While many people fully embrace or are indifferent to Valentine’s Day, those who have gone through a recent breakup or who are cynical about love might hate it entirely. Forget songs about romantic love or hopeless yearning — here are some anti- Valentine’s Day songs that will validate anyone’s aversion to the holiday.
Olivia Rodrigo – “love is embarrassing”
Has a past relationship left you feeling done with romantic love in its entirety? Well, on “love is embarrassing,” Olivia Rodrigo sure seems to think that way. With an upbeat pop-rock approach and satirical charm, Rodrigo tackles how tiring romance can be, referring to pointless sacrifices made for “some weird second string loser who’s not worth mentioning.”
Like many of the songs on her sophomore album, “Guts,” Rodrigo maintains a sense of self-awareness, balancing the line between being dramatic but also comedic with tongue in cheek lyrics. With the song’s focus on the futility of love, it’s a compelling ode to the strengths of staying single and a worthy listen for those unenthused about Valentine’s Day this year.
Adrianne Lenker – “Vampire Empire”
Through a live performance on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” and social media circulation, “Vampire Empire” has become one of Big Thief’s most popular songs. It’s a densely illustrated track covering a relationship plagued by the narrator’s co-dependence and miscommunication with their partner.
While released as a single by the band in 2023 that provided bristling indie rock catharsis, their frontwoman Adrianne Lenker recorded a solo version for her 2024 album “Bright Future.” Her vision is a looser, jam-like composition with folk instrumentation. The intimate presentation and slightly altered lyrics arguably hit harder, especially with the repeated line: “In her vampire empire, I’m the fish and she’s my gills.” Clearly, nothing is working in this relationship, and those who have been in these situations know this isn’t the kind of love you want on Valentine’s Day.
The Beatles – “I’m Looking Through You”
If you go through The Beatles’ discography, the amount of optimistic love songs can feel never-ending, especially in their earlier albums. Their abundance, while tiring, helps make scathing cuts like “I’m Looking Through You,” written and sung by Paul McCartney for the 1965 album “Rubber Soul,” stand out even more.
The folk rock song is all about miscommunication and not seeing a partner in the same admirable light as before, with the conflict rooted in McCartney’s own experiences toward the end of his relationship with Jane Asher. At the end of the verses, McCartney’s vocals steer into an angered shout while aggressive guitar licks amplify the negativity, giving the sense that the relationship was never really worth it in the first place.
Taylor Swift – “All Too Well (10 Minute Version)”
While 10 minutes is a long runtime for a pop song, Taylor Swift perfectly paces her re-recorded version of “All Too Well” to keep any part from dragging. Verse after verse of imagery spanning reflection, idolization and bitterness moves the mountain of a song and its compelling narrative of a relationship’s beginning, end and aftermath along.
By weaving in and out of memories and contemporary contemplation, “All Too Well” transcends traditional breakup songs and dives into a deeper exploration of how this relationship impacted Swift. While she seems to end with some solace and appreciation for the relationship happening, even with its lows, the plethora of overwhelming emotions and feeling of dejection show that love isn’t always all it’s made out to be.
Chappell Roan – “The Subway”
Chappell Roan may have only released two songs in 2025, but they sure stuck, especially “The Subway.” Boasting a waterfall of jangle pop guitars, Roan sings elegantly about a past love that she keeps seeing, both literally and figuratively, throughout a city.
It’s a melancholic, post-breakup ballad that highlights how the downsides of love can linger after a relationship with frustrating effects. The way the bridge switches from the line, “She’s got a way,” to “She got away” shows Roan won’t be getting over this relationship anytime soon. What an annoying feeling.
Bob Dylan – “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright”
“Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright” is one of Bob Dylan’s more popular works, and for good reason. The track unfolds as a narrator addresses a woman soon after their relationship ends. Boasting an infectious fingerpicked guitar melody and soothing harmonica playing, the song remains comforting despite the somber acquiescence of parting ways.
Admittedly, the track is less cynical and negative about love than the others on this list. It’s mature and reflective; a tribute to the worth of moving on. Still, Dylan infuses a bit of that anti-love sentiment to close it off, applying both jab and bandage with the words: “You just kinda wasted my precious time / But don’t think twice, it’s all right.”