(Last Updated On: August 27, 2022)
Love is something that is hard to control and sometimes we may end up in a situation whereby we fall in love with someone who is toxic to us or even someone who is taken. A relationship can end up being hurtful or abusive but we still want to stick to it or go back to it even though we shouldn’t be engaging with the person. If you are in such a situation and looking for songs to echo your reality, check out this list:
1. Selena Gomez – Back To You
This is an upbeat track where Selena sings and expresses her love for her significant other even though he may be able to hurt her once more. The song is about her ex-boyfriend Justin Bieber. The two dated on and off for four years. She started dating The Weeknd in January 2017.
However, in October 2017 Selena started hanging out with Justin Bieber. This eventually led to her breaking up with The Weeknd two weeks later and immediately getting back together with Justin. The relationship still had the same issues as before so they broke up within a few months.
2. Ariana Grande – Problem
Ariana confirmed that the song is about a real relationship she was in. At the time the song was released she had started and ended a relationship with Big Sean but it is believed that the ex in question is most likely Australian comedian Jai Brooks.
Ariana sings about letting her ex back into her life even though she knew that was a mistake. However, each time he says he loves her she just wants him more since she has no control over her feelings.
The song peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100.
3. Zara Larsson – Ruin My Life
In an interview, Zara stated that the song is about being out of a relationship that really isn’t good for you but you can’t help but want it back. The relationship is self-destructive but you can’t help but still love the person who isn’t good for you. She added, “I know he’ll ruin my life, he’ll break my heart and I won’t be able to eat or sleep for three months, but I WANT IT NOW”.
The song is part of the album Poster Girl released in 2021.
4. Ariana Grande – Side To Side
The track is about pursuing a love interest despite your friends telling you not to or how your friends feel about him. Ariana sings about seeing this guy who isn’t liked by her friends and who encourage her to give up. She states that she enjoys the sex a lot to the point she ends up sore from it.
The song was able to peak at #4 in the US and UK and #2 in New Zealand.
5. Katy Perry – Dark Horse
This is a single off Katy Perry’s third studio album PRISM. It become very successful commercially and ended up becoming her 9th overall number-one single.
A dark horse is a competitor in a contest who initially flies under the radar but unexpectedly succeeds. Katy describes herself as one since her lover never suspects how powerful she is. She warns him she can be a nightmare and once he is involved and initiated he won’t be able to leave.
6. Taylor Swift – I Knew You Were Trouble
Taylor Swift sings about a relationship that was destined to fail from the start. Speaking to MTV, she stated that the message in the song is about knowing the second you see someone you know the relationship will be dangerous but you are still interested. You are curious about something that you know might be bad for you but you go for it anyway because if you don’t, you will have greater regrets about not seeing where it would go.
The song marked a significant shift in Taylor Swift’s music since it was the point where she began to move away from her country roots and into more pop influences. It peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.
7. Zedd – Stay The Night
In an interview with MTV, Zedd stated that the song is about a couple that had broken up but decide to spend on more night together although they both know it’s not the right thing but they don’t care. The two know they are not cut out for each other but there is a fire between them hence why Hayley wrote about fire and gasoline. If they continue to be together it would lead to a disaster.
The song is off the album Clarity which was released in 2013.
8. Zedd – Clarity
The track is mainly about a couple knowing their relationship is doomed to fail from the start but deciding to still try out the relationship. This isn’t the first time they are coming together so the lady tells her lover to hold on tight because it will probably result in great pain for the two of them again.
The song won a Grammy Award for the Best Dance Recording at the 56th Grammy Awards.
9. The Chainsmokers – This Feeling
The song is about someone in a relationship who feels that a certain person is who they really want and tried to explain to others why. However, the friends think that the relationship is not good for them anyway and hence decide not to be supportive. It is hard to determine if the relationship is actually bad or if the people on the outside are affected by some sort of bias. They don’t know how exactly she feels about this person.
10. Jhene Aiko – The Worst
Jhene sings about how she regrets falling in love with someone who is not right for her. It appears the guy who is the subject of the song has refused to take the relationship to the next level and would rather just remain as friends. This ended up hurting Jhene. She regrets not listening to the views of others who warned her that he doesn’t wife the girl he dates, he just likes one-night stands instead.
The song peaked at #43 on the Billboard Hot 100
11. Ellie Goulding – On My Mind
Ellie came up with the song while at the Max Martin compound. They were talking about having somebody on your mind who shouldn’t actually be on your mind. You don’t know why they are there even. She stated that the song is about figuring out why.
The subject of the song is said to be about her relationship with fellow singer Ed Sheeran and many think it is a response to Ed’s previous single “Don’t”.
12. Ariana Grande – Break Up With
The track is about Ariana meeting a guy at a party and getting attracted to him. However, she finds out that he already has a girlfriend. She tells him to break up with her so that she can have him for herself.
In the music video, we see Ariana kiss a lookalike of herself at the end and many have speculated that it symbolizes that she’s the one who wants out of relationships so that she can date herself instead.
13. Mary J Blige feat Drake – Mr Wrong
Mary J Blige sings about an unhealthy relationship whereby she is aware that the guy is wrong for her but she is so in love with him that she finds it so hard to just let go of him. They get along really well even though sometimes he really breaks her heart.
In Drake’s verse, he explains the process of how he may be viewed as being Mr Wrong.
14. Anne Marie – Alarm
According to a press release by Anne Marie she stated that the song is about somebody she was dating and she always had a suspicion that he was up to something naughty. She did some investigation and found that she was right.
When Anne Marie started dating this guy, he was in a relationship with someone else. She always suspected he would do the same to her and it turned out to be correct.
15. Whitney Houston – Saving All My Love For You
This track topped the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Whitney’s first #1 on the chart. It is about Whitney dating a married man with a family. She knows the family needs him more so she can’t take him away from them. She is also finding it hard to date other men since none of the fully satisfy her hence would rather just wait her turn with the married man.
16. Rihanna – We Found Love
The single is off the album Talk That Talk and was written by Calvin Harris. It ended up being one of Rihanna’s best-selling singles and was the first time Calvin Harris appeared on the Hot 100 thus changing the trajectory of his career.
The music video depicts two lovers who are in an unsustainable relationship that is based on drugs and passion fueled by addiction.
17. Britney Spears – Toxic
The song starts out with Britney pleading with her lover asking him to notice her. She then compares him to a drug that she needs a hit of. This makes it dangerous for her because she’ll go through whatever side effects she needs to get this love. She is already addicted and doesn’t seem to care about the consequences of it.
18. Hailee Steinfeld – Rock Bottom
The original version of the song was sung by Hailee only but the remix features vocals from DNCE frontman Joe Jonas and it is now considered the main version. It is part of the album Haiz (2015).
Generally, the track is about two people who shouldn’t be together but still are. Their relationship has deteriorated but they still feel unable to let go and move on. Hailee stated that to her the song represents a rollercoster in a relationship where the person you love so much drives you insane but you let them because you love them.
19. Halsey – Graveyard
This is the second single off Halsey’s third studio album Manic. She stated that the song is about being in love with someone who is in a bad place and loving them so much that you don’t realize that you’re going to that bad place with them. You learn about yourself enough not to follow them there.
20. Selena Gomez – My Dilemma
Selena explained that ‘My Dilemma’ is mainly about loving someone but you are not sure if that person is right for you. So you have this tug of war in your mind whether to continue with the relationship or just try and forget this guy you are really attracted to. The more you try to tell yourself to run away from the person the more you want him.
The song is part of the album ‘When The Sun Goes Down’ released in 2011.
21. Camila Cabello – Consequences
This track is believed to be the aftermatch of the track ‘Never Be The Same’. It is basically what happens after a love that was intoxicating but hard to get out of your mind. The type that you feel you cannot find anywhere else.
In the song, Camila describes the relationship started from being inexperienced, carefree and safe enough to let her defenses down. However, it eventually had its own negative consequences. It deteriorates to being dark but she is already addicted so she can’t let go.
22. Lady Gaga – Million Reasons
This is a country song mixed with fun and rock n roll that is part of Lady Gaga’s album Joanne. She sings about being in a relationship where she has an endless number of reasons why she should leave the relationship but she just needs one good reason to cancel out all the bad ones.
Speculation broke out that Lady Gaga was referring to her relationship with the music industry. There are a number of reasons why she should just leave but the only good reason that makes her stay is her fans.
23. Rihanna – Hate That I Love You
The collaboration is about being conflicted about love. Rihanna and Ne-Yo play the roles of a couple. Rihanna is trying to leave him because she is not good for him but she can’t stop loving him because he does things that make her happy.
24. Olly Mars – Trouble Makers
The song is about Olly falling for a girl who he refers to as a troublemaker who is not good for him. However, he can’t stop thinking about her and has fallen for her so deeply despite her hurting him.
The song debuted at the top of the UK Singles Chart and eventually went Platinum in 6 countries.
25. Lauv – There’s No Way
Lauv and Julia sing about having sexual tension between them and wanting to be with each other all the time. However, they can’t get on with it because they both have partners.
