22 Songs About Betrayal, from Back Stabbers to Traitor

What is the best song about betrayal?

"Back Stabbers" by The O'Jays is the classic song about betrayal by people who smile to your face. "Before He Cheats" by Carrie Underwood is the favorite revenge anthem, and "Traitor" by Olivia Rodrigo is the modern song about being betrayed by someone you trusted.

Classic songs about lies and cheating

1. "Your Cheatin' Heart", Hank Williams: the 1952 country classic about a cheating partner.
2. "Liar, Liar", The Castaways: a garage rock hit from 1965.
3. "Lies", The Knickerbockers: a 1965 song often mistaken for The Beatles.
4. "I Heard It Through the Grapevine", Marvin Gaye: finding out from someone else.
5. "Jolene", Dolly Parton: begging a rival not to take her man.
6. "Lyin' Eyes", Eagles: a story of a woman living a lie.
7. "Little Lies", Fleetwood Mac: wishing for the comfort of a lie.

Songs about fake friends

8. "Back Stabbers", The O'Jays: friends who smile while they plot.
9. "Smiling Faces Sometimes", The Undisputed Truth: a warning about false smiles.
10. "Bad Blood", Taylor Swift: a friendship turned into a feud.
11. "Judas", Lady Gaga: falling for the one who betrays you.

Pop and rock songs about betrayal

12. "You Oughta Know", Alanis Morissette: the angriest breakup song of the 90s.
13. "Cry Me a River", Justin Timberlake: a cold goodbye to a cheater.
14. "Look What You Made Me Do", Taylor Swift: a dark comeback after betrayal.
15. "Traitor", Olivia Rodrigo: heartbreak over a promise that was not technically broken.
16. "Hold Up", Beyoncé: a song about infidelity from Lemonade.
17. "It Wasn't Me", Shaggy: the funny side of getting caught.

Country songs about cheating and lies

18. "Before He Cheats", Carrie Underwood: the ultimate revenge anthem.
19. "Should've Said No", Taylor Swift: an early country song about a cheating boyfriend.
20. "Kerosene", Miranda Lambert: done with love after being betrayed.
21. "Who's Cheatin' Who", Alan Jackson: a cheating story with a twist.
22. "Blame It on Your Heart", Patty Loveless: a fast, sharp kiss-off.

Why are there so many songs about betrayal?

Betrayal is one of the strongest feelings a person can have: anger, sadness and disbelief all at once. Songwriters turn it into music because singing about it helps, and listeners who have been through the same thing feel understood. Some of these songs are angry, some are heartbroken and a few, like "It Wasn't Me", find the humor in it.

The story behind Back Stabbers

"Back Stabbers" was written by Gene McFadden, John Whitehead and Leon Huff and released by The O'Jays in 1972. Its warning about people who smile to your face while working against you made it one of the defining songs of the Philadelphia soul sound, and it is still the first song many people think of when a friend turns on them.

Revenge songs and songs about karma

Some betrayal songs skip the tears and go straight to payback. "Before He Cheats" and "Kerosene" are the famous country examples, "You Oughta Know" is the rock version and "Look What You Made Me Do" turns betrayal into a dramatic reinvention. They are best enjoyed loud, in the car, with a friend singing along, and they are a much better outlet than any text you might regret sending.

Songs about lying

Many betrayal songs are really about lies: "Liar, Liar", "Lies", "Lyin' Eyes" and "Little Lies" each look at dishonesty from a different angle, from playful to painful. "Little Lies" is unusual because the singer asks to be lied to, preferring a comforting lie to a painful truth.

Songs for getting over betrayal

After the anger, most people need songs about moving forward. "Kerosene" and "Before He Cheats" are for the angry stage, while the songs on our songs about moving on list help with the next chapter. If you are ready to forgive, see our songs about second chances, and for every other kind of breakup, our songs about exes.

Songs about betrayal by a friend

Losing a friend to betrayal can hurt as much as a breakup. "Back Stabbers", "Smiling Faces Sometimes" and "Bad Blood" are about friendships that went wrong. For a friend who has been there for you through it all, a song of thanks can mean even more after a hard time. Rebuilding trust takes time, and it is fine to keep a few of these songs on repeat while you do.

Songs about betrayal for a breakup playlist

For a breakup playlist, start with the sad songs, move to the angry ones and finish with something hopeful. A friend going through a betrayal might appreciate the playlist more than any advice. See our guide to a gift for a friend going through a breakup and our sad songs.

A song for the friend who stayed loyal

After a betrayal, the people who stayed matter more than ever. A personalized song can thank the friend, sibling or partner who stood by you, with their name in the chorus and the moments they showed up for you in the verses.

How to create a personalized song

1. Choose a style from 14 genres: pop, country, rock and more.
2. Add their name.
3. Share three moments when they were there for you.
4. Review the lyrics and edit or regenerate them for free before any music is made.
5. Listen to 4 free 45-second previews and choose your favorite.

The full 3 to 4 minute song costs $24.99, or $29.99 for Premium with four full versions and editable lyrics. You get the MP3, a gift page and the lyrics as a PDF.

Thank the people who stayed: create a song and hear four previews for free.