If you’ve been through a breakup or have already been through that October canon event, you know that love songs are some of the best out there. Though cliché, they still live up to the hype and each has its own sound. It still baffles me how people sing about love, yet are all able to create their own intricate snowflake-like songs about it.

So, if you’re going through it, or you want to know what it’s like, i’m going to break down each category of songs using the analogy of getting a cut. Here’s a list that’ll get you through the canon event season.

The Initial Cut

So you just fell off your bike (got broken up with) and man, does it hurt. You scream and scrape your arm trying to catch yourself. Somewhere between your heartbeat increasing and your adrenaline rising, blood starts to ooze out of your cut. The stinging pain starts to take over your tears, and you’re like, “Oh my god.” That’s the breakup. There’s going to be tears, shock, and pain (but hopefully no actual blood.) This is where you listen to those sad songs, longing and yearning for the one you loved.

The ‘Initial Cut’ playlist

D>E>A>T>H>M>E>T>A>L – Pachinko

• A calm, dreamy song you’d listen to while counting sheep, bawling your eyes out, or reading Girl in Pieces by Kathleen Glasgow.

 By Starlight – The Smashing Pumpkins

• A slow, Midwest emo song with a guy with the perfect whiny voice. You can literally hear the desperation in each word he says about the girl not understanding him. So gas.

Cry, cry – Mazzy Star.

• The title is self-explanatory. This slow song suits the vibe of mourning, yearning, or whatever word is your favorite. Just grab some tissues and let it all out to the guitar in the back.

Starting over – Lsd and the search for god

• It goes with the theme of light drums and swanky guitar perfectly. It intensifies near the middle, and I just have an insane love for it. Also, the girl singing in the back can drown out your tears.

100 – Dean Blunt

• A little basic but fits well for when you wanna go on a walk around discovery and sob while rethinking every life decision. The singer’s deep voice pulls you into a trance while he reflects on how everyone thinks he’s in the wrong.

Fresh Wound

The cut hasn’t scabbed over yet, and stings in the shower. A.K.A., you still cry when you see pics of them, hear their name, or the thought of their existence still brushes across your mind. Take some time to listen to the playlist they made for you and cry.

The ‘Fresh Wound’ playlist

I know it’s over – The Smiths.

• Be real with yourself. Things will never be the same, and it sucks like a leech, but it’s real. Consider doing something moderately crazy (without harming yourself or others), like dying your hair

Welcome and goodbye – Dream, Ivory

• Like the title, you have to accept what happened and let it go!!! My favorite lyric is, “and I’m trying to be sane,” which I’m sure we all are, but breakups really rub salt in the wound.

White Ferrari – Frank Ocean

• Oh, Frank, where do I even begin with you? I know this is a crying song. With the light tunes in the background, remember all the good times and appreciate them. Though it’s done, memories shouldn’t be tarnished by current hard feelings.

Come back – The Five Stair Steps

• Obviously, you miss them. Who wouldn’t? This serenading song will resonate with the overwhelming emotions of loneliness while still sounding happy. It’s absolutely lovely, and you need to add it to the rotation.

In another time – Sade

• The piano and whatever other instruments blend to create a beautiful, calm melody. The lyrics are somewhat of a letter to a past self, with Sade reminding a younger version of herself that those who hurt her will realize their mistakes.

Honorable mention

Be that easy – Sade

• If you made it this far, just know that Soldier of Love is a beautiful album by Sade. Recently gaining popularity on TikTok, it combines the strums of a guitar and Sade’s memories of her past lover, and how she now feels free without them. Take her advice and shift the spotlight from that ex to yourself and shine.

Scabbing Over

Your body naturally heals wounds, like your mind will heal after listening to some bomb music. Cut the sappy and crappy crying songs. Now you’ve evolved to music that screams, “forget that ex!” Listen to hype music and remind yourself why you broke up in the first place. Remember the times they really sucked, like leaving you on read or not buying you food. Bonus points if you give yourself the ick just by thinking of them (pro tip: imagine them tripping down the learning stairs)

The ‘Scabbing Over’ playlist

Tears dry (on their own) – Amy Winehouse

• Like she says in the song, why stress over a man when there are so many more important things going on? This slightly more upbeat song reminds the listener that, although there were good times, you have to make a comeback. Sometimes that means wiping your own tears, but as time passes, that means feeling confident in who you are without others.

Life goes on – The Sundays

• Once again, self-explanatory. The lyrics depict the singer wondering what’s going on in their old lover’s life. Despite the curiosity, she won’t let their actions break her down; she keeps moving even when circumstances aren’t the best.

The way things go – Beabadoobee

• A cute, faster-paced song about acceptance. An important part of moving on is forgetting all the little details about them that stay stuck in your head like an annoying song. It’s not easy, but when focusing on the reasons why things ended, growing and evolving becomes easier.

I don’t love you no more – Foushee

• This soothing and quiet song will remind you that apologies don’t fix mistakes. Realize your worth and pour time into yourself rather than the one you’re no longer with.

I don’t love you anymore – Tyler, the Creator

• Similar title to the last one, but entirely different tempo. This also works well as a hype song, but the lyrics serve as the perfect nudge to realize there are other people out there who can and will treat you better.

Scarring

Oh my gosh, you’re healed!! Just kidding. Though the scab is gone, and the relationship is solidly over, you’re still allowed to be hurt by the past. Though the process of healing is never linear, I encourage you to move on as much as possible. Branch out by trying scooters, skateboards, or just some happy hype music. Dance in your room, flip your hair, and embrace the present moment.

The ‘Scarring’ playlist

So Done (feat. Khalid) – Alicia Keys

• Alicia and Khalid’s voices harmonize perfectly while they sing about having the freedom to change their lives for the better.

Girl like me – Pinkpanthress

• The perfect upbeat song to help you “let it all go,” as the lyrics say.

Seek and destroy – SZA.

• A more laid-back song about transferring hurt into healing and being unconfined to someone.

Love galore (alt version) – SZA

• Sza knows her worth, and we can all work on recognizing our own. Towards the end of the song, she sings about feeling confident, working on herself, all while being bored with her ex. That’s how we all need to be honest.

Smile – Lily Allen

• She explains her changing feelings about the breakup. While moving through the motions, she allows herself to feel everything, and still is able to find clarity in the end.

Has your October cannon even happened yet? Hopefully it’s not a breakup, but if it is, use this story for playlist inspo and let me know your thoughts in the comments down below!!