25 Songs About Relationships Falling Apart
Not all relationships last forever and when they start to fall apart it is usually a really painful process. The days that lead up to a breakup and the days that follow can leave one really broken. Here is when one finds the true meaning of the lyrics of different songs. Here are some songs to listen to when you feel like your relationship is coming to an end.
1. Bruno Mars – It Will Rain
The song was released in late 2011 as a soundtrack for the film ‘The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1’. It was certified 5x platinum by the RIAA on March 2019.
Bruno sings about what is likely to happen should his girlfriend decide to break up with him. He starts by saying he will need some morphine to get rid of the intense pain he would be in. Happiness would disappear from his life and would likely fall into depression. He reveals her parents didn’t like him because they thought he was troublesome. He vows to try harder to change their minds.
2. Anne Marie – Heavy
This song’s main topic is the perils of a crumbling relationship. It is the third single from Anne Marie’s debut album Speak Your Mind. The couple are are having issues of getting distant with each other with each person just mainly focusing on themself. The relationship has started to feel more of a burden than an enjoyable thing.
3. Ariana Grande – Almost Is Never Enough
Ariana and Nathan Skyes play the role of a couple who had a relationship where things were not okay and headed for a downfall. Ariana wants to say that things are okay but deep down she knows that is a lie. She adds that being almost in love is not enough to sustain a romantic relationship and more effort needs to be put in.
They both miss the times when everything was better and in the current state they don’t feel the relationship. They feel like they are two worlds apart.
4. Eminem – River
Eminem narrates the story of a failing relationship. He starts out by narrating the story of a girl who is dating a man who came home with his neck scratched, clothes mismatched and alcohol in his breath, evidence that he has been cheating on her. She has also kept tabs on his internet chats with other women. She devises a plan to cheat on him as revenge and at that same point in time, she meets Eminem who was moving in next door.
A one-night stand turned into multiple nights. Eventually, her boyfriend found out about the affair and left her. She ended up feeling deserted. Eminem had also decided to end their affair. However, she ended up pregnant in the process of their affair and Eminem got furious about this revelation.
5. Rihanna – California King Bed
This is the fifth single off Rihanna’s album Loud. It talks about a tumultuous relationship whereby the two lovers are growing apart leading to an emotional disconnect.
A California King Bed is a very large bed in size. Rihanna and her lover had always been inseparable both physically and emotionally. However, currently, she feels that they have drifted apart and she wishes she could win his heart back since she doesn’t want to lose him.
6. The Chainsmokers – All We Know
This is a relaxed song about a struggling relationship that is at the edge of falling apart but a connection is still around. The use of the term ‘Never face each other’ has been used to symbolize that they can’t be honest with each other nor confront the issues they have. They don’t know whether to keep up with the relationship or let it go but are more likely to keep it going since that is what is most comfortable for them.
7. Maroon 5 – This Love
Levine sings about how the love has taken a toll on him and they may never get back together again when they break up. He feels that loving this girl is too much work. They have broken up many times and he is fed up and leaving forever. He adds that she is very hard to satisfy.
The song is the second single off Maroon 5’s debut album Songs about Jane. It peaked at #5 in the USA, #3 in the UK and #8 in Australia. Adam stated that it was written during the most emotionally trying time in his life. His relationship was on its deathbed but he was excited to get back in the studio. She was leaving town within days of him writing the lyrics to the song and hence was in prime emotional condition.
8. Maroon 5 – Cold
Adam sings about a partner who has been cold to him that he feels like he doesn’t know her. He also doesn’t know if the two of them are considering being separate or just taking time out. He is anxious since the relationship status hasn’t been communicated.
It is the second single off Maroon 5’s sixth studio album Red Pill Blues.
9. Justin Timberlake – What Goes Around
This track was produced by Timbaland and is one of JT’s most memorable performances. Justin sings about a failing relationship after his girl started cheating on him. He states that he was willing to give her anything she wished and he can’t understand why they didn’t have a happily ever after. The guy she cheated on him with ended up cheating on her.
In this track, the group is singing about a guy who can’t keep a connection alive with those he is in a relationship with. “Story of my life” is a popular phrase often meant to explain unfortunate circumstances. It means that an unhappy situation was to be expected because it happened before.
The girl they are chasing is unattainable hence they referred to her to be like chasing the clouds. No matter how long they chase they will never reach them.
11. Adele – Set Fire To The Rain
This is about a relationship coming to an end. A girl meets a guy who is wonderful and she falls in love really fast. He tells her a number of amazing things but she came to realize that they were lies and hence ends up left with a broken heart. He plays games with her and no matter how hard she tries, she isn’t able to fix the relationship. The girl decides to break it off in order to save herself from further heartbreak.
The song was able to hit #1 becoming Adele’s third consecutive number one from the album.
12. Calvin Harris – Outside
Ellie sings about how she knows the relationship won’t work if she’s the only one who contributes to their relationship. She tries her best to make it work but her partner won’t do anything.
13. Jennifer Lopez feat LL Cool J – All I Have
In this track, Jennifer Lopez and LL Cool J act the part of a couple that is undergoing a breakup. Jennifer is leaving LL because she feels that her time has been wasted through being mistreated, neglected and broken promises. She also says that he wasn’t ready to settle down with her. She has had enough of it all and she just wants out.
LL on the other hand is trying to convince her to stay. He thought his sexual skills were enough to keep her with him but it turns out he was wrong.
14. The Chainsmokers – Hope feat Winona Oak
The lyrics in the track talk about a story of a heartbroken lover who is in a relationship that was doomed to fail right from the start.
15. Avril Lavigne – My Happy Ending
The song is about a relationship that doesn’t work out and deals with having to say goodbye to all the amazing memories together. Avril felt like she had found the one in him since he had everything that she wanted. However, it seems like he had different intentions for the relationship. He had secrets that she was not aware of and this led to mistrust in the relationship.
Towards the end of the song, Avril reveals that the subject of the song cheated on her even though they had what she called a ‘perfect relationship’.
16. Martin Garrix & Dua Lipa – Scared To Be Lonely
It centers on a failing relationship whereby two lovers are only with each other for the fear of being alone without a significant other. Certain things in the relationship aren’t working for both of them and they both know they would be better off without each other. However, the thoughts of being lonely afterward have clouded their judgment.
17. Kygo – Stole The Show
This song uses a show at a theatre as a metaphor for a great relationship coming to an end. In an interview with V, Parson James described the concept of the song as being about this guy that he was not in a relationship with but they pretended like they were. They would just be with each other when it was convenient. The song then talks about the decision to end things after realizing that it is going nowhere.
The song is part of the album Cloud Nine released in 2016.
18. Omarion – Ice Box
The main concept of the track is the expression of emotion as a man, especially when going through a difficult time in a relationship. Omarion stated that for guys it’s difficult and they don’t get to learn how to express themselves till later in life. The song depicted how he felt after he got his heart broken.
Icebox is that certain experiences in life can desensitize you and make you feel like you don’t want to feel that anymore. You have to face it and deal with it.
19. Mariah Carey – Angels Cry (Remix)
Angels Cry is a song from Mariah’s 12th studio album Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel. The remix which features Ne-Yo was intended for her remix album known as Angels Advocate, however, it was ultimately not released.
Lyrically, the duo sings about a relationship that is damaged. They regret letting the relationship drift into a storm and not solving the problems instead they kept throwing blame at each other. They are holding out hope that it can be salvaged and want to try again to make things right.
20. Usher – Moving Mountains
In an interview with EW, Usher explained that the concept of the song is that it is about a guy who makes a mistake and cheats on his significant other. They have an understanding that it’s okay and they should move on from the mistake. However, she didn’t really forgive him and trying to get her to get over it is like moving a mountain. The guy gets tired of it all and is just ready to leave.
21. Billie Eilish – Bored
Billie stated that the video of the song is mainly about a relationship that is going nowhere. We see a situation when you’re in such a toxic place with someone and you’re treated so badly for such a long time that eventually you’re used to it.
The single is from the Netflix original series 13 Reasons Why. It was featured in the last episode of its first season.
22. A Great Big World – Say Something
The song mainly represents the struggle of someone giving up on a relationship. He offers a plea to his significant other to do or say something so that they can salvage the relationsup. He loves the other person so much but feels as though they are getting nothing in return. He wishes he was enough to make that person love them and would have done anything for them but can’t keep waiting anymore.
The track reached #4 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and became a Grammy winner in the Best Pop Duo/Group Performance category at the 57th Grammy Awards in 2015.
23. Billie Eilish – Happier Than Ever
Billie stated that the song is about not being happy with someone and you can’t really explain why or give any specific that they did that warrants the feeling. In the chorus she states that she is happier when the significant other is away.
Part of the song is thought to be about Billie’s ex boyfriend Brandon Adams aka 7:AMP. She stated that she just wasn’t happy and didn’t want the same things that he wanted.
24. Cam Burning – House
The song uses the imagery of a house fire as a metaphor for a dying relationship. According to Billboard, the song was based on a real dream Cal had. She was invited to a party that her ex would be attending. The previous night she had planned how she would go and apologize to him when they meet. When she slept she dreamt that he was on the floor of his house which was on fire. She ended up rushing into the house ready to die alongside him.
The single peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot Country chart and #29 on the Billboard Hot 100.
25. Joji – Slow Dancing In The Dark
Joji uses the metaphor of slow dancing in the dark to characterize a failing relationship because it is hidden. He doesn’t want to have a relationship with someone when both of them are confused and can’t make an intimate emotional connection.