Picture this: You wake up on a bright Saturday morning, your lips spreading into a small smile as you hold on to fading memories of the previous night’s sweet dream. In that dream, everything was perfect. You were perfect for each other.
Your phone beeps.
You try to ignore it, but your hand reaches for it anyway. You open your messages. Their text is still there. The last line reads, “It’s not you, it’s me.” Your heart aches all over again.
You head straight to your music app. There are plenty of suggestions, but you only want one song. The one that understands. The one that lets you feel everything properly. The one that wraps around you like a quiet balm.
You slide back into bed and press play, letting the music carry you far away, to a place where the memories feel kinder, and the pain is easier to sit with.
Who says music can’t heal a broken heart? Definitely not these 30 Nigerians, who revisit old wounds and tell us the one song that helped them through painful heartbreaks.
“Someone Like You” by Adele — Amaka, 27
“The breakup happened on a Tuesday night, and I still had to go to work the next morning. I remember standing at the bus stop in Yaba, holding my phone and rereading his last message. We had dated for three years. We talked about marriage openly. Two weeks before the breakup, he had followed me to a wedding and introduced me to people as his future wife.
That morning, I put on Adele’s “Someone Like You” while I was inside the danfo. I didn’t even pick it intentionally. It just came up, and I let it play. When she sang about seeing someone move on, it reminded me of how he had already started acting distant weeks before he ended things. I sat by the window, facing out so nobody would see my face.
It became a routine after that. Every morning, I played that song on my way to work. I stopped checking his last seen. I stopped opening our old chats. I just sat in the bus, listened, and let myself miss him quietly.
After a while, the song stopped making me cry. I would still play it, but I wouldn’t feel that tightness in my chest anymore. It was just a song again. That was when I knew I was getting better.”
“Joromi” by Simi — Tobi, 25*
“He broke up with me because I refused to relocate immediately. He had just moved to Canada and wanted me to drop everything and join him. I had just started a new job in Lekki, and I wasn’t ready to leave yet. He said he didn’t want to do long distance.
The week after the breakup, I stayed indoors a lot. One evening, I was cleaning my room and played Simi’s “Joromi”. I’d heard it many times before, but that day, it felt different. I started singing along while folding my clothes. It was the first time I had done anything normally since the breakup.
I began playing it whenever I felt the urge to call him. Instead of opening his contact, I opened my music app. I would play the song while cooking or bathing. It helped me get through those quiet moments when I missed him the most.
Eventually, I stopped reaching for my phone to check if he had texted. I started focusing on my life again. I made new friends at work and even started going out on weekends.”
“Never Stopped” by BNXN (Buju) — Princess*, 23
In 2022, the guy I was seeing blocked me everywhere, with no explanation. It happened in the middle of my exams, so I didn’t even have space to process what had just happened.
Around that time, I kept listening to BNXN’s Sorry I’m Late. There wasn’t anything overly dramatic about the album, but it made me feel good. “Never Stopped” became my favourite track. I would play it before reading and sometimes after exams.
The line, “I’ve never stopped in my life, so tell me why would I stop now,” stayed with me. I repeated it whenever I felt distracted or tempted to spiral. It helped me focus on my books first and deal with the heartbreak later.
“Ghetto Lenny’s Love Songs” by SAINt JHN — Femi*, 27
My ex and I bonded over music. We shared Spotify playlists and listened to a lot of SAINt JHN and Dave together. Those songs carried a lot of memories for me.
After our breakup in 2025, I went back to Dave’s Psychodrama and SAINt JHN’s Ghetto Lenny’s Love Songs. At that point, she didn’t feel like the person I thought I knew anymore. Listening to those albums reminded me of when things still felt great between us.
For a while, I played them often. I got over the relationship. I still listen to those projects now, but they don’t pull me back the way they used to.
“That’s the Way It Is” by Celine Dion — Remi*, 53
“In 2018, my husband and I went through a difficult period. After he relocated, his behaviour changed and our communication broke down. I often felt alone in my own marriage.
During that time, I started thinking a lot about who I was before marriage. I had stopped listening to music for years, but I returned to Celine Dion because her songs meant something to me when I was younger.
That’s the Way It Is became the one I played most. Listening to it reminded me of who I was before life became complicated.”
“Escapism.” by RAYE — Sharon*, 31
“I went through a messy breakup in 2023 after my boyfriend got involved with someone I considered a friend. We all worked in the same space, so I saw them almost every day. That made moving on harder.
I played RAYE’s “Escapism.” a lot during that period. There’s a part where she talks about the man she loved telling her it was over. I could relate because that was exactly how my relationship ended. The song matched the numbness I felt at the time.
When I started feeling better, I moved on to “It’s Ok I’m Ok” by Tate McRae. Playing it on repeat helped me rethink the situation. I stopped seeing it as my loss.”
“Last Last” Burna Boy — Emmanuel*, 19
“After two years of what we both called a ‘mutual understanding,’ I finally told my situationship I wanted us to make things official. Her instant rejection was jarring. There was no soft landing, no ‘let me think about it.’ Just no.
Saying I was shocked would be an understatement. I could feel the pieces of my heart dropping to my feet.
Burna Boy’s “Last Last” carried me through that heartbreak. I listened to it for months. At first, I played it because I related to it. Now I can play it because I genuinely enjoy it. It doesn’t come with that tight feeling in my chest anymore.”
“Sunsetz” by Cigarettes After Sex — Dolapo*, 35
“In 2023, I found out the man I had been with for two years was engaged. He never mentioned it. He treated me like I was the only woman in his life. I had to dig before I even discovered the truth.
During that period, I buried myself in music. “Sunsetz” by Cigarettes After Sex helped me stay sane while I put myself back together.
The song eventually became comforting. It reminded me that everyone goes through difficult periods. It also helped me realise that the heartbreak saved me from worse pain in the future.”
“Holy Ghost” by Omah Lay —Tinuade*, 21
“I was 19, almost 20, when my heart got broken. The relationship lasted barely more than a month, but it felt intense. The chemistry was strong, and everything happened quickly.
One day in January, he asked for a break. He said he needed to sort out personal problems, but two days later, he returned everything I had left at his place.
It was the worst heartbreak of my life. What hurt the most was the lack of a clear reason. It was unexpected, and I couldn’t explain it to myself.
During that period, I listened to Omah Lay’s “Holy Ghost”. Spotify suggested it while I was crying and listening to music. It comforted me, and I kept returning to it whenever I felt overwhelmed.
Now, it doesn’t hurt anymore. I can listen to it without those emotions.”
“All I Want” by Kodaline — Kunle, 30*
“We dated in university, and even after graduation, we stayed in each other’s lives. We weren’t officially together again, but we spoke almost every day. I assumed we would eventually find our way back.
One night, she called me and said she wanted me to hear it from her first. She had gotten engaged. I congratulated her on the phone, but after the call ended, I sat on my bed for a long time without moving.
I played Kodaline’s “All I Want” that night. I lay down and stared at the ceiling while the song played. I didn’t cry immediately. I just kept replaying our last conversation in my head and thinking about how final everything suddenly felt.
For weeks after that, I listened to the song mostly at night. It helped me accept that the version of the future I had imagined with her wasn’t going to happen. Over time, I stopped playing it as often. I didn’t need it anymore.”
“Drivers License” by Olivia Rodrigo — Zainab*, 23
“I found out he was cheating because the girl posted him on her Snapchat story. He had told me he was at home resting. I watched the video three times to make sure it was really him.
I blocked him on WhatsApp and Instagram immediately. After that, I sat on my bed and didn’t know what to do next. I opened my music app and played Olivia Rodrigo’s “Drivers License”. I had seen people talk about it online, but I had never listened to it properly before.
I kept replaying it while lying down. I wasn’t even crying loudly. Tears were just falling quietly. I stayed in my room the whole evening and didn’t answer any calls.
Over the next few weeks, I played it mostly at night. I don’t listen to it much anymore, but I remember how often I played it during that period.”
Pray You Catch Me by Beyonce — Emeka*, 32
“We lived together for almost a year. One afternoon, I came home early from work and saw messages on her laptop screen. She had been talking to someone else for months. I didn’t confront her immediately. I just sat there and read everything.
That night, after she fell asleep, I packed my clothes quietly. I couldn’t sleep all night, so I sat on the edge of the bed and played “Pray You Catch Me” by Beyonce. I used my earphones so I wouldn’t wake her up.
I moved into my friend’s place the following week. During that period, I played the song often, especially when I was alone. It helped me sit with what had happened without pretending I was fine.
Eventually, I stopped playing it. I started focusing on settling into my new place and moving on.”
“Olumoranti” by Niyola — Halima*, 28
“My mum passed away very suddenly. She had been ill for a while, but we still believed she would recover. The day she died, the house was full of people. Relatives, neighbours, everyone. After the burial, they all left, and the house became quiet in a way I had never experienced before.
One evening, I was in her room folding her clothes when “Olumoranti” by Niyola started playing from my playlist. Hearing that song in that moment made the loss feel more real. I sat on her bed and listened to it to the end.
I started playing it intentionally after that. Mostly in the evenings, when the house felt too quiet. It helped me feel connected to my mum in some way. I would remember small things, like how she used to call my name from the kitchen or ask if I had eaten.
I don’t play it as often anymore, but whenever it comes on, it takes me back to her. It reminds me of a time when she was still here.”
“After Hours” album by The Weeknd — Abdul*, 25
“I ended an on-and-off relationship of over three years because she stopped putting in effort. Walking away wasn’t easy, even though I knew it was necessary. I eventually returned to my first love, music.
I had The Weekend’s “Heartless”, “Shameless”, and “Faith” on repeat. Each song captured a different part of how I felt. They sounded good, which made the process easier to sit through.
Around the same time, I also jammed BNXN’s “Pidgin & English” and Drake’s “Texts Go Green” often. Those songs perfectly matched my mood and made the healing process a bit more bearable.”
“Drunk Text” by Henry Moodie — Osa* 23
“I had a case of unrequited love last year, and it broke my heart. Drunk Text was a song he introduced me to, and because we both loved it, it always reminded me of him.
I also listened to songs like “I Wish You Cheated” by Alexander Stewart and “Maybe Next Time” by Jamie Miller. Those songs helped me sit with the disappointment instead of pretending I was fine.
Over time, I accepted that he wasn’t coming back. Now, when those songs come on, they don’t affect me the same way.”
“Feel Like Shit” by Tate McRae — Amina*, 26
The breakup happened because, in his words, ending things would be “better for me.” That explanation hurt more than I expected.
“Feel Like Shit” by Tate McRae captured exactly what I was going through.
Listening to it made me acknowledge that we weren’t working anymore. The song captured that exact stage of a relationship where everything starts to fade. The little things you used to do when you were both lovey-dovey just stop happening.”
“Y.A.G.I” album by Lil Kesh — Efosa*, 25
“Is It Because I Love You,’ and in fact, Lil Kesh’s entire Y.A.G.I album, saved me from the despair of heartbreak.
I was madly in love with this girl, but it was one-sided. When we broke up, it shattered my heart. After a while, I got so tired of crying all the time. I tried easing the pain with sad music from Adele and Taylor Swift, but it only made me feel worse.
One day, I put my music player on shuffle to hear something different and stumbled on Lil Kesh. For the first time in a while, I danced. I had tears in my eyes, but I still danced and sang along.
That moment changed how I dealt with heartbreak. Since then, I avoid sad music when I’m hurting. Instead, I listen to upbeat songs and dance until I feel better.”
“Soso” by Omah Lay — Ama*, 37
“In 2024, my then-girlfriend moved to the USA. We broke up a few months later because the distance was hard on us.
I thought I was going to chest it and move on, but my heart stayed broken. Omah Lay’s “Soso” was really helpful. It’s been on repeat because it is soothing. Listening to it helped me cope with the breakup. Over time, the pain became easier to handle.”
“Not The Girl” by Darey — Seyi*, 31
“We had been together for three years, and I was already planning to propose. In December 2023, she told me she was travelling home for the holidays. That same month, I saw her wedding photos on her WhatsApp status.
At first, I thought it was a prank. When I confronted her, she said her parents had arranged the marriage and she couldn’t refuse. I felt numb for weeks.
Darey’s “Not The Girl” really helped me survive that period. It helped me stay grounded while I dealt with the heartbreak.”
“Ye” by Burna Boy — Sadiq*, 31
“I lost my job during a company downsizing. They called five of us into a meeting room and handed us termination letters. I had rent to pay and younger siblings who depended on me.
The first few days after, I avoided people. I didn’t want to answer questions about work. One afternoon, I was sitting in my room when “Ye” by Burna Boy came on. I had heard it many times before, but that day, it sounded different. It reminded me that things could still change.
I started playing it every morning. It became part of my routine. I would wake up, play the song, and then start applying for jobs. It gave me structure during a period when everything else felt uncertain.
Three months later, I got another job. Even after that, I still played the song sometimes. It reminds me of that period and how I managed to get through it.”
“I Don’t Want to Love Somebody Else” by A Great Big World — Benson*, 30
“I didn’t want to let her go, even though I was the one who messed up. I apologised more than I ever thought I could in my life, and it still didn’t change anything. This song became a go-to because it put all my feelings into words and melody.
I even recorded a five-minute breakup freestyle that never got released. I don’t even know where that song is now.”
“You Say” by Lauren Daigle — Faith*, 25
“A long-overdue breakup in 2024 left me with a lot of heartache. During that time, I found comfort in “You Say” by Lauren Daigle. It’s a gospel song, and I connected deeply with its message.
Whenever I listened to it, I reminded myself that my worth isn’t tied to a person. If someone stops loving me, God still does.”
“A-OK” by Tai Verdes — Wisdom*, 24
At the beginning of 2020, I fell in love. During the pandemic, she ended things because of the distance between us. I was already dealing with depression, so the breakup really got to me.
I created a playlist called Good Music for Bad Days. It was a mix of songs from different genres that helped me stay afloat. My favourite tracks were “A-OK” by Tai Verdes and “Mama Told Me” by Mike Posner.
“A-OK” had a message I really needed: no matter what life throws at me, I’ll be okay. “Mama Told Me,” on the other hand, encouraged me to enjoy life and keep moving forward.
I also had songs like “Replay” by Tems, “Vaccine” by Moelogo, and “Feel It” by Dave on repeat. Together, they helped me accept that heartbreak is part of life, but it doesn’t have to derail everything else.
“Black Hole” by Griff — Aisha*, 22
“I was 19 when I found myself in an emotionally intense friendship. We both felt something more than friendship but never addressed it. The tension led to frequent arguments, and eventually, we stopped talking.
I struggled to talk about it with anyone else, so I kept everything to myself. Bottling up my feelings made me feel emotionally drained all the time. I created a playlist of sad break-up songs, including “Black Hole” by Griff, and some others to help me navigate my feelings.
Listening to those songs helped me through that period. They don’t hurt the same way anymore, but they still remind me of that time.
“Maybe” by Sienna Spiro — Foluke*, 19
“Late last year, the person I was in a situationship with ended things. He said he wanted to focus on himself and believed he performed better alone.
It hurt that he was so cold when he ended things with me. Instead of dwelling on it, I poured music into my ears to drown out the pain.
The song that helped me most was Sienna Spiro’s “Maybe”. It’s a song about not feeling bad for someone who didn’t feel bad when they hurt you. It helped me move forward.”
“Take a Bow” by Rihanna — Femi*, 26, M
“In 2023, I found out my ex cheated on me. I forgave her immediately because I was afraid of losing her. But things changed after that. I became insecure and suspicious. I had to break things off for my sanity.
During that time, I listened to “Take a Bow” by Rihanna repeatedly. It helped me process my emotions and accept the situation. Every night I got back from work, I’d blast it in my room and let myself feel everything. That heartbreak humbled me, but I’ve healed from it now.”
“Photograph” by Ed Sheeran— Ifunanya*, 26
“We had been friends since secondary school. We did everything together. People assumed we were sisters. The fight that ended our friendship started over something small, but it escalated quickly. Words were said that neither of us could take back.
A few weeks after we stopped talking, I was going through my gallery and saw old photos of us. Later that night, “Photograph” by Ed Sheeran came on while I was listening to music. I sat there and let it play while scrolling through those pictures.
I didn’t reach out to her, and she didn’t either. The song became something I listened to when I was thinking about that friendship and how it had ended.”
“Duduke” by Simi — Kemi*, 34
“I was three months pregnant when I lost the baby. It happened early in the morning. By afternoon, I was back home from the hospital, lying on my bed and staring at the ceiling.
A few days later, “Duduke” by Simi came on while I was listening to music. I had loved the song when it first came out, but after the miscarriage, it took on a different meaning. I listened to it and cried quietly. For weeks after, I avoided people. Sometimes, I would play the song and just sit there.
With time, I started feeling more like myself again. The grief didn’t disappear completely, but it became easier to carry. I still listen to the song occasionally. It’s a timeless record.”
“EZIOKWU” album by Odumodublvck — Zainab*, 24
“After leaving a toxic relationship in 2023, I couldn’t bring myself to listen to slow breakup songs. Instead, I looped Odumodublvck’s EZIOKWU album. I liked every track on it.
The energy and edge of the music made me feel powerful. They gave me an emotional boost and made me feel like a bad bitch, at a time when I still cared more than I wanted to admit.
“DOG EAT DOG” was my favourite. It became my comfort soundtrack and helped me push through until things finally started to get better.”
“Free Mind” by Tems — Rachael*, 29
Rachael talks about realising the imbalance in her past relationship and healing from the experience using music.
“My ex was affectionate and attentive, but he was never willing to compromise. I was the one always adjusting, understanding, and fighting for us. I thought that was just how relationships worked; one person holding it down when the other couldn’t.
When he finally ended things, he did it over text. I was exhausted and heartbroken. Breaking the habit of calling or texting him daily was harder than I expected.
I survived that period with Tems’ “Free Mind”. Listening to it helped me understand that wanting reciprocity didn’t make me crazy or demanding. I was just giving more than I was receiving.
The music helped me understand my emotions and move on.”
*Names have been changed to protect the identity of the subjects.
