Songs About Betrayal: 70 Best Songs of All Time

Ray has been an online music writer for over four years. Having sung in multiple competitions as a youth, he has a passion for the art.

Betrayal and Backstabbing in Song Lyrics

We've all had our trust betrayed at some point in our lives, whether by a friend or a romantic partner, and it's a common topic in song lyrics. Explore the best songs about betrayal by learning their genres, albums, and the year they were released. This article also includes each song's meaning, awards, and some facts.

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

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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 on 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 Oughta Know"

Artist: Alanis Morissette

Album: Jagged Little Pill

Genre: Alternative Rock, Post-Grunge

Year Released: 1995

Facts About “You Oughta Know”

• “You Oughta 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 arising 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.

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© 2020 Ray