10 Most Heartbreaking Rock Songs

Feature Photo AngryApathy, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Heartache and heartbreak are universal emotions, and no one escapes their grip. Throughout history, musicians have captured the raw, painful, and often transformative experience of a broken heart. As Billy Joel once famously sang, “If you break up with me tonight, there’ll still be music left to write.” It’s that very pain, the sting of loss and the weight of emotional suffering, that inspires some of the greatest songs ever recorded. Musicians thrive on translating their pain into influential art, and it’s from this agony that truly unforgettable music is born. With that in mind, we’ve gathered the 10 most heartbreaking rock songs—each one a reflection of heartache that strikes a chord deep within us all. Whether you’ve experienced it once or countless times, these songs remind us that, while heartache hurts, it also gives rise to extraordinary music.

# 10 – Heartbreaker – Pat Benatar

Kicking off our list of the 10 Most Heartbreaking Rock Songs is Heartbreaker by Pat Benatar, a powerful anthem from her debut studio album In the Heat of the Night (1979). Originally written by Geoff Gill and Cliff Wade, the song was first recorded by British singer Jenny Darren in 1978, but Benatar’s version would go on to become iconic. Benatar made subtle lyrical adjustments to better connect with American audiences, replacing references like “A to Zed” with more familiar expressions. Released as the second single from the album, Heartbreaker became Benatar’s breakout hit, reaching No. 23 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Read More: Top 10 Pat Benatar Songs

# 9 – How Can You Mend A Broken Heart – Bee Gees

The Bee Gees’ How Can You Mend a Broken Heart is the second song on our list of the 10 Most Heartbreaking Rock Songs. Released in 1971 as the lead single from their album Trafalgar, this ballad became the group’s first U.S. No. 1 hit, topping the Billboard Hot 100 for four weeks. Written by Barry and Robin Gibb during a period of reconciliation after the band’s brief breakup, the song reflects the emotional complexities of mending relationships, making it a poignant entry in their catalog. The success of the song, which also reached No. 1 in Cashbox magazine.

Read More: Top 10 Bee Gees 1970s Songs

# 8 – Bringin’ On The Heartbreak – Def Leppard

“Bringin’ On the Heartbreak” is the third song on our list of the 10 Most Heartbreaking Rock Songs, and it showcases Def Leppard’s ability to blend raw emotion with their signature hard rock sound. Released as the second single from their 1981 album High ‘n’ Dry, this power ballad was written by Steve Clark, Pete Willis, and Joe Elliott, and it quickly became one of the band’s most iconic tracks. Produced by legendary producer Robert John “Mutt” Lange, the song features a soaring melody and a heartfelt delivery, setting the standard for rock ballads in the early 1980s.

Read More: Top 10 Def Leppard Songs

# 7 – It’s A Heartache – Bonnie Tyler

“It’s a Heartache” by Bonnie Tyler is the fourth song on our list of the 10 Most Heartbreaking Rock Songs. Released in November 1977, this song became a worldwide hit, charting at No. 3 in the U.S., No. 4 in the U.K., and reaching the top of the charts in Australia, Canada, and several European countries. Written by Ronnie Scott and Steve Wolfe, the song was co-produced by David Mackay and recorded at The Factory Sound in Surrey, England. “It’s a Heartache” showcases Tyler’s husky voice, a result of a surgical procedure that left her with a distinctive rasp, which became an iconic feature of her vocal style. The song’s raw emotion and timeless appeal have led to its enduring popularity, with over six million copies sold worldwide.

Read More: Top 10 Bonnie Tyler Songs

# 6 – Never Be You – Maria Mckee

“Never Be You” by Maria McKee is the fifth song on our list of the 10 Most Heartbreaking Rock Songs. Written by Tom Petty and Benmont Tench, this deeply emotional track was first released in 1983 by McKee and featured on the Streets of Fire (1984) soundtrack. McKee’s raw and heartfelt rendition of the song adds a powerful sense of vulnerability, perfectly aligning with the heart-wrenching theme of unfulfilled love. While Rosanne Cash’s version of the song was initially recorded for the film but ultimately not used, McKee’s version captures a unique blend of rock and balladry, emphasizing the bittersweet nature of the song.

# 5 – Pain In My Heart – Otis Redding

“Pain in My Heart” by Otis Redding is the sixth song on our list of the 10 Most Heartbreaking Rock Songs. Released in 1964 as the title track of Redding’s debut album, the song captures the raw emotion and vulnerability that would come to define his legendary career. Written by Allen Toussaint under the pseudonym Naomi Neville, “Pain in My Heart” was one of the singles that helped establish Redding as a powerful voice in soul music. Backed by the stellar musicianship of the Stax house band, including Booker T. Jones on organ and Steve Cropper on guitar, the song exudes the passionate intensity that Redding poured into every performance.

# 4 – Bad Liver And A Broken Heart (In Lowell) -Tom Waits

“Bad Liver and a Broken Heart (In Lowell)” by Tom Waits continues our showcase of the 10 Most Heartbreaking Rock Songs. Featured on Waits’ Small Change album, released in 1976, this song exemplifies Waits’ raw, gritty style of storytelling, blending elements of blues, jazz, and rock into a deeply emotional narrative. The song, much like the rest of the Small Change album, explores themes of loss, heartache, and self-destruction. Recorded at Wally Heider’s Studio 3 in Hollywood, this track captures Waits at his most vulnerable, as he delves into the life of a man shattered by both physical and emotional pain.

# 3 – Hurt So Bad – Linda Ronstadt

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“Hurt So Bad” by Linda Ronstadt is the eighth song on our list of the 10 Most Heartbreaking Rock Songs. Originally a 1965 Top 10 hit for Little Anthony & The Imperials, the song was written by Teddy Randazzo, Bobby Weinstein, and Bobby Hart. Ronstadt’s 1980 cover, from her Mad Love album, became the most successful version of the song, reaching No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 9 on the Cash Box Top 100. Produced by Peter Asher and released under Asylum Records, Ronstadt’s rendition breathed new life into the classic ballad with her emotional delivery and a distinctive guitar solo by Danny Kortchmar. The song remains one of Ronstadt’s signature heartbreak anthems and her final Top 10 hit as a solo artist.

# 2 – Heartbreaker – Grand Funk Railroad

“Heartbreaker” by Grand Funk Railroad was featured on their debut album, On Time, released in 1969. This song is a quintessential expression of love lost and the emotional toll it takes. Written by the band’s lead vocalist and guitarist Mark Farner, “Heartbreaker” showcases the band’s signature hard rock sound, blending powerful guitar riffs with heartfelt lyrics about a relationship that ended in pain.

# 1 – Heartbreaker – Led Zeppelin

“Heartbreaker” by Led Zeppelin is the final entry on our list of the 10 Most Heartbreaking Rock Songs. Featured on the band’s 1969 album Led Zeppelin II, the song is one of the defining tracks of Led Zeppelin’s early years. Opening side two of the album, “Heartbreaker” is driven by Jimmy Page’s iconic guitar riff and showcases the band’s raw power. The track was recorded at A&R Recording and Atlantic Studios in New York City during their second North American tour and was engineered by Eddie Kramer. While it stands out for its heavy guitar work, it also conveys the emotional turmoil of betrayal and heartbreak, with lyrics reflecting the pain of unrequited love.