The 20 greatest Indie break-up songs

13 February 2026, 12:32 | Updated: 13 February 2026, 12:44

Break ups are inevitable and unavoidable (unfortunately) but, in the depths of that melancholy, music can be your saviour. Here's a score of the best examples.

1. Blur - No Distance Left To Run

   "I won't kill myself, trying to stay in your life / I got no distance left to run." One of the bleakest break-up songs ever... but with a hint of redemption.

   

   Blur - No Distance Left To Run

2. Gotye - Somebody I Used To Know

   "Well you said that we would still be friends / But I'll admit that I was glad that it was over." Time to pack your books and records up, Kimbra.

   

   Gotye - Somebody That I Used To Know (feat. Kimbra) - official video

3. Oasis - Stop Crying Your Heart Out

   "Take what you need / And be on your way / And stop crying your heart out." Some sobering advice from Liam, who knows a thing or two about a break-up.

   

   Oasis - Stop Crying Your Heart Out

4. Coldplay - The Scientist

   "Nobody said it was easy / It's such a shame for us to part." Crikey.

   

   Coldplay - The Scientist (Official 4K Video)

5. The Streets - Dry Your Eyes

   "Dry your eyes mate, / I know it’s hard to take but her mind has been made up, / There’s plenty more fish in the sea." Mike Skinner is the best mate you could ever have.

   

   The Streets - Dry Your Eyes (Official Video)

6. Ben Howard - Keep Your Head Up

   "Keep your head up, keep your heart strong. / Keep your mind set, keep your hair long." Long hair will get you through this one.

   

   Ben Howard - Keep Your Head Up

7. Maximo Park - Books From Boxes

   "You have to leave. I appreciate that, / But I hate when conversation slips out of our grasp." Paul Smith struggles with the small stuff.

   

   Maximo Park - Books from Boxes

8. The Smiths - I Know It's Over

   "As I climb into an empty bed / Oh well, enough said." Morrissey faces the uncomfortable truth.

   

   I Know It's Over (2011 Remastered Version)

9. Bon Iver - Skinny Love

   "In the morning I'll be with you, / But it will be a different kind, / I'll be holding all the tickets / And you'll be owning all the fines." Brutal stuff from Justin Vernon.

   

   Birdy - Skinny Love (Official Music Video)

10. Amy Winehouse - Back To Black

    "You went back to what you knew / So far removed from all that we went through / And I tread a troubled track / My odds are stacked / I'll go back to black." The queen of the "troubled track" with one of her finest songs.

    

    Amy Winehouse - Back To Black

11. Placebo - The Bitter End

    "In six week's time / The mess you left / Will end / See you at the bitter end." Ulp.

    

    Placebo - The Bitter End

12. Kate Nash - Foundations

    "My fingertips are holding onto / The cracks in our foundation / And I know that I should let go but I can't..."

    

    Kate Nash - Foundations

13. Arctic Monkeys - Cornerstone

    "And tell me, where's your hiding place? / I'm worried I'll forget your face / And I've asked everyone / I'm beginning to think I imagined you all along."

    

    Arctic Monkeys - Cornerstone (Official Video)

14. The Walkmen - The Rat

    "When I used to go out, I would know everyone that I saw / Now I go out alone if I go out at all."

    

    The Walkmen - "The Rat"

15. Mazzy Star — Fade Into You

    "I think it's strange you never knew." An absolute heartbreaker from the American band's 1993 album So Tonight That I Might See.

    

    Mazzy Star - Fade Into You (Official Music Video)

16. The xx — Heart Skipped A Beat

    "Please don't say we're done when I'm not finished / 'Cause I could give so much more."

    

    Heart Skipped A Beat

17. Jeff Buckley — Lover, You Should’ve Come Over

    "Maybe I'm too young / To keep good love from going wrong." The master of heartbreak, in a track from the peerless Grace album.

    

    Jeff Buckley - Lover, You Should've Come Over (Official Video)

18. The Vaccines - Post Break-Up Sex

    "Post break-up sex / That helps you forget your ex / What did you expect / From post break-up sex?" Justin Young explains why you shouldn't go there.

    

    The Vaccines - Post Break-Up Sex

19. Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart

    "When routine bites hard / And ambitions are low / And resentment rides high / But emotions won't grow." Well, that sounds like the end of that, then.

    

    Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO]

20. Foo Fighters - Best Of You

    "I needed somewhere to hang my head / Without your noose." Big Dave has finally had enough.

    

    Foo Fighters - Best Of You (VIDEO)