ROMANTICIZE THE RUIN: 5 devastatingly good songs to add to your sad girl playlist.

Welcome to Music Simplified, where we turn your endless Spotify scroll struggle into playlists that truly understand the assignment (and your feelings). Whether you are dealing with a tough breakup, mourning a friendship that ended on bad terms, or just wanting to scream some hardcore lyrics while alone in your car (also me), these heartbreakers are the kind of songs that make crying feel cinematic. 

Dim the lights, put on that hoodie that he left (even though you most likely just never gave it back), and cue the emotional damage. 

Spotify liked playlist symbol.

Here are 10 heartbreaker songs that hit harder than a meltdown at 2 AM: 

1. Landslide- Fleetwood Mac

Yes, I said it. Fleetwood Mac is one of those bands with the catchy beat, yet heartbreaking lyrics. If you know anything about the Stevie Nicks and Lindsay Buckingham drama, you know this song is the ultimate heartbreaker. 

The song talks about being revolved around a certain person for so long, you forget that the world is constantly changing around you. Stevie Nicks hits the listeners with a hard-felt lyric, 

🎧 “Well, I’ve been afraid of changing

‘Cause I built my life around you.”

If you are ever feeling like you’ve been stuck in a relationship, job, or atmosphere, this grief-inflicted song is for you.

2. Party 4 u- Charli XCX

Another catchy beat with heartbreaking lyrics. The softest cry on the loudest dance floor. It’s vulnerable, hypnotizing, and painfully honest– like when you are still trying to hold it together because there are so many people around you. (I think we’ve all been there.)

These lyrics are for the girls and guys who always over-give:

🎧 “Leave a message, tell me you’re sorry?

Hit me right back, hit me right back

Why you treating me like someone that you never loved?”

3. Right Where You Left Me- Taylor Swift

You know I had to add in the ultimate mastermind. This song is soul sisters with Party 4 U. Waiting forever on someone to come back, being stuck at the restaurant. This song has haunting lyrics with an acoustic production that sounds like heartbreak in a quiet room.

🎧 “Did you ever hear about the girl who got frozen?

Time went on for everybody else

She won’t know it

She’s still 23 inside her fantasy

How it was supposed to be.”

4. Another Life- SZA

Flipping it over to the R&B side of the music industry, SZA always wins when it comes to deep meanings with songs. 

If you’ve ever gotten out of a relationship, but still play the thought in your head of what could’ve been, this song is especially for you. It’s dreamy and distant, like watching your love story fade into a version of your life you will never get to live. 

🎧 “In another life, I know we could ride out, boy

If the time was right, I know we could ride out, boy

In another life, I know we could ride

Baby, let me ride, won’t you let me ride out, boy?”

5. David- Lorde

Rounding out with an overall captivating song. Lorde’s new album symbolizes her reflection of being a woman, wanting to be loved so badly, and realizing that there is freedom in falling. 

Ever wondered why you run back to the same person who did you wrong? Well then, this song is for you. 

🎧 “I made you God ‘cause it was all that I knew how to do

But I don’t belong to anyone

-

Am I ever gon’ love again?

Am I ever gon’ love again?”

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Let it hurt (then hit repeat):

Sad songs aren’t just for when you’re crying on the bathroom floor; they are for the quiet moments, the drives home in the dark, the times when you aren’t even sure why you are feeling off. They give language to the words we don’t know how to say.

Whether you are healing, heartbroken, or just leaning into the melancholy because it feels right– these 5 tracks aren’t just songs, they are companions. So make the playlist, light the candle, let yourself spiral a little… Those feelings make you who you are. 

Catch you in the next addition of Music Simplified, where we keep turning feelings into playlists- one heartbreak anthem at a time. 

-Tylee