they had been through in their respective personal lives, it made sense that they wanted to release a song on a more positive note.

Listen to the expanded editions of Forever My Lady and Diary of a Mad Band now.

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2BYG have released a new single, “I Want You,” via Waystar Records/Def Jam Recordings. The Texas R&B quartet released the track on May 22, 2026, ahead of the deluxe version of their 2025 debut mixtape, The Yearbook (Extended Version), which is set for release on June 12, 2026. The new recording features a sample from Biz Markie’s “Make the Music With Your Mouth, Biz.”

“I Want You” connects 2BYG’s group vocals with the late rapper’s 1986 single, reworking the source material for a new R&B setting. Tara Hall, widow of Biz Markie, said the recording honors his place in hip-hop culture. “It warms my heart to see 2BYG honor Biz Markie on their new track,” Hall said. “They’re introducing Biz to an entirely new generation, while reinforcing the importance of respect, acknowledgment, and reciprocation in the culture.” The announcement also notes that a music video for “I Want You” is expected to premiere in the near future.

The single follows “Be Mine,” which picked up playlist attention after its release, and arrives as 2BYG continue to build out the world around their debut project. The group also recently released a music video for “Someone Like You,” another song from the set. Earlier tracks from the project include “Oh Yeah” and “Twin,” which helped introduce the quartet’s mix of R&B, soul, hip-hop, pop, and gospel.

Earlier this year, the group performed on Netflix’s Star Search. Their selection was a version of *NSYNC’s “It’s Gonna Be Me” for panelists Jelly Roll, Chrissy Teigen, and Sarah Michelle Gellar. Last year, meanwhile, 2BYG released “One Christmas Wish” and performed the holiday song on FOX 4 News Dallas-Fort Worth. The Dallas-Fort Worth group has more than 1 million followers on TikTok and made its introduction with the single “Karma.”

Listen to “I Want You” here.

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What makes for the best breakup song? Well, since the beginning of time, romance has served as the inspiration to many musical compositions. But for every love song that blasts across the airwaves, an equal amount of tunes were written about the less sunny side of love. So, no matter what stage you’re going through, we’ve compiled 70 of the greatest breakup songs to help you feel all the feels: from heartsick power ballads and pensive pop tunes to flat-out-ranging rockers.

Listen to the greatest Breakup Songs on our exclusive playlist.

Someone’s Moved On

Whether or not we like to admit it, most relationships end when one person calls it quits. Mutual breakups are rare, so more often than not, someone makes the call. The songs in this section reflect on this painful process, with some artists moving on, while others are on the receiving end of the heartbreak. Either way, breaking up sucks.

Marvin Gaye: I Heard It Through The Grapevine

What’s the only thing worse than discovering that your significant other is leaving you for someone else? Finding out through someone other than them. Written in 1966 by Motown’s Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong, “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” has been recorded by Gladys Knight and the Pips, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and The Miracles, but Marvin Gaye’s soulful, 1968 rendition resonated particularly deeply with the public – topping the pop charts and becoming one of Motown’s best-selling singles ever.

Rod Stewart: Maggie May

A young man realizes that his ongoing fling with an older woman is messing with his emotions and keeping him from moving on in life in this 1971 classic from Rod Stewart. The guitar and mandolin-driven ballad, which Stewart based on his first sexual experience ten years earlier, became one of his signature hits and best breakup songs.

Jackson Five: I Want You Back

Boy meets girl; boy doesn’t appreciate what he has; girl leaves him for another boy…and now he wants her back. That’s the story in The Jackson 5’s 1969 Motown debut, “I Want You Back.” The simple, yet deliciously catchy single caught the hearts of a nation – and became the group’s first of four consecutive No.1 hits.

Bob Seger – The Famous Final Scene

As breakup songs go, “The Famous Final Scene” – the closing track from Bob Seger’s classic album Night Moves – is as devastating as they come. The lyric makes it plain that a love affair is over (“Soon the winter will be here/And there’s no-one warm to hold”) but the pain is related without recrimination, ensuring “The Famous Final Scene” retains the dignity and power that many songs of this nature tend to lack.

Drake: Marvin’s Room

Drake sings from the point of view of a drunk, heartbroken, and frustrated young man, who has just returned home from the clubs and decides to call his ex. The downtempo track, off 2011’s Take Care, not only became a Top 40 hit, but spawned a variety of inspired remixes, including those by Teyana Taylor and Lil Wayne.

Mary J. Blige: I’m Going Down

It’s easy to feel the pain of a breakup in this soaring, soulful single from Mary J. Blige, off 1994’s My Life. Penned by Motown songwriter Norman Whitfield, Rose Royce originally performed the song for the 1976 Car Wash soundtrack.

No Doubt: Don’t Speak

When No Doubt frontwoman Gwen Stefani and bassist Tony Kanal broke up, Stefani channeled her pain into the achingly beautiful song, “Don’t Speak.” While the bandmates were able to stay cordial and move on, the single (off 1995’s Tragic Kingdom) topped charts around the globe, becoming one of their most successful songs ever.

ABBA: The Winner Takes It All

Although two of ABBA’s members (Bjorn Ulvaeus and Agnetha Fältskog) were in the process of divorcing when “The Winner Takes It All” was written, both parties denied that the song had much to do with the realities of their breakup. While performing the song (off 1980’s Super Trouper) must have taken an emotional toll on both parties, the heartbreaking track was embraced by fans, hitting No.1 in multiple countries.

Patsy Cline: I Fall To Pieces

Moving on from an ex can be excruciatingly hard – especially when you run in the same circles. Patsy Cline sings about that struggle in 1961’s “I Fall to Pieces.” The song became one of the country music icon’s biggest crossover hits (and her first No.1 on the country charts).

Harry Nilsson: Without You

One of the greatest power ballads of all time, “Without You” delivers the heartfelt plea “I can’t live/If living is without you.” While Badfinger wrote and released the song in 1970, Harry Nilsson made it a massive hit the following year. His Grammy-nominated version (off Nilsson Schmilsson) topped the pop charts in the US, Australia, Canada, and the UK, where it remained at No.1 for five weeks. Nearly 25 years later, Mariah Carey found similar success with her rendition of the song.

Adele: Someone Like You

Adele’s global smash hit “Someone Like You” finds the British singer-songwriter coming to terms with the fact that her ex has moved on with someone else. The moving ballad, which appeared on her 2011 sophomore album, 21, earned the artist a Grammy and established her as a vocal powerhouse to be reckoned with.

Toni Braxton: Un-Break My Heart

The intense pain of a breakup is palpable in Braxton’s stunning performance for 1996’s “Un-Break My Heart.” The Grammy-winning ballad (off Secrets), in which Braxton begs her ex to return, became one of the best-selling singles of all time, spending 11 weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100.

Mariah Carey: We Belong Together

In the days and weeks after a breakup, it can feel like you’ve lost a part of yourself. Mariah Carey pours those emotions into “We Belong Together” (off 2005’s The Emancipation of Mimi) and pleads with her ex to reconsider their breakup.

The Beatles: For No One

The Beatles’ “For No One” perfectly encapsulates the dying days of a relationship, when it’s clear that one party has emotionally moved on. The McCartney-penned baroque pop ballad was written while the artist was on vacation with his then-girlfriend, Jane Asher, who appears on the Beatles’ 1966 masterpiece, Revolver.

Jeff Buckley: Last Goodbye

The second single off Buckley’s sole album, Grace, “Last Goodbye” details the final moments of a relationship, when the couple still has feelings for each other, but knows that they aren’t meant to be. Landing in the Billboard Alternative Song chart’s Top 20, the track marked Buckely’s highest-charting single in the US.

Daryl Hall & John Oates: She’s Gone

In 1973’s “She’s Gone,” Hall & Oates paint a picture of the hazy days following a breakup – where everyone has words of advice and consolation, and you realize that your relationship is officially over. While breakups are rarely as smooth as this song, Daryl Hall and John Oates can certainly help a broken heart heal with their soothing harmonies.

Bonnie Tyler – Total Eclipse of the Heart

Bonnie Tyler’s “Total Eclipse of the Heart” sounds like pure pain. It’s about being paralyzed in heartbreak, wanting something so badly that will never come. Tyler’s performance makes the story almost palpable, as she sings lines like, “Once upon a time I was falling in love/ But now I’m only falling apart/ There’s nothing I can do/ A total eclipse of the heart.” Tyler is resigned to loneliness, fighting for a past she knows is gone for good. – Sam Armstrong

Bon Iver – Skinny Love

Is there anything quite as heartbroken as Bon Iver on For Emma, Forever Ago? The story of Justin Vernon retreating to a cabin deep in Wisconsin to recuperate after a heartbreaking split is well known, but what often goes underappreciated is how fantastic the music that came out of those sessions really is. “Skinny Love” is a folk masterpiece of epic proportions, blending breathtaking melodies with the palpable pain of a relationship falling apart. – Sam Armstrong

Cheating

Cheating has been a lyrical topic since songwriting began because it’s a universally awful feeling. Many of the songs in this section espouse advice on what to do with a cheater, while others showcase people unable to move on even after the cheating has occurred.

Elvis Costello: I Want You

Elvis Costello’s “I Want You,” off 1986’s Blood & Chocolate, is sung from the point of view of a person in a tumultuous relationship. Even though his partner has cheated on him, he still can’t live without her. It’s one of Costello’s most haunting and enduring songs.

Amy Winehouse: Back to Black

As the title track to Amy Winehouse’s breakthrough album, “Back to Black” details the real-life story of the British singer and her then ex-boyfriend, who left her for his ex. While the couple eventually reunited, their turbulent relationship inspired the 2006 LP, which also marked Winehouse’s final studio album.

The Rolling Stones: It’s All Over Now

In 1964, The Rolling Stones scored their first No.1 in the UK with a cover of Bobby Womack’s “It’s All Over Now.” The country-tinged song finds the protagonist finding peace after ending a toxic relationship with a partner who cheated on him.

Carrie Underwood: Before He Cheats

In this Grammy-winning single (off 2005’s Some Hearts), Carrie Underwood revels in getting back at her boyfriend, who she assumes is cheating on her. A massive crossover hit, “Before He Cheats” propelled the American Idol contestant to stardom and earned her a slew of accolades. It’s also a stone-cold karaoke classic.

Dolly Parton: Jolene

Written from the perspective of a woman who sees a breakup on the horizon, Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” finds the country icon pleading with an auburn-haired vixen not to steal her man. One of the greatest country breakup songs of all-time, the 1973 single, took its title from one of the artist’s young fans. The song’s story, however, was inspired when a red-headed bank teller was just a bit too friendly with Parton’s new husband.

The Killers: Mr. Brightside

Released in the fall of 2003, “Mr. Brightside” introduced much of the world to The Killers. On their debut Hot Fuss, the single found frontman Brandon Flowers detailing his own breakup – when he discovered that his girlfriend was cheating on him. As they say, when one door closes, another one opens…Luckily for Flowers and his band, the song opened the door to a hugely successful and enduring career.

Justin Timberlake: Cry Me A River

Not long after pop darlings Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears split up, the *NSYNC star dropped this emotional ballad about getting over a cheating ex. While it’s disputed whether or not the single had anything to do with reality, it’s undeniable that 2002’s “Cry Me a River” helped launch Timberlake’s solo career.

Unrequited Love

Few things in life are more painful than unrequited love. At least in a breakup, love was in the air at some point. Unrequited love squashes any hope of a mutual relationship and leaves one party grasping for something that will never come.

J Geils Band: Love Stinks

“This thing they call love/It’s gonna make you cry,” sings the J Geils Band in 1980’s “Love Stinks.” With its now-famous opening riff line, the band hit the paydirt with this breakup anthem that expressed the excruciating pain of unrequited love. That message clearly resonated with the public, as the track shot to the Top 40.

Jewel: Foolish Games

Jewel falls prey to an artsy, intellectual type in this hit single from 1997. “Foolish Games,” which appeared on the singer-songwriter’s 1995 debut, Pieces of You. “Foolish Games” describes the heartbreaking (and age-old) struggle of realizing that the mysterious and handsome character you’ve fallen for is never going to reciprocate your feelings.

The Weeknd: Call Out My Name

Listeners can hear the pain in The Weeknd’s voice in this heartbreaking, 2018 ballad. In the song, which appeared on the R&B star’s debut EP, My Dear Melancholy, The Weeknd sings about helping a girlfriend through a painful breakup – only to be broken up with once she’s moved on.

Pat Benatar: Love Is A Battlefield

Pat Benatar’s platinum-selling “Love is a Battlefield” became one of the biggest hits of the 80s and won the spunky artist her fourth Grammy Award. The 1983 single (off Live from Earth) portrays the rebelliousness of youth and the turbulent nature of young romance.

Soft Cell: Tainted Love

In 1981, British duo Soft Cell recorded a new wave cover of the Northern soul tune “Tainted Love.” The synth-laden (and slightly menacing) song about a tormented relationship became one of the biggest singles of the year in the UK. In the US, it set a world record for the longest consecutive stay on the Billboard Hot 100. While many know the group just for this mega-hit, “Say Hello, Wave Goodbye” is also a great breakup song by the group.

Lauryn Hill: Ex-Factor

This soulful ballad, off 1998’s The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, finds the singer, songwriter, and rapper describing an on-and-off relationship that just isn’t working. While rumors swirled that the song was about Hill’s breakup with her former Fugees bandmate, Wyclef Jean, her emotional delivery certainly made her frustration and anguish feel real.

Bill Withers: Ain’t No Sunshine

Sweet and simple, Bill Withers’ Grammy-winning “Ain’t No Sunshine” made him a breakout star in 1971 and continues to be an enduring, frequently-covered favorite. The song features an all-star line-up of collaborators, including Stephen Stills on guitar and Booker T. Jones as the producer and arranger. Fun fact: Withers sings the line “I know” 26 times during the third verse. But who’s counting?

Big Star: September Gurls

Big Star’s Alex Chilton sings about having trouble getting over his “September Gurl” in this cult favorite off 1974’s Radio City. While it’s unclear whether the power-pop group is singing about astrological differences or just a very short-lived romance, the song perfectly portrays the yearning – and heartbreak – of young love.

Frank Ocean – Thinkin’ Bout You

After a brief intro, Frank Ocean begins his transformative debut studio album, Channel Orange, with “Thinkin’ Bout You,” a song about trying to move on but always returning back to that lost love. There’s Ocean’s iconic chorus, full of falsetto flutters and the now iconic refrain: “Or do you not think so far ahead?/ ‘Cause I been thinkin’ bout forever.” Ocean tells the tale of heartbreak, but few have ever done so as beautifully as he does on “Thinkin’ Bout You.” – Sam Armstrong

Fleetwood Mac – Go Your Own Way

Like so much of Fleetwood Mac’s music, “Go Your Own Way” was written as a document of strife within the band. Lindsey Buckingham wrote “Go Your Own Way” as a response to his breakup with fellow Fleetwood Mac vocalist Stevie Nicks, airing their dirty laundry so that everyone could hear. It’s bitter, but it sure makes for some great music. – Sam Armstrong

Don’t Leave Me

Sometimes the smell of a looming breakup is too fragrant to ignore. The relationship may still be steady, but something is…off. The songs in this section are written from both perspectives, with some artists musing on a relationship they’re about to end, while others fear that the dreaded news is just around the corner.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs: Maps

In this indie-rock classic off 2003’s Fever to Tell, Karen O pleads to her partner not to leave or cheat, because, as she sings, no one else will “love you like I love you.” Reportedly written for her boyfriend at the time (Liars frontman Angus Andrew), “Maps” stands for “My Angus Please Stay.”

Thelma Houston: Don’t Leave Me This Way

They say a taste of honey is worse than none at all, and that’s how Thelma Houston is feeling in this 1976 disco classic. While Houston’s Grammy Award-winning version of “Don’t Leave Me This Way” became the most famous rendition, the song was originally released by The Blue Notes, featuring Teddy Pendergrass in 1975.

Rihanna ft. Mikky Ekko: Stay

Rihanna and Mikky Ekko deliver an emotional ode to the vulnerability (and rollercoaster) of love in this 2012 ballad. The yearning duet, off Unapologetic, resonated around the globe – landing in the Top 5 in 24 countries, including the US (No.3), Israel (No.1), and the UK (No.4).

Boyz II Men: End of the Road

One of the most successful songs of the 90s, Boyz II Men’s “End of the Road” delivers a soulful, heartfelt plea to an ex, asking her to return. Full of the group’s signature vocal harmonies, the 1992 single spent 13 weeks atop the US pop charts (a record which the group continued to break throughout the first half of the decade).

Etta James: I’d Rather Go Blind

Originally recorded by Etta James in 1968, this bluesy soul classic has been covered by dozens of artists over the decades, including Rod Stewart, Dua Lipa, Paul Weller, and Grace Potter. The song finds the narrator with a gut feeling that her relationship is over, after seeing her boyfriend talking to another girl. She proclaims, “I would rather go blind, boy/Then to see you walk away from me.”

The Cure: Pictures Of You

The Cure’s Robert Smith sings about finding pictures of his ex, leading him to remember all of the times that they spent together. The synth-laden ballad appears on the band’s best-selling 1989 album, Disintegration, and is one of the best breakup songs of the 80s.

Sadness

To be sad is to be human, and the artists in this section understand that. Songwriters have explored the sadness of a break-up from every angle you can imagine, whether it’s a relationship that just didn’t work out or a relationship that blew up in a spectacular fashion. Luckily for us, there are plenty of songs to help us wallow.

Isaac Hayes: Walk On By

In 1964, Dionne Warwick marked the first artist to score a hit with this Burt Bacharach-penned tune. Five years later, funk and soul star Isaac Hayes recorded this 12-minute interpretation of “Walk on By” for Hot Buttered Soul. The song, in which the narrator begs their ex keep on walking if they ever cross paths (so that they can hide their tears and maintain their “foolish pride”), has been covered by dozens of artists, including Gloria Gaynor, Seal, Cyndi Lauper, and The Beach Boys, to name a few.

St. Vincent: New York

In an ode to both New York City and her ex, St. Vincent mourns her breakup through song and realizes that every block of the city reminds her of this person. Released in 2017, the piano-driven ballad marked the first single off the artist’s fifth studio album, Masseducation.

James Blake: Retrograde

The ambient lead single off James Blake’s 2013 LP, Overgrown, “Retrograde” was reportedly written about the artist’s then-girlfriend. While the lyrics are somewhat ambiguous, it’s clear that the couple is going through a rough patch, as Blake pleads with his girlfriend to “show me why you’re strong.”

U2: With Or Without You

U2 riff on the timeless sentiment of “can’t live with you; can’t live without you” in this chart-topping single off their legendary, 1987 LP, Joshua Tree. The dramatic tune became one of the Irish band’s signature hits and enduring breakup songs.

Robyn: Dancing on My Own

Inspired by “inherently sad disco anthems,” among other things, Robyn’s “Dancing On My Own” tells the story of going to a club and seeing your ex dancing with someone else. Released in 2010 (off Body Talk Pt. 1), the electropop single became the Swedish artist’s first No.1 single in her own country, as well as an enduring breakup song.

Sam Smith: Stay With Me

In an interview with the NME, Sam Smith explained that “Stay with Me” (off 2014’s In the Lonely Hour) details the moments “after a one night stand, where the person you are with leaves your house, and you are left by yourself…you don’t really fancy them that much [but] it’s just nice to have someone in the bed next to you.” The stunning ballad became Smith’s most successful single and garnered them multiple Grammys the following year.

Sinead O’Connor: Nothing Compares 2 U

In 1989, Irish artist Sinead O’Connor recorded a heartbreaking cover of Prince’s “Nothing Compares 2 U” and it quickly became her signature hit. O’Connor’s emotional performance – captured perfectly in a starkly intimate music video – instantly portrayed the pain and emptiness that follows a breakup.

Stevie Wonder: Never Dreamed You’d Leave In Summer

Stevie Wonder laments a failed relationship in this 1971 ballad (off Where I’m Coming From). Released as the B-side (or as a brilliant response) to Wonder’s cover of the Beatles’ “We Can Work It Out,” the tune became one of the artist’s most popular songs.

Frank Sinatra: In The Wee Small Hours of the Morning

Written by David Mann and Bob Hilliard, “In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning” was first made famous by Frank Sinatra in 1955, and has since become a standard. The breakup song, which also marked the title track of Sinatra’s ninth studio album, describes a lonely, sleepless night, in which a man regrets breaking an ex’s heart…and wonders what could have been.

Coldplay: The Scientist

The second single off Coldplay’s A Rush of Blood to the Head (2002), “The Scientist” is about wondering how a relationship went off-kilter – and wishing you could go back in time and try again. In an interview with VH1, frontman Chris Martin shared that the ballad was inspired by George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass. Funnily enough, he added, “I don’t think we’ll ever top it, which is why we probably won’t do another record!”

Joy Division: Love Will Tear Us Apart

Despite its uptempo melody, 1980’s “Love Will Tear Us Apart,” was written by Joy Division frontman Ian Curtis about his crumbling marriage and his struggles with mental illness. Sadly, Curtis never lived to see the song’s incredible success. The seminal post-punk tune became their best-selling single and the group’s defining song.

Annie Lennox: Walking On Broken Glass

This sophisticated pop tune finds Annie Lennox begging her ex to pick up the pieces of her life, which feels broken after their split. The song (off 1992’s Diva) became a global hit and helped to establish the former Eurythmics singer as a solo powerhouse.

Bob Dylan: Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right

Written when his girlfriend Suze Rotolo was spending an extended amount of time studying in Italy, Bob Dylan’s “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right” finds the artist sounding sad and frustrated at love lost. While the couple would reunite (and appear on the cover of the resulting album, 1963’s The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan), the song endured far longer than their relationship, becoming a folk standard.

Smokey Robinson and the Miracles: Tracks of My Tears

Smokey Robinson and the Miracles prove that heartbreak can inspire a masterpiece, as evidenced by their 1965 hit single, “Tracks of my Tears.” The soulful tune, which tells the tale of a man who hides the pain of a recent breakup, went on to be inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and added to the Library of Congress’s National Recording Registry.

Guns N Roses: November Rain

Clocking in at nearly nine minutes long, Guns N’ Roses’ “November Rain” blends symphonic orchestration with hard rock for the ultimate power ballad. A shorter edit of the song (a little under five minutes) was released as a single, but still broke records as the longest track ever to hit the Billboard 100 Top Ten.

Roy Orbison – Crying

In an interview with 1000 UK No.1 Hits, Roy Orbison explained the story behind his hit song, “Crying.” “I was dating a girl and we broke up. I went to the barber shop to get a haircut and I looked across the street and there was this girl that I had split up with. I wanted to go over and say, ‘Let’s forget about what happened and carry on.’ But I was stubborn.” That stubbornness leads Orbison to tears, which helped establish a new vulnerability in rock music.

Kiss Off Songs

There’s nothing better than an ex witnessing your glow-up after a breakup. Whether it’s through word of mouth, a chance encounter, or creeping on Instagram, achieving success after a relationship ends is a sweet sensation. Some of the best breakup songs center around this topic, which has produced tons of bitter, petty, and playful kiss-offs to exes.

Ariana Grande: thank u, next

Ariana Grande sings about the positive things she took away from her past relationships, thanking each of her exes for helping her grow just a bit more. The second half of “thank u, next,” which also marks the title track of Grande’s 2019 album, finds the pop star discovering the most important relationship of her life – with herself.

Taylor Swift: We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together

This cheeky breakup song from Taylor Swift encapsulates the feelings of a young couple that just can’t seem to quit each other. The Grammy-nominated track, which appeared on 2012’s Red, marked Swift’s first (of many) singles to top the Billboard Hot 100.

Kanye West: Heartless

Kanye West bemoans his callous ex in this 7x platinum single, off 2008’s game-changing 808s & Heartbreak. Ye does his best pop-R&B crooning on one of the catchiest breakup songs to date.

Kelly Clarkson: Since U Been Gone

Singing along to Kelly Clarkson’s “Since U Been Gone” at the top of your lungs isn’t a replacement for therapy…but it’s close. The cathartic and empowering 2004 rocker – which is about feeling relief after a bad relationship ends – resonated with fans across the world, earning Clarkson a platinum record and a Grammy.

Alanis Morissette: You Oughta Know

The ultimate, vengeful breakup song, “You Oughta Know” made Alanis Morrisette a massive star (and probably scared a few potential suitors in the process). Released in 1995, ahead of Jagged Little Pill, the cathartic, alt-rock hit introduced much of the world to the Canadian artist and left fans wondering just who the lyrics were directed at.

Gotye ft. Kimbra: Somebody That I Used To Know

In 2011, it was nearly impossible not to hear Gotye and Kimbra reflecting on their fictional breakup (“you didn’t have to cut me off/Make out like it never happened and that we were nothing”). While the singer-songwriters were never actually a couple, they certainly sound convincing enough in this pointed, Grammy-winning art-pop hit.

Prince: When You Were Mine

Prince recalls an unfaithful ex who walked all over him in this fan-favorite (off 1980’s Dirty Mind). As the legend goes, the artist was inspired to write “When You Were Mine” while listening to the music of John Lennon.

Mountain Goats: No Children

2002’s “No Children,” off The Mountain Goats’ Tallahassee, offers an intimate view of an angry couple in the throes of divorce. In an interview with MTV.com, frontman John Darnielle offered some background on his folk-rock tune: “I’m not laughing with those people, I’m laughing at them….It’s me saying, ‘You guys are wasting your single opportunity to occupy this human body.’”

Beyoncé: Irreplaceable

Beyoncé’s empowering, chart-topping “Irreplaceable” (off 2006’s B’Day) finds the superstar telling her cheating ex to pack his bags and leave. In one of the most pointed lyrics, she reminds him that she’ll be just fine without him, singing, “Don’t you ever for a second get to thinking/You’re irreplaceable.”

Justin Bieber: Love Yourself

Justin Bieber tells off a narcissistic ex in this Grammy-nominated single, off 2015’s Purpose. Co-written by Ed Sheeran, the acoustic “Love Yourself” was inspired by a real relationship of Bieber’s. One can only guess who he’s singing about in the biting line, “My mama don’t like you and she likes everyone,” but it’s undoubtedly been used as a breakup song by thousands.

Carly Simon: You’re So Vain

While rumors have swirled throughout the decades on who this song is actually about, Carly Simon’s “You’re So Vain” delivers a biting elegy to an ex, whose narcissistic womanizing is his downfall. He must have been pleased – the 1972 single was a massive hit; landing in the Top 10 in multiple countries, and topping the US pop charts.

Dua Lipa – New Rules

Dua Lipa is hellbent on never getting back together with that one ex. On “New Rules,” she outlines a new series of maxims to make sure that dude doesn’t sneak back into her life. She sings, “”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.”

I Will Survive

Sometimes we need a reminder that things will get better. Broken hearts will mend, new loves will emerge, and the sadness of the past will depart like clouds clearing the way for sunshine. These uplifting anthems prove that some breakups take time and a positive attitude. After all, you won’t start feeling better unless you convince yourself you can feel better.

Lorde: Writer In The Dark

As the “writer” in the song’s title, Lorde offers some final thoughts to an ex in this self-affirming piano ballad off 2017’s Melodrama. In an interview with New Zealand’s The Spinoff, the singer-songwriter explained that “Writer in the Dark” “is my way of saying ‘It’s what I’ve always been. It’s what I was when you met me. It’s what I will continue to be after you leave.’”

Gloria Gaynor: I Will Survive

One of the most empowering anthems ever recorded, Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive” is about finding the strength to move on after a breakup. The 1978 disco song resonated with listeners around the world, hitting No.1 in the US, UK, Canada, and beyond.

Whitney Houston: I Will Always Love You

Whitney Houston gives one of the most incredible vocal performances of all time in this cover of Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You.” Recorded in 1992 for the film The Bodyguard, Houston’s emotional version showcases the full scope of her abilities – bolstered by an a capella introduction. One of the more positive breakup songs, the bittersweet ballad finds its narrator still in love with their partner but acknowledging that they need to go their separate ways.

Elliott Smith: Somebody That I Used To Know

Not to be confused by the Gotye/Kimbra hit, Elliott Smith’s “Somebody That I Used to Know” (off 2000’s Figure 8) offers a sweet, simple, and pointed goodbye to an ex. And while Smith brushes off the breakup in the acoustic tune, there’s a deeper sense of betrayal in his words.

Oasis: Don’t Look Back In Anger

This anthemic tune, off 1995’s (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?, is about “looking forward rather than looking back,” according to an NME interview with Noel Gallagher. An enduring fan favorite and a No.1 hit in the UK, “Don’t Look Back in Anger” also marked Oasis’ first single to feature Noel on lead vocals.

Elton John: I’m Still Standing

There’s no better feeling than being “officially” over your ex, moving on with your life, and “Still Standing” after all of the heartache. That’s the sentiment that Elton John sings about in this triumphant hit, off 1983’s Too Low for Zero.

Lee Dorsey: Get Out of My Life, Woman

Lee Dorsey expertly interpreted this Allan Toussaint-penned song, making it a Top 10 R&B hit in 1965. The bluesy tune found Dorsey begging his ex, and his teardrops, to disappear so that he could move on.

Destiny’s Child – Survivor

Destiny’s Child wrote one of their biggest hits, “Survivor,” as a response to a joke. It began when a radio station reported that three members had already left the group, comparing the band to the reality game show Survivor. Beyoncé spun the dig into a positive, laughing at her critics and creating an era-defining anthem about growing stronger through pain and persevering. Beyoncé sums it up best in the first verse: “Now that you’re out of my life I’m so much better/ You thought that I’d be weak without you, but I’m stronger/ You thought that I’d be broke without you, but I’m richer/ You thought that I’d be sad without you, I laugh harder.” – Sam Armstrong

Sia – Big Girls Cry

On “Big Girls Cry,” Sia asserts her power by owning her emotions as an essential part of her being, not some flaw to be masked. She sings, “I may cry ruinin’ my makeup/ Wash away all the things you’ve taken/ And I don’t care if I don’t look pretty/ Big girls cry when their hearts are breaking.” On the track, Sia proves that there is true strength in vulnerability. – Sam Armstrong

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