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The 50 Greatest Breakup Songs of All Time According to The Ringer

"What makes a song a "breakup song"? Does it have to be empowering? Should it be for the lonely? Does it have to address the breakup in the lyrics? We here at The Ringer believe that since heartache comes in many forms, so should the breakup song. We decided to dig deep into the genre. Below, you'll find our ranking of the 50 greatest breakup songs of all time, as voted on by our staff. The list spans several decades and many different moods, but all are rooted in some type of pain. There was only one rule for the final ranking: just one song per artist. So if you're lonely, fire up our playlist and cry along. Maybe you'll gain a greater appreciation for your current relationship. After all, breakup songs resonate only when you know what it's like to lose in love." - theringer.com
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from theringer.com · made by SteveAzo
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required scores: 1, 15, 23, 28, 33 
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"Purple Rain," Prince
"Purple Rain," Prince
1
"You Oughta Know," Alanis Morissette
"You Oughta Know," Alanis Morissette
2
"I Can't Make You Love Me," Bonnie Raitt
"I Can't Make You Love Me," Bonnie Raitt
3
"I Will Always Love You," Whitney Houston
"I Will Always Love You," Whitney Houston
4
"Ms. Jackson," Outkast
"Ms. Jackson," Outkast
5
"Since U Been Gone," Kelly Clarkson
"Since U Been Gone," Kelly Clarkson
6
"I Want You Back," the Jackson 5
"I Want You Back," the Jackson 5
7
"Someone Like You," Adele
"Someone Like You," Adele
8
"Ain't No Sunshine," Bill Withers
"Ain't No Sunshine," Bill Withers
9
"I Will Survive," Gloria Gaynor
"I Will Survive," Gloria Gaynor
10
"Torn," Natalie Imbruglia
"Torn," Natalie Imbruglia
11
"How Can You Mend a Broken Heart," Al Green
"How Can You Mend a Broken Heart," Al Green
12
"Dreams," Fleetwood Mac
"Dreams," Fleetwood Mac
13
"End of the Road," Boyz II Men
"End of the Road," Boyz II Men
14
"Thank U, Next," Ariana Grande
"Thank U, Next," Ariana Grande
15
"Dancing on My Own," Robyn
"Dancing on My Own," Robyn
16
"You're So Vain," Carly Simon
"You're So Vain," Carly Simon
17
"Ex-Factor," Lauryn Hill
"Ex-Factor," Lauryn Hill
18
"I Heard It Through the Grapevine," Marvin Gaye
"I Heard It Through the Grapevine," Marvin Gaye
19
"Jolene," Dolly Parton
"Jolene," Dolly Parton
20
"With or Without You," U2
"With or Without You," U2
21
"Cry Me a River," Justin Timberlake
"Cry Me a River," Justin Timberlake
22
"Hold Up," Beyoncé
"Hold Up," Beyoncé
23
"Skinny Love," Bon Iver
"Skinny Love," Bon Iver
24
"Piece of My Heart," Big Brother & the Holding Company
"Piece of My Heart," Big Brother & the Holding Company
25
"Burn," Usher
"Burn," Usher
26
"Just a Friend," Biz Markie
"Just a Friend," Biz Markie
27
"Marvin's Room," Drake
"Marvin's Room," Drake
28
"Nothing Compares 2 U," Sinéad O'Connor
"Nothing Compares 2 U," Sinéad O'Connor
29
"I'm Goin' Down," Mary J. Blige
"I'm Goin' Down," Mary J. Blige
30
"Thinkin Bout You," Frank Ocean
"Thinkin Bout You," Frank Ocean
31
"Don't Speak," No Doubt
"Don't Speak," No Doubt
32
"Every Breath You Take," the Police
"Every Breath You Take," the Police
33
"Don't Look Back in Anger," Oasis
"Don't Look Back in Anger," Oasis
34
"If You See Her, Say Hello," Bob Dylan
"If You See Her, Say Hello," Bob Dylan
35
"We Belong Together," Mariah Carey
"We Belong Together," Mariah Carey
36
"So Sick," Ne-Yo
"So Sick," Ne-Yo
37
"Needed Me," Rihanna
"Needed Me," Rihanna
38
"Tears Dry on Their Own," Amy Winehouse
"Tears Dry on Their Own," Amy Winehouse
39
"The Tracks of My Tears," Smokey Robinson & the Miracles
"The Tracks of My Tears," Smokey Robinson & the Miracles
40
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