Top 10 Best Revenge Songs of the 2010s

When you’ve got “revenge” in the first line of your song, you clearly mean business. Released as the lead single from her sixth album “Tell Me You Love Me,” “Sorry Not Sorry” is a power pop anthem that takes retribution through self-empowerment. If you thought Demi Lovato was still the congenial Disney star you first knew her as, then this song will do a great job of setting you aright. According to Lovato, “Sorry Not Sorry” is an unapologetic tune directed at the haters, telling them that the tables of savagery have indeed turned. Peaking at number six on the Billboard Hot 100, it became her highest-charting U.S. single, proving that the best revenge really is your paper.

After making their debut as Pistol Annies on a 2011 CBS TV special, Miranda Lambert, Ashley Monroe, and Angaleena Presley knew they had created something magical. Their incredible debut album “Hell on Heels” featured this feisty, finger-wagging tell-off to a deadbeat husband. “Trailer for Rent” takes the clichéd ‘hell hath no fury like a woman scorned’ theme and turns it on its head. Why resort to violence when you can just dump him and put the trailer you’ve both called home up for rent? In true Miranda Lambert fashion, “Trailer for Rent” takes a banal life situation, injects it with clever wordplay and an unforgettable melody to create the perfect revenge song.

Look out Natalie, ‘cos Bruno Mars is coming for you! Off his highly successful, Grammy award-winning album “Unorthodox Jukebox,” Mars tells a deliciously wicked tale of retribution. It’s not exactly clear who inspired the song, but “Natalie” details Mars’ quest to find a woman who stole all of his money and ruined his life in the process. It’s a mission he’s even ready to risk life imprisonment for. With its biting lyrics, thumping beats and relentless handclaps, this track is regarded by some as an offspring to Michael Jackson’s “Dirty Diana”. We don’t know about you, but we wouldn’t want to get on the bad side of a man who’s willing to catch a grenade.

There’s absolutely no question what this song’s about, ‘cos Ed Sheeran paints quite the vivid picture here. “Don’t” was reportedly inspired by a relationship the English singer-songwriter had with another artist that ended in infidelity. While many names have been offered up, it is widely speculated that the musician in question is Ellie Goulding, who many believe had a fling with former One Direction member Niall Horan. That may all be conjecture, but one thing that’s certain is the glaring resentment in Sheeran’s vocal performance and expletive-filled lyrics. The second single off his sophomore album, “Don’t” seems to have connected with a wide audience, as it became Sheeran’s first top ten hit on the Billboard Hot 100.

Break-up songs don’t all have to be sad, tearjerker ballads sung over acoustic guitars and pianos. Sometimes, they can be brash power pop anthems, like this 2016 hit single by British girl group Little Mix. Lyrically, the song is a tongue-in-cheek sendoff to an ex-lover, thanking them for making you better by calling it quits. It contains many references to the doomed relationship, and engagement, between Perrie Edwards and her ex Zayn Malik. This understandably brought up rumors that the track was written about Malik, although Little Mix has since denied the claims. Regardless, it’s an absolute bop that you can scream at the top of your lungs, while your heart is still healing.

In 2009, Adele’s 18-month relationship came to a tragic end. Distraught and heartbroken, the British singer-songwriter channeled her feelings into what would become the global smash hit “Rolling in the Deep”. The lead single off her record-shattering album “21,” this song is a “dark blues-y gospel disco” study into the aftermath of the break-up. Right from the very first line, Adele’s haunting vocals paint a picture of an unsavory love that left her with scars. But it’s not that she’s devastated by the fall-out as much as that she’s keen on making her former lover regret playing her heart with a beating. Yeah, mystery ex-boyfriend, we bet you wish you never met Adele.

Sometimes, in order to write an effective revenge song, one has to go to a really dark place. That may have been the trick that helped Carrie Underwood, Hillary Lindsey, and Josh Kear, in penning Underwood’s 2012 single “Two Black Cadillacs”. The singer, who previously struck gold with the vengeful hit “Before He Cheats” further explores similar themes on this song. The lyrics tell the story of two women who find out that they’ve been lied to by the same man and decide to send him to an early grave. Even without getting into graphic detail, the evocative words tell you all you need to know about the complicated situation. This is further bolstered by the song’s striking music video.

Merging the upbeat vibe of ‘60s Motown and the humor of The Lonely Island, CeeLo Green leaves little to the imagination with this one. Released as the lead single from his album “The Lady Killer,” this soulful tune finds Green singing about being jilted by a gold digger for a wealthier man. Although the lyrics seem clear enough, the song’s true inspiration may come as a bit of surprise. According to Green, rather than a former lover, the track was borne out of his frustrations with his record label for overlooking him for years. If that indeed was the case, then this was the perfect payback, as it became a bona fide success, critically and commercially.

When it comes to Queen Bey, we just can’t pick one. By now, pretty much everyone is familiar with Beyoncé’s iconic 2016 album “Lemonade”. The acclaimed release dwelt on themes of betrayal, seemingly addressing the allegations of infidelity surrounding the singer’s husband Jay-Z. In particular, on the album’s second track “Hold Up,” Beyoncé confronts an unfaithful partner, reminding him of the consequences of his actions. The unforgettable music video follows the singer happily causing damage around town. She further explores her feelings on “Sorry,” a self-empowering and unapologetic anthem that’s as scathing as a revenge song can get. With words and phrases that have now been enshrined in our lexicon, Beyoncé flips off her former lover, in the most defiant way possible.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“I Hope” (2019), Gabby Barrett
Barrett Makes a Striking Debut With This Karma-Inducing Country Tune

“Part of Me” (2012), Katy Perry
A Post-breakup Anthem You Can Cry and Dance To, at the Same Time

“Black Widow” (2014), Iggy Azalea feat. Rita Ora
This Female Collaboration Is Just as Venomous as the Eponymous Spider

“Revenge” (2017), P!nk feat. Eminem
If You’re in Search of a Comedic Take on the Scorned Lover Trope, You’ve Struck Gold

2016 was a rough year for Taylor Swift. Not only did Kanye West reignite their feud with his song “Famous,” she also found an unlikely foe in West’s then-wife Kim Kardashian. The next year, Swift harkened back to the blistering nature of some of her hits like “Bad Blood” and “Better Than Revenge”, to give her adversaries a taste of their own medicine. With “Look What You Made Me Do,” Swift owns the snake image foisted on her by Kardashian, spitting poison at multiple people, all at once. Although she never names anyone, it is widely believed that the song was directed at West, Kardashian and pop star Katy Perry. To clear any doubts, look no further than the reference-packed music video.