Most breakups happen if one person cheats on another in an extradyadic relationship. No matter the reason for a relationship ending, moving on is difficult. However, songs about moving on from a prior relationship or any old chapter in life can help you get your confidence back.
Here are 25 songs about moving on to help you dry away from the tears, clear the dust off you from falling, and start over again.
1. “Miss Movin On” by Fifth Harmony
Fifth Harmony’s song “Miss Movin On” shows the strength and resolve needed to move on from a break-up. The girl group personifies the song narrator as a miss who is moving on to bigger and better things even despite a breakup with a current relationship.
The importance of finding yourself to ascertain self-worth is a key theme. The song shows that when a relationship is broken, it will never be the same. The girls chant that it’s better to move on and forge a new path rather than dwell on what could have been.
2. “I Got Over You” by Daughtry
Daughtry highlights the difficulty of ending a relationship and how finding closure is important for moving on in “I Got Over You”. The song narrator reflects on the failed experience and becomes thankful for not having to endure their ex’s toxic qualities any longer.
The person that once made him feel his best now made him feel his worst because of their toxicity. Eventually, the narrator picks up the shattered pieces of his heart to put himself back together. This song closes by chanting that the narrator is officially over their ex.
3. “I Wish” by One Direction
One Direction sings a soulful ballad about a boyfriend that sees his ex-girlfriend with a new man in “I Wish.” He reminisces on memories as he witnesses his ex-girlfriend doing everything with her new boyfriend that he wishes he could still do with her.
He desires to dance with the girl and talk to her on the phone with her late at night like they used to. This song tugs at the heartstrings of those who have seen their ex with a new lover in public.
4. “I’m Moving On” by Rascal Flatts
Sometimes a breakup is not the only reason for moving on. Rascal Flatts soulfully sings about moving on for personal self-worth and growth in their song “I’m Moving On.”
The country group highlights the main theme of how years pass from wasted time and efforts in trying to have things go a specific way. Even with all those efforts, the song shows how losing people can enhance a perspective to do better for one’s self by deciding to move on.
5. “Moving On and Getting Over” by John Mayer
John Mayer displays how holding on to a past love is comforting but eventually needs to be let go in “Moving On and Getting Over.” The song discusses how texting a past love could make someone want to get back with the person.
Thinking about a past love becomes intoxicating for the narrator to the point he wishes to see his former love one more time. In the end, the narrator proudly proclaims he will find a new girl so he can move on from his former love because he realizes the past union will never work again.
6. “Really Don’t Care” by Demi Lovato feat. Cher Lloyd
Demi Lovato proudly sings about how one of her past loves did her wrong and that she would never want this person back in her life. Rather than tremble in fear and regret when seeing this ex-partner, she would walk by with her head high because she had moved on.
She happily sings that she will not have to endure the lies from her ex any longer. Now, she can take command of her mental health and happiness to have a better life ahead.
7. “Goodbye” by Kristina DeBarge
Kristina DeBarge artfully harmonizes in this anthem that putting her life on hold should not happen because her former lover does not know what he wants out of life. Becoming single is a hard transition, but DeBarge shows that the experience can be rewarding.
She says goodbye to her past love confidently and is met with powerful vibes that come with new changes. Confiding in her friends, she sticks with them through the healing process.
8. “So Sick” by Ne-Yo
Ne-Yo shows much he still misses his girl and would like to be in her life again. He is tired of the grieving process that comes with it from listening to love songs, crying about it, and reminiscing about their times together.
As the song continues, Ne-Yo tries to evade the habit many people fall into of listening to love songs post-breakup. It becomes a continued addiction that is part of his grieving. While annoyed with engaging in the habit, he continues doing so for comfort.
9. “Moving On” by Marshmello
Marshmello released “Moving On” in 2017, around the same time that he was transferring to Joytime University. This song is about moving on from one chapter in life to another.
The narrator shows how while he may be gone in person to pursue his dream that he will be back to his roots as soon as possible. While the same two lines of lyrics are repeated throughout the song, it’s a strong message that says moving on to another chapter in life can be revitalizing.
10. “No Tears Left to Cry” by Ariana Grande
Ariana Grande evokes an upbeat vibe about moving on with her song “No Tears Left to Cry”. The song title may seem like it is a slow jam, but this dance club jam with a lively rhythm induces newfound confidence and a breath of fresh air.
Rather than wallow in depression, Grande would prefer to dance her woes away with a like-minded person as she moves on from what has made her sad. She does not mention her source of sadness in the song. It is only about how to have a good time to drain away from the woes.
11. “The One I Gave My Heart To” by Aaliyah
Aaliyah beautifully reflects on how a person she once loved was the source of her happiness but also her biggest downfall. She recounts how she gave this person all her heart, only for it to break because he told her lies and professed he doesn’t love her anymore.
Promises of forever are now no more. The young R&B Princess recounts the sadness she feels from hurtful quips her former lover said when he had once professed his love for her. By the end of the song, she is still questioning why her ex broke her heart the way he did.
12. “Get It Together” by India Arie
India Arie’s lyrics show that refusing to let go and forgive will hinder the process of moving on in the song “Get it Together”. The song’s narrator is enduring a friendship gone wrong because she recounts how a friend can be the one that hurts a person the most.
Despite the grief from this hurt, the lyrics show that the idea of soaring high can only happen once the song narrator has forgiven the friend that did wrong. This flight is the change that happens thanks to that forgiveness.
13. “We Are Never Getting Back Together” by Taylor Swift
“We Are Never Getting Back Together” is the story of how a girl tells her boyfriend that he has no chance of being with her ever again. Taylor Swift shows how empty promises happen in a relationship because the girl in the song eventually has enough with her ex attempting to get back together with her.
The back and forth of taking a break from the relationship, breaking from it for real, and then him calling her back to profess his love makes her sick and tired of the runaround. Hence, she outright tells her boyfriend to stop trying to make amends for the relationship to go back to normal.
14. “Survivor” by Destiny’s Child
Thriving independently and alone is the theme in Destiny’s Child’s “Survivor”. The group sings about a man’s expectations for his ex-girlfriend and how she would fail without him. She defies what he thinks would happen to her post-breakup.
Through her musical career, keeping positive mental health, and working hard, she shows she can forge her happiness without him. The climax chants that even through the sadness will eventually blossom happiness as positivity remains the focus of daily life.
15. “Better In Time” by Leona Lewis
“Better In Time” is a heart-tugging ballad where Leona Lewis sings about a breakup with an ex during the wintertime and all the troubling feelings accompanying the experience. Whether it was watching television or just reminiscing, everything reminded her of their past relationship.
However, she continues to smile and remain optimistic. As she learns how to love again to be with someone new in the future, she moves on from her former lover to fully heal from the breakup.
16. “Irreplaceable” by Beyonce
Beyonce’s “Irreplaceable” is about how she catches a current love cheating on her. She is privy to him transporting the other woman around in the vehicle she bought for him.
The man may have taken the female song narrator for granted as he thought he was irreplaceable in the relationship. She responds that he is not irreplaceable and that she could find another potential suitor by the next day. Her no-nonsense persona and demand for respect shine through the lyrics.
17. “Since U Been Gone” by Kelly Clarkson
Kelly Clarkson personifies a friendship with a guy she loves as choking in her song “Since U Been Gone.” She can breathe for the first time as they part ways because she no longer feels the toxicity.
Originally, she was waiting for the guy to profess that he wanted to be with her. He does not reciprocate these feelings, so she moves on because she cannot bear being around someone she loves that does not love her back.
18. “Not Gon’ Cry” by Mary J. Blige
“Not Gon’ Cry” by Mary J. Blige was made for the movie “Waiting To Exhale”. The lead character that Angela Bassett plays discovers that her husband of 11 years cheated on her.
This song recounts all the wasted time that she took to love her husband and that the only good thing that came out of the marriage was their kids. She builds the resolve not to cry about the broken relationship. Instead, she understands that love is a risk no matter how long you spend together with a lover.
19. “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor
Gloria Gaynor’s song “I Will Survive” is about how she fears she will not be able to live life without her ex. Eventually, he tries to come back to be with her, but she turns him away, saying he is no longer welcome at her home.
She sings about the sleepless nights of crying that eventually turned into a love for herself in her heart. Turning away from the man that wronged her showed him that he was not worth anything to her anymore and that she could make herself happy without him around.
20. “Memories” by Panic at the Disco
“Memories” is a love story with a not-so-happy ending. Panic at the Disco’s story illustrates two rebel lovers trying to make a life for themselves against all odds.
Even with all the planning, things still go wrong for the couple as they endure financial troubles living on their own. With the inability to predict how the future will go, the group sings about how even the best of memories can fall off the radar as people move on from one relationship to another.
21. “Big Girls Don’t Cry” by Fergie
What started as a young love turned into two people going their separate ways in life in Fergie’s “Big Girls Don’t Cry.” The female song narrator recounts how much she misses her former lover even as she had to move on with her life to better herself.
This male she speaks of has to fly back to his hometown as she continues to live a life where she is currently. The main theme of this song is that people come and go in one another’s lives, but there is no sense in crying about it.
22. “I Don’t Want To” by Toni Braxton
Toni Braxton sings about a love triangle ensuing in her song “I Don’t Want To”. She originally dated this man first before the other woman had married him. Essentially, she is telling the current wife how he was not manly or strong enough for her, and that’s why she dumped him a long time ago.
The song’s narrator supports that she believes he is the right man for the wife. Overall, she was not satisfied with his lack of manly qualities, no matter how much he begged to stay with her.
23. “No More (Baby I’ma Do It Right)” by 3LW
3LW sings about how a girl does everything for her man, and he does not show appreciation whatsoever in their song “No More (Baby I’ma Do It Right).” She buys him clothes and hangs out with him at his house even when he is broke. Yet, he has the nerve to dismiss her in front of his friends.
Now, the girl resolves to do right for herself because she does not want to endure this disrespectful treatment. The lyrics exhibit to move on from people that are not in your best interests, especially when they do not appreciate what you have done for them.
24. “So Yesterday” by Hillary Duff
Hillary Duff talks about moving on from her past love smugly and confidently in her song “So Yesterday”. She personifies herself as a bird that has already flown away from the relationship to a better life.
She does not care what he has to say. Whether he feels bored with the relationship or torn between who and what he wants, her ability to keep her head up and not shed any tears shows that she has gotten over the guy to find herself.
25. “Apologize” by Timbaland feat. OneRepublic
The unlikely song duo Timbaland and OneRepublic sing about how apologies cannot redeem a broken relationship. Once a person hurts another in their relationship, sorries only go so far.
The offender in the relationship crosses boundaries with their rash behavior. OneRepublic sings that it is too late for an apology to correct the crossed boundaries.
Final Word
Moving on from a past relationship or a new chapter in life is not easy. Remaining optimistic and working on yourself is the key to moving on for good. The above songs can serve as somber reminders of why a change was needed but also motivate us to be introspective and look for ways to move on to a new and better stage in our lives.
