How to Figure Out the Time Signature of a Song

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The 35 Best Breakup Songs Whether You're Sad Or Just Angry As Hell

Ariana Grande gets me.

Jose Luis Pelaez Inc Getty Images

Let's face it: Breakups aren't cute. The end of a relationship often means lots of anger, ugly crying, anger (yes, twice), and contempt—all fighting to be the main event. And with so many different emotions running through you at once, it can also be super hard to understand what you're feeling, exactly. That's where music comes in. Sometimes breakup songs are the best medicine for healing heartache, since lyrics map out the melancholy feelings you can't quite put into words on your own.

So while you might think you've found solace wedged between mounds of ice cream (not that I'm speaking from personal experience here...), music is actually a great source of much-needed catharsis. "It can help soften the intensity of your emotions because you feel part of a bigger experience," says relationship expert Jane Greer, Ph.D. says, "rather than the sole person experiencing disappointment and despair." Are you taking notes? Good, because you've got to realize that music is just what you needed to mend your broken heart.

Ahead, you'll find a collection of the absolute best break up songs curated for you by the editors at Women's Health. This musical therapy session (which some call a playlist) is made up of breakup songs excavated from the trenches of Spotify and Apple Music. It's not easy selecting from years of Ariana Grande hits...but WH did it for you. Plus, they're organized by post-breakup feels.

1 of 35

For a good cry: "Driver's License" - Olivia Rodrigo

It's the breakup song repeating on everyone's devices right now...even those who aren't going through breakups. If you wanna belt the lyrics, "I guess you didn't mean what you wrote in that song about me," while sobbing into your pillow, go for it.

2 of 35

For a good cry: "Broken Clocks" - SZA

This song is so emotional it literally brought SZA's dad to tears. It'll remind you that you know how to #grind and make it on your own even if your love life isn't quite at its peak.

3 of 35

For a good cry: "The 1" - Taylor Swift

Taylor is the president of breakup music, and this track on Folklore is about, among other things, her nostalgia for old relationships. She sings about how life would've gone "if her wishes came true" and if that certain someone "would've been the one."

4 of 35

For when you're angry as hell: "Don't Start Now" - Dua Lipa

In this track, Dua sings, "Did the heartbreak change me? Maybe / But look at where I ended up." Basically, this song is an anthem to getting back out there and loving yourself after the end of a relationship.

5 of 35

Pick-me-up songs: "Forgive Me" - Chloe x Halle

You heard 'em: "Don't ask for permission. Ask for forgiveness." Chloe and Halle's voices will have you simultaneously mourning your breakup and remembering why you're all that.

6 of 35

When you're angry as hell: "Thank U, Next" - Ariana Grande

Yep, you know the words: "I'm so f*cking grateful for my ex." This bop reminds you that you're a bad bleep, and while your exes might have taught you some solid lessons, you're just fine on your own.

7 of 35

For a good cry: "Ex-Factor" - Lauryn Hill

Ahh, the anthem for every sad, single person out there who just went through an unexpected breakup. Lauryn Hill's voice really aches with pain here while her lyrics speak of heartbreak.

8 of 35

For a good cry: 'Call Out My Name' - The Weeknd

You can literally hear the sadness in The Weeknd's voice when listening to this song. With lyrics like, "I almost cut a piece of myself for your life" and "you just wasted my time," he basically puts crappy breakups into words.

9 of 35

For a good cry: 'Un-Break My Heart' - Toni Braxton

First, Toni's sultry voice makes the tears well up, and then I listen to the words and I find myself missing people I never even dated…

10 of 35

For a good cry: 'Too Good at Goodbyes' – Sam Smith

This super-sad Sam Smith song is about getting hurt one too many times and closing yourself off just to protect your heart. Same, Sam.

11 of 35

For a good cry: 'Torn' – Natalie Imbruglia

If you don't crank this up and belt it out while you're driving because "nothing's fine," you're lying.

12 of 35

For a good cry: 'Somebody Else' – The 1975

This track perfectly describes the frustration of seeing someone you loved with somebody else. Yours truly listened to nothing else for weeks. Now, it's a reminder of the time my friends convinced me not to stress-cut my hair.

13 of 35

For a good cry: 'Breakeven' – The Script

For when you're still alive, but you're barely breathing.

14 of 35

For a good cry: 'No Air' – Jordan Sparks & Chris Brown

Brownie points if you can sing both parts without having to catch your breath.

15 of 35

For a good cry: 'The Scientist' – Coldplay

This classic is about a broken relationship that couldn't be fixed. "Nobody said it was easy / No one ever said it would be this hard / Oh take me back to the start." Preach, Chris Martin.

16 of 35

For a good cry: 'Stay (feat. Mikky Ekko)' – Rihanna

In the music video, Riri sings this ballad about feeling lonely from a bathtub, and I'm taking notes.

17 of 35

When you're angry as hell: 'Cry Me River' – Justin Timberlake

JT really knew what he was doing with this song about a cheater who ruined everything and wants you back. There's no chance in hell, honey.

18 of 35

When you're angry as hell: 'Irreplaceable' – Beyoncé

The lyrics, "To the left, to the left" walked so the phrase "Who dis?" could run. This song practically begs you to groove while the memory of your ex just melts away.

19 of 35

When you're angry as hell: 'FU (feat. French Montana)' – Miley Cyrus

"I got two, ooh ooh letters for you / One of them's F and the other one's U / 'Cause what you gotta do, is go get yourself a clue." Enough said.

20 of 35

When you're angry as hell: 'Before He Cheats' – Carrie Underwood

Carrie reminds us just how good revenge can feel. Or, at the very least, describes what we WISH we could do to an ex.

21 of 35

When you're angry as hell: 'Take a Bow' – Madonna

Let's have a round of applause for those who played us.

22 of 35

When you're angry as hell: 'Gives You Hell' – The All-American Rejects

The All-American Rejects may not have realized it then, but the band wrote this song specifically and only for this list.

23 of 35

When you need a pick-me-up: 'Blow Me (One Last Kiss)' – P!nk

The queen of pop anthems served up another banger in 2012 about being better off after being fed up. For even more catharsis, check out the the all too satisfying drink-to-the-face in the music vid.

24 of 35

When you need a pick-me-up: 'Survivor' – Destiny's Child

"You know I'm not gonna diss you on the internet / 'Cause my momma taught me better than that." Clearly Destiny's Child has more restraint than I do.

25 of 35

When you need a pick-me-up: 'Shout Out to My Ex' – Little Mix

Little Mix crafted this one for you and your friends to embrace the single life together.

26 of 35

When you need a pick-me-up: 'Breaking Up' – Charli XCX

The moment it dawns on you that your ex wasn't that great, play this song. Charli knows what's up: "You had an ugly tattoo, and fucking cheap perfume / You couldn't dance, barely moved, didn't know what to do"

27 of 35

When you need a pick-me-up: 'Dog Days Are Over' – Florence + The Machine

The best is yet to come, Florence said so.

28 of 35

When you need a pick-me-up: 'Love Is a Battlefield' – Pat Benatar

This track conjures up a specific sort of energy. The kind you sing into a hairbrush, in front of a mirror.

29 of 35

When you need a pick-me-up: 'I'm Coming Out' – Diana Ross

"I'm Coming Out" is what you listen to while you're getting ready for a night out with the squad: the real loves of your life.

30 of 35

When you need a pick-me-up: 'Love Myself' – Hailee Steinfeld

And this is what you listen to when you're on your way to meet up with them.

Aryelle Siclait Associate Editor Aryelle Siclait is the associate editor at Women's Health where she writes and edits articles about relationships, sexual health, pop culture, and fashion for verticals across WomensHealthMag.com and the print magazine.

Madeline Howard Editorial Assistant Madeline Howard is the editorial assistant at Women's Health.

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How to Figure Out the Time Signature of a Song

Source: https://www.womenshealthmag.com/relationships/g23568186/best-breakup-songs/

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