There is something about listening to sad songs when we are feeling down that sorta kinda makes us feel better.

Whether you’re looking to immerse yourself in a sentimental mood or you’ve experienced a breakup and you’re looking to use music to drown your tears, this list of the best breakup songs in 2021 will hit all the right spots.

15 Of The Best Breakup Songs in 2021

1) Olivia Rodrigo – Drivers License

Nothing is more universal than a teenage heartbreak — and even though you might have gotten your driver’s license years ago, you can still relate to the pain of a breakup.

Like the song suggests, it’s a good breakup song to belt out as you are driving in your car. But please don’t be stalking your ex while you’re doing that.

 

2) The Weeknd & Ariana Grande – Save Your Tears (Remix)

First released on his album After Hours as a solo song, the remix version with Ariana Grande came out in April this year and this combination definitely makes Save Your Tears a blockbuster breakup song.

Unlike the usual breakup song, Save Your Tears is about feeling regret and wanting to get back together after a breakup — and promising you will do better this time around.

 

3) ENISA – Tears Hit The Ground

Born to Albanian immigrant parents and based in Brooklyn, Tears Hit The Ground is Enisa’s newest release from her debut EP due later this year. 

An arguably fun breakup song to listen to, it will empower you to know that the emptiness you feel right now is temporary and the person who betrayed you will get what they deserve. 

What goes around comes around after all. 

 

4) Olivia Rodrigo – Happier

Wow, two hit songs by Olivia Rodrigo on this list? This girl is on a roll. She’s got more where this came from but we chose Happier because it speaks to a very human side of us.

We want to be delighted for our ex but at the same time, man, it still hurts.

So you wish them happiness but not as happy as when they were with you and this song says it well.

 

5) Anne-Marie & Niall Horan – Our Song

Another brilliant combo — we can’t believe this is the first time they’ve ever collaborated on a song.

It can be heartbreaking if you’re still struggling to move on but Our Song is about remembering the good times you had and how when you hear your song, you just can’t stop smiling.

 

6) Jamie Miller – Here’s Your Perfect

This is one of those sad songs that would just pierce your heart. That’s because Jamie wrote it from his own experience.

So, it’s not surprising that his lyrics resonate with those of us who know how it feels to give our last hello to the person we loved.

 

7) Lukas Graham – Happy For You

Another sad breakup song about trying to be happy for our ex, Lukas’ songs have always touched us on an emotional level and this song is no different. 

With the compelling piano and his beautiful vocals, this song is about feeling lost after losing the one we cared so much for and trying to pick up the pieces as the one who was left behind.

 

8) Miley Cyrus – Angels Like You

One of the songs from Miley’s latest album Plastic Hearts, this song got many fans speculating about which ex she was referring to in the lyrics.

Miley further elaborated on this song saying that it’s about feeling remorse for getting together with the person even knowing that it wouldn’t end up well.

And when the relationship does end, we feel bad for bringing them down with us.

 

9) Dua Lipa – We’re Good

Hot off her Future Nostalgia: Moonlight edition album, We’re Good is a breakup song about knowing when to end a relationship because it has reached its limits.

It’s not easy to end a relationship but knowing that you’ve given it all you could makes it a tiny bit easier. After all, there’s no point in holding on to something that no longer benefits us.

 

10) Alec Benjamin – The Way You Felt: The Words

This is one sad breakup song that will get you in your feels. With an infectious beat and Alec’s soothing vocals, the song will pull your heartstrings in all kinds of manners.

Alec wrote this when he was feeling depressed about being isolated during the pandemic — something all of us could relate to — break up or not.

 

11) Kelsea Ballerini, LANY – I Quit Drinking

Any song with LANY in it is bound to be sad — in a good way. Paired with the vocals of country star Kelsea Ballerini, this breakup song is about what it feels like to sober up after being drunk in love.

 

12) Ali Gatie – Can’t Let You Go

A song that is as heartbreaking as Ali’s voice, Can’t Let You Go is a soulful ballad from his upcoming EP about the struggles of moving on.

Ali has the wonderful gift of portraying deep emotions with simple words and this sad breakup song has lyrics that go straight for the heart.

 

13) Sasha Sloan – when was it over? ft. Sam Hunt

Although it was an unexpected collaboration, we must say the outcome was really good.

You know that feeling where you’re wondering where and how did it go wrong after a breakup and you just can’t stop thinking about it? Well, this breakup song reflects those exact questions you have in mind.

 

14) Taylor Swift – right where you left me

A string-heavy, folksy ballad about fighting to move on from a previous love — a common occurrence in heartbreak where it feels like everyone including the one you loved has moved on but you’re still stuck in the same place.

An excellent song to listen to while taking a gloomy walk or gazing longingly out the window.

 

15) Passenger – Nothing Aches Like A Broken Heart

We end with the breakup song playlist with this soothing song by Passenger because it sums it all quite well — nothing aches like a broken heart.

But do know that your struggles will not last and one day, the pain of this breakup will just be a memory to you.

 

You might not want to love again so soon but when you’re ready to venture into the dating world, why not try a little sugar with it?

Sugarbook is the place you want to head to if you’re looking for some sweetness in your life. 

Who knows? You might find a mutually beneficial relationship that makes all these breakup songs obsolete.