6 Folk Rock Songs That Will Get You Through a Breakup

When you’re down in the dumps in the wake of a breakup, nothing can carry you through the ebb and flow of heartbreak quite like breakup songs. In particular, the folk rock genre has a ton of relatable and jam-worthy songs about lost love and infidelity. Let’s take a look at just a few great folk rock breakup songs!

1. “Go Your Own Way” by Fleetwood Mac

“Tell me why / Everything turned around / Packing up / Shacking up is all you want to do”

When it comes to folk rock songs about breakups and heartbreak, nothing beats Fleetwood Mac. We’d be bold enough to say the majority of the band’s work, especially on Rumours, revolved around the mutually broken hearts of most of the band. “Go Your Own Way” is just one catchy track from that 1977 album, and it’s one of the best songs written by Lindsey Buckingham.

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2. “Only Love Can Break Your Heart” by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

“But only love can break your heart / Try to be sure right from the start / Yes, only love can break your heart / What if your world should fall apart?”

Neil Young was the one to pen this heartbreaking tune, but Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young’s version is even better than Young’s solo version. Allegedly, Young wrote the song for Graham Nash after his painful breakup with Joni Mitchell, though Young has danced around the origins of the song in interviews. It’s a magical piece of folk rock history, regardless.

3. “Silver Springs’ by Fleetwood Mac

“Time cast a spell on you, but you won’t forget me / I know I could’ve loved you, but you would not let me”

Fleetwood Mac makes this list again, this time with Stevie Nicks’ iconic breakup song “Silver Springs”. Many remember this song as the one she quite directly sang at Lindsey Buckingham, who the song is about. If you’ve been done dirty by a lover and need a folk rock anthem, this is the one.

4. “Last Goodbye” by Jeff Buckley

“This is our last goodbye / I hate to feel the love between us die / But it’s over / Just hear this and then I’ll go”

This 1995 song by the late great Jeff Buckley is a particularly emotional one. It was a huge hit in the US when it was released. In it, Buckley tenderly bids farewell to a lover in the wake of their relationship falling apart, though he has trouble letting go.

5. “You’re No Good” by Linda Ronstadt

“Feelin’ better now that we’re through / Feelin’ better, ’cause I’m over you / I learned my lesson, it left a scar / Now I see how you really are”

This beautiful Southern folk rock song was originally an R&B hit written by Clint Ballard Jr. for Dee Dee Warwick. It’s been covered a lot, but Linda Ronstadt’s version really stands out. It leans more towards country than folk, but it still has a folksy energy lent by Ronstadt’s impeccable and emotional vocals.

6. “Already Gone” by Eagles

“The letter that you wrote me / Made me stop and wonder why / But I guess you felt like you had to set things right / Just remember this, my girl, when you look up in the sky / You can see the stars and still not see the light”

Eagles are no strangers to breakup songs, some of which haven’t exactly aged well. “Already Gone” is one of their better breakup tunes. It doesn’t wallow in post-break-up misery, either. Rather, it’s a cheeky sort of send-off to a crappy lover. If you’re done crying and just want to move on, this is the song to listen to.

Photo by Jamie McCarthy

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