Songs About Betrayal: 70 Best Songs About Betrayal of All Time
Ray has been an online music writer for over two years. Having sung in multiple competitions as a youth, he has a passion for the art.
1. "Bad Blood"
Artist: Taylor Swift
Album: 1989
Genre: Hip-Hop, Pop Music
Year Released: 2014
Facts About "Bad Blood"
- "Bad Blood" is a pop song recorded by Taylor Swift for her fifth studio album 1989.
- Taylor Swift composed the lyrics of "Bad Blood" with Kendrick Lamar and the producers' Max Martin and Shellback.
- The song is about the betrayal of a friend. Swift revealed that the friend she's talking about tried to sabotage her concert.
- The song peaked #1 in different countries such as Canada, New Zealand, Scotland, Canada, and the United States.
- The track won the Best Music Video at the 58th Grammy Awards and the Video of the Year at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards.
- "Bad Blood" held the 24-Hour Vevo Record with around 20 million views in 2015.
2. "You Give Love a Bad Name"
Artist: Bon Jovi
Album: Slippery When Wet
Genre: Hard Rock, Glam Metal
Year Released: 1986
Facts About “You Give Love a Bad Name”
- “You Give Love a Bad Name” is a single released by Bon Jovi for his 1986 album Slippery When Wet and became his #1 hit.
- It is a betrayal song that talks about a woman who has rejected her lover.
- The track peaked at #1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.
- VH1 gave “You Give Love a Bad Name” a spot in the list of the 20th Greatest Hard Rock Songs of All Time.
3. "Take a Bow"
Artist: Rihanna
Album: Good Girl Gone Bad: Reloaded
Genre: R&B Music
Year Released: 2008
Facts About “Take a Bow”
- “Take a Bow” is an R&B song containing elements of dance-pop recorded by Rihanna for her album Good Girl Gone Bad: Reloaded.
- “Take a Bow” peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart, U.S. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and the U.S. Pop Songs Chart.
- The track depicts how a female protagonist expresses apathy in rekindling her relationship with an ex-boyfriend who is disloyal and dishonourable.
- The single has powerful lyrics and balladry.
- The composers and producers of this song were notable people in the music industry, namely Ne-Yo and StarGate.
4. "Say My Name"
Artist: Destiny Child
Album: The Writing’s on the Wall
Genre: R&B Music, Pop Music
Year Released: 1999
Facts About “Say My Name”
- “Say My Name” is a pop R&B song by the famous American girl group Destiny’s Child.
- The track won the Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals and the Best R&B Song at the 2001 Grammy Awards.
- The single got the 7th position for Billboard’s 100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time.
- “Say My Name” won the Best R&B Video at the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards.
- The song is about betrayal and cheating of a guy to a female protagonist. The lyrics depict a girl telephoning her lover and suspecting him of doing such a thing.
5. "Cry Me a River"
Artist: Justin Timberlake
Album: Justified
Genre: R&B Music
Year Released: 2002
Facts About “Cry Me a River”
- “Cry Me a River” is an R&B song by Justin Timberlake from his album Justified.
- The song is about Timberlake’s past relationship with Britney Spears.
- The song depicts a brokenhearted guy who moves on from his ex-girlfriend who betrayed and cheated him.
- The track won the Best Male Pop Vocal Performance at the 2004 Grammy Awards.
- The single peaked at #3 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and Pop Song Chart.
6. "First Cut Is the Deepest"
Artist: P.P. Arnold
Album: New Masters
Genre: Country Music, Adult Contemporary, Pop Music
Year Released: 1967
Facts About "First Cut Is the Deepest"
- "First Cut Is the Deepest" is an original P.P. Arnold song popularized by Sheryl Crow.
- The song's lyrics are about a person looking to love again after being betrayed and disappointed in their first attempt.
- Arnold's version of the song reached #18 on the U.K. Singles Chart.
- Meanwhile, Crow's version became one of the biggest radio hits of 2003.
- The track peaked at #14 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.
7. "You Ought a Know"
Artist: Alanis Morissette
Album: Jagged Little Pill
Genre: Alternative Rock, Post-Grunge
Year Released: 1995
Facts About “You Ought a Know”
- “You Ought a Know” is an alternative rock song by Alanis Morissette for her third studio album Jagged Little Pill.
- The track won the Best Rock Song and Best Female Rock Vocal Performance at the 1996 Grammy Awards.
- Although Morissette did not identify the person behind this song, it portrays betrayal and cheating.
- The single received so much success in countries like the United States, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Iceland, Netherland, and the United Kingdom.
8. "Irreplaceable"
Artist: Beyoncé
Album: B’Day
Genre: R&B Music, Pop Music
Year Released: 2006
Facts About “Irreplaceable”
- “Irreplaceable” is a piece of pop-ballad R&B music recorded and produced by Beyoncé.
- The song portrays women empowerment.
- The song is about the betrayal of an unfaithful man with a girl causing their relationship to breakdown.
- The music video of the track won the Video of the Year Award at the 2007 Black Entertainment Television Awards.
9. "You're Not Sorry"
Artist: Taylor Swift
Album: Fearless
Genre: Country Rock
Year Released: 2008
Facts About “You’re Not Sorry”
- “You’re Not Sorry” is a country song written and produced by Taylor Swift under Big Machine Records.
- The song is a power ballad talking about Swift’s ex-boyfriend, who appeared to be his opposite, thus being a betrayal.
- The track reached #11 on the Canadian Hot 100 and #11 on the Billboard Hot 100.
- The country song even reached #21 on the U.S. Billboard Pop 100.
10. "Jar of Hearts"
Artist: Christina Perri
Album: The Ocean Way Sessions and Lovestrong
Genre: Pop Music
Year Released: 2010
Facts About “Jar of Hearts”
- “Jar of Hearts” is the debut single of Christina Perri under Atlantic Records.
- The song rose to Top 20 on iTunes after a week of release.
- The track is about Perri’s real love life experience with someone he wanted to rekindle a relationship.
- The song reached #17 and #21 in the United States and Canada, respectively.
- The song reached #4 on the U.K. Singles Chart.
- The track was the 11th best-selling single of 2011 in the United Kingdom.
11. "I Heard It Through the Grapevine"
Artist: Marvin Gaye
Album: In the Groove
Genre: Soul Music, R&B Music
Year Released: 1968
Facts About "I Heard It Through the Grapevine"
- "I Head It Through the Grapevine" is a song recorded by Marvin Gaye and written by Barrett Strong and Norman Whitfield.
- The song peaked at #2 on the Billboard Charts.
- The track got the 81st spot on the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time published by Rolling Stone.
- The song's lyrics narrate a singer's feelings of betrayal and skepticism when he hears of his lover's unfaithfulness from other people, thus the words "through the grapevine."
12. "Sandcastles"
Artist: Beyoncé
Album: Lemonade
Genre: Soul Music
Year Released: 2016
Facts About “Sandcastles”
- “Sandcastles” is a soul-ballad song recorded by Beyoncé for her sixth studio album in 2016 Lemonade.
- Vincent Berry II wrote the song with Malik Yusef, inspired by his past love relationship.
- The song is about a heartbreaking ending of Berry’s ten-year relationship.
- The music also promotes forgiveness and reconciliation.
- According to critics, this betrayal song is one of the most emotional tracks in the album.
13. "Heartless"
Artist: Kanye West
Album: 808s & Heartbreak
Genre: Pop Music
Year Released: 2008
Facts About “Heartless”
- “Heartless” is a pop song recorded by Kanye West released by Roc-A-Fella and Def Jam.
- The song features Kanye West singing through an auto-tune processor.
- The song is about a sad breakup of two lovers, caused by betrayal.
- The track debuted at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100, #1 on the Billboard Hot Rap Tracks, and #1 on the U.S. Hot 100 Airplay Chart.
14. "Cry"
Artist: Kelly Clarkson
Album: All I Ever Wanted
Genre: Pop Rock Music
Year Released: 2010
Facts About “Cry”
- “Cry” is a pop-rock ballad recorded and written by Kelly Clarkson for her fourth studio album All I Ever Wanted in 2009.
- The track has elements of waltz ballad and country music.
- “Cry” is a song about betrayal talking about a friendship that went bitter.
- Clarkson described this track to be the most personal song in the album.
- The track reached #96 on the Canadian Hot 100, #100 on the Irish Singles Chart and #116 on the U.K. Singles Chart.
15. "Smile"
Artist: Lily Allen
Album: Alright, Still
Genre: Reggae Pop, Rocksteady
Year Released: 2006
Facts About “Smile”
- “Smile” is Lily Allen’s debut single in 2006 released under Regal Recordings.
- The lyrics of the song talk about the betrayal of Lily’s boyfriend while enjoying his unhappiness.
- This song made Lily Allen the so-called “Theoretical Pop Princess.”
- The track got spots in the top 40 songs on charts from countries like the United Kingdom, Australia, and the United States.
16. "How Do You Sleep?"
Artist: LCD Soundsystem
Album: American Dream
Genre: Electropop
Year Released: 2017
Facts About “How Do You Sleep?”
- “How Do You Sleep?” is an electropop song by the American band LCD Soundsystem released in 2017.
- “How Do You Sleep” is a song about Murphy’s unresolved emotional issues with his pair Tim Goldsworthy, the co-founder of DFA Records.
- The song depicts the betrayal of Goldsworthy on leaving New York for the U.K. and breaching the contract.
17. "Rolling in the Deep"
Artist: Adele
Album: 21
Genre: Pop Music
Year Released: 2010
Facts About “Rolling in the Deep”
- “Rolling in the Deep” is the lead single and opening track of Adele’s second studio album 21.
- Adele described the track as a pop song with a dark-bluesy gospel disco tune.
- The lyrics of the song describe the emotions of a belittled lover arise from betrayal.
- The song peaked at #1 in different countries.
- The track stayed at #1 on the U.S. Billboard Charts.
18. "The Worst"
Artist: Jhene Aiko
Album: Sail Out
Genre: R&B Music, Alternative R&B Music
Year Released: 2013
Facts About “The Worst”
- “The Worst” is an R&B song by Jhene Aiko, an American singer, and songwriter.
- Aiko wrote the lyrics of the song with Myron Birdsong.
- The track is about Aiko’s regret of falling in love with someone who betrayed her.
- The music reached #43 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the Airplay Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Chart.
- The track won the Centric Award at the 2014 BET Awards held at Los Angeles, California.
19. "Run for Your Life"
Artist: The Beatles
Album: Rubber Soul
Genre: Rock and Roll, Rock Music
Year Released: 1965
Facts About “Run for Your Life”
- “Run for Your Life” is a rock song by the legendary rock band The Beatles.
- John Lennon and McCartney composed the lyrics of the “Run for Your Life.”
- The track depicts an obsession of a guy towards a “little girl.” It portrays a threatening tone towards the girl.
- Some of the most notable covers are Nancy Sinatra, Gary Lewis, Johnny Rivers, and Thee Headcoatees.
20. "Let Me Let You Know"
Artist: Pink
Album: Can’t Take Me Home
Genre: Pop Music
Year Released: 2000
Facts About “Let Me Let You Know”
- “Let Me Let You Know” is a pop song recorded by Pink from her album Can’t Take Me Home.
- Tricky Stewart and Sean Hall produced the track and co-wrote the lyrics with Robin Thicke and Neal Creque in 2000.
- It is a song about betrayal about the female singer Pink leaving her male lover for hurting her in so many ways.
21. "Heart Wants What It Wants"
Artist: Selene Gomez
Album: For You
Genre: Pop Music, R&B Music
Year Released: 2014
Facts About “Heart Wants What It Wants”
- “Heart Wants What It Wants” is a pop-R&B song released by Selena Gomez through Hollywood Records.
- Selena Gomez composed the lyrics with Antonina Armato, David Jost, and Tim James.
- The track has a minimal electropop beat with a mid-tempo pop vibe.
- The single peaked at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100, #6 n Canadian Charts, and #40 in 16 other countries.
- “Heart Wants What It Wants” is Gomez’s interpretation of her love with a bad boy regardless of knowing he may not stand up for her.
22. "Snuff"
Artist: Slipknot
Album: All Hope Is Gone
Genre: Sentimental Ballad, Alternative Rock Music
Year Released: 2009
Facts About "Snuff"
- "Snuff" is an alternative rock-ballad single released by Slipknot for his radio edit and fourth album All Hope Is Gone.
- The track peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks Chart in 2009.
- It is a song portraying a girl's betrayal with Corey Taylor, who thought that the girl who helped her through a lot would feel the same way he did.
- Roadrunner Records placed the track on #6 for the Greatest Music Videos of All Time.
23. "Positively 4th Street"
Artist: Bob Dylan
Album: Bob Dylan’s Greatest Hits
Genre: Classic Rock, Folk Rock
Year Released: 1965
Facts About “Positively 4th Street”
- “Positively 4th Street” is a song performed by Bob Dylan released by Columbia Records.
- The single peaked at #1 on the Canadian RPM Chart, #7 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, and #8 on the U.K. Singles Chart.
- It is a harmonic song talking about the betrayal of Dylan’s backstabber friends.
- The song placed a spot in Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list.
24. "Unwanted"
Artist: Avril Lavigne
Album: Let Go
Genre: Hard Rock, Post-Grunge Music
Year Released: 2003
Facts About “Unwanted”
- “Unwanted” is one of the five songs Avril Lavigne wrote for her album Let Go, released as a radio single.
- “Unwanted” is a song about the betrayal of boys to girls in a relationship. The song portrays how terrible boys are.
- The single has a heavy guitar vibe.
25. "Goodbye"
Artist: Secondhand Serenade
Album: A Twist in My Story
Genre: Alternative/Indie Rock Music
Year Released: 2008
Facts About "Goodbye"
- "Goodbye" is an angry song coming last on the album A Twist in My Story.
- "Goodbye" is a sad song about John Vesely, feeling betrayed by his partner, who paid a lot more attention to his side projects, while Vesely gave everything for the band.
- The song's original composition was for the acoustic guitar, then decided to use a band tone for the ending.
26. "Whipping Post"
Artist: The Allman Brothers Band
Album: The Allman Brothers Band
Genre: Southern Rock Music, Blues Rock
Year Released: 1969
Facts About "Whipping Post"
- "Whipping Post" is a five-minute rock song released by The Allman Brothers Band and written by Gregg Allman, the band's vocalist and songwriter.
- The single placed a spot on both the list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.
- It is a blues-rock song about an evil woman and futile existential sadness.
27. "Use Me"
Artist: Bill Withers
Album: Still Bill
Genre: Soul Music, Funk Music
Year Released: 1972
Facts About “Use Me”
- “Use Me” is a soul song recorded by Bill Withers for his 1972 album Still Bill.
- The single peaked at #2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles.
- “Use Me” reached #5 on the U.S. Cash Box Top 100, #14 on the U.S. Billboard Easy Listening, and #33 on the Canada RPM Hot Singles.
- The song features a repeated bass with complicated percussion rhythm.
- The song portrays a sexy vibe as described by the critic Robert Christgau, an American music journalist.
28. "Medicine"
Artist: Queen Naija
Album: Queen Naija
Genre: Contemporary R&B Music, R&B/Soul
Year Released: 2018
Facts About "Medicine"
- "Medicine" is an R&B song self-released by Queen Naija.
- The single made a #45 debut on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2018.
- Naija described "Medicine" as an explanation of what happened in her marriage. The song depicts the cheating situation committed by her husband.
- The song deals with Queen's emotions and heartbreak due to the betrayal of her ex-partner.
29. "I Hate U"
Artist: Prince
Album: The Gold Experience
Genre: R&B Music
Year Released: 1995
Facts About "I Hate U"
- "I Hate U" is an R&B song recorded by Prince for his 1995 album The Gold Experience.
- Prince revealed that the song's lyrics are about Carmen Electra, who he thinks went out and slept with another guy.
- The song depicts the feeling of betrayal.
- The single peaked at #3 on the U.S. Billboard Hot R&B Singles and #9 on the U.S. Billboard Rhythmic Top 40.
30. "Right My Wrongs"
Artist: Bryson Tiller
Album: TRAP SOUL
Genre: R&B Music, Soul Music
Year Released: 2015
Facts About “Right My Wrongs”
- Bryson Tiller was 23 when he released this apologetic composition for his album TRAP SOUL.
- The sad song portrays a person asking for forgiveness and then apologizing for the betrayal he has done.
- The moral lesson of “Right My Wrongs” is never to hurt someone you truly love.
More Songs About Betrayal
Song Title | Artist | Year Released |
---|---|---|
31. “We Used to be Friends” | Dandy Warhols | 2003 |
32. “Back Stabber” | O’Jays | 1972 |
33. “Such a Night” | Dr John | 2002 |
34. “Don’t Hurt Yourself” | Beyonce ft. Jack White | 2016 |
35. “Backstreets” | Bruce Springsteen | 1975 |
36. “Old Friends 4 Sale” | Prince | 1999 |
37. “Friend of Mine” | Lily Allen | 2006 |
38. “Cornflake Girl” | Tori Amos | 1994 |
39. “Loyal To Me" | Nina Nesbitt | 2017 |
40. “False Pretense” | The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus | 2006 |
41. “Toxic” | Kehlani | 2020 |
42. “Say It” | Evans Blue | 2009 |
43. “When the Wild Life Betrays Me” | Jimmy Buffett | 1984 |
44. “Not Today” | Mary J. Blige | 2004 |
45. “Second Chances” | Kiana Ledé | 2020 |
46. “Deep End” | Birdy | 2016 |
47. “Resentment” | Beyoncé | 2006 |
48. “Reinventing Your Exit” | Underoath | 2004 |
49. “Comfort Betrays” | As I Lay Dying | 2007 |
50. “Switch Up” | Toni Romiti | 2016 |
51. “Your Betrayal” | Bullet for My Valentine | 2010 |
52. “Mr. Storyteller” | Human Drama | 1999 |
53. “She Loves Me Not” | Papa Roach | 2002 |
54. “99 Times” | Kate Voegele | 2009 |
55. “Personal” | Kehlani | 2017 |
56. “Unraveling” | Sevendust | 2010 |
57. “Everybody's Fool” | Evanescence | 2003 |
58. “Judas” | Kelly Clarkson | 2007 |
59. “Apologize” | Timbaland feat. OneRepublic | 2015 |
60. “Backstabber” | Kesha | 2010 |
61. “Call Me When You're Sober” | Evanescence | 2006 |
62. “Dogs” | Pink Floyd | 1977 |
63. “Gone” | Charli XCX & Christine and the Queens | 2019 |
64. “All Out of Love” | Air Supply | 1980 |
65. “Betrayed” | Avenged Sevenfold | 2005 |
66. “F.O.D.” | Greenday | 1984 |
67. “Never Again” | Kelly Clarkson | 2007 |
68. “The Enemy” | Godsmack | 2006 |
69. “No Vaseline” | Ice Cube | 1991 |
70. “Put Out the Light” | Joe Cocker | 1974 |
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© 2020 Ray