The Ultimate Playlist For Getting Over Your Ex And Moving On

There’s no nicer way to put it: breakups suck. A lot. No matter what might’ve led to the split, or who initiated it in the first place, breakups are difficult to deal with. Coming to the realization that your new life will be void of your significant other is somewhat unbearable.

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And what’s even more difficult than a split? Healing and moving on from your ex. Getting over your ex, especially when the split still feels surreal to you is tough. But know that you’re not alone during this difficult time. You’ll always have music to help you deal with it and move on..

According to Relationship Therapist, Dr. Tammy Nelson,

If you’re struggling with moving on, now’s the time to turn to music for succor. Below is the ultimate playlist for healing and getting over your ex.

1.   Gotye Ft. Kimbra – Somebody That I Used To Love (2012)

Gotye and Kimbra both deliver a ballad that is full of different emotions to process. Somebody That I Used To Love explores perspectives from both singers clinging to the illusion of a perfect relationship. They soon come to the painful realization that cutting things off was for the best.

But you treat me like a stranger and that feels so rough

No, you didn't have to stoop so low.

Have your friends collect your records and then change your number

I guess that I don't need that though

Now you're just somebody that I used to know

 Admitting that the split is done for good is a right nudge towards moving on.

2.   Amy Winehouse – Back To Black (2006)

This classic from Amy Winehouse exposes the ache in a jilted lover’s heart. But it does more to explore hope, bravery, and forging ahead. 

We only said goodbye with words

I died a hundred times

You go back to her 

You’ll get intoxicated with the smooth swing of this song, and sing along with Amy in no time.

3. Grace Carter – It Don’t Hurt Like It Used To (2019)

This powerful ballad from Grace Carter reinforces the stance that you deserve better.

Took my head and fucked it up

You made this heart of stone

What you gave was not enough

Oh, and you go on and on and on

And I've heard it all before

Just being honest

It don't hurt like it used to

These heartfelt lyrics are bound to tug at your emotions. You'll come to see that being single is better than being in a wrong relationship.

4. Hailee Steinfeld & Alesso Ft. Florida Georgia Line & Andrew Watt – Let Me Go (2017)

This is a song about a girl that has moved on from a split, encouraging her ex to do the same. Its up-tempo beat will spur you to get out of that bed. 

It's been some time, but this time ain't even

I can leave it in the past

But you're holding on to what you never had

Good on paper, picture perfect

Chased the high too far, too fast

Picket white fence, but we paint it black 

If you’re still nursing guilt about ending things with your ex, this song can aid you to move past it.

5.  Dua Lipa – IDGAF (2017)

Like the title already suggests, this song is a callout to an unfaithful ex trying to warm his way back. The lyrics will soak you in from the beginning. 

You call me all friendly

Tellin' me how much you miss me

That's funny, I guess you've heard my songs

Well, I'm too busy for your business

Go find a girl who wants to listen

'Cause if you think I was born yesterday

You have got me wrong

 Singing along with Dua is a morale-booster and makes you feel like a million bucks.

6.  Bob Dylan – Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright (1963)

This classic harmonica by Bob Dylan is a song about giving your heart to someone who doesn’t feel like doing same.

When your rooster crows at the break of dawn

Look out your window and I'll be gone

You're the reason I'm travellin' on

But don't think twice, it's all right 

This song is a reminder that some breakups are meant to happen. And that’s fine.

7. Adele – Someone Like You (2011)

This popular breakup anthem from Adele tells the story coming to terms with your ex has moving on. And it was time you did, too. 

Never mind, I'll find someone like you

I wish nothing but the best for you, too

"Don't forget me, " I beg

I remember you said

"Sometimes it lasts in love, but sometimes it hurts instead"

 The chorus is a tear-jerker but will give you the courage to move on.

8.  Passenger – Let Her Go (2012)

They say you don’t know what you have until it’s gone. That’s everything Passenger exudes with this heartbreak song.

'Cause you only need the light when it's burning low

Only miss the sun when it starts to snow

Only know you love her when you let her go

Only know you've been high when you're feeling low

Only hate the road when you're missing home

Only know you love her when you let her go

 Regardless of the underlying message, what’s done is done. You have to get moving.

9. Taylor Swift – We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together (2012)

This song is a clear and direct shot to a pesky ex trying to find their way back: not in your lifetime.

You go talk to your friends, talk to my friends, talk to me

But we are never ever, ever, ever getting back together

This heart-thumping song will get you bumping hard and putting that ex behind you for good.

10.  Ariana Grande – Thank U, Next (2018)

In this global anthem, Ariana reflects on her past relationships with her exes. The song belies the opinion that she was throwing shades at her ex-boyfriends.

One taught me love

One taught me patience

And one taught me pain

Now, I'm so amazing

Say I've loved and I've lost

But that's not what I see

So, look what I got

Look what you taught me 

There are important lessons to learn with every split. Focus on them as they will give you a better perspective moving forward.

11.   Gloria Gaynor – I Will Survive (1978)

This classic disco hit is an empowering song about moving on after a terrible relationship. The soul-lifting vocals of Gloria will glue you in from the beginning.

At first, I was afraid, I was petrified

Kept thinking I could never live without you by my side

But then I spent so many nights thinking how you did me wrong

And I grew strong

And I learned how to get along

This self-empowering song will lift your spirit and spur you to get over your ex for good.

12. Roxette – It Must’ve Been Love (1986)

This classic song from the ’80s is a reflection of a love that has turned sour. Roxette makes use of heavy-handed metaphors with a soulful tone to pass her message. 

It must have been love

But it's over now

It must have been good

But I lost it somehow

It must have been love

But it's over now

From the moment we touched

Till the time had run out

This song reinforces that you need to make your peace with the breakup and move on.

13. Beyoncé – Irreplaceable (2006)

This ever-green song from Beyonce is a powerful reminder to place value on yourself, and move on from an ex.

You must not know about me, you must not know about me

I could have another you in a minute

Matter of fact, he'll be here in a minute, baby

You must not know about me, you must not know about me

I will have another you by tomorrow

So don't you ever for a second get to thinking

You're irreplaceable

As you sail towards a new life, this song is a affirmation to leave the past where it belongs. 

14. Kesha – Praying (2017)

 

Kesha’s Praying is a deeply-emotional tune that reveals the singer’s strength and willfulness to move beyond the pain and hurt. 

I'm proud of who I am

No more monsters, I can breathe again

And you said that I was done

Well, you were wrong and now the best is yet to come

The best is yet to come; you should constantly remind yourself with this song.

15. Destiny’s Child – Survivor (2002)

This pulsating anthem from now-defunct Destiny’s Child is an empowering tune to inspire courage and strength after a split.

Now that you're outta my life, I'm so much better

You thought that I'd be weak without ya, but I'm stronger

You thought that I'd be broke without ya, but I'm richer

You thought that I'd be sad without ya, I love harder

You thought I wouldn't grow without ya, now I'm wiser!

This song is a gripping reminder to shelve the negativity and focus on becoming better as you move on.

Breakups, more often than not, may leave you in a sad and depressed state. One thing that will pull you out of there is music. Bobbing to a playlist of these songs will goad you to forget your ex and move on as you should.