33 Best Songs About Revenge & Getting Even

The greatest songs about revenge have always been inspired by tragic and unfair situations when somebody did somebody else wrong.

Whether you’ve been cheated on, gossiped about, or put down, you’re sure to relate to one of the popular tunes on this list.

So, these hits go out to all the backstabbers and heartbreakers out there!

 

The 33 Best Songs About Revenge & Getting Even

There comes a time in our lives when someone screws us over big time, and it can be hard to get over it. Fortunately, we can rely on music to help us let out our frustration.

So let’s get right to it. Here’s our playlist of the 33 best songs about revenge and getting even: 

 

33. One Way Or Another – Blondie

Crank this one up and dance around like no one’s watching (we promise you’ll feel a lot better)! The lyrics talk about a real-life stalker that Blondie had in the early 70s.

If you love Blondie, check out our best 80s songs playlist, where you’ll find another one of her famous hits, “Call Me.”

“One Way Or Another” peaked at #24 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #7 on the Canada Top Singles chart in 1979.

 

32. The Thunder Rolls – Garth Brooks

In 1991, country artist Garth Brooks released one of his signature classics, “The Thunder Rolls,” from his album, No Fences.

The song tells the story of a man driving home from cheating on his wife while the wife is worried sick about him. Eventually, she realizes what’s happening, and “deep in her heart, the thunder rolls.”

This somber ballad topped the Billboard Hot Country Songs and Canada Country Tracks charts in 1991.

 

31. I’ll Get Even With You – Foreigner

This is one of those tracks that sounds happy, but in reality, the singer is talking about some heavy stuff.

The lyrics focus on how the male narrator has been wronged and how he wants to get even with his offender.

“I’ll Get Even With You” was released from Foreigner’s third studio album, Head Games, which charted #5 on the Billboard 200 between 1979 and 1980.

 

30. Obsessed – Mariah Carey

“Obsessed” is one of the greatest revenge songs from the hip hop/R&B genre, and we’re sure you’ll love it!

Mariah Carey sings about an obsessive man in her life who claims that they had a relationship when she denies it.

The track earned the #1 spot on both the Billboard Dance Club Songs and Dance/Mix Show Airplay charts in 2009.

 

29. Fighter – Christina Aguilera

Christina Aguilera recorded this classic song in 2002 from her fourth album, Stripped, which features a unique blend of rock and pop.

In this song about resiliency, Aguilera expresses the pain of being bullied and abused by a man but how she’s overcome it all and finds herself stronger.

“Fighter” made it to #20 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #2 on the UK Rock & Metal chart in 2003.

 

28. Hate (I Really Don’t Like You) – Plan White T’s

In 2006, the Plain White T’s released this single from their studio album, Every Second Counts.

“Hate (I Really Don’t Like You)” is about a guy who felt like his relationship was going great until she unexpectedly broke it off with him.

The pop-punk tune earned the #25 spot on the Billboard Alternative Airplay chart and #68 on the Billboard Hot 100 between 2007 and 2008.

 

27. Don’t Get Mad, Get Even – Aerosmith

“Don’t Get Mad, Get Even” features a male narrator who wants to put an arrogant womanizer in his place.

If you’re an Aerosmith fan, check out our best 90s songs playlist, which includes their mega-hit, “I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing.”

The hard rock track comes from the band’s album, Pump, which peaked at #5 on the Billboard 200 in 1989.

 

26. Rolling In The Deep – Adele

Adele released this soulful tune as the lead single to her second album, 21, in 2010.

“Rolling In The Deep” is Adele saying goodbye to an unfaithful lover and making the statement that she’s better off without him.

The song was considered the biggest crossover hit since 1985 and won MTV Video Music Awards for Video of the Year in 2011.

 

25. 9 To 5 – Dolly Parton

One of the best 80s female singers of all time, Dolly Parton, wrote “9 To 5” for a movie of the same name in 1980.

This upbeat tune is a statement about gender inequity in the workplace and how women can never seem to get ahead in the corporate world.

“9 To 5” won a Grammy Award for Best Country Song and Best Female Country Vocal Performance in 1982.

 

24. The Mariner’s Revenge Song – The Decemberists

The Decemberists recorded “The Mariner’s Revenge Song” for their 2005 indie rock album, Picaresque.

The lyrics tell the tale of a boy whose life is ruined after his mother takes in a nightmarish teenager.

The album itself is widely regarded as one of the best albums of the 2000s and has sold over 123,000 copies since 2006.

 

23. I Bet – Ciara

In 2015, Ciara released “I Bet” as the lead single from her sixth album, Jackie.

The ballad expresses Ciara’s frustration about her recent breakup and how she thinks her ex will start loving her right when she meets someone else.

“I Bet” made it to #15 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop chart and #22 on the Rhythmic chart in 2015.

 

22. Song For The Dumped – Ben Folds Five

This song is pretty laughable in all seriousness, but it’s a good one to listen to after an unexpected breakup.

This hit was inspired by drummer Darren Jessee’s experience when his girlfriend waited to break up with him until after he had already paid for their dinner.

“Song For The Dumped” peaked at #23 on the Billboard Alternative Airplay chart and #73 on the ARIA chart in 1998.

 

21. Sweet Revenge – Motörhead

If heavy metal is more up your alley, then this hard-hitting Motörhead track, “Sweet Revenge,” is the one for you.

This haunting song is about paying someone back for how they’ve wronged you by seeking the ultimate revenge.

The tune comes from the band’s album, Bomber, which took the #12 spot on the UK Albums chart in 1979.

 

20. Hit ‘Em Up Style (Oops!) – Blu Cantrell

Blu Cantrell released this revenge song from her debut album, So Blu, released in 2001.

“Hit ‘Em Up Style (Oops!)” encourages female listeners to drain their cheating boyfriends’ bank accounts and take their assets in return for the heartbreak they caused them.

This smooth R&B track reached #1 on the Billboard Mainstream Top 40 and #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 between 2001 and 2002.

 

19. I Hope You’re Happy Now – Elvis Costello

If garage rock and new wave are more your style, this hit from Elvis Costello will be a great listen for you.

This tune features a man who’s been left by his woman for another, but in the end, he already knows that the guy only wants to use her for her body.

“I Hope You’re Happy Now” was released from Costello’s album, Blood & Chocolate, which peaked at #84 on the Billboard 200 in 1986.

 

18. Goodbye Earl – The Dixie Chicks

“Goodbye Earl” is a country ballad originally recorded by Sons of the Desert in the late 90s.

The lyrics are about a woman who seeks ultimate revenge on her physically abusive husband and gets rid of him for good.

The Dixie Chicks released their version in 2000, which peaked at #5 on the Canada Country Tracks chart and #13 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.

 

17. Get Outta My Way – Kylie Minogue

Australian singer Kylie Minogue released this dance-pop track from her eleventh album, Aphrodite, in 2010.

“Get Outta My Way” feature a female narrator addressing her former lover and telling him that he’s already been replaced by someone better.

The hit reached #1 on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart and Brazil’s Hot 100 in 2010.

 

16. Brain Damage – Eminem

Beware: “Brain Damage” is a hip-hop track that’s pretty grotesque compared to the average rap song.

The tune tells the story of Eminem’s traumatic childhood, which he uses to explain why he became so crazy later in life.

Eminem released “Brain Damage” from his The Slim Shady LP, which reached #2 on the Billboard 200 in 1999.

 

15. Here Comes Revenge – Metallica

Metallica is one of the best bands of all time, so of course, they had to include a revenge song in their repertoire!

The heavy metal track talks about the anger and grief that comes when someone hurts us and how those emotions inspire feelings of revenge.

“Here Comes Revenge” comes from the band’s album, Hardwired…to Self Destruct, which debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 in 2016.

 

14. White Liar – Miranda Lambert

“White Liar” was released as the second single on Miranda Lambert’s 2009 album, Revolution.

The lyrics feature a female narrator who confronts her lover about his cheating, but in a strange twist of events, she’s been cheating too.

The country tune reached #2 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs and Canada Country charts in 2009 and 2010.

 

13. Smile – Lily Allen

Lily Allen released this tune from her debut studio album, Alright, Still, in 2006.

The reggae pop song revolves around a girl who makes fun of her ex-boyfriend after he attempts to win her back.

“Smile” topped the UK Singles chart and reached #2 in Slovakia and Denmark between 2006 and 2007.

 

12. These Boots Are Made For Walkin’ – Nancy Sinatra

“These Boots Are Made For Walkin'” comes from Nancy Sinatra’s 1965 album Boots and has been recorded by countless artists, from Jessica Simpson to Billy Ray Cyrus.

In this song, Nancy Sinatra is singing to her cheating lover and telling him that she will leave him because of his infidelity.

The popular track topped the UK Singles and Billboard Hot 100 charts in 1996.

 

11. You Oughta Know – Alanis Morissette

This is one of the best revenge songs to jam out to when you’re going through a rough breakup (we’ve all been there).

The angry song is about a heartbroken and jealous woman whose boyfriend leaves her for someone else.

In 1996, “You Oughta Know” won a Grammy Award for Best Rock Song and Best Female Rock Vocal Performance.

 

10. Gives You Hell – All-American Rejects

The All-American Rejects released this pop-punk song from their third studio album, When the World Comes Down, in 2008.

“Gives You Hell” is about those people in our lives that we can’t stand and how sometimes we hope our presence annoys them a bit.

This tune was nominated for International Work of the Year at the 2010 APRA Awards and charted #1 on the Billboard Adult Top 40 between 2009 and 2010.

 

9. Better Than Revenge – Taylor Swift

“Better Than Revenge” talks about a girl’s heartbreak and anger after another girl steals her boyfriend.

If you’re looking for a fun karaoke tune, check out our best karaoke songs of all time playlist, which features Swift’s easy-to-sing hit, “Love Story.”

This pop and punk-inspired track peaked at #6 on the Billboard Country Digital Song Sales chart in 2010.

 

8. Forget You – Cee Lo Green

This is one of the greatest songs about revenge that’ll make you want to dance rather than throw things at the wall.

Although many people think this hit is about someone who stole Cee Lo’s girlfriend, it’s actually his feelings toward his record label, whom he felt he couldn’t please.

“Forget You” reached #1 on the Dutch Top 40, Billboard Mainstream Top 40, and UK Singles chart between 2010 and 2011.

 

7. So What – P!nk

Interestingly enough, this revenge song actually started as a joke between Pink and her producer, Max Martin.

“So What” is all about poking fun at life’s heartbreaking situations and choosing to enjoy life rather than wallowing in self-pity.

The pop-rock tune topped the Billboard Hot 100 and won the MTV Europe Music Award for Most Addictive Track in 2008.

 

6. Piece By Piece – Kelly Clarkson

“Piece By Piece” is an emotional song from Kelly Clarkson’s 2015 album of the same name and was re-released as an American Idol version in 2016.

Clarkson sings from her own experience as a young girl abandoned by her father and describes how she’s learning to trust and love again.

The pop ballad took the #6 spot on the Billboard Adult Top 40 and #6 on the UK Singles Downloads chart between 2015 and 2017.

 

5. Cry Me A River – Justin Timberlake

Justin Timberlake recorded this hit from his debut solo album in 2002, Justified.

Many believe the song lyrics are about Britney Spears, who supposedly cheated on JT. To get even, the male narrator ensures the girl sees that he’s moved on from her.

“Cry Me A River” won a Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance and peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2004.

 

4. Irreplaceable – Beyoncé

“Irreplaceable” was released in 2006 from Beyoncé’s second album, B’Day, and is about a woman who finds out she’s been cheated on and tells her boyfriend that she won’t have any trouble replacing him.

If you’re a fan of Beyoncé, check out our best songs of all time playlist, which features her famous track, “Halo.”

The pop/R&B tune won Best R&B/Soul Single at the Soul Train Music Awards in 2007.

 

3. Bad Blood – Taylor Swift ft. Kendrick Lamar

If you want some wise advice, take it from us. Never mess with Taylor Swift because she’ll probably write a #1 hit about you.

“Bad Blood” revolves around a woman who is betrayed by a close friend after she attempts to sabotage one of her arena tours.

The pop song won a Grammy Award for Best Music Video in 2016 and earned Best Collaboration at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards.

 

2. You’re So Vain – Carly Simon

Carly Simon released the signature single, “You’re So Vain,” in 1972 from her album, No Secrets.

The lyrics were inspired by Simon’s former lover, Warren Beatty, who she realizes was always extremely self-absorbed, even when they were together.

“You’re So Vain” received Grammy nominations for Song of the Year, Record of the Year, and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance in 1974.

 

1. Before He Cheats – Carrie Underwood

Who doesn’t love a revenge song about vandalizing a cheating boyfriend’s truck with a baseball bat?

“Before He Cheats” is about a woman who decides to get even with her unfaithful lover by destroying his beloved ride. That’s a pretty low blow considering how much most guys love their vehicles.

The Carrie Underwood song won a Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance in 2008 and was named 2007 Single of the Year by the Country Music Association.

 

Summary

No matter who’s done you wrong, we’re sure you’ll feel better after blasting these songs about revenge and getting even.

We chose “Before He Cheats” by Carrie Underwood as the top tune because of its countless awards, incredible chart success, and of course, Underwood’s powerful vocals.

A final word of advice: let the music be your therapy, and give these tracks a listen before you do something you’ll regret!

What’s the best song about revenge and getting even, in your opinion? Leave a comment below.