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* [Entertainment](/section/entertainment/)

# Top 10 Angry Breakup Songs


by 

[Frances Romero](/author/frances-romero/)

Aug 25, 2010 7:10 PM CUT

by 

[Frances Romero](/author/frances-romero/)

Aug 25, 2010 7:10 PM CUT

## 'You Oughta Know'

![When it comes to vengeful exes, they don't get much more angst-filled than Alanis Morissette. In the chart-topping "You Oughta Know," she screeches a scathing reminder to her ex of the mess he left when he went away. Her eardrum-piercing voice details violent revenge scenes that have made scorned women everywhere rejoice — finally, here was a woman who was going to let her bastard of an ex have it. As for the infamous ex who burned Morissette so badly, he is rumored to have been any number of '90s television stars, from <em>Full House</em>'s David Coulier \(the Morissette ex most widely thought of\) and Bob Saget to <em>Friends</em>' Matt LeBlanc. While his identity remains uncertain, one thing is clear: he and his new lover should watch their backs, because when Morissette says she's "happy for you" and "wishes nothing but the best for you both," somehow we don't think she means it.](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt833ae2468da3e2ce/6998c3067323af082e2bc218/02_top10angrybreakupsongs.jpg?branch=production&width=1080&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9)

<br>When it comes to vengeful exes, they don't get much more angst-filled than Alanis Morissette. In the chart-topping "You Oughta Know," she screeches a scathing reminder to her ex of the mess he left when he went away. Her eardrum-piercing voice details violent revenge scenes that have made scorned women everywhere rejoice — finally, here was a woman who was going to let her bastard of an ex have it. As for the infamous ex who burned Morissette so badly, he is rumored to have been any number of '90s television stars, from <em>Full House</em>'s David Coulier (the Morissette ex most widely thought of) and Bob Saget to <em>Friends</em>' Matt LeBlanc. While his identity remains uncertain, one thing is clear: he and his new lover should watch their backs, because when Morissette says she's "happy for you" and "wishes nothing but the best for you both," somehow we don't think she means it. micahernst

## 'I Will Survive'

![Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive" is the ultimate anthem of girl power. You know that feeling when you've finally gotten over a guy — kicked him like a bad habit — and he comes crawling back for Round 2? \(Or 3 or 4 or 5?\) Listen to Gloria, and she'll tell you what to do: change that stupid lock, make him leave the key and tell him he is not welcome anymore. In the undeniably catchy 1978 disco hit, Gaynor charts the anatomy of a breakup. At first, she was afraid and petrified — she thought she could never leave without her man by her side. But then she got appropriately enraged when she sat around thinking on so many nights how he did her wrong. And eventually she grew strong and learned how to get along on her own again. What did you think? That she would crumble? That she'd just lay down and die? Oh, no, not this girl.](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt554a0ba4b5f334a5/6998c3061500fb0115aa5de0/09_top10angrybreakupsongs.jpg?branch=production&width=1080&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9)

<br>Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive" is the ultimate anthem of girl power. You know that feeling when you've finally gotten over a guy — kicked him like a bad habit — and he comes crawling back for Round 2? (Or 3 or 4 or 5?) Listen to Gloria, and she'll tell you what to do: change that stupid lock, make him leave the key and tell him he is not welcome anymore. In the undeniably catchy 1978 disco hit, Gaynor charts the anatomy of a breakup. At first, she was afraid and petrified — she thought she could never leave without her man by her side. But then she got appropriately enraged when she sat around thinking on so many nights how he did her wrong. And eventually she grew strong and learned how to get along on her own again. What did you think? That she would crumble? That she'd just lay down and die? Oh, no, not this girl. micahernst

## 'Ring the Alarm'

![After filming the 2006 hit film <em>Dreamgirls</em>, Beyoncé admitted that she had some pent-up emotions from playing the character Deena, the songstress stuck in her husband's shadow. So Beyoncé left the movie set and headed straight to the studio to record "Ring the Alarm," which appears on her second solo album, <em>B-Day</em>. The song, about a woman who is fed up with her cheating beau, features a blaring siren over a synthesized — and furious — chorus. The anger she spits out is due to the man's wandering eye and her desire to leave, and also the thought of having to give him up to some unworthy woman. The lyrics exhibit the confusion she feels: "I been through this too long/ But I'll be damned if I see another chick on your arm\!" Critics had mixed feelings about the song, which was a marked departure from Beyoncé's previous material. Chris Richards of the Washington <em>Post</em> called it "riveting" but noted that "without a knockout refrain, she doesn't sound particularly inv](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt66618691697bfcff/6998c30707a30d938f77c9ba/07_top10angrybreakupsongs.jpg?branch=production&width=1080&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9)

<br>After filming the 2006 hit film <em>Dreamgirls</em>, Beyoncé admitted that she had some pent-up emotions from playing the character Deena, the songstress stuck in her husband's shadow. So Beyoncé left the movie set and headed straight to the studio to record "Ring the Alarm," which appears on her second solo album, <em>B-Day</em>. The song, about a woman who is fed up with her cheating beau, features a blaring siren over a synthesized — and furious — chorus. The anger she spits out is due to the man's wandering eye and her desire to leave, and also the thought of having to give him up to some unworthy woman. The lyrics exhibit the confusion she feels: "I been through this too long/ But I'll be damned if I see another chick on your arm!" Critics had mixed feelings about the song, which was a marked departure from Beyoncé's previous material. Chris Richards of the Washington <em>Post</em> called it "riveting" but noted that "without a knockout refrain, she doesn't sound particularly invested in the role." Meanwhile, Pitchfork called the track "genuinely (and marvelously) incoherent." In the end, what it does show is that Beyoncé will have her way. micahernst

## 'Song for the Dumped'

![The beautiful thing about the somewhat nerdy, semi-whiny, brilliantly talented piano-playing virtuoso Ben Folds and his former mates was how badass they could get when they wanted. \(And being a piano-driven band, you've got to up the badass-ness.\) None of their songs flaunt that side as much as "Song for the Dumped," a rollicking, piano-mashing tune that begins with drummer Darren Jessee in a count-off yell followed by a bluesy four-bar piano-key slam that gives way to rock, breaks into a jazz interlude and then turns into pure noise. Making amends ain't what they're going for here. Folds just wants his money \(and black T-shirt\) back.](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt3bd978ae2184b453/6998c3077323af6ba22bc21d/05_top10angrybreakupsongs.jpg?branch=production&width=1080&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9)

<br>The beautiful thing about the somewhat nerdy, semi-whiny, brilliantly talented piano-playing virtuoso Ben Folds and his former mates was how badass they could get when they wanted. (And being a piano-driven band, you've got to up the badass-ness.) None of their songs flaunt that side as much as "Song for the Dumped," a rollicking, piano-mashing tune that begins with drummer Darren Jessee in a count-off yell followed by a bluesy four-bar piano-key slam that gives way to rock, breaks into a jazz interlude and then turns into pure noise. Making amends ain't what they're going for here. Folds just wants his money (and black T-shirt) back. micahernst

## 'Go Your Own Way'

![Writing a song about a breakup is one thing. Writing a song about the person who'll be singing it alongside you is something else. Lindsey Buckingham penned "Go Your Own Way" about bandmate Stevie Nicks after they ended their romantic relationship. Somehow, though, the band kept going. The song became one of the great rock tunes of all time, and was the first single off the band's finest album, <em>Rumours</em>.](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt4efa9b14fca0083a/6998c30725f3eedae96443fa/03_top10angrybreakupsongs.jpg?branch=production&width=1080&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9)

<br>Writing a song about a breakup is one thing. Writing a song about the person who'll be singing it alongside you is something else. Lindsey Buckingham penned "Go Your Own Way" about bandmate Stevie Nicks after they ended their romantic relationship. Somehow, though, the band kept going. The song became one of the great rock tunes of all time, and was the first single off the band's finest album, <em>Rumours</em>. micahernst

## 'Tyrone'

![So Tyrone isn't the guy who is being kicked to the curb here. In this hit song from Erykah Badu's double-platinum 1997 album <em>Live</em>, she smoothly and sternly tells her man that she's tired of sharing him with all his friends, including the aforementioned Tyrone, and tired of paying all the bills. The beauty of the ditty and its coolly cruel tone is in the performance, which is why this song works so well as part of her live-concert album. She repeatedly tells the soon-to-be ex to call Tyrone for help with moving his stuff out of her place. But in the end, she's not going to let him off easy — 'cause he can't use her phone. Just watch and listen.](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt29d03006ab1c5981/6998c308a97fc0913ea73f67/04_top10angrybreakupsongs.jpg?branch=production&width=1080&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9)

<br>So Tyrone isn't the guy who is being kicked to the curb here. In this hit song from Erykah Badu's double-platinum 1997 album <em>Live</em>, she smoothly and sternly tells her man that she's tired of sharing him with all his friends, including the aforementioned Tyrone, and tired of paying all the bills. The beauty of the ditty and its coolly cruel tone is in the performance, which is why this song works so well as part of her live-concert album. She repeatedly tells the soon-to-be ex to call Tyrone for help with moving his stuff out of her place. But in the end, she's not going to let him off easy — 'cause he can't use her phone. Just watch and listen. micahernst

## 'F\_\_\_ You'

![<strong><em>\(Warning: Video and song contain major profanity\)</em></strong>    This has got to be the happiest, most oddly empowering breakup song we've ever heard. This '70s funk and soul number takes all those painful, bitter thoughts — you know the ones we're talking about — and puts them to good use. The song doesn't have an official video yet, and the album on which it appears, <em>The Lady Killer</em>, isn't due out until Dec. 7, 2010. But that hasn't stopped nearly 2 million people from watching the karaoke-style YouTube clip since it went up on Aug. 20. One listen \(or two, or 25\) and you'll be dancing around your lonely bedroom, telling all those people you used to love to f___ off.    <strong>Pop-culture bonus:</strong> 50 Cent posted a response video from the perspective of the rich guy who won Cee-Lo's girl. Now all we need is someone to represent the girl. Beyoncé? Are you listening?](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt3d30597ccf923548/6998c30883ec37d3e9c7a33e/01_top10angrybreakupsongs.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9)

<br><strong><em>(Warning: Video and song contain major profanity)</em></strong><br><br><br><br>This has got to be the happiest, most oddly empowering breakup song we've ever heard. This '70s funk and soul number takes all those painful, bitter thoughts — you know the ones we're talking about — and puts them to good use. The song doesn't have an official video yet, and the album on which it appears, <em>The Lady Killer</em>, isn't due out until Dec. 7, 2010\. But that hasn't stopped nearly 2 million people from watching the karaoke-style YouTube clip since it went up on Aug. 20\. One listen (or two, or 25) and you'll be dancing around your lonely bedroom, telling all those people you used to love to f\_\_\_ off.<br><br><br><br><strong>Pop-culture bonus:</strong> 50 Cent posted a response video from the perspective of the rich guy who won Cee-Lo's girl. Now all we need is someone to represent the girl. Beyoncé? Are you listening? micahernst

## 'Run for Your Life'

![Cee-Lo Green isn't the only artist to have perfected the upbeat dismissal; the Beatles \(well, technically just John Lennon\) had the format down pat as early as 1965. On the surface, "Run for Your Life" sounds like any other early Beatles tune. It's perky and quirky, and its chorus makes heavy use of the Fab Four's signature harmonies. But the song is about domestic abuse and the promise that if you break up with Lennon, he will hunt you down and kill you. "Well I know that I'm a wicked guy and I was born with a jealous mind," he chirps. Later Lennon adds, "Baby, I'm determined and I'd rather see you dead." The song appears as the last track on <em>Rubber Soul</em>, ending the album on an eerie note. What happened to the guy who just wanted to hold our hand? On second thought, maybe that was Paul.](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt6ab62e0a42461275/6998c30807a30d21d477c9be/06_top10angrybreakupsongs.jpg?branch=production&width=1080&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9)

<br>Cee-Lo Green isn't the only artist to have perfected the upbeat dismissal; the Beatles (well, technically just John Lennon) had the format down pat as early as 1965\. On the surface, "Run for Your Life" sounds like any other early Beatles tune. It's perky and quirky, and its chorus makes heavy use of the Fab Four's signature harmonies. But the song is about domestic abuse and the promise that if you break up with Lennon, he will hunt you down and kill you. "Well I know that I'm a wicked guy and I was born with a jealous mind," he chirps. Later Lennon adds, "Baby, I'm determined and I'd rather see you dead." The song appears as the last track on <em>Rubber Soul</em>, ending the album on an eerie note. What happened to the guy who just wanted to hold our hand? On second thought, maybe that was Paul. micahernst

## 'These Boots Are Made for Walkin'

![Thanks to empowering footwear, Nancy Sinatra topped the charts in 1966. In "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'," Frank's daughter embraces both fashion and assertiveness. There's not a lot of ambiguity in this annoyingly catchy ditty, which was penned for Nancy by songwriter-producer Lee Hazelwood. The woman is wearing boots \(you may have noticed\). They were made for walking \(and also to look sexy\). They are going to walk all over the good-for-nothing guy \(it's about time\).](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt5bc366eae6ebe953/6998c30993610c6603c2f411/10_top10angrybreakupsongs.jpg?branch=production&width=1080&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9)

<br>Thanks to empowering footwear, Nancy Sinatra topped the charts in 1966\. In "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'," Frank's daughter embraces both fashion and assertiveness. There's not a lot of ambiguity in this annoyingly catchy ditty, which was penned for Nancy by songwriter-producer Lee Hazelwood. The woman is wearing boots (you may have noticed). They were made for walking (and also to look sexy). They are going to walk all over the good-for-nothing guy (it's about time). micahernst

## 'Don't Think Twice, It's All Right'

![Bob Dylan's "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right" may feature that seemingly harmless instrument — the harmonica — but there's no hiding the passive-aggressive lyrics. He tells his ex not to think twice but that she is "the reason I'm trav'lin' on." And he says it's all right but then informs her, "You just kind of wasted my precious time." This might be as angry as Dylan gets.](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt6c611d8fd1c4ded8/6998c3091500fb045caa5de8/08_top10angrybreakupsongs.jpg?branch=production&width=1080&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9)

<br>Bob Dylan's "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right" may feature that seemingly harmless instrument — the harmonica — but there's no hiding the passive-aggressive lyrics. He tells his ex not to think twice but that she is "the reason I'm trav'lin' on." And he says it's all right but then informs her, "You just kind of wasted my precious time." This might be as angry as Dylan gets. micahernst

Top 10 Angry Breakup Songs

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