Chart Article
Not everyone equates Valentine's Day with red hearts and roses. For those that have not found cupid to be so kind, February 14 can be a reminder that sometimes, love really can suck. This fact has not been lost on pop musicians; for every whimsical song about love's dizzying highs, there's a woeful tune referencing its heartbreaking lows.
These are the 30 biggest heartbreak songs ever recorded. Ranked by their performance on the Billboard Hot 100 chart from its inception in 1958 to Feb 11, 2012, each song is included based on its lyrical content. Every song celebrates the darker side of love: heartaches, breakups, lying, cheating, unhealthy obsessions and general relationship dysfunction. Crank up your computer and get ready for a good cry.
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30
"Love The Way You Lie"
Eminem featuring Rihanna
2010
Most Heartbreaking Lyric: "Just gonna stand there and watch me burn? / That's alright because I like the way it hurts / Just gonna stand there and hear me cry? That's alright because I love the way you lie."
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29
"Cathy's Clown"
The Everly Brothers
1960
Most Heartbreaking Lyric: "When you see me shed a tear and you know that it's sincere / Dont you think it's kinda sad that you're treating me so bad? / Or don't you even care?"
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28
"Need You Now"
Lady Antebellum
2009
Most Heartbreaking Lyric: "Another shot of whiskey can't stop looking at the door / wishing you'd come sweeping in the way you did before. / And I wonder if I ever cross your mind. / For me it happens all the time."
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27
"Smoke Gets In Your Eyes"
The Platters
1958
Most Heartbreaking Lyric: Now laughing friends deride / tears I can not hide / Oh, so I smile and say / When a lovely flame dies / smoke gets in your eyes."
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26
"It Must Have Been Love"
Roxette
1990
Most Heartbreaking Lyric: It must have been love, but it's over now. / It must have been good, but I lost it somehow / It must have been love, but it's over now. / From the moment we touched till the time had run out."
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25
"Love Takes Time"
Mariah Carey
1990
Most Heartbreaking Lyric: "Couldn't see that I was blind to let you go? / I can't escape the pain inside / Cause love takes time / I don't wanna be here, I don't wanna be here alone."
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24
"Big Girls Don't Cry"
The 4 Seasons
1962
Most Heartbreaking Lyric: "(Silly girl) 'Shame on You, you're crying in bed? / (Silly girl) 'Shame on you, you told me lies!' Big girls do cry."
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23
"Maggie May"
Rod Stewart
1971
Most Heartbreaking Lyric: "I know I keep you amused but I feel I'm being used. / Oh Maggie, I couldn't have tried anymore. / You lured me away from home just to save you from being alone / You stole my heart and that's what really hurt."
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22
"Careless Whisper"
Wham! Feat. George Michael
1985
Most Heartbreaking Lyric: "I should have known better than to cheat a friend / and waste a chance that I've been given. / So I'm never gonna dance again / the way I danced with you."
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21
"Total Eclipse of the Heart"
Bonnie Tyler
1983
Most Heartbreaking Lyric: "Once upon a time I was falling in love. / Now I'm only falling apart. / There's nothing I can do / total eclipse of the heart."
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