Happy Anti-Valentine’s Day! Crank up these country breakup tunes to mend your broken heart.
Not in the mood to celebrate the season of love this year? Hey, we get it. Take it from us — the best remedy for a broken heart is blasting some classic country breakup songs and having a good cry.
C&I is here to lessen the sting of heartbreak with the Anti-Valentine’s Day country playlist. Turn up these country tunes and let your emotions fly.
“Does He Love You,” Reba McEntire (ft. Linda Davis)
Originally written by Sandy Knox and Billy Stritch, this 1993 power ballad is a vocal duel between the wife and the mistress of the same man.
>> Read Reba McEntire's approach to balancing family and country music.
“Goodbye Earl,” The Chicks
Who needs a man when you have a ride-or-die friend like Mary Anne? This 1999 upbeat country revenge song follows two friends as they plot to get rid of one of that good-for-nothing Earl.
>> Check out some of our other favorite female country artists.
“Always On My Mind,” Willie Nelson
Originally recorded by Brenda Lee in 1972 and sung by Elvis Presley later that year, the Red Headed Stranger picked up this tear-jerking swan song in 1982.
>> Listen to our Willie Nelson tribute.
“Friends In Low Places,” Garth Brooks
This one is for the guys and gals who never felt good enough for the in-laws. Garth Brooks’ 1990 honky-tonk classic follows a man drowning his sorrows at “the oasis” after being dumped for his lack of “social graces.”
>> Listen to more of our Garth Brooks favorites.
“Mama’s Broken Heart,” Miranda Lambert
Perfect to blast in the car or belt at the top of your lungs at karaoke, Miranda Lambert’s 2011 country-rock hit is for the ladies who are sick of being told “it’s just a breakup.”
>> Check out our 2022 Miranda Lambert cover story.
“Give It Away,” George Strait
The King of Country has a plethora of heartbreak healers, but this 2013 song is a tongue-in-cheek ode to a relationship that has run its course.
>> Read our 2023 George Strait cover story.
“Like We Never Loved At All,” Tim McGraw (ft. Faith Hill)
This passionate 2005 duet between two country powerhouses is for those who still have a yearning in their heart for the one that got away.
>> Get the behind the scenes look at McGraw and Hill's Yellowstone prequel 1883.
“Whiskey and You,” Chris Stapleton
The country crooner’s heartbreaking 2015 single tells the very real and visceral story of the slippery slope that is drinking to numb the pain.
>> Check out our 2024 Chris Stapleton cover story.
“Before He Cheats,” Carrie Underwood
The mother of all revenge songs, Carrie Underwood’s 2009 country rock hit will make you think twice before cheating on a country girl.
>> Watch Carrie Underwood perform with Reba McEntire at the Grand Ole Opry.
“You’ll Think of Me,” Keith Urban
A tried-and-true country heartbreak ballad, Urban’s 2002 single leaves a glimmer of hope for those having trouble getting over that special someone.
>> Listen to our favorite Keith Urban hits.
“That Was Yesterday,” Wynonna Judd
Released in 1993, Wynonna’s blue country classic is a tale about a woman on the way to healing from a man who didn’t treat her right.
>> Check out Wynonna's Duke Spirits' Masters Music Series performance.
“What Might Have Been,” Little Texas
A heartbreaker in its own right, the country band’s 1993 ballad is for all those wondering what might have been if things had worked out a little differently.
>> Listen to Little Texas perform "What Might Have Been" live.
“Blame It on Your Heart,” Patty Loveless
On the flipside of heartbreak, Loveless’s 2014 two-stepping hit tells the story of a woman who decides not to take anymore of her man’s “lying, cheating, cold, dead beatin’, two timing, double dealing, mean, mistreatin’, lovin’ heart.”
>> Check out our favorite Patty Loveless hits.
“Here Comes Goodbye,” Rascal Flatts
It wouldn’t be a breakup song list if we didn’t throw in a Rascal Flatts song. This 2009 ballad perfectly captures the pain of anticipating the inevitable end of a love story.
>> Watch the Rascal Flatts perform "Here Comes Goodbye" live on the Today Show.
“Picture,” Sheryl Crow and Kid Rock
Another powerful duet between two legends, Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow’s 2002 ballad shows us both parties reeling from the end of a relationship.
>> Read our 2015 chat with Kid Rock.
“Die From a Broken Heart,” Maddie and Tae
Sometimes the best cure for heartbreak is a big hug from your mama. The duo’s 2020 ballad tells the story of a woman picking up the pieces of her life after a difficult relationship.
>> Watch Maddie and Tae's CMT Campfire Session.
“One More Day,” Diamond Rio
Get your tissues out for this one. The country band’s 2001 ballad perfectly encapsulates the longing for more time with the one that got away.
>> Listen to Diamond Rio perform "One More Day" live.
“Back to December,” Taylor Swift
While Swift has a treasure trove of breakup songs to choose from, her 2010 ballad “Back to December” grapples with post-breakup regret in a way that really can’t be beat.
>> Check out our favorite Taylor Swift country performances.
“These Boots Are Made for Walkin’,” Nancy Sinatra
Need to step back into your power? Nancy Sinatra’s 1966 classic is the perfect upbeat revenge song for restoring girl power.
>> Watch Nancy Sinatra perform "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'" live on the Ed Sullivan Show.
“I Will Always Love You,” Dolly Parton
Let’s end with a bang, shall we? Whether you prefer Dolly’s 1974 original recording or Whitney Houston’s iconic 1992 cover, screaming this chorus at the top of your lungs is the perfect way to release that negative energy.
>> Check out our 2023 Dolly Parton cover story.
