the greatest breakup songs of all time

What makes a great breakup song?

Is it sad? Is it angry? Is it happy? Is it empowering?

People around my age will always remember the process of putting together that mixtape to tell your ex exactly how you felt! It was extremely cathartic.

TheRinger.com put together a list of some of the “Greatest Breakup Songs” of all time, and it’s not a bad list….it’s voted on by their writers, and there’s not really any criteria, other than “…one rule for the final ranking: just one song per artist…”

It’s a decent list, filled with songs you probably know or at least recognize, but I’m surprised to see no songs by Air Supply or Journey on the list. Also, no songs by The Cure. Not even Barry Manilow’s classic “Can’t Smile Without You” makes the list.

Some of the highlights include:

45. “She’s Gone” by Hall & Oates

34. “Don’t Look Back in Anger” by Oasis

20. “Jolene” by Dolly Parton

6. “Since You’ve Been Gone” by Kelly Clarkson

2. “You Oughta Know” by Alanis

1. “Purple Rain” by Prince