Many of us have encountered toxic relationships, and a few of us have had the misfortune of somehow staying past the end date of a relationship.
Then some of us are still in one. You know who you are. And you know, like us, that you deserve better.
When you’re in it, it seems like it’s worth trying to make it work — you know, for love and all. And also because, for many reasons, leaving a toxic relationship is often very difficult.
Since our friends and family are often quick to criticize, even if it’s in a well-intentioned way, you may feel like you’re the only person in your corner when weathering that particular storm.
Related: 5 Reasons You Might Be Holding On To A Toxic Relationship — Even Though You’re Ready To Leave
In those cases, finding good songs to listen to — songs that affirm that you’re not the only one can make a huge positive difference in your emotional health.
25 songs about toxic relationships and leaving an abusive love behind
- “Love is on the Brain” by Rihanna
Rihanna is no stranger to singing about her toxic relationship issues, from her previous singles (remember “Unfaithful”?) to her hits like “Love the Way You Lie” with Eminem.
Fortunately, she’s no longer living that life, but knowing about her highly publicized relationship with Chris Brown makes those words even more powerful.
- “Crazy Love” by JoJo
JoJo has always made good music, but she came back with a bang with this underappreciated song. JoJo gets honest about how much time we can’t see that we can do much better instead of settling for whatever we get, despite how bad it is for us.
The song paints a picture of insecurity and emotional burdens leaving room for toxic love.
- “The Ex-Worker” by Lauryn Hill
The longer you hold on to hope that things will get better and go back to how they were in the beginning, the worse things will become.
More often than not, he cleans up his act long enough to keep the relationship going. You know you’re stuck on this journey but you no longer know when or where to get out.
- “Bleeding Love” by Leona Lewis
Feeling so in love that you can’t see what everyone else sees is probably the worst feeling once the love is finally over, but we all know that one can’t tell someone in love about their love. just no.
- “Something in the Way You Move” by Ellie Goulding
Sometimes we know it’s bad because the relationship starts making you feel worse than any actual breakup. It’s an excruciating feeling when you feel your heart breaking in slow motion, and it often ends up being a relief when you’re finally out of hell.
- “Jealousy” by Beyoncé
Anytime you feel angry with someone, it’s time to end things. The lyrics describe a relationship that has been constantly distorted by issues that have led to mistrust, and sometimes that can’t be reversed.
- “Pressure” by Jéné Eco
The “pressure” mentioned in this song describes the point of no return, where you have nothing left to give and you kind of stay with this person beyond comfort. There is no solution to the problem, so you begin to feel disconnected from love.
- “Rock Bottom” by Hailee Steinfeld with DNCE
There’s a certain feeling of euphoria that comes with being in a toxic relationship that keeps you wanting more…despite your better judgment.
- “The Girl” by Destiny’s Child
This song has a different narrative in that it’s a woman making excuses for why she stays with her horrible boyfriend despite him cheating on her and spending her days sad – instead of speaking directly to her lover.
- “The Heart Wants What It Wants” by Selena Gomez
All those times you sat at home waiting for a call, a sign, and mutual love – that’s what this song is about. There’s nothing worse than feeling lonely in a relationship, and this song makes that abundantly clear.
Related: 10 Smart Ways To Avoid Toxic, One-Sided Relationships
- “Hostage” by Sia
There’s nothing worse than being so caught up in toxic love that you convince yourself you can’t live without him. What’s even more annoying is hiding the relationship from your friends, because you know, deep down, that it’s not good for you.
- “One Step Forward, 3 Steps Back” by Olivia Rodrigo
When a toxic relationship turns into manipulation, you begin to doubt your worth. Even though you may feel this way, your partner will make you believe that he or she is the right person for you.
- “Use Me” by Bill Withers
The thing about toxic love is that it’s so magical, that you forget how terrible it is for you. You can even reassure yourself that it’s completely okay to be in a one-sided relationship.
- “Poison” by Rita Ora
Just like drugs, a relationship that takes you to the highs, but then to the lows, is never a good thing. That’s why toxic love is a poison you can’t quit.
- “Pearl” by Katy Perry
When you’re on top of the shining world, sometimes you find yourself in love with someone who ruins it all. In an instant, you are no longer a “pearl,” but just a faded shell of yourself.
- “Playing with Fire” by Thomas Rhett
The passion that burns like fire seems amazing at first, but when things go wrong, the flames spiral out of control. If you are not careful with your heart, you will be burned.
- “Run Back Right” by The Black Keys
Just like addiction, you can’t help but come back to the one thing that keeps hurting you. And no matter how hard you try to escape, there’s no denying that you’ll come back right away.
- “Need Me” by Eminem Pink
When you love someone so much, you become blind to the fact that they don’t have your best interests at heart. You may also think that without you, this toxic person in your life would be nothing, so you stay.
- “Walls Can Talk” by Halsey
A toxic relationship can turn you into an emotional mess, taking your emotions out. But then, when the moment of uplift comes, you are quickly manipulated, and only the walls of your home know the whole story.
- “It Cuts Both Ways” by Gloria Estefan
Staying in an unhealthy relationship is not only a bad choice for your partner but for you as well. Because when you’re codependent, it feels like the world will end if you don’t have each other.
- “Toxic” by Al-Kahlani
A master manipulator will sometimes use physical affection to keep you wrapped around his finger. When you’re blinded by good sex and physical contact, it’s hard to see the truth.
- “Ultraviolence” by Lana Del Rey
This song explains the close relationship between love and pain. What looks like love is physical and emotional damage, and the two can mix into a toxic mess.
- “Take Me to Church” by Hozier
Sometimes, you consider your love so sacred that you neglect to see the truth of the situation: This love is toxic! It is unhealthy to be willing to worship the person who makes your life miserable.
- “You Will Not Leave” by Gloriana
Sometimes, being in a bad relationship means standing by while your partner cheats on you. Even though you know they betrayed you and saw it with your own eyes, you refuse to leave.
- “Think About It” by Jesse J
A song about the pressures of the music industry and being destroyed by the people who are supposed to support you, it’s all about taking your power back from those who made you feel useless for so long.
