Although many will not admit it, there is something liberating about putting on your headphones, grabbing a fluffy pillow, and having a good cry. Whatever the reason is, music has a tendency to understand feelings better that most people. A good heartbreak song can make you cry over your ex who dumped you unexpectedly, even if you’ve been single your whole life. And some heartbreak songs will make you miss the sweater your ex-boyfriend always let you borrow, or the way your ex-girlfriend made your morning coffee better than anyone. We want to avoid those songs. But people are only human, and feeling nostalgic for the good parts of an old relationship can easily cloud all the reasons why you broke up. So in case you forget why the relationship ended, just know that there are a great number of heartbreak songs to listen to that reassure you that being single is better than running back to those broken memories. Need a little help finding some? You’re in luck. Here are some heartbreak anthems that are equally sad and supportive.
Conan Gray – The Cut that Always Bleeds
Conan Gray released his debut album last month, a long awaited record from his fans. Gray touched on his experiences with love in his 21 years and how this heartbreak and unrequited love has shifted his confidence many times. Despite this, it doesn’t leave him any less of a romantic. The song is about the moment where one knows they need to let go of someone toxic. And just when they are about to heal, that person comes back into their life, reopening an almost healed wound. The dark and dreamy sound of The Cut That Always Bleeds captivates the listener with the most relatable lyrics of a heartbreak song “I don’t love you anymore.” The ballad ends with Gray singing out in an almost desperate attempt to let his ex lover know that despite the pain they cause, Gray needs them more than anything, including himself. In an Apple Music interview, Gray admits that the song was written “in a stage of misery.” The lyrics and story behind The Cut That Always Bleeds are too relatable, a reminder that healing is possible, and only you can decide to reopen the wounds people leave.
Chelsea Howard – Miss You
The R&B melody behind “Miss You” calms the listener before the lyrics even take effect. Chelsea Howard released her debut single at the beginning of this month, a heartbreak song centered around self doubt, insecurities, and wishes to wind back the clock on a past relationship,not to lose the memories but to avoid the ache of missing an ex. Like all good heartbreak songs, Miss You addresses loneliness, but refuses to succumb to it. The most powerful lyric of the song is Howard’s realization of the lack within her own romance. “This wasn’t a relationship anyways, baby I don’t need you to stay.” The Phoenix based singer and songwriter wrote the song at two in the morning, feeling the hurt and regret of past relationships and drawing those feelings into one record. Miss You is Howard’s first single, and she wanted the song to be the bad part of relatable. “Not everyone can relate to being in love or having an epic love story that touches the stars. But one thing everyone can relate to, is being heartbroken, at least once.”
Declan McKenna – Make Me Your Queen
Make Me Your Queen is an unconventional heartbreak anthem by British singer Declan McKenna. While acknowledging that his lover doesn’t think much of him “I know that I mean nothing to you, babe,” he begs them to make him theirs, regardless of those watered down feelings. McKenna chooses the title Make Me Your Queen since a queen is viewed as inferior compared to a King. McKenna’s desperation to be accepted and loved is tragically beautiful, and a reminder that we all have been in a position where we have hoped our crushes see us the way we see them. McKenna wrote Make Me Your Queen for his debut album, What Do You Think About The Car?