I’m a self-professed Taylor Swift super fan, so Taylor Swift songs are basically my specialty in every sense of the word. Yes, she writes a lot about breakups and heartbreak. You can complain about it all you want, but when you get your heart broken, you will probably find yourself crying to a few Taylor Swift songs. Breakups are a range of emotions. Sometimes you’re devastated, other times you’re furious. You may be bitter or even over it, but eventually, you’ll move on. Luckily for you, I’ve compiled a list of some of her greatest breakup hits when you’re feeling any one of those emotions.
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I personally think Last Kiss is one of the best Taylor Swift songs to date. It’s virtually unknown by anyone who’s not a Taylor Swift fan, but it’s an absolutely beautiful song, musically and lyrically. She sings about all of the good memories of a relationship, and then the absolute heartbreak that followed. It’s so bittersweet that you’ll find yourself crying even if you aren’t heartbroken. It’s so perfect if you are heartbroken, though, because it’s so relatable. I’m sure everyone has sat on the floor wearing his clothes and looked back on memories after you’ve had your heart broken.
Taylor's gift for capturing the essence of a moment shines through in Last Kiss. The lyrics are hauntingly detailed—every listen feels like you're sifting through the pages of a diary someone left open on purpose. It resonates deeply, especially if you've ever lingered on the scent of a lost love or replayed those final goodbyes in your mind. With its mellow melody, the song wraps around you like a comfortable blanket made of memories, both sweet and sad. Truly, for the times when you're mourning the loss of a romance, there's hardly a better companion than this track.
On iTunes: itunes.apple.com
Taylor Swift doesn’t do much collaboration with other artists, but when she does, she does them well. Breathe is a lesser-known collaboration with Colbie Caillat from her second album. It chronicles the first few moments of a breakup. You know the moment, the realization that this person isn’t in your life anymore. You don’t know how you’ll breathe without them, but you have to. It’s an absolutely heartbreaking song, but it’s so beautiful, and it will help you pick yourself back up after a breakup.
The Breathe duet is an exquisite composition that stands out even amidst Taylor Swift's rich discography. Colbie Caillat’s soothing voice blends seamlessly with Swift's, creating a harmonious lament on lost love and the daunting task of moving forward. Like many of Swift's narratives, this track takes listeners on an emotional journey, one that's deeply personal yet universally relatable. The melody haunts you as you're enveloped in the raw, vulnerable lyrics—a testament to Swift's songwriting prowess. It’s a gentle reminder that healing begins with the simple act of breathing.
On iTunes: itunes.apple.com
Forever and Always is the infamous Joe Jonas breakup song. You remember the one, the 27-second breakup over the phone? While many songs have been inspired from this breakup, this one definitely made the most noise. It’s one of those songs for the times you feel like screaming your lungs out, or just when you’re questioning what went wrong. Sometimes after a breakup, you spend so much time wondering what moment everything ended. This song is perfect for that. It’s also just angry enough to sing at the top of your lungs when that’s the kind of mood you’re in.
On iTunes: itunes.apple.com
Picture to Burn is probably one of her angriest songs to date, but that almost makes it more perfect for heartbreak. This song was a single at the beginning of her career, so you may not remember it very well. If you don’t remember it, I suggest you watch the video on YouTube right now. If you’re going through a breakup, you may fantasize about trashing your ex’s house like she does in the music video, or at the very least be inclined to drive around screaming this song at the top of your lungs. She writes songs for every emotion, and this is definitely a song for your angriest moments.
On iTunes: itunes.apple.com
All Too Well is very similar to Last Kiss in that it’s incredibly bittersweet. She chronicles the relationship, from the first beautiful memories to the bitter end, when all you’re left with are questions. It’s speculated to be about Jake Gyllenhaal, and if it is, she just told the press that he told her listening to it was like “going through a photo album,” which accurately sums up how you’ll feel after listening to this song. Listening to it may or may not feel like looking through a photo album of your own former relationship, but it will undeniably make you cry, especially if you’re currently going through heartbreak. The bridge is so well-written that you’ll fall in love with lyrics such as “you call me up again just to break me like a promise,” or “I’d like to be my old self again but I’m still trying to find it,” to name a few. It’s tragically beautiful, and will probably be one of your favorite songs, even after you’ve gotten over your breakup.
On iTunes: itunes.apple.com
Everyone has moments of doubt where they want to call their ex again. This song is for those moments. Taylor’s actually said that she wrote this song instead of picking up the phone to call her ex again. It’s just the right amount of sad and empty hope that you have during those moments. The next time you want to pick up your phone and call your ex, listen to this song instead.
On iTunes: itunes.apple.com
Taylor Swift’s first single, Tim McGraw, is perfect after you’ve ended a summer romance. She chronicles a summer fling and then the aftermath. Even if your summer romance ended years ago, you’ll still probably find yourself tearing up over the memories this song will induce. It’s hard to believe she was only sixteen when she wrote it, because it’s that well written.
On iTunes: itunes.apple.com
We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together has quickly become the classic Taylor Swift breakup song. It’s every girl’s anthem for the breakup that you’re just over and done with. You know the one: he won’t stop calling you and you’re just done with the whole thing. Grab your friends, get in your car, turn this song up and sing your lungs out. It’s absolutely liberating.
On iTunes: itunes.apple.com
When you’re finally ready to move on from your messy breakup, you should listen to this song. It’s a song about beginning again (obviously) after you’ve had your heart broken, and learning to love again. You’ve made it through the wreckage and are ready to start over again, congratulations!
What are your favorite Taylor Swift songs? What are your favorite breakup songs in general? Let me know in the comments!