Every love story that doesn’t have a happy ending inevitably leads to heartbreak for someone. Perhaps no other genre captures the emotions of a breakup better than country music. That’s why we decided to put together a playlist of country breakup songs.
The honest, heartfelt lyrics often deal with painful truths addressing what went wrong in a relationship and how the ex-lovers are getting on with their lives after the breakup. Whether you are experiencing heartbreak at the moment or just want to feel a little nostalgia for a past relationship, this collection of songs is sure to bring out all of the emotions. We also have a playlist of sad breakup songs from across all music genres if you’re interested.
Table of Contents
1. Trouble With A Heartbreak by Jason Aldean
| Genre | Country |
| Year Released | 2022 |
| Album | Macon, Georgia |
“Trouble With A Heartbreak” was recorded by Jason Aldean and released on his 2022 album Macon, Georgia. The song left a big impression on Jason Aldean the first time he heard it. Songwriters Brett Beavers, John Morgan, Kurt Allison, and Tully Kennedy combined classic country sounds with hints of R&B on this tune about dealing with a breakup that left the narrator heartbroken. The song topped the Billboard Country Airplay chart and showcases Aldean’s more sensitive side. The lyrics indicate that no matter what he tries two do to get over his heartbreak, nothing other than time will help heal his wounds.
2. What Hurts the Most by Rascal Flatts
| Genre | Country, Pop |
| Year Released | 2006 |
| Album | Me and My Gang |
Originally written by songwriters Jeffrey Steele and Steve Robson, “What Hurts the Most” was later covered by Rascal Flatts and released on their 2006 album Me and My Gang. Their version was wildly successful, topping the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. The song was later certified 5x Multi-Platinum by the RIAA. Rascal Flatts performed “What Hurts the Most” with Kelly Clarkson at the 2006 Academy of Country Music Awards. The following year, the recording was nominated for Best Country Song and Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals at the 49th Annual Grammy Awards. The music video currently has over 177 million views on YouTube.
3. You’ll Think of Me by Keith Urban
| Genre | Country |
| Year Released | 2004 |
| Album | Golden Road |
“You’ll Think of Me” was co-written by Darrell Brown, Dennis Matkosky, and Ty Lacy. It was recorded by Australian country-pop singer Keith Urban and released on his 2004 album Golden Road. The song topped the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and was a top 10 hit on the Adult Contemporary chart and the Adult Top 40 chart. In addition to the song being certified 2x Multi-Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, it would go on to become Keith Urban’s first Grammy Award in the Best Male Country Vocal Performance category at the 2006 ceremony.
4. Break Up In The End by Cole Swindell
| Genre | Country |
| Year Released | 2018 |
| Album | All of It |
Originally pitched to Luke Bryan and Dan + Shay, “Break Up In The End” was recorded by Cole Swindell and released on his 2018 album All of It. Swindell decided to record the song because he related to its central theme of staying in a relationship even though he knew that it would not work out in the end. Co-songwriter Jessie Jo Dillon noted that the title was inspired by the book John Dies at the End, where the ending is given away and carried that idea into the lyrics of the song. Despite the heartbreak, Swindell sings that he’s happy to have experienced the relationship.
5. Before He Cheats by Carrie Underwood
| Genre | Country |
| Year Released | 2005 |
| Album | Some Hearts |
We’ve all heard about someone’s crazy ex-girlfriend or ex-boyfriend, but the woman in Carrie Underwood’s song “Before He Cheats” may take the cake for being the craziest. The lyrics tell the story of a bitter breakup and detail a woman exacting revenge on her lying, cheating ex-lover. The song was co-written by Nashville songwriters Josh Kear and Chris Tompkins. “Before He Cheats” was a massive commercial success and was a top ten hit on five separate Billboard charts. It was certified 7x Multi-Platinum and won Underwood and the songwriters numerous awards.
6. Miss Me More by Kelsea Ballerini
| Genre | Country Pop |
| Year Released | 2018 |
| Album | Unapologetically |
“Miss Me More” is a country-pop song recorded by Kelsea Ballerini and was released as the third single on her 2017 album Unapologetically. The breakup song recounts the various aspects of her personality that Ballerini sacrificed to please her former lover. Ballerini laments that she thought she would miss her ex but ended up realizing that she misses her former self more. “Miss Me More” peaked at #2 and #7 on the Billboard Country Airplay and Hot Country Songs charts, respectively, and was later certified 2x Multi-Platinum by the RIAA.
7. Break Up In A Small Town by Sam Hunt
| Genre | Country |
| Year Released | 2014 |
| Album | Montevallo |
“Break Up In A Small Town” was inspired by Sam Hunt’s tumultuous relationship with his wife, Hannah Lee Fowler. The pair have had an up-and-down affair, with Fowler filing for divorce from Hunt, accusing the singer of adultery and improper treatment of a spouse. Hunt’s wife later requested the court to dismiss her divorce filing, and it has been reported that the couple has reconciled their relationship. The song peaked at number 2 on both the Billboard Country Airplay and Hot Country Songs charts. “Break Up In A Small Town” was also a big commercial success, later being certified 5x Multi-Platinum by the RIAA.
8. Like We Never Loved At All by Faith Hill (Featuring Tim McGraw)
| Genre | Country, Country Pop |
| Year Released | 2005 |
| Album | Fireflies |
“Like We Never Loved At All” tells the story of a couple whose love has started to drift away. To one another, their ex-lover appears to be doing fine after the breakup and getting on with their life, while they struggle to move on. The song was written by John Rich of the country group Big & Rich, along with Vicky McGehee and Scot Sax. It was recorded by Faith Hill and her husband Tim McGraw. The song would go on to peak at #5 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and won a Grammy Award for Faith Hill and Tim McGraw in the Best Country Collaboration with Vocals category at the Grammy Awards in 2006.
9. Tequila by Dan and Shay
| Genre | Country Pop |
| Year Released | 2018 |
| Album | Dan + Shay |
“Tequila” is a popular breakup song about a man whose memories of his ex-girlfriend come pouring back in whenever he drinks tequila. It was co-written by Dan Smyers, Nicolle Galyon, and Jordan Reynolds. The song was a huge commercial success, topping both the Billboard Country Airplay and Hot Country Songs charts. In January 2022, the song was certified 7x Multi-Platinum by the RIAA. The music video, directed by Patrick Tracy, features actor and deaf activist Nyle DiMarco and has over 144 million views on YouTube.
10. I Will Always Love You by Dolly Parton
| Genre | Country |
| Year Released | 1974 |
| Album | Jolene |
Written and recorded by Dolly Parton, “I Will Always Love You” is one of the most famous breakup songs of all time. Interestingly though, the song isn’t actually about a romantic relationship but rather a farewell dedicated to her business partner and mentor, Porter Wagoner, when Parton decided to pursue a solo career. The song was a commercial success for Dolly, topping the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart twice, in 1974 and again in 1982. But the most popular recording by far is the soulful version sung by Whitney Houston for the film The Bodyguard, which was certified Diamond by the RIAA.
11. Let It Rain by David Nail (Featuring Sarah Buxton)
| Genre | Country |
| Year Released | 2011 |
| Album | The Sound of a Million Dreams |
“Let It Rain” is a breakup song co-written by David Nail and Jonathan Singleton. It was released as the lead single off of David Nail’s 2011 album, The Sound of a Million Dreams. It would go on to become Nail’s first number-one single, topping Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, and has been certified Gold by the RIAA. Co-writer Jonathan Singleton has mentioned that the song was partially inspired by the romantic comedy film, The Last Kiss. The lyrics detail a man’s remorseful state after cheating on his girlfriend. He knows he messed up and is accepting whatever karmic retribution comes his way, including losing his partner forever. This is one of my personal favorite songs about regret and the consequences of huge mistakes. It’s also a powerful song about rain, so to speak, that very effectively uses metaphors to make the song even more powerful.
12. What If I Never Get Over You by Lady Antebellum
| Genre | Country |
| Year Released | 2019 |
| Album | Ocean |
Written primarily by singer-songwriter Ryan Hurd, the lyrics to “What If I Never Got Over You” were meant to capture the constant, never-ending heartbreak Hurd imagined he would feel if he were to separate from his wife, country singer Maren Morris. Lady Antebellum recorded the song and released it as the lead single on their 2019 album Ocean. The song topped the Billboard Country Airplay chart and was certified Platinum by the RIAA. Lady Antebellum performed “What If I Never Got Over You” at the 53rd Annual Country Music Association Awards with Halsey. If you’re looking for sad country breakup songs, then this is certainly one you’ll want to have on your playlist.
13. You Don’t Know Her Like I Do by Brantley Gilbert
| Genre | Country |
| Year Released | 2011 |
| Album | Halfway to Heaven |
“You Don’t Know Her Like I Do” was co-written by Brantley Gilbert and Jim McCormick. It was recorded by Gilbert and released on his 2011 album Halfway to Heaven. The song was a huge commercial success and earned Brantley Gilbert a certified Platinum record. It topped the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and ended up being the second-most-played song on country radio in 2012. The lyrics depict a phone call between a friend checking in with another friend. A man that is not quite ready to say goodbye to his now ex-girlfriend.
14. Mama’s Broken Heart by Miranda Lambert
| Genre | Country |
| Year Released | 2013 |
| Album | Four the Record |
“Mama’s Broken Heart” was co-written by Kacey Musgraves, Brandy Clark, and Shane McAnally. It was recorded by Miranda Lambert and released as the fourth single on her 2011 album Four the Record. The lyrics detail the story of a woman having a hard time dealing with a breakup. The people in her town start gossiping about her because she isn’t handling the split from her boo with grace, or being very “ladylike.” Lambert laments that, unlike her mama’s generation, that would have simply accepted the breakup and pretended to be okay to save face, she sacrificed her reputation to exact revenge on her ex.
15. Break Up With Him by Old Dominion
| Genre | Country |
| Year Released | 2015 |
| Album | Meat and Candy |
“Break Up with Him” was written and recorded by Nashville-based country group Old Dominion. The song became the band’s first #1 country hit, topping the Billboard Country Airplay chart. It was later certified Platinum by the RIAA. The lyrics tell the story of a man in love with a woman that is still in a relationship. He encourages her to breakup with her current lover so they can finally be together. The official music video, which has over 51 million views on YouTube, references the 1985 film Back to the Future, with lead singer Matthew Ramsey portrayed as Marty McFly.
16. Keep It To Yourself by Kacey Musgraves
| Genre | Country |
| Year Released | 2014 |
| Album | Same Trailer Different Park |
“Keep It To Yourself” was co-written by Kacey Musgraves along with renowned songwriters Shane McAnally and Luke Laird. The lyrics tell the story of a woman trying to get over her ex and not wanting to know how they are feeling because she doesn’t want to go back to that relationship. The song was released as the last single on Musgraves’ 2014 album Same Trailer Different Park. Musgraves reminds listeners that sometimes the best way to get over a breakup is to simply be left alone so that you may heal. If you resonate with this song, check out our playlist of songs about being alone here.
17. Over When It’s Over by Eric Church
| Genre | Country |
| Year Released | 2011 |
| Album | Chief |
“Over When It’s Over” was co-written by Eric Church and chart-topping songwriter Luke Laird, who has written over twenty Billboard #1 singles. The song was released on Church’s award-winning 2011 album, Chief, which was named by Rolling Stone magazine as one of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. The lyrics of the song recount the final resolution of a relationship, noting that no matter what the ex-lovers try to do, they will never get the magic back. The song is a fan-favorite at Eric Church concerts, and the live music video for the song was recorded at Chattanooga’s Tivoli Theatre and released on Church’s first live album, Caught In The Act: Live.
18. Crazy by Patsy Cline (Featuring the Jordanaires)
| Genre | Country |
| Year Released | 1961 |
| Album | Showcase |
“Crazy” is a country breakup song written by Willie Nelson and popularized by Patsy Cline. The song was featured on Cline’s 1961 album Showcase. Nelson allegedly wrote the song in less than an hour, while he was driving from his home in Pasadena, Texas, to nearby Houston. The song has been covered by many artists, from Linda Ronstadt to LeAnn Rimes. In 2003, the Library of Congress inducted Cline’s version of “Crazy” into the National Recording Registry.
19. Bye, Bye by Jo Dee Messina
| Genre | Country |
| Year Released | 1998 |
| Album | I’m Alright |
“Bye, Bye” was recorded by Jo Dee Messina and released on her 1998 album I’m Alright. It was co-written by Rory Bourke and Phil Vassar. The song spent two non-consecutive weeks on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. The lyrics are empowering as Messina sings that she is not going to sit around and wait for or get back together with her former lover who she thought could have been her Mr. Right. The music video for the song, which has nearly ten million views on YouTube, was nominated for the Country Music Association Award for Video of the Year.
20. Mercy by Brett Young
| Genre | Country |
| Year Released | 2017 |
| Album | Brett Young |
“Mercy” is a powerful breakup song co-written by Brett Young and Sean McConnell. It was recorded by Young and released on his 2017 self-titled debut album. McConnell has written other hit songs for famous country musicians such as Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, and Martina McBride. The song has enjoyed tremendous success, becoming a #1 hit on the Billboard Country Airplay chart, and has been certified 4x Multi-Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. The music video currently has over 233 million views on YouTube.
21. Brokenheartsville by Joe Nichols
| Genre | Country |
| Year Released | 2002 |
| Album | Man with a Memory |
“Brokenheartsville” is a classic country breakup song recorded by Joe Nichols and released on his 2002 albums Man with a Memory. The lyrics tell the story of a man whose woman left him for another lover. He compares his e
Hi, my name is Kevin and I’m from Butler, Pennsylvania. I’ve been obsessed with music and audio gear for as long as I can remember. I started this website to help people find professional advice related to a wide range of audio topics. We have a number of Audio Engineers on our team who have been designing and fixing audio gear for decades.