The 10 abusive relationship songs can break your heart while listening to them. Abuse is real, and the outcome is never a picture perfect ending. Many of the songs end with either the abuser or victim dying. The ten abusive relationship songs deal with either being abused by a family member or a romantic partner.
- “Goodbye Earl” by The Dixie Chicks. The lyrics are written in a story-telling manner. It’s about two best friends, Mary Anne and Wanda, and how Wanda falls into an abusive relationship. Since a restraining order did not stop the abuse, Mary Anne hatches a plan to kill Wanda’s husband. Even though the content is serious, the Dixie Chicks managed to make a funny up-tempo song about the abusive relationship, and getting even.
- “Love the Way You Lie” by Eminem. This 2010 abusive relationship song is about a self-destructive couple that cannot leave each other. The lyrics deal with an over-protective boyfriend who threatens his girlfriend with violence if she leaves. Rihanna sings the chorus, and both her and Eminem have been in abusive relationships.
- “Independence Day” by Martina McBride. One of the ten abusive relationship songs become such a powerful force that McBride became the spokesperson for many domestic abuse charities. The lyrics are about a young girl who witnesses abuse between her parents. The entire song is written from the little girl’s perspective, which shows the victim of abuse as not the only person affected.
- “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor . The 1979 Grammy winning track is about a female finding strength to leave her man. She has been in a bad relationship for some time, and finally has enough. The lyrics are broad, but can easily be interpreted that she left him for being abusive. It is an up-lifting track about being able to break away and find new meaning in freedom.
- “Face Down” By The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus. One of the ten abusive relationship songs is from the 2006 album “Don’t Fake It.” The lyrics revolve around a girl covering up bruises after her boyfriend beats her. Eventually, she leaves the abusive relationship. The lyrics are loosely based on the lead singer’s mother, who he would see cover up bruises.
- “Never Again” by Nickelback. The abusive relationship song was released on the album “Silver Side Up” in 2001. It tells the story of an alcoholic father becoming violent when drunk. Not wanting to admit the truth, the wife lies about how she gets bruises. In the end, she kills her husband when he becomes abusive one too many times.
- “Not To Blame” by Joni Mitchell. In the story-telling song, the lyrics revolve around a guy whose abuse leads to a girl committing suicide. The abuser is famous, and never gets in trouble for what his actions led to. The song is off the 1994 album “Turbulent Indigo,” and the acoustic version is powerful to hear. The song is based around a real person Joni knows, but he has always denied it being true.
- “Luka” by Suzanne Vega. The abusive relationship song is about a boy who is not allowed to tell anyone he is a victim. Children are easy targets for abuse, and the song exposes how vulnerable and easily manipulated kids can become. In the end, the boy takes matters into his own hands by killing the abuser.
- “Sarah Yellin ‘” by 3 Doors Down. One of the ten abusive relationship songs is about a child being taken advantage of by her father. The daughter tells family members about the abuse, but no one takes action to make it stop. Finally, it is implied in the song that she took matters in her own hands, and killed her abusive father.
- “The Thunder Rolls” by Garth Brooks. The abusive relationship song was co-written by Garth Brooks and Pat Alger. The lyrics tell a story about a woman being emotionally abused. The lyrics can be interpreted that he is a chronic cheater, or that he is a physically abusive spouse. Either way, she decides to stand up for herself, and kills him at the end of the song.
