Love is one of the most beautiful things in life. It can make us feel happy, complete, and more alive than ever before. But sometimes, love can be bad-painful, destructive, and hurtful. These 20 songs perfectly capture the range of emotions we experience when we’re in a bad relationship. From heartbreak to rage, these tracks will help you express what you’re feeling and get through it.
By the way, if you’re looking for more songs about bad love, you may also want to check out songs about bad guys, songs about bad girlfriends, songs about being hurt by someone you love, songs about being bold, and songs about gold diggers.Bad At Love – Halsey
Bad at Love is a powerful track by singer-songwriter Halsey that explores the myriad complexities of love and relationships.
The hook of the song speaks directly to listeners, urging them to acknowledge their imperfections and celebrate their shortcomings, rather than attempting to hide them from others.
Throughout the verses, Halsey weaves together stories from her own past as she examines common themes in failed relationships that started out so well, including fear of being held accountable for one’s actions, immaturity and an unwillingness to compromise on important issues.
Love on the Brain – Rihanna
Love on the Brain is a song about the experience of being in a bad relationship. The lyrics describe the feeling of being unable to break free from a partner who is emotionally abusive. Despite the pain that this person causes, the speaker cannot help but be drawn back to them. The song reflects the power that love can have over someone, even when it is not healthy. The lyrics express both the pain of being in an abusive relationship and the hope that someday the speaker will be able to find their way out. Love on the Brain is a powerful reminder of the often complex nature of love and relationships.
Irresistible – Fall Out Boy
Irresistible is a song by Fall Out Boy that explores the complex and often destructive nature of bad love. This hauntingly beautiful track begins with an evocative guitar riff that sets the mood for the rest of the song. Throughout its verses, the lyrics hint at intense feelings of longing, desire, and desperation. From the first pleading lines to the explosive chorus, Irresistible paints a vivid portrait of a tumultuous relationship gone wrong.
I Hate U, I Love U – Gnash
I Hate U, I Love U is a powerful and emotional song about the complicated nature of love. Written by Gnash, the track tells the story of a tumultuous relationship fraught with hurt, anger, and bitter feelings. Echoing the complex emotions that many people experience in their own relationships, I Hate U, I Love U explores how conflicting feelings of love and hate can sometimes come together to create an intense and passionate connection. Through its raw lyrics and haunting beats, this song once again demonstrates why Gnash is one of the most exciting young artists in the music scene today.
Rock Bottom – Hailee Steinfeld
Rock Bottom is a song by American singer Hailee Steinfeld. The song was released on August 26, 2015, as the lead single from her debut extended play (EP), Haiz (2015). Rock Bottom was written by Steinfeld, Justin Tranter, Julia Michaels and Matt Rad, while production was handled by Ian Kirkpatrick. Musically, Rock Bottom is a synth-pop and R&B song with a catchy hook. Lyrically, it is about a bad relationship that Steinfeld is trying to get out of. The song received positive reviews from music critics upon its release, with many praising its catchy nature.
Hot N Cold – Katy Perry
In Katy Perry’s song “Hot N Cold”, she sings about the ups and downs of a relationship. The song starts off with the positive aspects of the relationship, such as “you’re hot then you’re cold/you’re yes then you’re no”. However, it quickly transitions into the negative aspects, such as “you’re tearing me apart”. The song reflects the confusing and frustrating nature of being in a bad relationship. It is a relatable song for many people who have experienced this type of love. Perry’s catchy tune and sassy lyrics make for an enjoyable and memorable song.
Put My Heart Down – Sara Evans
Put My Heart Down by Sara Evans is a powerful song about the pain and heartbreak of a relationship gone wrong. The lyrics capture the feelings of loss and abandonment that come with breaking up with someone you love. Evans sings about how her sense of self has been shattered, leaving her feeling lost and alone. Yet throughout the song there remains an undeniable resilience, as she goes on to sing about picking up the pieces of her broken heart and rebuilding herself from the ground up.
Hurts So Good – John Cougar Mellencamp
Hurts So Good by John Cougar Mellencamp is a classic song about the painful yet exhilarating experience of falling in love. This iconic rock ballad beautifully captures the complex emotions that come with loving someone who makes you feel both happy and heartbroken at the same time. Whether we are singing along to it on the radio or listening to a cover version performed by another artist, this song has the power to transport us back to that first burst of passion and excitement when we were head over heels in love.
Love Hurts – Nazareth
Love Hurts is a classic rock song by the British band Nazareth, which captures the pain and heartbreak of a bad romance. The lyrics lament the protagonist’s lost love and express a profound sense of loss and pain over their broken relationship. With its haunting melody and emotionally charged lyrics, this protest song has become a well-loved anthem for anyone who has experienced heartache and disappointment in love.
Broken Strings – James Morrison
Broken Strings is a melancholy song about the pain and suffering of a broken relationship. Written by James Morrison, the song features lyrics that describe both the heartbreaking sadness of losing someone you love, as well as the confusion and anger that can come with dealing with a toxic or one-sided partnership. Throughout the song, Morrison paints an image of how conflicting emotions like heartbreak and hatred can swirl around inside us, leaving us feeling disconnected and unbalanced.
Hotter Than Hell – Dua Lipa
Hotter Than Hell is a song about the pain and heartbreak of a bad love relationship. The lyrics are full of emotion and convey a sense of longing and desperation, painting a vivid picture of the struggles that come with being in love with someone who doesn’t reciprocate those feelings. Dua Lipa sings about being consumed with thoughts of this person and feeling torn apart by their absence. She shows how much she is hurting from this relationship and makes it clear that she is done trying to resolve things, as she ultimately knows that she cannot save it. The raw honesty in Hotter Than Hell makes it a powerful track that resonates deeply with anyone who has ever experienced the anguish of heartbreak.
Gunpowder and Lead – Miranda Lambert
Miranda Lambert’s song “Gunpowder and Lead” is a story about bad love. The narrator is a woman who is in an abusive relationship. She is tired of being beaten down and decides to take matters into her own hands. She gets a gun and starts taking lessons to learn how to shoot. She is not afraid to use the gun if she needs to. The song is about empowerment and taking control of your life. It is also about survival. The narrator is not going to be a victim anymore. She is going to fight back and she is going to win.
Something in the Way You Move – Ellie Goulding
Ellie Goulding’s “Something in the Way You Move” is a song about the despair of a failed relationship. The lyrics describe the feeling of being trapped in a relationship that is going nowhere, and the singer’s frustration at not being able to break free. The song reflects on the frustrating experiences of trying to force something that is no longer there, and the sense of hopelessness that comes with it. Ultimately, “Something in the Way You Move” is a powerful expression of the pain of a failed relationship, and Goulding’s lyrical honesty makes it all the more relatable.
Tomorrow – Chris Young
In the song “Tomorrow” by Chris Young, the narrator reflects on a failed relationship. He recalls all the good times they had together, and how he never saw the end coming. The chorus of the song includes the lines “I shoulda known better/Than to let you in my head/I shoulda known better/Than to think you’d be here tomorrow.” These lyrics express regret and frustration at the loss of what was once a beautiful thing. The narrator is clearly struggling to come to terms with what has happened, but he eventually resigns himself to the fact that “tomorrow ain’t guarantee.” This song is a powerful reminder that even the best relationships can sometimes come to an end.
Vicious Love – New Found Glory
New Found Glory’s “Vicious Love” is a song about the dark side of love. The lyrics tell the story of a relationship that is full of pain and mistrust. One partner is always taking advantage of the other, and there is little hope for reconciliation. Despite the negative subject matter, the song is remarkably catchy and will doubtless be a hit with fans of the band. What makes “Vicious Love” so compelling is the way it captures the feeling of being trapped in a toxic relationship. The lyrics speak to anyone who has ever been in a situation where they felt their options were limited and their future looked bleak.
Going Under – Evanescence
Going Under is one of the standout tracks from the band Evanescence’s debut album Fallen. This deeply emotional song tells the tale of a relationship gone wrong, full of heartbreak and longing for a love that has been lost to another. The driving beat and haunting vocals perfectly capture the intense emotion of this song, painting a vivid picture in the mind of the listener. Whether you’ve experienced similar pain yourself or simply enjoy listening to moving music, Going Under is sure to strike a chord with anyone who hears it.
Bleeding Love – Leona Lewis
“Bleeding Love” is a song performed by Leona Lewis, who released it as her debut single in 2007. The song was written by Ryan Tedder and Jesse McCartney, and produced by Tedder. It is a pop ballad with R&B influences, which lyrically alters between the perspective of a woman in an abusive relationship who is desperate to find an escape from her lover’s mistreatment, and that of her lover, who is equally desperate to keep her despite his own wrongdoings. The song became a commercial success, reaching number one in over 30 countries, including the UK, US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. In 2008, “Bleeding Love” won the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.
Sucker For Pain – Lil Wayne
“Sucker for Pain” is a song by Lil Wayne, Wiz Khalifa, Imagine Dragons, Logic, and Ty Dolla Sign. It was released on June 17, 2016, as the lead single from the soundtrack album Suicide Squad: The Album. The song peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 and received a Platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). “Sucker for Pain” was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Performance at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards.
The song is about a person who is addicted to pain, whether it be physical or emotional. Lil Wayne opens up the track with the first verse, wherein he speaks about being addicted to painkillers and how they help him cope with his problems.
I Miss the Misery – Halestorm
![Halestorm - I Miss The Misery [Official Video]](https://theawesomemix.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-youtube-lyte/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FYpJAmlnBxoA%2F0.jpg&fix=it)
Considered by many to be one of the band’s signature songs, “I Miss the Misery” is a powerful ballad that tells the story of a toxic relationship. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the struggle to break free from a destructive romance, recalling all the painful memories and longing for the misery of heartache. With its raw, heartfelt emotion and explosive vocals, “I Miss the Misery” perfectly captures both the passion and pain associated with love gone wrong.
Smoke When I Drink – Kelleigh Bannen
In the song “Smoke When I Drink” by Kelleigh Bannen, the speaker describes the toxic effects of a bad relationship. She compares the love to alcohol, saying that it “goes right to [her] head” and makes her feel “a little bit crazy.” The speaker tries to resist the love, but she finds herself drawn back in every time. She knows that the relationship is harmful, but she can’t seem to help herself. In the end, the speaker realizes that the only way to break free from the cycle is to “smoke [the love] when [she] drink[s].” By openly acknowledging the addictive and destructive nature of the relationship, the speaker is finally able to take control and end it for good.
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