It’s been said that “love is a battlefield, but it can also heal you.” For many people, the intense emotions and vulnerability involved in love relationships are too much to handle, and in some cases, these relationships do more damage than good.
These songs about toxic relationships, heartbreak, betrayal, and deception speak to anyone who has ever been involved in a relationship gone bad.
They provide the perfect soundtrack for anyone trying to get over an abusive ex-lover or recover from destructive love addiction issues caused by codependency.
Best Songs About Toxic Relationships
“Bad Things” – Machine Gun Kelly feat. Camila Cabello
It is a modern version of an oldie-but-goodie. Bad Things is the perfect song if you’ve ever felt like giving up on love and still don’t feel like giving up on life. Written by Machine Gun Kelly, it features his close friend Camila Cabello and her duet partner, Shawn Mendes, appearing in the music video.
“Toxic” – Britney Spears
Anyone who has ever been heartbroken by the one they love can identify with the pain expressed in this song. Britney Spears sings about a breakup with a lover who has become a toxic substance that makes her sick in Toxic. Spears clarifies that she won’t take more of his abuse by singing while covered with white pus and scabs. It’s been said that she wrote this song about an abusive relationship she had with her ex-husband, Kevin Federline.
“Lucky Star” – Madonna
Madonna’s song Lucky Star explores the feelings of a girl who is madly in love with someone but feels powerless to do anything about it. It may be a bold statement for Madonna to claim that she had a real-life crush on Warren Beatty.
She was only going out with him as an act of revenge against her ex-husband, Sean Penn. The video for Lucky Star has been said to be one of Madonna’s most vulnerable performances and is regarded as one of the best music videos.
“What About Us” – Pink
When a toxic relationship leaves you feeling empty and used up, What About Us can provide a much-needed dose of optimism. This pop hit about the struggle for love and intimacy is for anyone who has ever felt like giving up on their relationship.
By the end of the chorus, you’ll believe that the two of you can still make it work and that together there’s no more immense love than two people who care about each other. Written by Pink and Lily Allen, this song was also featured in The Goldbergs TV show.
“Don’t Speak” – No Doubt
An anthem for dealing with painful memories of a breakup, Don’t Speak, is about finding the courage to move on from a toxic relationship. This catchy tribute is for anyone who has ever tried to forget someone special who didn’t know how to forgive or even remember how to love.
The song was written by No Doubt’s lead singer Gwen Stefani and her former boyfriend Tony Kanal after they broke up because he cheated on her. Sadly, the couple got back together and eventually split up again in 2001 – making the video one of the most heartbreaking.
“Can’t Get Enough” – The Black Eyed Peas
This song will sound familiar if you’ve ever been addicted to a toxic relationship. The Black Eyed Peas song describes infatuation and addiction’s emotional highs and lows that often characterize toxic relationships.
We’ve all heard of love addiction, but in this song, Will.i.am clarifies that the victim can be a toxic lover and a victim. This addictive song will have you singing along before you realize how much you relate to its lyrics.
“The Other Side” – Jason Derulo
All the best love stories come with a happy beginning and a devastating ending in pop music, ask Jason Derulo. In this song, he sings about how his relationship with his ex-girlfriend has ended so many times that he’s starting to think they aren’t meant to be together. But even though he knows that he and his lady are hurting each other, he can’t help but want her back one more time and give it another shot.
“I Don’t Want a Live Forever” – Zayn ft Taylor Swift
You can’t escape the fact that you were in a toxic relationship. Even when you try to forget it, people around you seem to know all about it or at least want to talk about it. This song is such a great song for anyone who knows they’re dealing with a nasty form of romance. When Zayn and Taylor Swift sings about their toxic relationship and how they don’t want to live with the guilt of hurting each other, you can’t help but think that maybe they are better off alone.
“Heartbreak Warfare” – John Mayer
John Mayer made a career out of breaking hearts. After he was accused of infidelity and cheating, Heartbreak Warfare is the perfect song for all those who a lover has ever mistreated.
In this heartfelt tune, Mayer sings about what it’s like to be in love with somebody who can’t seem to feel anything towards you. The lyrics will sound familiar to anyone reading this list because they’ve probably been through a similar breakup or infatuation that slowly tore them apart horribly.
“Love the Way You Lie” – Eminem feat. Rihanna
Love the Way You Lie is one of the most famous breakup songs ever written. The song describes a toxic relationship because it’s all lies and one-upmanship.
The lines in this song are so powerful that they’re often played on classic rock radio stations to remind listeners of how much they know about being in a relationship with someone who uses them and then throws them away at the drop of a hat.
This song was written by Eminem, Rihanna, and Sonny Moore, who also sang the song’s hook after Eminem left it incomplete, having parted ways with her due to creative differences.
Conclusion
Toxic Relationships are not to be taken lightly. Fragile, needy, and abusive relationships can leave you feeling devastated and broken, even if you’re the victim.
These songs are among the Top 10 list of songs about being in a toxic relationship or getting into one. Songs about running away from toxic relationships help remind people that they can get better no matter how bad things get.
Born and raised in Austin, David is a dedicated writer and avid fragrance lover. When he's not trying out perfumes, he enjoys traveling and exploring new restaurants.