The Ultimate Breakup Songs Quiz


By: Staff

4 Min Quiz

Image: refer to hsw

About This Quiz

What becomes of the broken-hearted? Well, they usually wade back out into that big sea of fish, but not before wallowing in depressing — or occasionally empowering — breakup songs. Test your heartache with this quiz.

Let's start with a breakup song that has spawned loads of gossip. Who is "You're So Vain" about?

While Carly Simon won't reveal who the song's about, lots of us can see our own ex in the lyrics.


Who got a smash hit with "I Heard It Through The Grapevine?"

Gladys Knight and the Pips also released it as a single, but it was Gaye's version that launched the song into pop culture.


When did Alanis Morissette's "You Oughta Know" come out?

The mid-90s song became an anthem for jilted lovers everywhere.


Let's match the lyrics to the breakup song: "Loving you/Isn't the right thing to do/How can I ever change things/That I feel."

Fleetwood Mac had a lot of collective experience with breakups.


Who sang the plaintive "I'm Sorry," released in 1960?

Brenda Lee was only 15 at the time, so she probably didn't have much to be sorry for.


"I should've changed that stupid lock/I should've made you leave your key/If I had known for just one second/You'd be back to bother me"

Gloria Gaynor may have been broken up with, but she was not about to go back to that dirtbag.


Who sang "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'?"

It's gone. Gone. Gone.


What bouncy breakup song's lyrics (and title) were cleaned up to edit out the original four-letter send-off?

Cee Lo Green had a pretty simple message for his girl and her new man.


"How can you stop the rain from falling down?\How can you stop that old sun from shining?/What makes the world go round?"

Al Green's hit has been the soundtrack for many a broken-hearted soul.


The Magnetic Fields took a different approach with their breakup song. What's the title?

Although Stephen Merritt should clearly write songs based on those other titles, too.


What breakup classic is on Carole King's album "Tapestry?"

You can't beat a saxophone solo on a breakup song.


Something tells me we'll be hearing from Beyonce again, but where does she instruct her ex he'll find all his possessions in "Irreplaceable?"

Everything you own is in that box, sir.


"I was alright for awhile/I could smile for awhile/But I saw you last night/You held my hand so tight."

Roy Orbison makes it very clear he was crying. Crying. CRYING.


Who promises that although they may have not treated their girl right, she was "Always On My Mind?"

Cold comfort, perhaps, to the girl who he might've "treated second best."


What R&B singer needs her ex-lover to "Un-Break" her heart?

Many a broken heart would like to be pieced together again by the person who broke it in the first place.


"I heard that you're settled down/That you found a girl and you're married now/I heard that your dreams came true/Guess she gave you things I didn't give to you."

Adele knows her breakups.


"There's a fire starting in my heart/Reaching a fever pitch, and it's bringing me out the dark/Finally, I can see you crystal clear."

Sometimes a breakup is a woman scorned, Adele will also have you know.


What's a lyric from Bonnie Raitt's classic breakup song "I Can't Make You Love Me?"

But you're WELCOME for the lyric ideas, Miss Raitt.



The Yeah Yeah Yeahs hit single was a quiet departure from their usually avant garde indie punk rock.


Whitney Houston made "I Will Always Love You" a monster hit, but who first wrote and recorded the song?

Dolly Parton's country version is worth a listen.


Bob Dylan wrote and recorded "It Ain't Me Babe" but what couple added their own spin on the breakup song?

Although I think we'd all kill to hear Tay and Harry duet.


What powerful breakup ballad was actually recorded for a forgettable film of the same name?

Take a look at me now, Phil Collins begs.


Who sings the original version of the country standard "I Fall to Pieces?"

Patsy is seriously not interested in being friends, buddy.


"You keep saying, you got something for me/Something you call love but confess/You've been messin' where you shouldn't have been messin'/And now someone else is getting all your best."

Let's not forget that Nancy Sinatra doesn't stand for "lyin' when you oughta be truthin'."


What devastated crooner would "Rather Go Blind" than see her lover walk away?

When Etta says she was JUST sitting there thinking of his kiss, you can't help but curse the jerk.


Who wrote the Beatles' "For No One?"

You stay home; she goes out. Sigh.


"Back beat, the word is on the street/that the fire in your heart is out/I'm sure you've heard it all before/but you never really had a doubt."

Who hasn't wanted to yell at someone, "I don't believe that anybody feels the way I do about you now?"


"But he's driving and striving and hugging the turns/And thinking of someone for whom he still burns."

There's nothing like driving, guitars and Cake.


Who wrote the Sinead O'Connor hit "Nothing Compares 2 U?"

Sinead made it a hit and helped a lot of folks cry through their breakup.


"He better call Becky with the good hair."

Beyonce says "Boy, bye."


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