Although Valentine’s Day is a holiday rooted in capitalist ideologies profiting off people’s most primitive and emotional state, it is still a fun holiday to celebrate to express one’s love for a significant other, friend, family member, or any other life-form worth spreading love to. However, there are those people on the other side of the spectrum who are single, sad, and lonely.
To add on top of being alone on Valentine’s Day, a global pandemic doesn’t seem to be much help either. So, as a way to combat this sadness, I’ve constructed a playlist of some of my favorite heartbreak songs to get you through another February 14th.
1. Swamp Dogg “Lonely”
If you are like the majority of the YouTube comments on this video, you found this song from Hulu’s series High Fidelity. Starring Zoe Kravitz as a record shop owner struggling with the hardships of love, she puts on this Swamp Dogg song in the store as a ploy to get a customer to buy the record. Spoiler alert: it works.
2. Carly Rae Jepsen “Party For One”
For those of you that haven’t checked in with Carly Rae Jepsen in a while, I implore you to become familiar with some of her recent material because it absolutely bangs. “Party For One” is a pop banger exploring the themes of self-love and not needing anyone to have a party.
3. The Chicks “Tights On My Boat”
Formerly known as The Dixie Chicks, “Tights On My Boat” is a breakup song riding on the idea that karma is going to find this person who wronged the brokenhearted. This acoustic, country tinged song stings like an arrow to the heart, and it is absolutely beautiful.
4. Dua Lipa “Don’t Start Now”
I feel like this one is a given for a playlist like this, but it is impossible to not add. This high energy post glow-up anthem is just what any single soul needs to get out of that sad funk on St. Valentine’s Day.
5. Shawn Wasabi “LEMONS (feat. Kennedi)”
This joke has been made already, but this song is a sour track talking about a person being in a new relationship with another girl and them simply thinking their new girl is “kinda ugly.” The production on this track is off the wall taking hints of video game aesthetics and bubblegum pop music. The production is sweet, but the lyrics will leave a bitter taste in your mouth.
6. Red Hearse “Everybody Wants You”
This project went incredibly underappreciated when it came out, but it has been on constant rotation since its release for me. Red Hearse is a trio that consists of producer Jack Antonoff, producer Sounwave, and singer Sam Dew. The entire project is perfect, but one of the most heartbreaking tracks of the bunch is “Everybody Wants You” which talks about wanting to be with a certain someone who also is desired by everyone else. It is such a sincere and honest sentiment, but is so brutally heartbreaking.
7. Brooks & Dunn “Neon Moon feat. Kacey Musgraves)”
This is a remake of an absolute classic country song with an updated groove and the inclusion of glittery country girl Kacey Musgraves on lead vocals. “Neon Moon” is the go-to karaoke song for any brokenhearted person at the end of the bar, sipping on a whiskey soda. This is a perfect song to bump to and remind anyone going through it this holiday that “there’s always room here for the lonely.”
8. Chloe x Halle “Lonely”
Chloe x Halle are undoubtedly one of the most talented duos in music right now. The production on this track in particular is buttery smooth, the vocals are beautifully crisp, and overall the message of the song is reassuring saying “you don’t have to be lonely being alone.”
9. Lianne La Havas “Bittersweet”
This one is brutal, but gut wrenchingly beautiful. Lianne La Havas has one of the most gorgeous voices in music that will make you instantly fall in love with just one listen. “Bittersweet” perfectly describes the rollercoaster of a ride this song takes you on with the lushious instrumental paired with the somber lyrics.
10. Lorde “Hard Feelings/Loveless”
Including any track from Melodrama on a heartbreak playlist is pretty much a cop out, but it is so necessary. “Hard Feelings/Loveless” is a pop masterpiece that articulates the “hard feelings” that come with saying goodbye to an ex-lover and the memories that still linger. Jack Antonoff crushes it production wise with insane metallic synths towards the middle and the popping drums all over.
11. Mitski “Nobody”
Don’t be fooled by the upbeat disco fused indie track, this is a sad song. You could dance and sing along all you want, but you will cry as you do it. If you don’t get this song stuck in your head by the end of the second chorus, then you are very much going through it this year and I am very sorry for you.
12. Ariana Grande “better off”
The obvious Ariana Grande song to include would have been “thank u, next,” but this playlist is anything but ordinary. “better off” is a bittersweet track coming to terms with a given relationship and finding solace in being alone. Sometimes the hardest part of a heartbreak is acceptance and moving on, and this song is the perfect song to blast in order to get to that feeling.
13. Deb Never “Someone Else”
Deb Never is a relatively small artist who will more than likely blow up pretty soon. “Someone Else” is a somber indie pop jam pleading someone not to fall in love with someone else. Who can relate?
14. Bon Iver “I Can’t Make You Love Me / Nick of Time”
Probably the most heartbreaking song of all time is this version of “I Can’t Make You Love Me” by Bon Iver performed on piano. It’s beautiful and raw, and captures the emotion of the song in such a way that is captivating and awe-inspiring. Every time I hear this rendition, it never fails to bring me to tears, no matter what my relationship status currently is.
And that’s it. Hopefully these songs will spark some joy for you this Valentine’s Day, and just know that whoever you are, you are worthy of love.
