We love songs about betrayal. We love knowing that we aren’t the only victims of deceit. We love hearing how someone got their revenge. We’ve loved these songs for decades.
Here’s thirty-one of the best betrayal songs of all time. There are some popular titles that were left off the list, and we added some that may surprise you.
We included the album titles so you can check those out, too. Enjoy!
1) Picture to Burn – Taylor Swift
Album: Taylor Swift (2008)
She’s Erasing Him
This song is one of the most popular in Swift’s extensive breakup discography. The lyrics paint a familiar picture for anyone who has been with a bad liar or a cheating fool. When she sings, “Watch me strike a match on all my wasted time,” the feeling of time lost reaches beyond relationships and really hits home.
The idea of spreading rumors about each other to put themselves in a better light is typical for high school kids and Swift said the song was about someone she almost dated in high school.
Next: Top songs about liars and lying
2) Take a Bow – Rihanna
Album: Good Girl Gone Bad (2007)
Nothing But the Truth
This song’s lyrics can prompt millions of people to nod their heads in agreement.
Her ex is standing in the yard, trying to apologize, but she knows it’s all an act.
“But you put on quite a show
You really had me goin’
But now it’s time to go
Curtain’s finally closin’.”
It’s no wonder Rihanna makes the top of everyone’s list of songs about betrayal. If you haven’t been in a relationship that ends with a battle over who owns what, you know someone who has.
3) You Give Love A Bad Name – Bon Jovi
Album: Slippery When Wet {1986)
Her Betrayals Started Early
Bon Jovi sings about a relationship that was doomed from the beginning, (“Your first kiss was your first kiss goodbye”). The group makes sure their point is made with the a cappella introduction “Shot through the heart and you’re to blame.”
The line, “You give love a bad name,” has found its way into our everyday vocabulary.
Next: Greatest a cappella groups of all time
4) I Heard it Through the Grapevine – Marvin Gaye
Album: In the Groove (1968)
A Timeless Rhythm and Blues Piece
The song was written for Motown Records catalog. It was originally covered by Gladys Knight and the Pips, but it grew to become Marvin Gaye’s signature song. Creedence Clearwater Revival also covered a popular version of this song.
The singer confronts his love about rumors he’s heard that she’s going back to her ex.
He’s not only hurt about her plans to leave him, he’s also angry that she evidently told other people first and he had to find out the hard way.
We picked Gaye’s version because we love his background singers quietly singing, “heard it through the grapevine that no longer would you be my baby.”
By comparison, Creedence’s version sounds almost sinister.
Consider next: Songs with “Baby” in the title
5) You Oughta Know – Alanis Morissette
Album: Jagged Little Pill (1995)
Angry Women’s Anthem
This post-grunge release turned the world on its head. Until the release of “Jagged Little Pill”, the tone of women’s attitudes in mainstream pop/rock music were watered down at the direction of the male moguls.
Morissette decided it was time to let the world know just how angry women could get and that infidelity wasn’t acceptable behavior.
Whoever jilted her opened a big can of worms. To this day, she reminds him of the mess he left since he went away.
6) Mr. Brightside – The Killers
Album: Hot Fuss (2003)
It’s All in His Head
Mr. Brightside is a man trying to turn a blind eye to his cheating love but becomes consumed with jealousy. This would be pretty standard except that we discover our singer only imagines that he is in this relationship. The man she leaves with and spends the night with is actually her real partner.
The singer is so lovesick that the stress over her behavior is physically unbearable and yet, he tries to put it all aside and tries to appear eager to please her.
7) Until the End of the World – U2
Album: Achtung Baby (1991)
A Two Thousand Year Old Breakup Song
The ultimate story of betrayal. It rarely makes any list of songs about betrayal, but it should.
As a Christian rock band, U2 explores their roots here. Even those with casual familiarity with the Christian Bible can find the references.
“In the garden, I was playing the tart. I kissed your lips and broke your heart….”
This song is about Judas talking to Jesus and how he sold him out, but the lyrics can also be interpreted as if it was any toxic relationship.
Next: Best songs about toxic love relationships
8) No Vaseline – Ice Cube
Album: Death Certificate (1991)
Creative Differences Create a Legendary Feud
A different type of break up. Ice Cube raps about his departure from N.W.A. It was a retaliatory song after N.W.A. wrote their own breakup song that was released on the E’P., “100 Miles and Runnin’.” Ice Cube’s anger spilled into a tirade that offended just about everyone.
One little warning that since this is hardcore gangsta rap, all of it is rated. N.S.F.W..
9) If I Fell – The Beatles
Album: Movie Soundtrack: A Hard Day’s Night (1964)
Classic Beatles’ Humor
A romantic-sounding song about a guy getting ready to dump his lady and sleep with someone else. The kicker is that he wants this new love to be faithful because he doesn’t want to be hurt in the same way he’s about to hurt his current lover.
This is one of those ironic songs by the Beatles that drips with hypocrisy while sounding sweet.
Did they understand that? You bet they did. Those that adored them heard a love song. Anyone who looked a little deeper appreciated the inside joke. That’s why their songs are considered some of the best of all time.
Read next: Easy Beatles songs to try on guitar
10) Irreplaceable – Beyoncé
Album: B’Day (2006)
Empowering Song
Written by Ne-Yo, “Irreplaceable” went through a massive transformation. It started as a country song written from a man’s perspective to become a song that became a women’s empowerment anthem.
Straight away, we know there’s conflict. We soon learn that Beyoncé’s character is just trying to clean her house of her husband and his infidelities. He tells her she won’t be able to replace him.
“Standin’ in the front yard, telling me how I ‘m such a fool
Talking ’bout I’ll never ever find a man like you.”
She has other ideas.
“I could have another you in a minute.”
We know who wins this battle.
11) I Don’t Care Anymore – Phil Collins
Album: Hello, I Must Be Going! (1982)
An Ugly Divorce
While another of Collins’ songs recently trended, this one was just as popular back then. The back story is that this was written about his ex-wife.
During their divorce, she tried to smear his reputation to get a beefier piece of his earnings. It’s the ultimate act of betrayal.
Emotionally, he’s working his way through the accusations she’s making and finding inner peace.
About that title: For someone who doesn’t care about what his ex is saying behind his back, he sure sounds pretty ticked. Is he trying to convince her or himself?
12) I Hate Myself for Loving You – Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
Album: Up Your Alley (1988)
It’s Hard to Walk Away
Joan can’t walk away from her cheating guy and beat herself up over it. The opening line puts us in Joan’s shoes. We’re waiting and waiting for someone that never shows up. She wants to break up with him but she can’t bring herself to do it. So she hates herself.
Why do we do this to ourselves? Because we love them. It’s as simple and complex as that. Bad relationships lend themselves to self-loathing.
It’s a great song although nowadays, everyone thinks it’s a football game theme song.
13) Before He Cheats – Carrie Underwood
Album: Some Hearts (2005)
A Vengeful Warning
Carrie wrote the playbook on what we’d all like to do to a cheating man, especially one who loves his car more than anything. The lyrics paint a familiar and sometimes explicit picture of her man trying to pull off a classic bar pick up. Her explanation of how she’s exacting her revenge is eye-opening. This is also on our list of songs about revenge, too!
While we appreciate people who decide to take a proactive approach to infidelity, it should be noted that vandalism is a crime. Let’s hope wherever his vehicle was parked, it didn’t have security cameras.
Next: Best cheating songs of all time
14) Medicine – Queen Naija
Album: Queen Naija (2018)
Two Can Play the Cheating Game
All the key elements of betrayal are here. Getting home at six in the morning is always a red flag and the constant texting is never a good omen. She’s right to trust her intuition on this one.
She decides that she’s going to stoop to his level and start calling all the men she’s been putting off. It turns out that there’s a line of men just waiting for her to change her relationship status back to ‘single.’ This is how she’s giving him a taste of his own medicine.
Next: Top songs about change ever made
15) So What – P!nk
Album: Funhouse (2008)
A Break Up with Attitude
P!nk sings about losing her husband, but instead of being sad about it, she finds inner strength. She rocks out with her rock moves and, in true rock style, everyone starts a fight.
There’s a taunting riff running through this song, giving it a youthful feel. It works to lighten up the mood and people love to sing along in bars.
16) Use Me – Bill Withers
Album: Still Bill (1972)
A Matter of Perspective
Bill has lots of well-meaning friends and family who believe his lover is mistreating and using him. His response is that her love is worth the abuse, since he feels that he’s the one using her. This is a very potent song about family, and should be listened to with a strong attention to the lyrics.
It’s a surprising reaction and the familiar musical riff, along with Withers’ sexy baritone, keeps us listening decade after decade.
17) This is How a Heart Breaks – Rob Thomas
Album: …Something to Be (2005)
Breaking Point
While Thomas has said it’s about falling in love, many people believe that it’s about betraying yourself by giving in to addiction. Read the following lyrics as if Rob is talking to himself.
“Don’t you want to go for a ride
now to the other side?
Feels so good you could cry now.
Won’t you do what I told you?”
18) Whipping Post – Allman Brothers Band
Album: The Allman Brothers Band (1969)
The Meanest Woman
On first listen, it sounds like just another Southern rock song, but the lyrics run deep through the soul, giving the Allman Brothers a crossover hit that was even covered by the late Frank Zappa when he was on tour with the Mothers.
The helplessness he feels transcends musical genres. His pain resonated with a massive audience and his ex became one of the meanest women in music history.
On a lighter note, the chorus also works as a relatable commuting song on a Monday morning.
19) Jar of Hearts – Christina Perri
![christina perri - jar of hearts [official music video]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/8v_4O44sfjM/0.jpg)
Album: Lovestrong (2011)
Not This Time
Christina sings about an ex who betrayed her in the past and is looking for her again. He has a habit of sleeping around and breaking hearts. She describes herself as half alive since the breakup, but that she’s also feeling stronger and determined not to go back to him.
The title of the song refers to her ex’s conquests.
Next: Best songs about sleep ever made
20) Stronger – Kelly Clarkson
![Kelly Clarkson - Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You) [Official Video]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Xn676-fLq7I/0.jpg)
Album: Stronger (2011)
Finding Strength While You’re in the Lowest Places
Another popular song about women feeling empowered after being blindsided in a relationship. When Kelly sings that the bed feels warmer since her partner left, we understand how distant the relationship was.
We get the impression that he was expecting not just to hurt her, but to devastate her. She wants him to know that didn’t happen.
21) I’m the Only One – Melissa Etheridge
Album: Yes I Am (1993)
She’s Got Your Back
Melissa’s song about how her heart is broken since her lover is tired of their relationship and has met someone else. Melissa tries to convince her she’s the only one that will be there through the dark times.
22) Apologize – OneRepublic
Album: Dreaming Out Loud (2007)
Too Little, Too Late
OneRepublic’s Ryan Tedder composed, “Apologize,” for their debut album. Timbaland remixed it for his album, “Shock Value,” which was released the same year.
OneRepublic is here to remind us that consequences have actions and sometimes, apologies aren’t enough.
The singer has been put through the ringer one too many times. While he’s been able to forgive her before, this time, he’s finally had enough.
23) Voices Carry – ‘Til Tuesday
Album: Voices Carry (1985)
Who’s the Bad Girl?
Aimee Mann finds herself in a confusing and sticky situation. Not only does her lover not want to hear her say she loves him, he doesn’t want her to talk at all.
He’s controlling and demanding, but she’s falling in love and is still trying to please him.
She realizes that not only is she not the only woman in his life, she’s “the other woman.”
Awkward.
24) I’ve Found Someone of My Own – The Free Movement
Album: I’ve Found Someone of My Own (1972)
An Ugly Divorce
It was a sign of the times when The Free Movement released this gem. It starts out sounding like most ballads when it suddenly takes an unexpected turn.
The song starts out with a common betrayal scenario. The singer’s lady painfully confesses that she’s been having an affair and wants to end their relationship. His reaction is to drop a truth bomb for the Ages. This song is a great overall song about pain, love and suffering
His surprising empathy and brutal honesty makes the song unforgettable.
25) She Loves Me Not – Papa Roach
Album: Lovehatetragedy (2002)
He Did it to Himself
A song from the other side of the infidelity game. The singer’s girlfriend can read his mind. It’s possible it’s his own guilt that’s telling on him, but he swears she’s a mind reader. We discover she’s right when he sings, “I’m the jerk.”
He’s trying to decide if their relationship is worth saving and if he really wants to put in the effort to make that happen.
26) Jake – Lisa Loeb
Album: Firecracker (1997)
One-sided Relationship
Lisa Loeb is contemplating her options for ending her time with Jake. She wishes he would bring more to their relationship but is also convinced that it will not happen.
No one seems to know who Jake is but whoever she’s singing about, it’s time to break out the tissues.
27) Lyin’ Eyes – Eagles
Album: One of These Nights (1975)
Her Eyes Tell the Truth
The Eagles come through with a story of a lady whose eyes betray her infidelities.
She’s in a loveless relationship and lies about meeting a friend. Instead, she heads “for the cheating side of town.”
She promises the young man she’s seeing that she’s going to split with her husband.
It’s clear to everyone what she’s doing. Even she realizes she is lying her way through her life.
Be sure and invite her to your poker game.
28) Rolling in the Deep – Adele
Album: 21 (2011)
He Threw it All Away
No list of betrayal songs is complete without at least one song by Adele. She sees her partner in a new light and it isn’t pretty. She’s plotting her revenge while also recognizing how much they lost. “The scars of your love,” tell us this relationship was rocky and didn’t end well.
29) Breakeven – The Script
Album: The Script (2008)
She Got the Best of Him
The man’s lover cheated on him, putting him in a dark place. “You got his heart and my heart and none of the pain…,” tells us she was playing both of them at the same time.
We can almost see him with his labored breathing singing the line, “just praying to a God that I don’t believe in.” It gives us a sense of his desperation and feelings of abandonment.
30) Allentown – Billy Joel
Album: The Nylon Curtain (1982)
A Call to Action
Allentown isn’t the typical, “I’m in a bad relationship again,” song that Joel is known for. It’s a song about how corporations and the government ignored veterans after they had dutifully served their country. It fueled the conversation about how U.S. veterans deserve better compensation for the roles they play in protecting their homeland.
31) Not Gon’ Cry – Mary J Blige
Album: Movie Soundtrack: Waiting to Exhale (1995)
Wasted Years
Not Gon’ Cry is from the soundtrack Waiting to Exhale. It’s about a woman who gave everything to her husband. She starts out as a lover and secretary. Eleven years later, she finds he has left her for another woman.
Even though she doesn’t think any of this is fair, she refuses to express the tearful emotions we would expect to see.
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As the Head Editor and Writer at Music Grotto, Liam helps write and edit content produced from professional music/media journalists and other contributing writers. He works closely with journalists and other staff to format and publish music content for the Music Grotto website. Liam is also the founding member of Music Grotto and is passionate in disseminating editorial content to its readers.
Liam’s lifelong love for music makes his role at Music Grotto such a rewarding one. He loves researching, writing and editing music content for Music Grotto.
