Most songs about being single on this list are about a woman reclaiming her independence after a breakup or simply enjoying life on her terms. A few are also about men moving on with their lives as singles.
We hope you enjoy these songs with being single as a topic.
“Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” by Beyoncé
Song Year: 2008
This Beyoncé song from her third album, I Am . . . Sasha Fierce, won her three Grammy Awards and achieved Quadruple Platinum status according to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
The black-and-white video of Beyoncé and other women dancing was iconic and won several video awards. “Single Ladies” became the anthem of single women everywhere, especially those who thought their exes should have “put a ring on it.”
“Stronger” by Britney Spears
Song Year: 2000
Songs about being single often cover a breakup and its aftermath. In this song, Spears sings that she’s over it and getting stronger every day since she left her boyfriend.
This funky tune didn’t hit the top ten like many of her songs, but it became a favorite of women who got out of bad relationships and realized how much better they felt.
“Here’s a Quarter (Call Someone Who Cares)” by Travis Tritt
Song Year: 1991
In one of the few songs about being single by men on this list, Travis Tritt deals with his ex wanting to return because she’s missing him.
The chorus about calling someone who cares became popular with anyone who ever dealt with an ex who didn’t know what they had until it was gone.
The song hit #2 on the country chart, resulting in fans tossing quarters on stage when he performed the song.
“Independent Women, Pt. 1” by Destiny’s Child
Song Year: 2001
In one of the many songs with being single as a theme, this tune by Destiny’s Child asserts that independent women don’t need to rely on a man.
The feminist lyrics about making your own money and buying gifts for yourself helped make the song a hit for this trio that achieved over sixty million album sales and over a dozen Grammy nominations.
“22” by Taylor Swift
Song Year: 2012
This Taylor Swift hit is about being single, but more than that, it’s about being young and carefree.
It also promises that things will turn out okay if we stay in the mindset of being 22 and remember how much promise life held at that age, no matter our age or how tough life gets.
“Ridin’ Solo” by Jason Derulo
Song Year: 2010
Pop and R&B artist Jason Derulo scored a top-ten hit on US and UK singles charts with this catchy song about going solo after a breakup.
Anyone recently single might enjoy how happy he sounds, singing about moving on and planning to have fun being on his own.
“I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor
Song Year: 1978
Among the songs about being single, this disco hit stands as an anthem for anyone recovering from a breakup. The song hit #1 in the US, sold over a million copies, and became Gaynor’s signature song.
The tune stands for female empowerment and how women can survive just fine without men.
“Bartender” by Lady Antebellum
Song Year: 2014
Broken hearts are a frequent theme in songs about being single. In this one, the heartbroken singer tries to drink away her pain over an ex while out with friends.
It’s not a sad song or about trying to find another man. Instead, it’s about moving on and doing what’s needed to embrace being single again.
“Best Days of Your Life” by Kellie Pickler
Song Year: 2008
According to Pickler, she wrote this song with Taylor Swift about one of Pickler’s more difficult breakups. Swift regularly has hit songs about her exes, so the two of them collaborating on the song ensured it would be popular.
She calls the song her “kiss-off” song because it’s her singing about how the best days of her ex-boyfriend’s life are behind him now that she’s gone.
“You Can’t Hurry Love” by The Supremes
Song Year: 1966
Waiting for love is never easy, and in this #1 US hit that made charts around the world, the singer’s mother explains that “you can’t hurry, love” even though the singer is eager to find someone.
This song was one of the hits that made The Supremes Motown Records’ most popular act and led them to become the first of only five girl groups in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
“Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” by Kelly Clarkson
Song Year: 2011
“Stronger” was Kelly Clarkson’s third #1 hit on Billboard‘s Hot 100 and a song that topped a whopping 15 other Billboard charts like Adult Pop Songs and Hot Dance Club Songs.
The song earned a Grammy nomination and became one of her most popular anthems about being stronger alone and not letting yourself fall apart after a breakup.
“Sorry Not Sorry” by Demi Lovato
Song Year: 2018
Though this is one of the songs about being single that didn’t hit #1 on the US charts, it still became a Quintuple Platinum seller in the US. It peaked at #6 on the Billboard chart and became popular internationally, earning Platinum or higher designations in six other countries.
Lovato sings to exes, enemies, and haters that she’s not sorry for being successful and in a good place in her life.
“What the Hell” by Avril Lavigne
Song Year: 2011
In this song, Lavigne sings to someone who wants her to stay with him. Instead of committing to the relationship, she won’t be pinned down with one person and decides to enjoy the single life instead.
This tune is a great anthem for playing the field and having fun instead of rushing to be in a monogamous relationship.
“7 Rings” by Ariana Grande
Song Year: 2019
“7 Rings” uses the melody from “My Favorite Things,” a song from the 1959 film The Sound of Music.
In this girl-power anthem, Grande sings about her favorite things, like earning her own money, buying things for herself and her friends, and not planning on being a “Mrs.” anytime soon.
Grande’s female empowerment song was her second #1 hit and became one of the best-selling downloads in the history of digital music, with 5.25 million sales by mid-2020.
“Roar” by Katy Perry
Song Year: 2013
Katy Perry released several songs that could be anthems for feminism and for anyone being all they can be, male or female. “Roar” became one of her most famous songs five years after she first hit the charts with “I Kissed a Girl.”
You can interpret the lyrics as about a man holding her down that she’s freed herself from by being single. It’s also about a woman tired of being oppressed in various ways and finding her power.
“Love Myself” by Hailee Steinfeld
Song Year: 2015
Golden Globe winner Hailee Steinfeld starred in hits like 2018’s Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Pitch Perfect, and the Disney+ and Marvel series Hawkeye.
This song about loving herself instead of regretting being single became a hit for her after she’d already had a breakout film role in True Grit in 2010 that earned an Oscar nomination.
The song is about having the confidence to be on your own.
“Woman” by Kesha
Song Year: 2017
Despite the song containing a word that can’t air on the radio, this strong-woman anthem by Kesha hit #1 on the Dance Club Songs chart and sold half a million copies by the end of 2018.
The song’s about being a woman and having fun with girlfriends while staying financially and emotionally independent from men.
“When It Rains It Pours” by Luke Combs
Song Year: 2017
This Luke Combs hit is one of the fun songs about being single that asserts life is better after a breakup.
In this song from his debut album, he does the things his ex thought were stupid, like buying a lottery ticket that wins him $100. She wants him to take her back when she hears his song on the radio, but he’s happy being single.
“Hero” by Mariah Carey
Song Year: 1993
Mariah Carey has a five-octave range and five #1 hits from her debut album alone. She was already a star when she released this song, but it helped cement her as one of the golden voices of pop.
The #1 hit is about being your own hero and taking care of yourself without needing to be in a relationship or have someone take care of your problems.
“Cinderella” by Play
Song Year: 2001
Young pop group Play was the first to record this song that became a hit when it appeared in the Disney Channel film The Cheetah Girls in 2003.
The theme is about girls being young and capable of handling their own lives, ready to rescue themselves, unlike fairy tale princesses like Cinderella.
“Since U Been Gone” by Kelly Clarkson
Song Year: 2004
Kelly Clarkson became a famous singer after winning American Idol‘s season one competition in 2002. This song about how her single life is better after her boyfriend left was an instant hit.
“Since U Been Gone” is one of the songs about being single that helps you heal after a breakup by pointing out the improvements that can come with being alone.
“So What” by Pink
Song Year: 2008
The song starts with Pink singing about losing her husband and deciding to drink and have fun. This track is one of the songs with single life shown as positive as she wonders “so what?” about him being gone.
She has fun and forgets about him in this catchy pop song.
“Single” by Natasha Bedingfield
Song Year: 2004
This Natasha Bedingfield tune appeared on Unwritten, her debut album, with several other songs about being single. It’s about female independence, not needing to be in a relationship to be happy, and enjoying the single life.
The title track from the album, “Unwritten,” about the potential of the future, earned a Grammy nomination and became her biggest hit.
“I Don’t Need a Man” by The Pussycat Dolls
Song Year: 2005
This group’s song about girl power, “I Don’t Need a Man,” came from The Pussycat Dolls’ fifth album and was their fifth top-ten song in the UK.
The singer points out that she likes being free, that she’s over her ex-boyfriend, and that she doesn’t need a wedding ring to feel complete.
“Me Too” by Meghan Trainor
Song Year: 2016
“Me Too” is another popular anthem among songs with being single as the focus and putting yourself first.
When Meghan sees someone sexy, she realizes it’s her reflection in the mirror. She’s got a gold necklace, an entourage, and a party lifestyle that she loves as much as she loves herself.
“Somebody That I Used To Know” by Gotye
Song Year: 2011
This song is one of the sadder songs about being single on this list. It’s still uplifting because, while it’s about the aftermath of a breakup and an ex ghosting the singer, it ends positively.
The singer goes from pain at their ex treating them like a mere acquaintance to realizing it’s okay and they’ll be fine.
“Single Again” by Trina
Song Year: 2008
Hip-hop artist Trina released this song as the first single from her fourth album. She’s one of the earliest female rappers to achieve success.
This song is about being single again and not needing a man to give her a diamond ring because she can buy them herself.
Top Songs About Being Single, Final Thoughts
Songs about being single can be slow, sad ballads about hardships and tears. But more often, they’re upbeat and enthusiastic, with some hits by female singers becoming anthems for women who are proud to be independent and strong.
Whether you enjoy the more easygoing songs with being single as the theme or the driving tunes that celebrate singledom, we hope you found some favorites on this list.