Will Fenton
Jealousy is a subtle feeling and is often mistaken for affection. No, it’s not! Resentments are fierce and cloud the mind.
Jealousy stems from when your partner is suddenly attracted to someone else or, even so, involved with someone else.
We’ve compiled a list of some of the best songs about jealousy that will hopefully make you feel a bit better, if not, less lonely!
1. “Jealous” – Labrinth
Labrinth’s “Jealous” comes top of the list with his heartbreaking ballad released in 2014. He penned his emotions and resentment in this fitting, smooth, simple, and yet relatable masterpiece.
He talked of his gut-wrenching experience when one of his parents left them when he was still a child. You can imagine how the resentment morphed over time.
“Jealous” resonated with many and peaked at #7 on the U.K Singles Charts. The track also topped multiple charts in several other countries-France, Australia, Scotland, and Belgium.
2. “Jealousy” – Natalie Merchant
Natalie’s “Jealousy” is an amazing hit pop song. The debut was from her then-successful album Tigerlily. She shows her prowess in crafting a flawless jealous song, which is very relatable.
Natalie Merchant maps the mind of a scorned woman. She intrigues your thoughts with some of the catchiest lyrics about how the woman keeps wondering what her ex’s new girlfriend looks like.
“Jealousy” topped #5 on the Singles Billboard Top 40 Adult Recurrent Chart in 1996.
3. “Jealous Bone” – Patty Loveless
“Jealous Bone” is a 90s track recorded by Patty Loveless. Patty belts lyrics in her song about a guy who is jealous of everything. This song may be relatable if you tend to have insecurities.
The track solidified itself on the Billboard Hot Country Singles and Tracks chart for 19 weeks. Patty released the track in March 1992, and has since been perceived as giving a sensual vibe.
4. “Tell Me You Love” – Demi Lovato
Demi Lovato has always been renowned for her vocal prowess. Appearing fourth on our list, “Tell Me You Love Me” needs no introduction. The track was first performed in 2017 while recording her sixth album.
“Tell Me You Love Me” is metaphorical. Demi Lovato puts her poetic skills to the test by thinly veiling self-respect. She subtly uses various relationship metaphors to send a strong message.
This ballad takes you through Demi’s vulnerability and stresses her urge to have a relationship in her life (a better half). “Tell Me You Love Me” did well commercially and topped #40 in Canada and #20 in Panama.
5. “When It Was Me” – Paula De Anda
Heartbreaks can be messy, and it’s worse if your ex is moving on faster than you. DeAnda can’t help but pen her jealousy towards her ex-boyfriend’s new love.
The track’s lyrics are peppered with resentment and unspoken love. DeAnda wrote “When It Was Me” with the help of Ne-Yo. This ballad charted #25 on the Rhythmic Top 40 and reached #113 in the United States.
6. “Ring the Alarm” – Beyoncé
“Ring the Alarm” is a mid-tempo ballad released in 2006. Beyonce displays her ability to cut through the heart of her listeners with this veering jealousy song.
The song depicts a vulnerable woman who feels menaced and stuck as another woman is endlessly trying to improve her boyfriend’s life.
“Ring the Alarm” peaked at #1 on Billboard’s Dance Club Songs Chart.
7. “Treat You Better” – Shawn Mendes
Shawn Mendes has permanently cemented his role in pop culture with heartfelt tracks. This ballad’s chorus will leave you humming, ‘I know I can treat you better than he can.’
The track is a jealous song and about an abusive relationship, which also veils a blissful ignorant idyllic young love. “Treat You Better’s” video shows a couple’s falling out due to jealousy.
Shawn’s track won the Song of the Year at the Radio Disney Music Awards. He also received international acclamation for his masterpiece, which peaked at #6 and #7 on both the U.S. and Canadian Hot 100.
8. “Jealous” – Nick Jonas
It takes more than self-control when another person starts to lust on your partner. Nick Jonas portrays jealousy in this ballad when another guy eyes up his girl.
“Jealous” was warmly received among Nick’s fans around the globe. The single track peaked at #7 on the U.S Billboard Hot 100. The ballad pulled over three million copies in sales, which was the icing on the cake.
9. “Bad at Love” – Halsey
“Bad at Love” is a power-pop ballad by Halsey. The track is full of jealousy and distrust toward failed past relationships. Halsey’s track has since attracted dozens of covers, but none can beat the original version of this masterpiece.
Halsey’s flawless performance in the song’s video makes it a must-watch. She uncovers an endless list of her different lovers, and even so, she unearths what went wrong in those relationships.
The song has since established a cementitious resonance with her fans. The track performed beyond Halsey’s imagination and earned her Teen Choice Awards and iHeartRadio Much Music Video Awards.
10. “Mr. Brightside” – The Killers
Let’s face it! “Mr. Brightside” is a dance and disco banger. This jealousy ballad was the rock band’s first song penned and released.
‘Jealousy, turning saints into the sea’ is part of the song’s lyrics that pictures a jealous man towards his better half. The track has pulled over 400 million views on YouTube since its release in 2010.
If you have any resentment and want to feel less lonely, “Mr. Brightside” is ideal.
11. “Jessie’s Girl” – Rick Springfield
The tune portrays the unrequited love of a young man towards his best friends.
Rick and Jessie are best friends, but something has suddenly changed, and Rick wants Jessie’s girl. Such moments will have you at a crossroads, and eventually, you start feeling jealous.
“Jessie’s Girl” earned Rick a Grammy Award for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance. The track also featured on Billboards’ Hot 100.
12. “Jealousy Guy” – John Lennon
Jealousy is so natural and resides in every person. While its existence is undeniable, it may not always be a bad thing. John Lennon pours his heart out in this soft, relaxing, and fitting ballad.
The track holds a special place in John’s heart. He airs his failures as a lover and a husband. His loneliness and inadequacy propelled his urge to record this single in 1985.
The track’s strong message stamped well with John’s fans, and the track performed well. The single mid-tempo ballad peaked at #22 on the Hot Adult Contemporary Chart.
Moreover, the song snailed its way to #80 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1988, three years after its release.
13. “Hey Jealousy” – Gin Blossoms
Gin Blossoms addresses jealousy in this masterpiece head-on. The track portrays raging emotion, and Blossoms can’t seem to bottle any of it.
He calls out on jealousy repeatedly in the song’s lyrics, but it never responds. He is left desperate and unsatisfied.
Blossoms’ single, released in 1993, reached Top 40 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. Even years after its release, it is still relatable and sends a strong message on self-medication amidst depression.
14. “My Best Friend’s Girl” – The Cars
“My Best Friend’s Girl” is a piece of rockabilly music released by The Cars in 1978. Its pretty hurtful when your used-to-be significant other crosses the bridge and settles on a happily-ever-after with your best friend.
The Cars spill the lyrics with so much envy. The orchestra performance by the rock band is magnificent, and yes, Elliot Easton’s prowess with the guitar is fantastic.
The power pop ballad peaked at #35 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Chart. It has since performed well on YouTube and has close to one million views.
15. “Lounge Act” – Nirvana
Nirvana released this rock ballad in 1991, and it is a favorite Nevermind album song. ‘Truth Covered in security’ part of the song’s lyrics is a must-listen-to masterpiece.
Playing “Lounge Act” will prove to you how influential the song was in the ’90s.
“Lounge Act” reflects a melting heart in a relationship due to jealousy. The song is seasoned with a proper chord progression, groovy bass, and soft and hard moments.
Kurt Cobain’s voice cuts like a knife, showing how much of an incredible master he was during the vintage era.
16. “No One Else” – Weezer
This ballad is among the most relatable jealous songs of all time. Getting jealous in a relationship is never sinister. But when you feel it’s getting out of hand, “No One Else” is your go-to-listen song.
Weezer’s song reflects on a selfish, insecure lover. The track after the chorus, ‘The world has turned and left me”, is about a woman leaving him, and he goes about venting on his bad decisions for being over jealous.
“No One Else” is satirical and needs undivided attention to see through every line beyond its face value.
17. “Revenge” – Pink ft. Eminem
‘How I’ll get you, or how I’ll make you pay’ are part of the song’s smooth, relatable, and yet spiteful lyrics.
The duo delivered such an envious song, and Eminem’s part of the track sends a strong message about infidelity and jealousy.
The track composed by Pink, Eminem, Shellback, and Max Martin peaked at #1 on the U.S Billboard Hot 100 Singles in 2017.
18. “The Jam” – David Watts
Coming in at number eighteen, The Jam needs no introduction. The ballad is not quite punk, but it is punk-pop dressed up like mods. The song is painted with envy and reflects how David Watts is jealous.
The ballad has pulled all sorts of covers. However, none beat the original.
19. “Every Breath You Take” – The Police
“Every Breath You Take” by The Police is a jealous song that reflects how a stalker anticipates having a share of every breath their beloved one is taking.
Sadly, the stalker does this from afar. The measure of jealousy is then relatable from a stalker’s point of view.
The track is a new wave ballad released in 1983. It topped the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart, United Kingdom’s Singles chart, and Billboard Top Tracks Chart.
20. “You Belong With Me” – Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift has a good mastery of her craft and has released timeless hits, but none match “You Belong With Me.” Despite being an icon, she has faced a couple of heartbreaks throughout her life.
Taylor’s ballad portrays jealousy, self-entitlement, and unspoken love. “You Belong With Me” was an inspiration when Taylor eavesdropped on an argument between her friend and his girlfriend during a phone call.
Since its release in 2009, this country pop ballad has garnered over one billion views on YouTube, earning Taylor Swift international acclaim.
21. “My Name Is Not Susan” – Whitney Houston
This song is a staple for women whose husbands are fond of deception. Whitney gets jealous when her husband mistakes her name with one of her ex-girlfriends, ‘Susan.’ The tune speaks of infidelity.
Whitney Houston has a golden voice worth having on any playlist. She strikes a balance between the highs and lows throughout the song.
“My Name Is Not Susan” ranked on the Billboard Hot 100 at #67 and later at #20. Houston’s single received an exceptional reception and peaked at #8 on the Billboard R&B Singles Chart.
22. “You Can’t Do That” – The Beatles
The Beatles released this single in 1964. This ballad again shows how much of a terrific singer John Lennon is. The band’s vocals epitomize an envious guy repeated in the song’s lyrics, ‘I gotta let you down.’
The Beatles are meticulously edgy with the harmonies in the song, and unmistakably “You Can’t Do That” is a timeless sound.
The Beatles’ solidified the song’s theme of jealousy, and after years since its release, it is still a masterpiece.
23. “When I Was Your Man” – Bruno Mars
Insecurities in a relationship are so natural; on the contrary, they are a perfect recipe for some relationships. “When I Was Your Man” is a pop ballad from the Unorthodox Jukebox album in 2012.
Bruno Mars’s inspiration for this masterpiece was his worry about losing touch with his significant other. The ballad is a jealous song that mirrors a terrific heartbreak and resentment of losing your better half to another guy.
24. “That’s Him Over There” – Nina Simone
‘I see your face in this room full of faces, I’m trying hard not to stare’ is the opening verse to this artfully smooth, tender and heart veering masterpiece.
“That’s Him Over There” is the most fantastic jealousy song of the ’50s, thanks to Nina’s eager rock ballad groove. The tune is perfect for a lazy afternoon.
Nina belts the song’s lyrics passionately, sending a strong message about jealousy, foolishness, and love possession. The ballad appeared on the album anthology The Colpix Years in 1996.
25. “She’s Got You” – Patsy Cline
“She’s Got You” is an upbeat jazz-pop song with country overtones. The ballad is a 60’s fable-like tale recorded and released by the femme fatale Patsy in 1962.
The ballad reflects jealousy, love, and possessions. Patsy is the best vocalist of her era. It’s hard to pick a favorite, but “She’s Got You” might be ours. She sings lazily but with the strength to cut to the heart of a soulful connection between lovebirds.
Patsy’s tender ballad reached #3 on the Easy Listening Chart and #1 on the Hot C&W Sides Country Chart. The tune also reached #14 on the Billboard Hot 100.
26. “Gallery” – Mario Vazquez
“Gallery” is a cranky and tender ballad. Mario pours his heart into this masterpiece to show how much of a lyrical master he has always been. The sounds, arrangement, and vocal technique of the ballad are flawless. “Gallery” is an ageless hit.
The ballad reflects on jealousy as Mario pens his envy towards a girl with a significant other. ‘Tell me is the money worth your soul,’ ‘tell me what’s the reason that you hold on’ are parts of the song’s lyrics, and jealousy is momentously veiled.
The ballad reached #35 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #15 on the Billboard Pop 100.
27. “Send Them Off!” – Bastille
Halloween parties are massive and could be better with a “Send Them Off!” ballad. Bastille pens his sentiments in this masterpiece about jealousy. He hesitantly asks a creepy demon from the track to help him extort his emotions of jealousy.
“Send Them Off!” is just proving to be immortal, and its command towards Bastille’s fans is so compounding. The ballad resonated well with football fanatics and has become a staple during football video games (FIFA 2017).
28. “Who Is He? And What Is He To You?” – Bill Withers
Bill Withers is not only a terrific musician, but he is also a storyteller. He belts the lyrics tenderly and flawlessly. “Who Is He? And What Is He To You” is a repeated line in the ballad as Bill gets jealous that some other guy has taken over his lover.
Bill’s voice sends a chill down your spine, and his lyrical prowess echoes still to date. The ballad is still relatable to many of his fans and has over one million views on YouTube. And yes, the tune is funky, danceable, and profoundly heartfelt.
29. “In Your Shoes” – Beverly Knight ft. Chipmunk
It’s tragic to be in everyone’s business. Worry not! Beverly Knight has a masterpiece for you. ‘Get yourself a life and make it work’ is a stamped message from this ballad.
Beverly uses some of the happiest and catchiest tunes to subtly advise you to mind your own business instead of getting jealous of what somebody else does. The song’s video is a Top of the Pops spoof set in 1986, which mirrors the retro style of the ballad.
30. “London” – The Smiths
“London” is an upbeat, funky, sardonic, and triumphalist masterpiece. Well, the song is blistering and has subtle spiteful lyrics. The ballad is an absolute punk-influenced hand grenade of a track.
Morrissey, a member of the band, who is also a lyricist and a singer, seems to take a handful of things seriously. Despite his hate towards the Monarch, politics, and carnivores, Morrissey also hates big cities.
The ballad reflects jealousy. Since Morrissey hates London, he can’t stop but envy whoever travels to London.
31. “Possession Obsession” – Daryl Hall ft. John Oates
“Possession Obsession” is more of a riddle. John takes the lead in the song, and he receives a wonderful and soulful compliment from Daryl’s fantastic voice. Believe it or not, this masterpiece is such a stick of dynamite.
The duo edges the song’s harmonies to a smooth, tender, relaxing, and fitting tune. The ballad sends a strong message about jealousy and possessiveness.
Well, possession and obsession is not a staple for a relationship. In fact, when the two couple, they become repulsive. The ballad still commands a good audience and has over two million views on youtube.
32. “The Jealous Kind” – Joe Cocker
“The Jealous Kind” is an immortal track and cuts deep. Joe Cocker pours his soul out in this piece, which tells from the striking of the highs and lows.
Joe’s single is peppered with blues and reggae and was released in 1976. The original version of “The Jealous Kind” was plain and composed by Bobby Charles, not until Joe gave it life.
The ballad sends messages about fear, worrisome, and jealousy. Joe belts the lyrics poetically to reflect his degree of envy.
33. “Bring Me Some Water” – Melissa Etheridge
It’s always more than a mere sip of water. “Bring Me Some Water” starts on a low note and progressively peaks to a power country ballad.
Melissa’s track reflects how she considers herself jealous. Her level of envy in the ballad is similar to that when being burned alive. So consuming! It’s a perfect recipe for a lazy afternoon as she rocks your stereo with her raspy voice.
34. “Girl With One Eye” – Florence + The Machine
“Girl With One Eye” is a mid-tempo ballad. It’s stunning and relatable as one of the best jealousy songs of all time.
The ballad is crowded with bitterness and yet so hurtful. Nevertheless, it’s an adorable and pleasant track.
“Girl With One Eye” resonates with women who are brave to fight for their guys. ‘But now she sleeps with one eye open,’ ‘That’s the price she paid,’ part of the song’s lyrics reflects a jealous woman who constantly watches her partner.
The indie rock band crafted this heartfelt ballad, which earned them a spot at the Brit Awards for Best British Album in 2009. The track is a recipe for a rainy or gloomy day.
35. “Green Is The Colour” – Pink Floyd
‘Heavy hung the canopy of blue’ is the opening verse of this heartfelt ballad. Pink Floyd showcases their lyrical prowess relentlessly in this masterpiece, which connects with many contemporaries.
“Green Is The Color” is a simple and relaxing tune conveying a solid message about jealousy. The lyrics reflect on how jealousy can be bottled to bond the damned and the hopeful.
Songs About Jealousy – Final Thoughts
Need some jealousy songs to make you feel better? That’s our list!
Remember, all the songs on our list aren’t organized in any particular manner.
Choose what resonates with you and have a taste of some of the best songs about jealousy ever made.
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