15 Taylor Swift Songs To Get You Through Any Breakup
You can say what you want about Taylor Swift, but there's no denying that when it comes to writing butt-kicking breakup songs, no one does it better. Listening to music can be super therapeutic when you're trying to overcome the burn of a bad breakup, and Taylor should be your go-to girl when you're searching for the perfect sassy sendoff song. Taylor has had more than her fair share of relationships with some of Hollywood's most eligible bachelors, and she has definitely used her failed dating experiences to her advantage by penning some seriously notable breakup songs that even the best of us can relate to. It seems like Swift has a tune for basically every kind of breakup. Whether you've been cheated on, lied to, or just plain brokenhearted , Taylor has a song about it. There are so many good ones to choose from, but we've narrowed it down to 15 Taylor Swift songs that are sure to get you through any breakup.
15 Picture To Burn
If you've ever been lied to, taken for granted, and want a way to say “good riddance” to your former flame, then "Picture To Burn" is definitely for you. Fresh off her self-titled debut studio album, Taylor didn't hold anything back when it came to writing one of her first big breakup songs after a nasty split with a former boyfriend. This is the perfect Taylor track to play if you've been messed with one too many times by a guy and you've finally had enough. In the song, Swift takes swing after swing at the guy who did her wrong. She gets right to the point in the opening line with, “state the obvious, I didn't get my perfect fantasy/ I realize you love yourself more than you could ever love me”. And it only gets worse from there - “I'm just sitting here planning my revenge/There's nothing stopping me/From going out with all of your best friends”. This song provides a hint of foreshadowing and a warning of caution for the star's future beaus - definitely don't mess with her heart because she will always end up having the last laugh. If you're totally over your ex and his selfish ways, you'll love this one.
14 Should've Said No
This little ditty goes out to anyone who has ever been cheated on. "Should've Said No" is a brazen and in-your-face track about the aftermath of finding out that her boyfriend has been unfaithful. Anyone who has ever been in a similar situation knows that being cheated on leaves you with a gut-wrenching feeling, a rollercoaster of emotions, and a plethora of unanswered questions that keep running through your head. The pain that comes with cheating is something that few would wish on even their worst enemy, and Taylor proves that even celebs are no exception to these relationship hardships. In the song, Taylor takes her misbehaving ex to task by calling him out on his unforgivable actions. Instead of drowning in a sea of tears, Taylor unapologetically stands up for herself all while publicly shaming her boyfriend's wandering eyes and wayward ways. The melodic tale tells of the cheater trying to win Taylor back, but she's having none of it. Her honesty about where she stands is refreshing, telling her scorned lover: “You should've said no/You should've gone home/You should've thought twice before you let it all go/You should've known that word like what you did with her/Would get back to me.” If you can relate, then this song will be your breakup anthem.
13 We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together
We've all been there: stuck in an on again/off again relationship that is about as pleasant as being unable to get off of never-ending merry-go-round. You recognize that your relationship is filled with flaws, but both of you are glutton for punishment and always keep coming back for more. Few are able to forget Taylor's transition from country to pop music, and along with that came the greatness that was "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together." Don't let this catchy, upbeat jam fool you - Taylor packs a powerful punch with this one. Most of us know that the song was infamously written about her failed romance with actor Jake Gyllenhaal, but the lyrics are so universal that pretty much anyone can relate. In this song, Taylor has had enough of going back and forth with the guy in question, and she finally puts her foot down once and for all. Her intentions are clear, as evidenced just by the song's title. Taylor is very tongue-in-cheek on this track, with one of her best lines being “I'm really gonna miss you picking fights/And me falling for it screaming that I'm right”. Ah, sarcasm at its finest. If you're totally done with playing games, and you don't want to get back together (like, ever), then this song will definitely be your jam.
12 You're Not Sorry
Taylor's 2008 release of her album, Fearless, had some pretty big hits. On that record was a real gem of a breakup track titled "You're Not Sorry", a heartfelt slow-tempo song about consistently being let down by a guy and finally coming to the realization that his numerous apologies mean nothing because he will never actually change his ways. Coming to terms with the undeniable fact that someone is no good for you can be a challenge, but once you finally break away from that relationship you'll soon understand that you're better off without him. Let's be honest - we have all been there at least one time or another, and these lyrics can totally resonate with basically anyone. In this song, Taylor insists that her guy should just give up his “nice guy” act because he's not sorry at all about anything he's done. This is the perfect song if you're looking for a real tear-jerker and just want to cry out your breakup frustrations. Some of the track's best lines include: “And you got your share of secrets/And I'm tired of being last to know/And now you're asking me to listen/Cause it's worked each time before”. This is by far one breakup song you don't want to miss out on.
11 Cold As You
If you've been through a break-up so recent that the wounds are still fresh, Taylor has a song for it. "Last Kiss" is a slow jam that came off of her Speak Now album. It tells the tale of a brokenhearted Swift who isn't at all over her last lover, and still reminisces about the times they spent together while wondering where exactly they went wrong. Anybody who has ever stepped onto the dating scene knows a thing or two about lost loves, and Taylor is no exception. In this particular song, Taylor is still reeling from the fact that her guy has gone away for good and he's not coming back. Shattered and unsure, the songstress fondly looks back on some of the memories they've shared while she sits on the floor wearing his clothes. This sounds like something we've done but don't want to admit it. Some of the most powerful lines in this track include: I don't know how to be something you miss/ I never thought we'd have a last kiss/Never imagined we'd end like this/Your name, forever the name on my lips”. If you really want to reflect on your former relationship, then this song is calling your name.
9 Better Than Revenge
You might just be lying if you said you've never been super bitter about how your breakup went down. It's totally normal to have hard feelings for an ex, especially if he up and leaves you for someone else. That's exactly how Taylor perceived things went down in her anti-boyfriend-stealing anthem, "Better Than Revenge", also from her Speak Now album. In this one, Taylor gets down and dirty and lays some serious sass down for a girl accused of taking her man. This track is more venomous toward the other woman than to the boyfriend who strayed, but it still tells the torrid tale about the demise of a relationship, nonetheless. The singer calls out the alleged BF-thief with glee while remaining firm in the fact that there's nothing Taylor does quite like revenge. Some words of wisdom from the mind of Taylor include: “I never saw it coming, wouldn't have suspected it/ I underestimated just who I was dealing with /She had to know the pain was beating on me like a drum/She underestimated just who she was stealing from”. Ouch… even we kind of feel the burn of this one.
8 The Story Of Us
If we've learned anything from listening to Taylor Swift over the years it's that the old saying is true: “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned." The singer lashes out again in this picturesque break-up bop that we just can't help but love. In this song, Taylor (literally) tells the story of a relationship that appears to be on its way out as she ponders her way around the many possibilities of what happened and how things ended up like this. The song is upbeat and infectious, but of course, that doesn't mean it's all sunshine and butterflies. In true Taylor fashion, the artist starts with the beginning of their whirlwind love affair and goes from one chapter to the next until she ultimately decides that their story is about to come to an end. Some of the most riveting lines include: “But you held your pride like you should have held me/Oh, I'm scared to see the ending/Why are we pretending this is nothing?/ I'd tell you I miss you but I don't know how I've never heard silence quite this loud." If you're looking for closure while reveling in some punchy digs directed at your ex, listen to this song right away.
7 I Almost Do
Break-ups are never easy, and there are a million reasons to be tempted to rekindle an old flame (even though you know you shouldn't). In "I Almost Do", Taylor Swift discusses the internal struggle of still wanting to share important life events with your ex and wishing she had the option of just picking up the phone and calling him like she would in the past. Instead of acting on impulse, Taylor takes caution and refrains from reaching out to her ex-boyfriend. It's super easy to fall back into old patterns, and Taylor doesn't want to risk going through the same heartbreak all over again.! Some of the song's most pungent lines include: I bet you think I either moved on or hate you/Cause each time you reach out there's no reply/ I bet it never ever occurred to you that I can't say "Hello" to you/And risk another goodbye”. We have definitely been down this road before! If you can relate too, you totally need to download this epic Taylor track ASAP.
6 Teardrops On My Guitar
Apparently, Taylor was capable or writing some pretty powerful songs as a teen, and "Teardrops On My Guitar" definitely proves that. This was one of the singer's biggest breakout songs at the time of her incredible rise to fame. Even though it has been revealed that Taylor never actually went out with the guy who she wrote this song about, it definitely can hold its own as a breakup song for the ages. In this tune from her first studio album, Taylor gives listeners some insight about where her heart is and how her feelings aren't exactly being reciprocated. Taylor can't seem to shake her attraction to the guy in question, even though he's already taken by someone else. The singer spends her days wishing and hoping that one day he will finally open his eyes and see that she's in love with him, but until then she is alone and pretends to totally fine (when she's actually not at all). The song's most noteworthy lines include: “Because he's the reason for the teardrops on my guitar/The only one who's got enough of me to break my heart/He's the song in the car I keep singing, don't know why I do." We love this classic Swift song for many reasons, and it's a total necessity to add to your break-up jams playlist.
5 All You Had To Do Was Stay
Sometimes it's easier to see your former relationship in a whole new light once you finally break away from it once and for all. That sure was the case for Taylor in the song, "All You Had To Do Was Stay." Here we have a jilted Swift talking directly to her ex about how simple things would have been if he had just stuck around. Once he parted ways, he realized it was a big mistake and wanted to get back together, but it was too late for all that nonsense. You can really rock out to this upbeat track fresh off of Taylor's 1989 album. The lyrics of this song serve as a wonderful reminder to not let others (especially ex-lovers) push you around or take you for granted. A man needs to appreciate you while he's with you, not after he chooses to walk away. It's great to know your worth and stick to your standards when it comes to dating. Some epic lines of the song include: “I've been picking up the pieces of the mess you made/People like you always want back the love they pushed aside/But people like me are gone forever when you say goodbye”. Spoken like a true heart-breaker - and we love every minute of it.
4 White Horse
Have you ever had super high hopes for a relationship to work out only to be let down time and time again? Well, you definitely aren't alone. Taylor certainly brought her A-game when she released her single, "White Horse", in 2009. This song is pure breakup gold because there aren't many of us who aren't able to put ourselves right into the song. In this one, Taylor has come to the conclusion that she's been foolish throughout the course of their entire relationship and she finally comes to grips with the fact that this guy isn't capable of giving her the happy ending she's always dreamed of. The singer bluntly states that he's not her Prince Charming, she's not a princess, and that her fairytale fantasies are a far cry from reality. Some lines to live by include: “ I was a dreamer before you went and let me down/Now it's too late for you/And your white horse, to come around “. This is a Taylor Swift song that you don't want to miss, especially if you're still in full swing breakup-mode.
3 Forever & Always
This is one of the (likely many) songs written about Taylor's fast-fading former flame, Joe Jonas. He was one of the first big celebs to really get the brunt of Taylor's break-up jams… but their relationship did provide us with some awesome music so all was definitely not lost. In this song, Swift talks about a once seemingly perfect relationship that went up in smoke in the blink of an eye, leaving the starlet confused about what even happened that eventually led to their demise as a couple. This track is quick to call out Jonas for being distant and withdrawn from the relationship while probably being intimidated by Swift's honesty and realness. The song draws on the singer's utter shock and confusion about the relationship not working out, something that could hit a little too close to home for most of us. Some notable lines include: “And I stare at the phone, he still hasn't called/And then you feel so low you cant feel nothing at all/And you flashback to when he said forever and always”. Trust us, this is a Taylor Swift song that you can't risk missing out on in the midst of a breakup.
2 The Way I Loved You
In this break-up song, Taylor starts out by telling us just how great her new man is by giving him major props and saying that all of her single friends are jealous. That being said, she can't help but draw back on her past relationship with a possible “one who got away” kind of mystery man. After listing her new beau's good qualities, she takes a walk down memory lane. Even though she has a great man standing right in front of her, she still misses all of the craziness that came along with her old love. Some of the song's best points include: “But I miss screaming and fighting and kissing in the rain/And it's 2am and I'm cursing your name/You're so in love that you act insane/And that's the way I loved you”. It's clear to see that the two experienced a unique kind of love affair that can't be easily imitated by others, and even though they weren't a match, she still can't get over their one-of-a-kind romance. Sigh… we feel you, Taylor… we feel you. Sometimes it might be easy to move on and you feel like you should be happy but you find yourself holding on to lingering feelings for an ex-boyfriend. If you can relate, you might want to give this one a listen.
1 Begin Again
After enduring her fair share of hardships and relationship disasters, Taylor shows off her optimistic side in the refreshing song, "Begin Again" off of her best-selling Red album. The song starts out discussing the different views of opinion that her and her now-ex had, noting that he didn't like it when she wore high heels and he didn't get her taste in music. She meets up with a new gentleman at a coffee shop, and for the first time in a long time, she sees a glimmer of hope that love totally can bloom again. Taylor and her new potential suitor seem to have much more in common than her old flame did, and they spend the day laughing and enjoying each other's company. This track is much more than just a breakup song, it's an exhilarating and fresh take on moving on when you least expect it. Most of us can surely relate - we spend days, weeks, and months pining over our ex while still recovering over the pain of a breakup, only to discover that there are actually plenty of fish in the sea when we aren't even on the hunt for someone new. Some of this song's best lyrics include: “I've been spending the last eight months/Thinking all love ever does is break and burn and end/But on a Wednesday in a cafe I watched it begin again”. Each day brings you closer to closure, until one day you wake up and you realize that you're finally over it, and you're actually okay. This is the perfect track to listen to if you want a positive perspective of what's to come in a post-break-up world.