Listening to songs about cheating is a great way to get over an unfaithful lover, but you've got to be careful about which songs you choose to add to your playlist. For example, Shaggy's "It Wasn't Me" is supposed to be a funny song, but it will probably leave you feeling extremely angry if you caught your guy cheating and denying it. Luckily, this list only features songs about cheating that come from the wronged woman's point of view, and it covers a wide range of emotions. So whether you're hurt, angry, or not ready to let your unfaithful lover go, there's a song here that will help you deal with what you're feeling.
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1. "Say My Name" by Destiny's Child
On iTunes: itunes.apple.com
This is one of the best songs about cheating for a gal who suspects that her lover is being untrue, and it actually reveals a great way to test these suspicions. If he's acting strange when you call him up, just make him say your name. Here are some of the lyrics: "Say my name, say my name / You actin' kinda shady, you ain't callin' me baby / Why the sudden change?" The song offers some great clues to look for when trying to catch a cheater. Is he only saying things like "Uh huh" and "Yeah, okay" when you call him up? Does he hang up without saying "I love you?" If there's a sudden change in the way that he talks to you, then he might be runnin' game.
2. "Cold Shoulder" by Adele
On iTunes: itunes.apple.com
If your guy is cheating and is just treating you like crap in general, then you might need to have a good cry while listening to this song. It's about a cheater who treats his lover like she's the one at fault. Here are some of the lyrics: "You grace me with your cold shoulder / Whenever you look at me I wish I was her / You shower me with words made of knives." This one is pretty painful and sad, and it's perfect for that period of time when you're not ready to walk away and can only feel sorry for yourself for landing such a loser. But if a guy is treating you like this, you really need to kick him to the curb, and hopefully there are some songs here that will help you move on.
Frequently asked questions
Oh, there are so many! Adele's raw emotion in her songs, Pink's punchy anthems, and lots of tracks that really capture what it feels like to be cheated on.
Yes, absolutely. Emotional cheating can be just as painful. Some songs really dive into that betrayal even if it's not physical.
Totally. Music has this incredible way of putting your feelings into words. It's like having someone else 'get' exactly what you're going through.
If you need to let out some steam, there are some fantastic angry anthems. Pink, for instance, has some real bangers that can help you vent.
Yes, she does! Adele is a powerhouse when it comes to songs about heartbreak and betrayal. Her music really touches the soul.
3. "the Boy is Mine" by Brandy and Monica
On iTunes: itunes.apple.com
Okay, so maybe you know that your boyfriend is cheating, but you're willing to fight for him. If this is your situation, then you definitely need to listen to this song for motivation before confronting the other woman. You've got to be prepared, because she might throw painful words at you like this: "But when will you get the picture / You're the past, I'm the future / Get away, it's my time to shine / If you didn't know the boy is mine." It can actually be kind of exhilarating to fight for a guy, so I won't judge you for trying to hold on to an unfaithful lover. However, hopefully you and the other woman will do what Brandy and Monica do at the end of "The Boy is Mine" music video—they both kick the cheater to the curb.
4. "Jolene" by Dolly Parton
On iTunes: itunes.apple.com
This is a song for a girl who is a little more insecure and not ready to go to war with the other woman. Dolly kills her romantic rival with kindness by praising her beauty, and then she begs Jolene not to take her man just because she can. The song features heartbreaking lyrics like this: "You could have your choice of men / But I could never love again / He's the only one for me, Jolene." It perfectly captures that painful moment when you realize that you just can't compete with the other woman's looks and feminine wiles. You might also feel like you'll never love again if your man leaves you for a Jolene, but you've got to believe that you deserve better.
5. "There You Go" by Pink
On iTunes: itunes.apple.com
So it's probably a good idea to follow up that last song with something a little more empowering. If your man does leave you for a Jolene, there's a good chance that he'll come crawling back when he realizes that a relationship based on nothing but physical attraction isn't all that fulfilling. This is the song that you need to listen to when this happens—it will give you the willpower not to give in and take the cheater back. Here are some of the lyrics: "And I was right when I thought I'd be much better off without you / Had to get myself from round you, cuz my life was all about you." So even if he says goodbye to what's-her-name, don't fall for his claim that he's changed.
6. "Take a Bow" by Rihanna
On iTunes: itunes.apple.com
Here's another song that will encourage you not to take that cheater back. Instead you've got to tell him to own up to what he did by taking a bow as he accepts the d-bag of the year award. Here's an example of the lyrics: "Don't tell me you're sorry 'cause you're not / Baby when I know you're only sorry you got caught." Ain't this the truth. Just be glad that the show's over when the curtain closes on your cheating ex—another one will open soon enough.
7. "Irreplaceable" by Beyonce
On iTunes: itunes.apple.com
The next time you dump a cheater, maybe you should do it by simply wagging your fingers while saying, "To the left, to the left." That's all he deserves to hear. This song is all about letting a guy who is full of himself know that he's not irreplaceable. You gotta love this line: "I can have another you in a minute / Matter fact, he'll be here in a minute." When your ex comes to pick up the last of his stuff, make sure that you have this song on full blast.
8. "Hit 'Em up Style (Oops!)" by Blu Cantrell
On iTunes: itunes.apple.com
Is there any better way to get over a cheater than with a good revenge song? This one also has an upbeat sound, so it will keep those tears from falling. Here are some of the lyrics: "Hey ladies / When your man wanna get buckwild / Just go back and hit 'em up style / Get your hands on his cash / And spend it to the last dime / For all the hard times." It might not be the best idea to actually steal your man's credit card. However, it's definitely fun to fantasize about.
9. "before He Cheats" by Carrie Underwood
On iTunes: itunes.apple.com
And here's the best cheating revenge song of them all. It definitely captures the feeling of anger and resentment that you experience after you learn about that "bleached-blonde tramp." But what better way to get that fury out than by belting out the chorus of the song? Here it is in case you don't already know it by heart: "That I dug my key into the side / Of his pretty little souped up 4 wheel drive / Carved my name into his leather seats / I took a Louisville slugger to both headlights/ Slashed a hole in all 4 tires / Maybe next time he'll think before he cheats." Obviously you shouldn't actually do any of this since it will likely land you in jail, but it does feel good to fantasize about getting revenge by destroying his favorite toy.
Yes, getting cheated on really, really sucks, but it could actually make you a stronger woman. You've just got to survive all the bad feelings that a cheater leaves in his wake, and it's nice to know that these songs exist to help you work through that crazy mix of emotions. So which songs have helped you survive an unfaithful lover?
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