Sometimes, relationships aren’t all they’re cracked up to be and the single life is the way to go. Are you feeling as if you’re better off without someone in your life? Looking for songs that will help you understand the emotions and heartbreak you feel at the moment as you say goodbye to your ex?
We’re here to help with your 20 songs about being better off without someone! From heartbreaking ballads to upbeat anthems, this list has a little something for everyone, regardless of what mood you’re in!
1. “Better Man” by Little Big Town
Little Big Town’s “Better Man”, which was written by Taylor Swift, opens with the lyrics, “I know I’m probably better off on my own / Than lovin’ a man who didn’t know what he had when he had it.”
As the country song goes on, we learn more about this toxic relationship that has come to an end. The singer explains that she wishes her ex could’ve been a “Better Man”. If he was better, he truly would’ve been the one for her. However, his actions and lack of respect made her realize that she was better off alone, without him by her side!
2. “Better Off Now” by Vanessa Williams
“Better Off Now” by Vanessa Williams, released in 1991, also explores the end of a romantic relationship. In this song, Williams sings about how she doesn’t want her romance to end. However, she realizes that it must — even if it breaks her heart.
As a result, she decides to try to be somewhat optimistic. Even though she does love her soon-to-be ex, she realizes that they’ll likely be happier without each other. She sings, “Better off now, better off now / Maybe this time / We’re better off saying goodbye.”
3. “Don’t Tell Me” by Avril Lavigne
Avril Lavigne released her song “Don’t Tell Me” on her 2004 album Under My Skin. Lavigne sings about being a strong woman in a relationship. She won’t conform or be pressured by any man in her life — even if this means that the man will end up leaving her. She doesn’t care!
In the chorus, she explains that her ex will be better off without criticizing her and trying to be with her. She sings, “Don’t try to tell me what to do / Don’t try to tell me what to say / You’re better off that way.”
However, later in the song, at the very end, she also explains that she’s better off without someone in her life. She sings, “I’m better off alone anyway.”
4. “Glad He’s Gone” by Tove Lo
Tove Lo’s “Glad He’s Gone” is a pop anthem all about being single and rid of your annoying ex-boyfriend. Throughout this entire song, the Swedish songwriter sings about how happy she is that her friend ended things with her boyfriend. Tove Lo explains that this man treated her friend badly. He didn’t let her be herself!
She sings, “You’re better off, I’m glad that he’s gone.” With this man out of her friend’s life, Tove Lo can’t wait to have fun and push her friend to be herself, once again!
5. “Better Off Without You” by Aquilo
“Better Off Without You” by Aquilo follows the duo as they realize that they should be alone. They sing about how they’re looking forward to being over someone. This relationship has finally come to an end, and they both likely did something to make it a problematic relationship.
In the chorus, the duo sings about this realization. They sing, “I’ll be better off without you.”
6. “Better That We Break” by Maroon 5
Maroon 5 released their song “Better That We Break” on their 2007 album It Won’t Be Soon Before Long. Throughout this song, the singer struggles with the end of a romantic relationship. He sings about how much he still misses his ex. However, he also questions whether they truly should’ve broken up — and he goes back and forth on whether this was right or not.
This song, therefore, is a great one to listen to if you still feel conflicted about the end of your relationship!
Even though the singer still has his heartbreak and questions, he does sing, “Maybe we’re better off this way / It’s better that we break.”
7. “better off” by Ariana Grande
In “better off”, Ariana Grande sings about getting over someone and moving on. First, she starts by realizing that she’d likely be better off without her boyfriend in her life. She realizes that she’s just with him because she doesn’t want to deal with the heartache, headaches, and pain that the end of a relationship always brings.
However, eventually, she realizes that this is exactly what she must do. She’d be better off alone! She sings the lyrics, “I’m better off without him / I’m better off being a wild one.”
8. “Better Off Without You” by Emmylou Harris
“Better Off Without You” by Emmylou Harris follows the singer as she exits a problematic relationship. As the song opens, she sings about arriving at a hotel room — her home for the time being. She’s left her significant other. While it hurts, she knows that she’ll be better off alone.
She also knows that she won’t change her mind this time. Even if her life struggles from here on out, she knows that her life will be so much better without her ex in her life!
9. “Better Off On Her Own” by Roxette
Roxette’s “Better Off On Her Own” follows the narrator as they sing about their girl leaving them. This woman realizes that she’s better off without them — and she breaks things off. The narrator of the story is left stunned. For the rest of the song, they sing about how heartbroken they are!
10. “Turn It Off” by Paramore
“Turn It Off” by Paramore, which appears on the band’s 2009 album brand new eyes, follows the singer’s personal struggles with her religion. However, as so many people are able to find different meanings in songs, many listeners have turned to this track when dealing with a particularly tough breakup.
In the chorus, the singer explains that she’s finally realizing that she might be better off alone. She sings, “We’re headed for a cliff / And in the free fall I / Will realize I’m better off / When I hit the bottom.”
11. “Don’t Go Knockin’ On My Door” by Britney Spears
“Don’t Go Knockin’ On My Door” by Britney Spears also discusses being better off without someone! In this great 00s pop song, Spears realizes that she doesn’t mind becoming single. After all, she finds herself completely done with her ex for the way he treated her!
She sings the lyrics, “I can hear myself saying / I am better off without you.”
12. “Over You” by Daughtry
The 2006 rock song “Over You” by Daughtry also discusses wanting to move on from a past relationship. The singer admits in this song that he never thought his relationship would end. Even though he knew that the relationship had problems, he didn’t want it to come to an end.
However, he finally woke up and saw the light. He understood that he would be able to fully move on from his ex — and he does! He sings in the chorus, “I’m better off without you / More than you, more than you know.”
13. “Separated” by Usher
In 2001’s “Separated”, Usher sings about a romantic relationship that has its fair share of issues. Usher explains that this romance can seemingly do nothing right. He feels that they are terrible together. Eventually, he realizes that they really should end their romance, once and for all.
But they’ll be fine! He sings, “Baby, you’ll do well and I’ll be fine / ‘Cause we’re better off separated.”
14. “Better Off (Now That You’re Gone)” by Lady A
Lady A’s “Better Off (Now That You’re Gone)” also details the end of a romantic relationship. In this song, the band sings about feeling mistreated by their partner. The band knows that they can — and should — move on from them. And eventually, they do exactly this.
In the chorus, they explain their emotions and state of mind when they sing, “I’m through with this, I’ll forget your kiss and move on / There’ll be no sleepless nights, I’ll be alright from now on / I’m better off now that you’re gone.”
15. “Home” by Three Days Grace
“Home” by Three Days Grace, released in 2004, explores what substance abuse can do to a relationship. The song touches on these tough themes as the singer begins to realize that they should leave.
Even though the singer loves this person, he needs to do right for himself. This person made his own home difficult, and the singer feels as if they don’t even know them anymore. The band sings, “This is not our home, I think I’m better off alone.”
16. “Maybe” by Lewis Capaldi
In “Maybe”, Lewis Capaldi sings about how he always seems to self-sabotage himself. He wants to experience a nice, loving relationship. So, why does he then ruin all of the relationships that could give him happiness?
Capaldi, down on himself, feels that he should just continue to be alone. He sings, “And I ain’t trying to be lonely, solely / But everything I touch turns to stone / Maybe I’m better off on my own.”
17. “I Don’t Want You Back” by BØRNS
“I Don’t Want You Back” by BØRNS follows the singer as he ends his romantic relationship. Throughout this entire song, he explains all the terrible things that his ex did while they were together. He realizes that he doesn’t need to deal with this. As a result, he breaks things off.
Once he’s alone and single, he begins to feel truly happy! He no longer has to worry about what his ex is off doing — as that’s no longer his problem.
18. “Lonely” by Britney Spears
Britney Spears released her song “Lonely” on her 2001 pop album Britney. In this song, Spears sings about the end of her romantic relationship. Her ex seems to think that she’ll be terribly lonely and come crawling back. Spears, however, doesn’t think this will happen.
She sings the lyrics, “Let’s just face it / Better off alone and I won’t turn back / You thought that I would be lonely / I don’t wanna let you back in.”
19. “Leave Me Alone” by The Veronicas
“Leave Me Alone” by The Veronicas, released in 2006, follows the duo as they sing about ending a relationship. They explain that they once enjoyed being with the person they were with. But that all changed, thanks to their ex’s attitude. Now, they’re done with them!
They sing, “Time for you to go / ‘Cause I know I’m better off on my own.”
20. “Time and Time Again” by Missy Elliott
Missy Elliott’s “Time and Time Again” is the last song on our list! In this 2005 track, Missy Elliott explains that she’s officially done with her ex. Even though she admits that she’s taken him back before, this time she’s completely over him.
He treated her wrong in the past — and she doesn’t want this to happen in the future. As a result, she realizes that she’s better off without him in her life!