Relationships are a central part of our lives, but unfortunately, not all relationships are healthy or fulfilling. Many people find themselves stuck in romantic relationships where they feel undervalued, unappreciated, or even mistreated.
Thankfully, music can be a powerful tool in helping us process our feelings and find the strength to leave toxic relationships behind. That’s why in this article, we’ve picked 21 of the best songs about deserving better in a relationship, each with their own unique perspective and message. Let’s get started!
1. “You Deserve Better” By James Arthur
Kicking off our list is a song with “deserve better” in the title. James Arthur’s “You Deserve Better” is a heartfelt song about realizing that you haven’t been treating your partner right and urging them to find someone who will make them truly happy.
The lyrics speak to the guilt and regret often felt in relationships where one person knows they are not giving their partner the love they deserve: “Might be what you want, but I’m not what you need … / And I hope you’ll find somebody else.”
Owing up to one’s mistakes and acknowledging that someone deserves better is not an easy thing to do. But this song is a reminder that sometimes the best thing we can do for someone we care about is to let them go and find happiness elsewhere.
2. “Breathe” By Lauv
In the same vein as guilt in a relationship, Lauv’s “Breathe” is a song about a relationship that has run its course and the singer is having a hard time letting go.
The lyrics express the internal struggle of wanting to leave but also feeling like you owe it to your partner to stay and make things work: “I should leave, ’cause you deserve better … / Gave my all and more / But I need room to be me.”
There is also an empowering message in this song, with the artist acknowledging that he needs to prioritize his well-being to become a better person for himself and future relationships. Sometimes, recognizing that you deserve better means making the tough decision to walk away.
3. “Let Me Love You” By Mario
Watching someone you care about being mistreated in a relationship can be heartbreaking, and that’s exactly what Mario’s “Let Me Love You” is all about.
A song with “deserve better” in the lyrics, it is a plea to someone to leave their toxic partner and give the singer a chance: “Baby, I just don’t get it, do you enjoy bein’ hurt? / I know you smelled the perfume, the makeup on his shirt … / You’re the type of woman who deserves good things … / We should be together.”
At times, we require a gentle nudge to recognize our worth and to realize that a person who will cherish us with the love and respect we deserve exists.
4. “Treat You Better” By Shawn Mendes
Sharing a similar theme to the previous song, Shawn Mendes’ “Treat You Better” urges a girl to leave her toxic partner and give the singer — who cares about her deeply — a chance.
A song that mentions “deserve better” indirectly, the lyrics convey the sentiment that this girl deserves someone who will treat her with love and respect: “I’ll stop time for you / The second you say you’d like me to / I just wanna give you the loving that you’re missing … / ’Cause I know I can treat you better than he can.”
People in toxic relationships often are blinded by love and don’t realize that they deserve better. But this song is a reminder that true love should never come at the cost of our self-worth.
5. “You Deserve Better” By R. Kelly
Next, we have a song with a similar theme where a girl is mistreated by a guy. However, rapper R. Kelly adopts a more assertive stance in his song “You Deserve Better,” employing stronger language.
The lyrics directly address the girl, urging her to leave her toxic partner behind: “You deserve better, baby / Fuckin’ with this clown / Pack your bags and we can leave now / Girl, don’t let him bring you down.”
Behind the tough language, there is an underlying message of empowerment. No one should put up with being treated poorly in a relationship, and this song reminds us that we have the power to walk away and find someone who will treat us better.
6. “You Belong With Me” By Taylor Swift
Teenage love can be complicated and confusing, especially when one person is in a toxic relationship. In Taylor Swift’s “You Belong with Me,” the narrator, who has been friends with the guy for a long time, pleads for him to see that his girlfriend is not treating him right.
Behind the boppy melody, the lyrics convey a message of genuine care and concern for the guy: “If you could see that I’m the one who understands you / Been here all along, so why can’t you see? / You belong with me.”
It’s an ode to those friends who often know us better than we know ourselves and urge us to leave toxic relationships in search of a love that will truly make us happy.
7. “More Than That” By Backstreet Boys
Denial can be a dangerous thing, especially when it comes to toxic relationships. The Backstreet Boys’ “More Than That” is a plea to a girl who is stuck in one and doesn’t realize she deserves better.
In the lyrics, the narrator promises to love her more than her current partner does and begs her not to hold on any longer: “Baby, you deserve much better … / ’Cause I just can’t be friends, / baby, knowing in the end / that I will love you more than that.”
No one deserves to feel stuck or unhappy in a relationship, and true friends will always urge us to leave when they see it. They know our worth and want the best for us — sometimes even before we do ourselves.
8. “Everything He Couldn’t” By Chase Matthew
Country songs have a certain charm when it comes to telling honest, relatable stories. In “Everything He Couldn’t,” Chase Matthew sings about a girl who deserves better than her current partner and asks her to finally face this reality.
With lyrics like “Girl, you could do better / than what you got goin’ on right now,” the narrator makes it clear he knows she’s not being treated right and promises to do everything the other guy couldn’t. He adds, “Damn sure won’t put a ring on your finger … / let me do everything he couldn’t.”
Sometimes, we need someone else to remind us of our worth and push us to make the right decision when it comes to love. With the song’s hopeful and romantic tone, it’s a sweet, honest plea for her to choose someone who will love and cherish her forever.
9. “If I’m Being Honest” By Anna Clendening
Leaving a relationship that was never healthy to begin with can be a conflicting and confusing experience. In “If I’m Being Honest,” Anna Clendening captures the mix of emotions that come with this decision.
The narrator admits to missing her ex-partner while also acknowledging that she deserved better: “But if I’m being honest / I miss you, but I hate you at the same time.” She also reflects on how the relationship changed her and how she gave so much, but it was never enough.
It’s a raw and honest portrayal of someone coming to terms with their worth and choosing to leave behind what no longer serves them. It’s also an empowering song that urges listeners to never settle for less than they deserve.
10. “Save Your Tears” By The Weeknd
People often don’t understand the value of a person until they’re gone. In “Save Your Tears,” The Weeknd sings about regretting letting go of a former lover but also realizing that they deserve better.
In the song, he expresses his desire to rekindle the relationship but also acknowledges that his time has passed: “Girl, take me back ’cause I wanna stay / Save your tears for another / I realize that I’m much too late / and you deserve someone better.”
The song is a poignant reflection on how, sometimes, it takes losing someone to realize just how much they meant to us. We must learn from our mistakes and strive to be better for those who deserve our love.
11. “Whatever It Takes” By Lifehouse
Relationships have periods where it feels like everything is falling apart. In “Whatever It Takes,” Lifehouse sings about the struggles of a failing relationship and the desperate need to turn things around.
The narrator acknowledges his mistakes and how he hasn’t been treating his girlfriend as well as she deserves. However, he’s willing to do whatever it takes to make things right: “I’ll do whatever it takes … / And if you give me a chance and give me a break / I’ll keep us together, I know you deserve much better.”
The song is proof that it takes two people willing to put in the effort to save a relationship. It’s also a wonderful reminder that love doesn’t always come easy, but it’s worth fighting for.
12. “Better Than Me” By Hinder
Next, we have another alternative rock song, “Better Than Me” by Hinder. It’s a follow-up to their hit single “Lips of an Angel,” where the narrator cheated on his girlfriend and now regrets it deeply.
“Better Than Me” is filled with remorse and shame as the narrator reflects on how he treated his lover: “And I can’t pretend / I won’t think about you when I’m older / ’Cause we never really had our closure … / You deserve much better than me.”
In life, all our actions have consequences, and this song highlights this message perfectly. Without reflection, we are doomed to repeat the same mistakes, but learning from them can lead us to growth and becoming better people.
13. “Better” By Meghan Trainor Ft. Yo Gotti
Regrets come in many forms, and our next song is an upbeat track by Meghan Trainor, “Better,” which can be interpreted as a love song but has a deeper meaning.
Trainor’s personal story about dealing with her alcoholic grandfather inspired the music video, which reveals the song to be about leaving a toxic situation.
Yo Gotti’s rap complements this narrative as he admits to his mistakes and acknowledges that the girl deserves better than him: “I gave you what you needed / I was warned, but fooled by charm / and you deserve to be alone / and I deserve better, better than you.”
We all deserve to be treated with love, respect, and kindness, and this song reminds us to never settle for anything less. The song also highlights how alcoholism can negatively impact relationships and how seeking help is necessary for healing and moving on.
14. “Happier Than Ever” By Billie Eilish
A song that could be interpreted as a song for an ex-lover, “Happier Than Ever” by Billie Eilish can also be applied to breaking free from any toxic situation with a narcissist. The lyrics reference her other song “Your Power,” where she sings about narcissistic abuse outside the context of a romantic relationship.
The lyrics speak to the manipulation and control that is typical of an abuser: “And I don’t talk shit about you on the internet / Never told anyone anything bad … / Always said you were misunderstood / Made all my moments your own / Just fuckin’ leave me alone.”
Eilish’s vulnerability in singing about this issue highlights the importance of speaking out against abuse and taking control of one’s own happiness.
15. “Better By Myself” By Hey Violet
The realization that you deserve better often comes with the realization that you are better off by yourself. Hey Violet’s upbeat song “Better By Myself” addresses this idea and highlights the importance of self-care.
The lyrics speak to a relationship where the singer feels used, abused, and constantly criticized: “Maybe it’s the way you used me / Watered down my love … / ’Cause when I’m on my own, I feel alive … / ’Cause we never were that good, we’d always fight / I’m better by myself.”
The band’s message encourages listeners to prioritize their own well-being and happiness, reminding us that sometimes being alone is better than settling with someone who is nothing but toxic.
16. “Love Yourself” By Justin Bieber
Listeners often misinterpret this song as a love song, but it’s actually a sarcastic track about a bitter breakup with a toxic partner. In “Love Yourself,” Justin Bieber sings about learning to prioritize oneself and not allowing someone else’s selfishness to bring you down.
The lyrics reference the ex-lover’s vanity and self-absorption: “’Cause if you like the way you look that much / Oh baby, you should go and love yourself.” The sarcastic tone of the song allows for a playful message about self-love and not tolerating toxicity in relationships.
Bieber’s hit is a reminder to focus first on our own well-being, rather than constantly trying to please someone who only cares about themselves.
17. “Shout Out To My Ex” By Little Mix
Another sarcastic track in our list, “Shout Out to My Ex” by Little Mix, is a song that celebrates moving on from a toxic relationship and finding empowerment in doing so.
The lyrics are a farewell message to all of the real-life ex-boyfriends of the members, thanking them for helping shape them into stronger women.
The references to Perrie Edwards’ highly publicized breakup with singer Zayn Malik add an extra layer of meaning to the song: “Heard he in love with some other chick … / I hope she gettin’ better sex … / Shout out to my ex, you’re really quite the man / You made my heart break and that made me who I am.”
The song’s message is clear: toxic relationships may hurt us, but ultimately they make us stronger and teach us valuable lessons.
18. “Abcdefu” By Gayle
Breaking free from an unhealthy relationship can sometimes bring out the anger and frustration we’ve kept bottled up. “Abcdefu” by GAYLE is a raw and honest take on the aftermath of a breakup, where she no longer holds back her true feelings towards her ex-partner.
The lyrics express the artist’s shift from trying to be mature and kind towards her ex to finally letting out all the pent-up emotions: “Told everyone I’m a bitch, so I became it … / And I was tryna be nice / But nothing’s getting through … / Everybody but your dog, you can all fuck off.”
The song is an angsty yet fun anthem for anyone who has gone through a toxic breakup and finally found the courage to let go of their ex’s toxicity. The play of words in the title, “abcdefu,” adds a touch of humor to the overall empowering message.
19. “Don’t Need A Man” By Liv Grace Blue
There’s empowerment in leaving a relationship that has been undermining your self-worth. Liv Grace Blue’s “Don’t Need a Man” is a song that celebrates this strength and independence.
The lyrics are unapologetic, showing no regret for not entertaining her ex-partner’s calls: “I’m sorry that I missed your call / I just didn’t wanna waste my time … / ’Cause I don’t need a man / No, I don’t need nothing.”
The spunky and upbeat tone of the song adds to its message of self-love and empowerment, reminding listeners that they don’t need anyone else to validate their worth.
20. “Flowers” By Miley Cyrus
Another empowering anthem that celebrates self-love and independence, “Flowers” by Miley Cyrus is a song about moving on from a toxic marriage and finding happiness within oneself.
The lyrics convey the artist’s newfound freedom and strength as she sings about being able to do things for herself: “I can buy myself flowers / Write my name in the sand … / Yeah, I can love me better than you can.”
The song celebrates the idea of not needing anyone else to feel fulfilled. It’s also a nod to the power that women have within themselves to heal and grow after leaving a toxic relationship.
The song’s release on the singer’s ex-husband’s birthday adds an extra layer of meaning to the empowering lyrics, implying that she doesn’t need him to be happy.
21. “Deserve Better” By Kehlani
Confidence in oneself is a powerful tool in moving on from a toxic relationship. Kehlani’s “Deserve Better” is an empowering and self-affirming song about learning to love and value yourself after going through heartache.
The lyrics speak of the narrator’s journey toward healing and self-discovery: “Spent a lot of time, fixing my heart / Gathering my peace of mind … / Now I love the girl I’ve become … / I deserve better.”
Embracing self-love and knowing your worth is a crucial step in leaving behind a toxic relationship, and Kehlani’s song is a reminder of that. It’s an anthem for anyone who has been through pain and emerged stronger, realizing that they deserve nothing less than true love and respect.
Summing Up Our List Of Songs About Deserving Better In Love
So that’s the end of our list of songs that highlight the importance of self-love and independence in relationships, particularly toxic ones.
Whether you’re going through a breakup, healing from past heartache, or simply need a reminder of your worth as an individual, these songs are sure to lift your spirits and inspire you to demand better for yourself.
Did we miss any of your favorite songs about deserving better in love? Let us know, and we would be glad to add them to our list!
