The Best Breakup Songs From Musicals
Lucy Moore
So, I recently got dumped, and it kind of sucks. It’s not uncommon for people to drown their sorrows in music during these times, but where many people may turn to Adele or Taylor Swift, I prefer to turn my attention to musicals. Musicals have a song for everything, including, it seems, every emotion you go through during your breakup.
Still Hurting - The Last Five Years
Jason Robert Brown’s heartbreaking opening number to “The Last Five Years” perfectly encapsulates the shock, anger and abandonment you feel after getting dumped. The repetition of Jamie’s name is also incredibly poignant, as we all know that, immediately after a breakup, your ex is the only thing you can and want to think about.
Best Breakup Lyrics:
Jamie is probably feeling just fine, and I’m still hurting.
Run away, like it’s simple, like it’s right.
There’s A Fine Fine Line - Avenue Q
Similarly to “Still Hurting”, this song feels most powerful the first few days after the breakup, but there is less shock. You’ve had more time to contemplate, more time to come to terms, and more time to wonder whether the whole relationship was a waste of time. You might not expect such a hard hitting song from a musical about singing puppets, porn, and racism, but there you go.
Best Breakup Lyrics:
I guess if someone doesn't love you back, it isn't such a crime
But there's a fine, fine line between love,
and a waste of your time
Burn - Hamilton
Not everyone can relate to their husband cheating on them and writing a pamphlet about it to announce what he did to the world, but everyone can relate to feeling betrayed and abandoned. It’s easy to feel for Eliza as she voices her fury at Alexander, and so burns all evidence of her feelings for him, which I’m sure everyone going through a heartbreak has wanted to do at one point or another.
Best Breakup Lyrics:
The world has no right to my heart
I hope that you burn
You’ll Be Back - Hamilton
Two Hamilton songs in a row? Is that even allowed? Well it’s my article and I’m allowing it, because once you start viewing “You’ll Be Back” as a bitter breakup song, there is no going back. You just know that they’re going to come crawling back to you, begging for forgiveness, because why wouldn’t they? You’re wonderful, they just haven’t realised what they’re missing.
Best Breakup Lyrics -
You say our love is draining and you can’t go on
You’ll be the one complaining when I am gone...
Forget About The Boy -Thoroughly Modern Millie
That’s right, you’re ready to move on, forget about them and find yourself someone new, and it feels great! You’ve realised that you don’t need them, they screwed you over and besides, there’s plenty more fish in the sea!
Best Breakup Lyrics -
Now me and mister wrong are through
I'll find myself another beau
So Much Better - Legally Blonde
You really don’t need them anymore, you’re smart, talented and attractive, and your life is going great now that they aren’t there to hold you back. It’s great when something happens to show you just how happy you can be without them, and proves to you and everyone else that you’re doing fine.
Best Breakup Lyrics -
Maybe she's what you prefer
But hey, last year I was her
Maybe you will change your mind
But you might look up to find
I've gone on to better things
Better jobs or bigger rings
Defying Gravity - Wicked
An empowerment anthem of our time, Defying Gravity proves that you don’t need anyone else to pursue your ambitions and be happy. No one else is holding you back anymore, you’re flying free and you feel 100% ready to take on the world!
Best Breakup Lyrics -
Too long I've been afraid of
Losing love I guess I've lost
Well, if that's love,
It comes at much too high a cost!
And if I'm flying solo
At least I'm flying free
Hopefully these will really help you get back on the horse, after all, it’s fine to cry and mope for a while, but the best reaction to a breakup is always moving on, whether that’s onto someone new, or just living that single life for a while. Musicals can get you through anything!