Breakups are hard. The absence of someone who you want to be around can be debilitating. You might feel a deep pain in your gut, your soul wanting to reconnect. But it’s simply not to be. Alas. Well, now what? Many breakup doctors (aka friends) might suggest going out and getting your mind off things. Another way to do that, though, is listening to music.
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Specifically, songs that will do one of two things. They either let you feel your pain and thus provide catharsis. Or they are so wacky and different they take your mind elsewhere. Here below, we wanted to explore three songs that do some combination of all of that. A trio of one-hit wonders that makes for the perfect medicine after a breakup.
[RELATED: 3 Energetic One-Hit Wonders That Are Perfect To Dance Along To]
“What Is Love?” by Haddaway from The Album (1993)
When yours is broken or when you’re out of it, sometimes all you keep asking yourself is what is love? and what’s the point of it? Well, this song, which hit No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100, is your best friend in that moment. You get to hear on the outside what your brain keeps asking you on the inside. Listen to it a good two or three or 4,000 times and you’ll get that pain out like flushing a pipe. And on his hit, Haddaway sings,
What is love?
Baby, don’t hurt me
Don’t hurt me no more
Baby, don’t hurt me
Don’t hurt me no more
“Achy Breaky Heart” by Billy Ray Cyrus from Some Gave All (1992)
It can be rare for country songs to rocket all the way up the Billboard Hot 100, but this one was able to get near the top. The track, which hit No. 4, acknowledges there’s been a split between two people. But, sings Cyrus, can you do him one last favor? You can let everyone know they broke up—fine. Just don’t mention it to his heart, OK? Let his heart believe a little longer. Sweet, cute, and clever stuff. And on the track, Cyrus sings,
You can tell the world you never was my girl
You can burn my clothes up when I’m gone
Or you can tell your friends just what a fool I’ve been
And laugh and joke about me on the phone
You can tell my arms go back to the farm
You can tell my feet to hit the floor
Or you can tell my lips to tell my fingertips
They won’t be reaching out for you no more
“Don’t Worry, Be Happy” by Bobby McFerrin from Simple Pleasures (1988)
Did someone say they needed something upbeat? Well, this song, which hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, will remind you that even though you feel down in the dumps, there is a better tomorrow around the corner. With Bobby McFerrin’s delightful voice and confidence imbuing tone, you know you’re in good hands and things will get better before they get worse. Sings the satin-voiced artist,
Here’s a little song I wrote
You might want to sing it note for note
Don’t worry, be happy
In every life we have some trouble
When you worry you make it double
Don’t worry, be happy
Don’t worry, be happy now
Photo by: Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal via Getty Images
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