There can’t at all times be room for forgiveness. And when the time for revenge comes knocking at your door, Billboard‘s obtained your soundtrack coated.
There’s been a longstanding custom in music of utilizing songs to get even, whether or not by airing out personal particulars in tell-all lyrics or fantasizing about all the things from property injury to homicide. Within the ambiguous worlds of pop, hip-hop, rock n’ roll and nation, keying automobiles, smashing home windows and even murder are truthful sport.
Simply have a look at SZA‘s Billboard Scorching 100 chart-topper “Kill Invoice.” Primarily based on its industrial success, it’s clear that tens of millions agree there’s nothing extra cathartic than daydreaming about murdering not simply your former boyfriend, however his new lady, too. Or, there’s the Stevie Nicks methodology of penning a music so good, your ex — who simply so occurs to be your bandmate — has no alternative however to carry out it with you again and again as a relentless reminder of all the things he did improper. Why transfer on when you may get the final snigger?
That’s undoubtedly the mindset of many ladies in nation music, for whom songs about unleashing your internal loopy are principally rites of passage. Even Taylor Swift has continued this custom — set by the likes of Reba McEntire, The Chicks, Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert — in her post-country pop music (however extra on all of these women later).
The purpose is, irrespective of the style of music, and irrespective of the tactic of justice, songs about candy revenge at all times hit the spot — that’s, if an axe isn’t an choice. Maintain studying to see Billboard‘s high 25 favorites under.
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Billie Eilish, “Watch”
If Eilish’s pop-punk masterpiece “Happier Than Ever” is crimson sizzling rage, then “Watch” from her debut EP is chilly, calculated, seething anger. And so far as revenge goes, it may be rather more efficient to whisper with a smile in your face than scream uncontrollably that, oh yeah, I set your automobile on fireplace.
Greatest revenge lyric: “I’ll sit and watch your automobile burn with the hearth that you simply began in me/ However you by no means got here again to ask it out.”
Pay attention right here.
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Doja Cat, “Ain’t Sh-t”
Doja Cat sees your crimes in opposition to males’s automobiles and raises you this method: telling his mother on him. On this Planet Her standout, you possibly can virtually see the maniacal grin on the rapper’s face as she gleefully threatens to tattle on a person who simply, effectively, ain’t s–t.
Greatest revenge lyrics: “I’m not gon’ key your automobile, I’ll name your f–king mother/ You must have paid my hire, go get a f–king job.”
Pay attention right here.
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Taylor Swift, “Vigilante Sh-t”
Taylor Swift has oft visited the concept of revenge in her songs through the years, from 2006’s “Image to Burn to 2021’s “No Physique No Crime” and all the things in between — 2010’s “Higher Than Revenge,” 2014’s “Unhealthy Blood,” 2017’s “Look What You Made Me Do,” and so on.
In doing so, she’s grow to be a grasp at writing concerning the matter, as evidenced by Midnights fan-favorite “Vigilante S–t.” On this Billie Eilish-coded observe, she fantasizes about ratting enemies out to the FBI and taking all of it in divorce settlements, all whereas sporting fiercely cutthroat eyeliner.
Greatest revenge lyric: “I don’t begin s–t, however I can inform you the way it ends/ Don’t get unhappy, get even.”
Pay attention right here.
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The All-American Rejects, “Offers You Hell”
The most effective revenge is at all times realizing that you simply’re doing approach higher in life than your ex. And realizing that your very presence is sufficient to piss them off? Icing on the cake.
Greatest revenge lyric: “While you see my face, hope it offers you hell, hope it offers you hell/ While you stroll my approach, hope it offers you hell, hope it offers you hell.”
Pay attention right here.
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Fleetwood Mac, “Silver Springs”
Picture Credit score: Courtesy Photograph Nothing will ever, ever high the badassery of Stevie Nicks writing a music about getting long-term revenge on Lindsey Buckingham, who not solely needed to document it as her Fleetwood Mac bandmate, however needed to carry out it time and again in live shows with a livid Nicks staring him down.
Greatest revenge lyric: “I’ll comply with you down ’til the sound of my voice will hang-out you/
Give me simply an opportunity/ You’ll by no means get away from the sound of the lady that loves you.”Pay attention above.
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Demi Lovato, “Sorry Not Sorry”
“Sorry Not Sorry” is Demi Lovato’s highest-charting Scorching 100 hit up to now for a motive. An ode to sizzling lady summer time earlier than that was even a factor, this observe proves that typically, revenge is usually a complete social gathering in and of itself.
Greatest revenge lyric: “Now, I’m out right here lookin’ like revenge/ Feelin’ like a ten, the very best I’ve ever been/ And, yeah, I understand how unhealthy it should harm to see me like this/ However it will get worse.”
Pay attention right here.
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Reba McEntire, “The Night time The Lights Went Out in Georgia”
Who mentioned you possibly can’t search revenge on another person’s behalf? Reba McEntire takes her brother’s dishonest spouse into her personal arms on this pinnacle of nation music storytelling — however in the event you’re going to comply with her lead, simply make certain nobody else finally ends up taking the autumn for you.
Greatest revenge lyric: “That’s one physique that’ll by no means be discovered/ You see little sister don’t miss when she goals her gun.”
Pay attention right here.
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Chicago Forged, “Cell Block Tango”
Pop, six, squish, uh-uh, Cicero, Lipschitz. “Cell Block Tango” from Chicago the musical offers not one, not two, however six detailed tutorials on tips on how to snuff out a low-life husband and win a ticket to jail — however for these jailbirds, the tradeoff was completely price it.
Greatest revenge lyric: “He solely had himself responsible/ Should you’d have been there/ Should you’d have seen it/ I betcha you’d have accomplished the identical.”
Pay attention right here.
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Lizzo, “Fact Hurts”
There’s bloodthirsty, rage-driven revenge, and there’s Lizzo’s model of revenge: being fully, infuriatingly unbothered. Have to get below your ex-man’s pores and skin? Letting him know that you simply’ve already discovered a brand new one on the Minnesota Vikings — plus a number of different contenders in his personal buddy group — is a good place to begin.
Greatest revenge lyric: “So you possibly can inform your pals, ‘Shoot your shot,’ if you see ’em/ It’s OK, he already in my DMs.”
Pay attention right here.
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Justin Timberlake, “Cry Me A River”
Even a river couldn’t extinguish this main burn. Lengthy believed to be written about Britney Spears, whom Justin Timberlake believed to have been untrue, this scathing 2002 hit is principally the sonic equal to a raised center finger.
Greatest revenge lyric: “The bridges had been burned/ Now it’s your flip, to cry.”
Pay attention right here.
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Mariah Carey, “Obsessed”
Mariah Carey had one of the best ways of getting again at Eminem, who claimed he dated the Songbird Supreme within the 2000s. In response, she referred to as him out for mendacity in a really apparent diss observe devoted to the actual Slim Shady; dressed up as him within the music video; and undermined all the things he needed to say by posing one easy query: why so obsessed?
Greatest revenge lyric: “Oh lastly discovered a woman that you simply couldn’t impress/ Final man on the Earth nonetheless couldn’t hit this.”
Pay attention right here.
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The Chicks, “Goodbye Earl”
Picture Credit score: Courtesy Photograph “Goodbye Earl” is the apex of revenge-murder songs. Because the Chicks inform it, Earl merely wanted to go nighty evening perpetually after violently abusing his spouse Wanda, who poisons him with the assistance of her greatest buddy Mary Anne and a really particular black-eyed peas recipe. It’s okay, although: nobody missed him anyway.
Greatest revenge lyric: “Why don’t you lay down and sleep, Earl/ Ain’t it darkish wrapped up in that tarp, Earl?”
Pay attention above.
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Maroon 5, “Wake Up Name”
When passive aggressive subtweets simply gained’t fulfill your revenge wants, there’s at all times the choice homicide — metaphorically talking, after all. On this 2007 Maroon 5 traditional, Adam Levine confesses to discovering his S.O. with one other man. His answer? “I needed to shoot him lifeless.” Overkill? Actually.
Greatest revenge lyric: “I reply questions, by no means perhaps/ And I’m not variety in the event you betray me/ So, who the hell are you to avoid wasting me?”
Pay attention right here.
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Kelly Clarkson, “Since U Been Gone”
Picture Credit score: Courtesy Photograph At occasions, revenge is greatest served within the type of a brag. Since its launch, “Since U Been Gone” has empowered the heartbroken of the world to search out solace in realizing their ex’s absence may very well have made their lives higher — neener, neener, neener.
Greatest revenge lyric: “I’m so shifting on, yeah, yeah/ Because of you, now I get what I would like.”
Pay attention above.
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Rihanna, “Take A Bow”
There are moments when revenge have to be carefully calculated and actively sought out, after which there are moments when the chance actually comes knocking at your door. And when a blubbering ex reveals up at Rihanna’s entrance stoop on this observe, she rises to the event by completely decimating him in a 3 minute, 50 second roast session. Nobody does it like RiRi.
Greatest revenge lyric: “You look so dumb proper now/ Standin’ outdoors my home/ Tryin’ to apologize/ You’re so ugly if you cry.”
Pay attention right here.
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Shakira, “Bzrp Music Periods, Vol. 53”
What do you do when the daddy of your kids and associate of 12 years breaks up with you, then strikes straight on with a woman half your age? Should you’re Shakira, you drop some of the blistering diss tracks of all time, airing out each single considered one of your grievances in unflinching element.
Greatest revenge lyric: “Las mujeres ya no lloran, las mujeres facturan,” which interprets to: “Girls now not cry, girls receives a commission.”
Pay attention right here.
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Nancy Sinatra, “These Boots Are Made For Walkin'”
With a famously foreboding bass riff and vaguely ominous lyrics, Nancy Sinatra’s traditional Scorching 100 topper guarantees that karmic vengeance can be delivered it doesn’t matter what — if not immediately, then sometime. And also you’ll by no means see it coming. Are you prepared, boots? Begin strolling.
Greatest revenge lyric: “You retain thinkin’ that you simply’ll by no means get burnt/ I simply discovered me a model new field of matches/ And what he is aware of you ain’t had time to study.”
Pay attention right here.
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Beyoncé, “Sorry”
Though “Irreplaceable” undoubtedly deserves an honorable point out, “Sorry” takes listeners by a curler coaster of feelings that simply can’t be topped. In response to infidelity, Queen Bey seeks revenge by doing all the things from flipping him the chook to staying out late and making him fear, telling him to “suck my balls” and leaving him alone with nothing however a word to recollect her by.
Greatest revenge lyric: “Now you gotta see me wilding, now I’m the one which’s mendacity/ And I don’t really feel unhealthy about it, it’s precisely what you get/ Cease interrupting my grinding/ I ain’t considering ’bout you.”
Pay attention right here.
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Jazmine Sullivan, “Bust Your Home windows”
Picture Credit score: Courtesy Photograph Car vandalism is a recurring theme on this record. Why? As Jazmine Sullivan very clearly explains, the maths is straightforward: in the event you break my coronary heart, then I’ll break your automobile.
Greatest revenge lyric: “Regardless that what you probably did to me was a lot worse/ I needed to do one thing to make you harm.”
Pay attention above.
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CeeLo Inexperienced, “Overlook You”
Getting revenge may be so simple as two phrases. And, relying on how salty you might be, CeeLo has two choices: “F–okay You” and its clear model, “Overlook You.”
Greatest revenge lyric: “And though there’s ache in my chest/ I nonetheless want you the very best with a ‘F–okay you.’”
Pay attention right here.
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Alanis Morissette, “You Oughta Know”
Lengthy rumored to be a savage takedown of her ex, actor Dave Coulier, Alanis Morissette seeks her vengeance by guaranteeing her goal can by no means, ever, ever overlook how he betrayed her. And provided that the music topped the Different Airplay chart and enjoys common radio play to at the present time, he undoubtedly by no means will.
Greatest revenge lyric: “Did you overlook about me, Mr. Duplicity?/ I hate to bug you in the course of dinner/
It was a slap within the face, how rapidly I used to be changed/ And are you considering of me if you f–okay her?”Pay attention right here.
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Miranda Lambert, “Mama’s Damaged Coronary heart”
Are you prepared to go so far as it takes to get revenge? Are you ready to get messy? Are you prepared to point out individuals simply how loopy you may be? Should you’re a fan of this boot-stomping Lambert gem from 2013, your solutions are in all probability: sure, sure and hell sure.
Greatest revenge lyric: “Can’t get revenge and hold a spotless repute/ Typically revenge is a alternative you gotta make.”
Pay attention right here.
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SZA, “Kill Invoice”
Picture Credit score: Courtesy Photograph SZA introduced murderous revenge fantasy songs again into vogue within the 2020s, all because of her beautiful SOS single “Kill Invoice,” the musician’s first Scorching 100 No. 1, on which she desires of killing an ex who strikes on approach too quick for her liking.
Greatest revenge lyric: “I simply killed my ex/ I nonetheless love him, although/ Reasonably be in hell than alone.”
Pay attention above.
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Carly Simon, “You are So Useless”
Carly Simon’s Scorching 100 topper is a complete stroke of genius from a revenge perspective. Not solely does she get to insult her ex from high to backside on this music, however that ex can’t even name her out for it — as a result of then, he’d simply be proving her proper.
Greatest revenge lyric: “I wager you suppose this music is about you/ Don’t you don’t you don’t you?”
Pay attention right here.
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Carrie Underwood, “Earlier than He Cheats”
Picture Credit score: Courtesy Photograph “Earlier than He Cheats” is a cathartic listening expertise that validates everybody who’s ever been advised, “Don’t fear babe, we’re simply mates.” Thanks, Carrie Underwood: car-owning cheaters will perpetually concern Louisville Sluggers due to you.
Greatest revenge lyric: “I might need saved slightly hassle for the following lady/ ‘Trigger the following time that he cheats/ Oh, you realize it gained’t be on me.”
Pay attention above.