Music is the soundtrack to love: Which songs are topping American playlists through romance and heartbreaks?
How many times have you listened to music based on your relationship status? Perhaps singing to your favourite romantic ballad when you’re head over heels in love, or belting out a heartbreak anthem could help you’re newly single. After all, music is a powerful way of expressing emotion and conveying the language of love.
Language and culture experts Preply conducted a data study combining Spotify playlist data and national search data to determine which love songs and breakup songs Americans listen to the most. You might be surprised by some of the results!
Let’s find out which songs are the soundtracks to America’s love stories and breakups!
Why is music a good way of getting over a breakup?
Music serves as a powerful tool for navigating the complex emotions of a breakup. There’s nothing quite like belting out a romantic song when you’re in love, but when heartbreak strikes, music becomes a comforting companion.
Expressing feelings of sadness, anger, or confusion through song can help you healthily process your emotions. It’s reassuring to know that someone else understands what you’re going through, making it easier to find solace in the lyrics of your favorite tracks.
So, don’t hesitate to sing along in your living room or crank up some breakup anthems on your commute to work! Remember, it doesn’t all have to be sad. Switching things up with sassy, empowering, and upbeat songs can lift your spirits and help you reclaim your sense of self as you journey toward healing.
What are the most popular love songs and breakup songs in America?
From heartfelt love ballads to soul-stirring breakup anthems, some songs just strike the right chord with listeners more than others. Music, both new and old, has a way of connecting us to our deepest emotions.
So, let’s take a closer look at the melodies that have captured the hearts of Americans from coast to coast.
The top 30 most popular love songs in America
We all love, love! There’s a special feeling about singing a romantic song when you’re feeling in love yourself. From timeless classics to modern favorites, these songs serve as a soundtrack to our most cherished moments of romance and connection making them a must-have on any playlist!
Ballads emerge as the preferred genre among Americans, offering the ideal accompaniment to moments of love and affection. Topping the results is Coldplay’s 2000s hit “Yellow,” proving that despite their potentially unfashionable reputation, this tune pulls on Americans’ heartstrings.
Surprisingly, Rihanna’s “Love on the Brain“ secures the 17th spot, prompting listeners to reflect on their own romantic experiences while the presence of Hindi love songs such as “Raabta“ by Pritam and “Saibo“ by Sachin-Jigar within the top 30 highlights the diverse musical palette of Americans, showcasing their willingness to embrace different cultures in the pursuit of romantic expression.
The top 30 most popular heartbreak songs in America
And if you’re not so lucky in love, sometimes the best thing you can do is to wallow in your feelings for just a while, listening to heartbreak anthems. But they’re not all doom and gloom. In fact, some of America’s most popular breakup songs are a little sassy!
When it comes to heartbreak, Americans aren’t afraid to embrace the healing power of self-love. Miley Cyrus’s Grammy award-winning song “Flowers“ takes the crown as the ultimate anthem for celebrating independence post-breakup, for those seeking empowerment.
Interestingly, the rest of the top 10 is dominated by emerging artists. New talent Olivia Rodrigo, whose poignant lyrics strike a chord with heartbroken listeners, earns her four top entries in the breakup song category. Not all breakup songs evoke sadness; from Ariana Grande’s “Thank U, Next“ to Dua Lipa’s “IDGAF,” Americans aren’t afraid to infuse a bit of sass into their post-breakup playlists, embracing resilience and self-assurance.
On the importance of music as a language of love Preply’s Head of Methodology Sylvia Johnson, says: “There is no doubt that music serves as a universal language conveying human emotions where linguistic and musical elements work in harmony. Love songs and breakup songs, in particular, provide a meaningful outlet for the expression and understanding of the complex emotions surrounding relationships regardless of culture and language. Our connection with such music, whether celebratory or cathartic, is indicative of our personal experiences with love and heartbreak.”
The most popular love songs and breakup songs by U.S. state
How is each state celebrating their love and breakups through music? Are they turning up the volume on ballads or playing sassy breakup songs? Using search trends data, Preply determined which songs are the most popular across each U.S. state to tell us more about how each region shows their emotions through music.
The most popular love songs in each U.S state
Regional preferences for love songs reflect a rich tapestry of tastes and influences. Californians, known for their eclectic spirit, find themselves torn between a diverse array of love songs, including “Kesariya,” “Until I Found You,” “Love On The Brain,” “Can’t Help Falling In Love,” “Saibo,” and the timeless classic, “Fade Into You.”
Meanwhile, in Rhode Island, affectionate listeners gravitate towards Prince’s sultry hit “Kiss,” a sentiment echoed in neighboring states like Maryland, Delaware, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Southern states, with their unique flair, demonstrate individualistic tastes, with Kentucky embracing Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” and Tennessee finding solace in Bill Withers’ “Lovely Day”.
In both the Midwest and the South, there’s a shared appreciation for timeless classics, with Etta James’s “At Last” reigning supreme, reaffirming the enduring allure of traditional love songs. Across the nation, these regional preferences offer a captivating glimpse into the diverse musical tapestry of America’s love stories.
Most popular love songs by region:
- Midwest: “At Last” by Etta James
- Northeast: “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac
- South: “At Last” by Etta James & “Kiss” by Prince
- West: “Kiss Me” by Sixpence None The Richer
The most popular breakup songs in each U.S state
In the realm of heartbreak anthems, the South emerges as a region deeply touched by the pains of love lost. Six states, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Tennessee, reveal their vulnerability by selecting more than one favorite breakup anthem, reflecting the complex emotions of heartache and resilience.
Meanwhile, in Michigan, Olivia Rodrigo’s 2021 release “Traitor“ strikes a chord with listeners seeking solace in its raw and angsty portrayal of love betrayed. This poignant ballad serves as a companion for those navigating the tumultuous waters of heartbreak in the Great Lakes State.
In Iowa, admiration for hometown artist Julia Michaels runs deep, despite her departure for California at a young age. Born in Davenport, Michaels’s music resonates with Midwesterners, offering a sense of connection and understanding amid the trials of love and loss.
Most popular breakup songs by region:
- Midwest: “ABCDEFU” by GAYLE
- Northeast: “Lovely” by Billie Eilish
- South: “Be Alright” by Dean Lewis
- West: “Happier” by Ed Sheeran
Music is a popular way to express and validate our emotions when it comes to love. From comforting love songs to post-breakup tunes that get us back on our feet. Americans aren’t afraid of creating personalized playlists in the name of love. So, what will you be listening to on Valentine’s Day?
Check out the playlists for America’s top love and heartbreak songs here to get inspired.
