10 Taylor Swift Breakup Anthems That Tug at the Heartstrings

Published 12/16/2023, 12:14 PM EST

via Imago

Over the years, Taylor Swift has become a household name. From her music to her epic concerts and love for her fans, she has given the world so many special moments. However, while she might be in her lover era with her beau Travis Kelce, she is still the world’s best heartbreak songwriter. Although her songs are mostly based on her experiences, some of her tracks have been relatable.

The best part was that the singer had a song for every occasion. So, no matter what her fans are facing or even struggling with, she has a special song for that time in their lives.

Taylor Swift’s best breakup anthems

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There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that Taylor Swift is a girl’s girl. After all, not only does she make complete bangers for her fans, but she also goes out of her way for her friends too. In fact, the queen of break-up songs even made Jessica Chastain a break-up playlist when she was not going through a great patch with one of her previous boyfriends. While the playlist might have lacked her epic songs, here are 10 tracks by the singer to put you in your feels.

All Too Well

Taylor Swift’s ‘All Too Well’ has been seen as a masterpiece by most of her fans. It was released in her ‘Red’ album back in 2012. While the lyrics of the song seem to focus on the story of being in love and then facing heartbreak, it evidently ended up being a fan favorite as it broke streaming records on Vevo during the pop sensation’s ‘The Eras Tour’ concert.

The song’s emotional depth and raw honesty ended up resonating with various streamers. It even highlighted Swift’s storytelling skills. With its haunting melody and introspective lyrics, the breakup song quickly ended up being one of her most streamed songs. In fact, she even released other versions of it to please her fans.

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From Taylor’s version to a short film version of the song, the 34-year-old has only seen wins with this particular song so far.

We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together

Back in 2012, before all the industry drama unfolded due to Kanye West’s infamous edited phone call, Taylor Swift released a song called ‘We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together’. The anthem was created to help other women stand their ground in a clearly toxic relationship. However, it did help that it was extremely catchy and was a certified bop.

While her song was a part of her ‘Red’ album, it was released before the album came out to hype it up. Thankfully, that is exactly what it did. With a chorus that could get stuck in anyone’s head, the track focuses on the importance of getting out of an on-again, off-again romance.

Blank Space

Back in 2014, Taylor Swift came out with her album, ‘1989’. While she won many awards for that album, there was one song that seemed to be everywhere. It was ‘Blank Space’. The song addressed the scrutiny of the press on her dating life. Although she was coming up with hit after hit, tabloids tried to put her down for how public she was with her relationships. However, the singer seemed to see the humor in the situation and added it to her music.

With a blend of catchy melodies and witty lyrics, Swift let her funny side shine through. However, it was the chorus that ended up being memorable. In the song, she sang the words, “Got a long list of ex-lovers, they’ll tell you I’m insane,” which ended up becoming iconic.

Back To December

Who could ever forget the classic Taylor Swift break-up apology song, ‘Back to December’? While it was allegedly written for her ex-boyfriend, Taylor Lautner back in 2009, it is still on top of every Swiftie’s playlist. In the song, she reflected on her regret of how she ended their relationship and also the desire to fix previous mistakes she had made and the hurt she had caused.

It was released on her ‘Speak Now’ album and ended up getting major attention as the lyrics gave away who it was written for. The reason the song is so popular among her fans is because it resonated with listeners who realized the impact of their actions a little bit too late.

I Knew You Were Trouble

Back in 2012, Taylor Swift was on a roll with her album ‘Red’. While most songs off that album were already getting a lot of attention, her song, ‘I Knew You Were Trouble’ took things to a whole new level. So far, the world had been used to the singer’s country vibe, but now she was trying out something different from her usual sound.

Although the new vibe initially threw most people, it quickly ended up catching on because of its relatable lyrics. In the song, Swift jumped into the aftermath of a failed relationship. From falling in love to realizing that was not the person she would end up with, the singer took fans through another one of her real stories.

Picture to Burn

When Taylor Swift was still mainly in the country music industry, she released a song called ‘Picture to Burn’. It was released in an album titled with the pop sensation’s name. While her country accent can be caught in many parts of the heartbreak track, it only added to the vibes. In the song, the now 34-year-old told the story of a scorned lover who was trying to get their revenge in sassy ways.

In one line of the song, Swift sings, “So go and tell your friends that I’m obsessive and crazy/ That’s fine, I’ll tell mine that you’re gay.” However, she later changed the controversial line to say, “That’s fine, you won’t mind if I say.” Although the line has since been switched out, the OG Swifties know what it really was.

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The whole song shows a side of Swift that fans are not really used to seeing. However, it is always fun when she does end up coming out.

The Story of Us

In 2010, Taylor Swift came out with her ‘Speak Now’ album. While it featured many amazing tracks, there was one heartbreak number that stood out. It was her song, ‘The Story of Us.’ In the song, the singer expressed the feelings she went through in the aftermath of a breakup. However, this time, the song spoke about the tensions of bumping into an ex in a crowded space shortly after splitting.

Throughout the song, Swift’s lyrics bring forth the frustration and confusion of trying to move on while still having unresolved feelings for a person. Although the song is rather sad, the singer added a catchy chorus and a good beat that made the song so relatable.

Champagne Problems

Just 3 years ago, Taylor Swift came out with another stunning album. It was called ‘Evermore’ and featured tracks like ‘Happiness’, ‘Dorothea’ and even the ballad, ‘champagne problems’. In the song, the singer tells a story that focuses on a relationship falling apart after a failed wedding proposal. While it might be a rather specific genre, the song is sure to bring anyone who is in the midst of a breakup to tears.

The lyrics of the song also expressed Swift’s regret of not realizing that her partner was not the one for her sooner. While it followed a different type of break-up song, it still ended up becoming a massive hit, just like most of the songs in the album.

Should’ve Said No

Back when Taylor Swift was just breaking into the music world, she put out a song that deserved to be on every breakup playlist ever made. Her song, ‘Should’ve Said No,’ from her self-titled album from 2006, was her best. In it, she sang about betrayal and heartbreak due to her boyfriend cheating on her. While it might not paint a pretty picture, the song was sure to enrage women who had been in that situation.

With Swift’s country drawl and her storytelling and Swift’s signature country, the song went on to become a fan favorite. In a world where casual hookups are given more priority than a real relationship, it made sense why most women could relate to this tale of heartbreak.

Midnight Rain

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Just a year ago, Taylor Swift released her ‘Midnights’ album. While many of the songs on the list caught attention, her song, ‘Midnight Rain’ was one of the best. In the song, she told the story of a relationship that failed because both partners seemed to want different things out of life. While for the star, it was career success, for her partner, it was marriage.

In this song, Swift seemed to blame herself for deviating from the path that should have been hers. She even said that those feelings of sadness from the breakup had passed. However, there were still moments when she would still think of him. Those moments were mainly on rainy nights like her song is named after.

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What do you think is Taylor Swift’s best breakup song? Let us know in the comments below.

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Prathika Prashant

882 articles

Prathika Prashant is an Entertainment Writer and Hollywood News Reporter at Netflix Junkie. Having 150+ articles to her name, her EdTech background helped her explore her love for writing. However, being a singer who can be seen covering her favorite songs in her free time is what truly got her into the glittery world of entertainment.

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