Why we love breakup songs

Columbian singersongwriter Shakira touted to be the queen of Latin music recently made headlines when she released ldquoShakira Bzrp Music Sessions Vol 53rdquo collaborating with Argentine DJ Bizarrap Released on January 11 the song which makes direct jibes at her ex Spanish formerfootball player Gerard Pique broke all records racking up over 55 million views on YouTube within 24 hours of release becoming the most watched Spanish song Such was its unprecedented popularity the song surpassed over 15 million streams on Spotify topping the streaming servicersquos top 50 global playlistShakirarsquos new single seemed to address the fallout of the 11yearrelationship Piquersquos alleged betrayal and she did not shy away from namedropping the soccer playerrsquos new girlfriendMerely a couple of days later American popsensation Miley Cyrus popular for essaying the role of Hannah Montana released her latest song ldquoFlowersrdquo which became the fastest to reach 100 million streams on Spotify The energetic revenge song which celebrates her singledom dropped on January 13her exhusband and Australian actor Liam Hemsworthrsquos birthdayThere are multiple references in the song including a mention of their house burning down in a wildfire in 2018It is also alleged that the song is a response to a Bruno Marsrsquo song ldquoWhen I Was Your Manrdquo which was dedicated by Hemsworth to Cyrus on their wedding in 2018 While the original by Mars includes the lines ldquoI should have bought you flowers and held your handrsquo Cyrusrsquos version spells ldquoI can buy myself flowers and I can hold my own handrdquoUnless yoursquove been living under a rock you have come across hundreds of reels of these viral songs which have topped music charts across the globe What is it about breakup or revenge songs that resonate with usldquoMusic and words have a huge impact on the psyche the younger generation in particular finds solace in songsWhen public figures write and sing about their breakups it humanises them and their experiences which are often shared by the songs listeners The listener feels connected to the words which are a representation of these universal feelings some of which are often not spoken out aloud These songs also provide a shared experience to those who have experienced a breakuprdquo explains Mehek Rohira therapist at The Mood SpaceWhile many singers including the likes of Taylor Swift and Adele have been singing about heartbreak diss tracks have been a major part of the hiphop scene for years and have enjoyed popularity ldquoItrsquos like a connection of rage savageness sass and inspiration No doubt it takes courage to come out of the bad phase and turn those hot burning emotions into something inspiring for the generation Diss tracks in general are often opinionated but the part where yoursquore accepting everything dealing with your demons and eventually coming out as the best version of yourself is a big win for your own self and I guess thatrsquos all that matters in the end These are not just songs these are anthemsrdquo poses Abhay Arora curator of lsquoThat Music Projectrsquo an Instagram page exploring narratives surrounding Bollywood and indie musicShakira savagely sings about how she wonrsquot take Pique back even if he begs and how her fitnessenthusiast ex should spend time training his brain not just spend hours in the gym She channels her rage but comes out indestructible as she sings lsquoyou thought yoursquod hurt me but yoursquove made me stronger and women donrsquot cry anymore they get paidrsquo It is no wonder that women have adapted these songs as anthems of selflove and empowerment according to RohiraShe adds ldquoSuch songs are also a shift from the typical female narrative women are no longer waiting to be saved by their Prince Charming They are independent ambitious and selfsufficient For some these songs may also be a reflection of the modern woman and add to one of the reasons why people personally resonate with these songsSingersongwriter Kriti B agrees ldquoMileys song is an anthem for women because women also want to experience being a human being the gender that has always been asked to adjust to not being treated well is finally standing up feeling empowered and learning the fact that we dont need a man to validate our existencerdquoOffering insights into what goes into producing such spirited music Kriti says ldquoBreakup songs from the point of view of a musician work in two waysemotional release and empowerment Writing a song helps in venting those pent up emotions As a listener it provides a sense of relatability lsquoI thought I was the only one who felt this wayrsquo is something Ive heard quite a few times when I have performed I think because we feel too vulnerable to talk to people about it and feel judgedrdquoRead More Techno Punjabi Blues amp Anime Pop Top music trends that dominated the year 2022