What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.
August 8, 2015 4:06 PM   Subscribe

I want to make a playlist for a loved one that is getting out of a bad relationship. I want to include songs that are upbeat, positive, female friendly/pro-female with messages of it will get better/you can do this/you are strong/he's not worth it/he doesn't deserve you etc.

Genre doesn't matter as long as it is upbeat. Songs that have clean lyrics or have a radio edit version available would be best. I found this question which has some great suggestions but am looking for more recent suggestions and songs that fit my snowflakey details.
posted by Lay Off The Books to Media & Arts (47 answers total) 34 users marked this as a favorite
 
Gloria Gaynor "I will survive "
posted by BarcelonaRed at 4:14 PM on August 8, 2015


Peter Gabriel, Shaking The Tree.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 4:16 PM on August 8, 2015 [1 favorite]


There's also a good cover of "I Will Survive" by Cake.
"In a Big Country" by Big Country"
"Tubthumping" by Chumbawumba
"Roar" by Katie Perry
"Gotta Be" by Desiree (sp?)
posted by rmd1023 at 4:19 PM on August 8, 2015


Really Don't Care - Demi Lovato
Survivor - Destiny's Child
Stronger - Britney Spears
Since U Been Gone - Kelly Clarkson (I'm guessing from your post title that this is already on your playlist)
6'1" - Liz Phair
I'm Still Standing - Elton John
posted by SisterHavana at 4:32 PM on August 8, 2015


Better Things To Do - Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings
posted by fox problems at 4:47 PM on August 8, 2015


Rachel Platten - Fight Song
Alicia Keys - Girl on Fire
Sara Bareilles - Brave
Martina McBride - Independence Day
posted by Sassyfras at 4:47 PM on August 8, 2015


Cher -- Believe

Ace of Base -- I Saw the Sign

Kelly Clarkson -- Since U Been Gone
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 4:48 PM on August 8, 2015 [1 favorite]


Not specifically post-relationship, but exuberantly/doggedly fits your other criteria: 'Step Aside', by Sleater-Kinney (with bonus horn section).
posted by feral_goldfish at 4:52 PM on August 8, 2015


Oh, and I can't believe Queen of Breakup Songs T.Swift hasn't appeared yet, especially We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together

Charli XCX Breaking Up
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 4:54 PM on August 8, 2015


You don't own me has great lyrics. I first heard the version in First Wives Club
posted by kitten magic at 5:00 PM on August 8, 2015


Ingrid Michaelson's Girls Chase Boys was my anthem during my breakup last year.
posted by imbri at 5:07 PM on August 8, 2015


It's a rom-com cliche, but it's also a great song about leaving for bigger and better things, both middle fingers raised: Solsbury Hill

Martin L. Gore - Compulsion, which features heavily in my internal soundtrack when I have something tough to do.

Fiona Apple - Extraordinary Machine
posted by Lyn Never at 5:11 PM on August 8, 2015


Stretch Princess Breakfast For Champions

When you say change
Well I won’t change
When you say stay
Well here I go again
Out here on my own
I don’t need anything
I don’t need anyone
And here I go again
I’m on my way
And I know you won’t find me
I’ve been around the whole world in one day

posted by HillbillyInBC at 5:12 PM on August 8, 2015


Madder Red by Yeasayer is basically a man confessing to being a scoundrel and admitting that his lover is better off without him. It's uplifting to me at least.
posted by Candleman at 5:16 PM on August 8, 2015


Christina Aguilera - Fighter
posted by EndsOfInvention at 5:24 PM on August 8, 2015




(P.S. - I'm listening to that En Vogue song, "Never Gonna Get It", and DAMN it's still as good as I thought it was when I was 22.)
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 5:27 PM on August 8, 2015 [4 favorites]


Spinnerette - Baptized by Fire
posted by divide_by_cucumber at 5:48 PM on August 8, 2015


P!nk - So What
posted by PaulaSchultz at 5:52 PM on August 8, 2015 [5 favorites]






la roux - bulletproof
posted by andrewcooke at 6:28 PM on August 8, 2015


Chiquitita - Abba
posted by HandfulOfDust at 6:30 PM on August 8, 2015




goodbye to you - scandal

http://youtu.be/_50-gOeBilc
posted by Suffocating Kitty at 6:36 PM on August 8, 2015


Nancy Sinatra "These Boots Were Made for Walkin'"
Florence + The Machine "Dog Days are Over"
Pink "So What"
posted by gryftir at 7:29 PM on August 8, 2015


Not really about carrying on after a breakup, but maybe the most upbeat song ever: "Perfect Day" by Hoku.
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 7:32 PM on August 8, 2015


I thought of a few more:
Womanizer - Britney Spears
I Love It - Icona Pop ft. Charli XCX (There is a radio edit of this song)
Smile - Lily Allen (There is a radio edit of this one too)
posted by SisterHavana at 7:32 PM on August 8, 2015


It's Not Fair by Lily Allen. Actually about a guy who is selfish in bed, but I think it might work.

Smile by Lily Allen

I'm beautiful dammit - Bette Middler

Bob - Macy Gray (this was a recent post on the Blue. Given your request for radio edits this might not be a fit ... but it's a lot of fun)

Ain't Got No - Nina Simone

I look so good without you - Jessie James
posted by bunderful at 7:45 PM on August 8, 2015


Cher - Strong Enough
posted by NoraCharles at 7:46 PM on August 8, 2015 [1 favorite]


Without You - My Fair Lady

There's be spring every year without you
England still will be without you
There'll be fruit on the tree
And a shore by the sea
There'll be crumpets and tea without you
posted by bunderful at 7:49 PM on August 8, 2015


Lauryn Hill -- Lost Ones and Doo Wop
posted by bookworm4125 at 7:55 PM on August 8, 2015


Brave - Sara Bareilles - not explicitly about breaking up, but powerful.

Her King of Anything might also work.
posted by bunderful at 7:58 PM on August 8, 2015


It's Not Right But It's Okay - Whitney Houston
Just Fine - Mary J Blige
posted by sevenofspades at 9:09 PM on August 8, 2015 [1 favorite]


Pink - So What

Rachel Platten - Fight Song

Chumbawumba - I get Knocked Down.

I find Taylor Swifts - Bad Blood surprisingly motivational.

Janis Joplin - Take another Piece of my heart

Ceelo - Forget you (I prefer the less radio safe version, but both work)

Meghan Trainer - Your Lips are Moving.

Elton John - I'm still Standing.
posted by wwax at 9:34 PM on August 8, 2015


Melissa Ferrick - Everything I Need

Ani DiFranco - 32 Flavors
posted by Mchelly at 9:51 PM on August 8, 2015


Miss Movin' On- Fifth Harmony

Kiss You Off- Scissor Sisters

Fighter- Christina Aguilera
posted by Tamanna at 11:34 PM on August 8, 2015


This thread sent me on an odyssey searching for songs to make a playlist for my own friend, who is going through the Worst Divorce.

The best find is:
Done by Frazey Ford which is being called a break-up anthem.

The lyrics are amazing (but there are a couple of words not suitable for radio):
“I’m sorry that you don’t like your life
But I fought for my own victories
And for the beauty in my life
My joy, my joy, my joy takes nothin’ from you.”
posted by girlpublisher at 5:55 AM on August 9, 2015


Miranda Lambert - Brand New Strings
Skating Polly - A Little Late
Pistol Annies - Trailer For Rent
posted by signal at 8:31 AM on August 9, 2015


OK Go - This Too Shall Pass
posted by Mrs.Spiffy at 12:06 PM on August 9, 2015 [1 favorite]


Some classic indie-pop from New Zealand:
Look Blue Go Purple - I Don't Want You Anyway
posted by Pink Frost at 1:23 PM on August 9, 2015


Veruca Salt - Brian's Song

don't wanna miss you anymore
'Cause I'm happy to be without you
I'm sure, I'm sure, I'm sure, I'm sure
Happy to be without you

posted by inertia at 5:57 PM on August 9, 2015


Beyonce - Irreplaceable
posted by beezer_twelve at 6:16 PM on August 9, 2015


A Little Bit Stronger - Sara Evans
posted by JaneEyrehead at 10:21 PM on August 9, 2015


A song by two badass ladies about being a badass lady, QUEEN by Janelle Monae feat. Erykah Badu
posted by FakePalindrome at 12:07 AM on August 10, 2015


6' 1" - Liz Phair (I bet you fall in bed too easily with the beautiful girls who are shyly brave
and you sell yourself as a man to save, but all the money in the world is not enough
)
posted by natasha_k at 9:56 PM on August 10, 2015 [1 favorite]


Mary J. Blige - Just Fine
Little Jackie - The World Should Revolve Around Me
posted by somedaycatlady at 5:34 PM on August 11, 2015


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