My 10 Songs for Rage-Crying

Have you ever had a good rage cray?

Stay with me here. We all get angry sometimes. We all get sad sometimes. And every so often, we feel both at once. It’s the perfect storm of emotions that must, MUST be let out for the sake of our sanity and that of everyone around us. It’s in moments like these I turn to my list of preferred songs to rage-cry to — these songs were made for screaming through your sobs at the top of your lungs until you’re all screamed and cried out.

To get your own rage-crying playlist started, here are 10 of my personal favorites:

“You Oughta Know”, Alanis Morissette (1995)

Nobody does lady rage like Alanis. This song is everything I wish I could have said to all my exes way back when. But now, it’s perfect for getting out any aggression when someone gets on my nerves.

Best Lyric: And every time I scratch my nails / Down someone else’s back I hope you feel it

“Gives You Hell,” The All-American Rejects (2008)

This song from an aughts rock favorite is for all the people you wish well, but not really. It’s like if the expression “Bless your heart” was a song — and I think you know exactly which version of that phrase I mean.

Best Lyric: When you hear this song, I hope that it will give you hell (hope it gives you hell) / You can sing along, I hope that it puts you through hell

“So What,” P!nk (2008)

When it comes to the song equivalent of flipping someone the bird (with tears in your eyes), you can’t do much better than P!nk. And this song will definitely give your ego the boost it needs by the end.

Best Lyric: I got a brand new attitude / And I’m gonna wear it tonight

“Spiderwebs,” No Doubt (1995)

This album truly was a Magic Kingdom, with Gwen Stefani as our queen of cool and comebacks. If you’ve ever wanted to tell someone to leave you alone because they’re driving you insane, this is your tune. Now if only I had a flip phone to slam shut…

Best Lyric: My dreams become nightmares / ‘Cause you’re ringing in my ears.

“Chandelier,” Sia (2014)

We’re all a mess sometimes, and that’s OK. When you need to pretend it’s all fine, try belting out this powerhouse of a song from the Australian singer-songwriter who was covering her face long before any of us.

Best Lyric: I’m gonna fly like a bird through the night / Feel my tears as they dry

“I’m Not Okay,” My Chemical Romance (2004)

The name really says it all here. This emotastic rock hit helps you spell it out when they’re just not getting the hint. Best performed with black eyeliner running down your cheeks and hair that has been flat ironed within an inch of its life.

Best Lyric: I held you close as we both shook / For the last time, take a good hard look

“Vindicated,” Dashboard Confessional (2004)

Now, if you’re the one who messed up and all those apologies just aren’t cutting it, grab the tissue box and turn this track way up. Still not sure why it was on the Spider-Man 2 soundtrack, but it works.

Best Lyric: I am flawed / But I am cleaning up so well / I am seeing in me now the things you swore you saw yourself

“Stronger,” Britney Spears (2000)

I think we’ve all learned to appreciate the rage simmering behind Britney’s shiny exterior as the princess of pop. And now that she’s free, we can add this independent woman anthem to the list — bonus points for mastering the chair choreography.

Best Lyric: Here I go, on my own / I don’t need nobody, better off alone

“Before He Cheats,” Carrie Underwood (2005)

I swear I’m in a happy faithful marriage, but this song helps me feel all the feels. And trust, if it weren’t so I’d be cranking this song while carving my name into his leather seats.

Best Lyric: I dug my key into the side of his pretty little souped-up four-wheel drive / Carved my name into his leather seats

“My Life Would Suck Without You,” Kelly Clarkson (2009)

Kelly Clarkson is celebrated in our house. This one gets the blood pumping and screaming the words is downright therapeutic. It’s one of my all-time favorite songs to scream in the car.