Dolly Parton – Jolene
Dolly Parton, a country music icon, is celebrated for her storytelling and emotional depth. Her signature song, “Jolene,” while often interpreted as a direct confrontation with a mistress, actually stems from a more nuanced situation. Parton penned this classic about a bank teller who caught the eye of her husband, Carl Dean. The name “Jolene” itself was inspired by a young fan Parton encountered. This track, which became her second solo No. 1 hit, explores feelings of insecurity and the fear of losing a partner to another woman’s allure, a common theme in songs about cheating, though in this case, the cheating hadn’t actually occurred.
Miranda Lambert – White Liar
Miranda Lambert, known for her fiery country anthems, delivers a direct and confrontational take on infidelity with “White Liar.” Released as the second single from her Revolution album in 2009, this song is a powerful accusation aimed at a cheating partner. The song’s music video, which won an ACM Award for Video of the Year, further emphasizes the theme of deception, depicting a bride eloping with the best man. Lambert’s raw and unapologetic delivery makes “White Liar” a standout track for anyone seeking a song that captures the anger and betrayal felt when discovering infidelity. An original handwritten lyric sheet of “White Liar” is preserved at Nashville’s Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, highlighting its cultural impact.
Eminem ft. Rihanna – Love The Way You Lie
Eminem, the rap superstar, teamed up with R&B icon Rihanna for “Love The Way You Lie” in 2010, a song that delves into the turbulent dynamics of a toxic relationship marked by abuse and, implicitly, infidelity. This massive hit, nominated for five Grammys, presents a duet that portrays the cyclical nature of conflict and destructive love. Interestingly, despite Eminem’s personal narratives often fueling speculation, “Love The Way You Lie” was penned by Skylar Grey, drawing from her own experiences within the music industry, adding another layer to the song’s themes of manipulation and betrayal which are often intertwined with cheating.
Eminem – Love The Way You Lie ft. Rihanna
Eminem and Rihanna performing 'Love The Way You Lie', a powerful duet that explores the volatile nature of relationships and the destructive patterns of love and betrayal.Trey Songz – Last Time
Trey Songz offers a different perspective on songs about cheating with his 2007 single, “Last Time.” This R&B track focuses on a man ending his affair to return to his primary relationship. The lyrics, “I’m livin’ two different lives / One girl in the day / You in the night,” candidly portray the double life often associated with infidelity. Peaking at No. 9 on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, “Last Time” provides a glimpse into the cheater’s decision-making process and the attempt to reconcile conflicting desires, a less frequently explored angle in songs about cheating, which often focus on the victim’s perspective.
Aaliyah – If Your Girl Only Knew
Aaliyah, the late R&B icon, delivered a powerful message of self-respect and boundaries with “If Your Girl Only Knew” from her 1996 album, One in a Million. Co-written by Missy Elliott and Timbaland, this song is a firm rejection of a man who is already committed to another woman. Reaching No. 21 on the UK Singles Chart, “If Your Girl Only Knew” became an anthem of female empowerment, asserting that a woman should not be a participant in infidelity. Erik Hassle, a Swedish singer-songwriter, released a gender-swapped version in 2016, demonstrating the song’s enduring relevance and message about relationship ethics.
Patsy Cline – Your Cheatin’ Heart
Patsy Cline, a legendary voice in country music, popularized “Your Cheatin’ Heart,” originally written and recorded by Hank Williams in 1952. While Cline’s album version is widely known, her cover gained further prominence on the soundtrack of her biopic, Sweet Dreams, showcasing a different arrangement with her iconic vocals. The song, penned by Williams about his first wife, is a poignant reflection on the emotional consequences of infidelity and the lingering pain it inflicts, a timeless theme in songs about cheating that resonates across generations.
Patsy Cline – Your Cheatin’ Heart (Audio) ft. The Jordanaires
Fleetwood Mac – Little Lies
Fleetwood Mac, the iconic rock band, delivered a softer, yet equally impactful song about deception with “Little Lies.” Written by Christine McVie and released in 1987, this track became Fleetwood Mac’s last top ten hit. “Little Lies” explores the bittersweet nature of fabricated affection and the eventual unraveling of trust when infidelity is masked by false words. Hilary Duff’s 2016 cover for her TV series, Younger, brought the song to a new audience, demonstrating its continued relevance in portraying the complexities of modern relationships and the subtle ways cheating can manifest.
Shania Twain – Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under?
Shania Twain, a crossover country-pop superstar, directly confronts infidelity with “Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under?” This single, from her second album, showcases Twain questioning a partner’s fidelity and suspecting multiple affairs. Despite the song’s accusatory lyrics about cheating, Twain co-wrote it with her then-husband, Mutt Lange. Certified Gold, this hit became a signature song for Twain, solidifying her image as a strong female voice addressing relationship issues with boldness and wit, a style that resonated with many listeners seeking empowering songs about cheating and standing up for oneself.
Shania Twain – Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under (Official Music Video)
Hank Williams – Your Cheatin’ Heart
Hank Williams’ original rendition of “Your Cheatin’ Heart” carries a deep personal weight. Written about his first wife while driving with a different fiancée, the song is steeped in irony and regret. Released posthumously in January 1953, just days after Williams’ death, it became one of his biggest hits and the title of his 1964 biopic. This song serves as a somber reflection on the cyclical nature of cheating and the enduring emotional scars it leaves, a poignant testament to the pain of infidelity from the perspective of someone who both inflicted and experienced it.
George Michael – Careless Whisper
George Michael’s “Careless Whisper,” a global sensation from 1984, was inspired by his teenage experiences with dating and the guilt associated with early romantic entanglements. As Michael explained, the song’s premise revolves around the fear of a first girlfriend discovering a second, even though it didn’t actually happen in his case. “Careless Whisper” captures the feeling of teenage guilt and the dawning realization of the emotional complexities of relationships and the potential for unintentional hurt, a more innocent yet still relevant take on the themes surrounding cheating and deception.
Carrie Underwood – Before He Cheats
Carrie Underwood, a country powerhouse, delivers a vengeful and cathartic anthem with “Before He Cheats.” This karaoke favorite details a woman’s dramatic reaction to discovering infidelity, famously including property damage to a cheating partner’s car. Becoming the first country song to sell over two million digital copies, “Before He Cheats” resonated with listeners seeking an outlet for anger and frustration after betrayal. While Underwood herself advises against property damage, the song taps into the raw emotions of rage and the desire for retribution that can accompany the discovery of cheating, making it a powerful, albeit exaggerated, expression of hurt.
Mya – Case Of The Ex (Whatcha Gonna Do)
Mya’s R&B hit “Case of the Ex (Whatcha Gonna Do)” from her 2000 album Fear of Flying, addresses the frustration of dealing with a partner who is still emotionally entangled with a former flame. While sung from Mya’s perspective, the lyrical concept originated from Traci Hale’s personal experience. The song embodies the frustration of a woman who “won’t tolerate her man returning to his ex-girlfriend,” highlighting the emotional insecurity and possessiveness that can arise in relationships when past connections linger, a subtle form of emotional infidelity explored in this track.
John Legend – She Don’t Have To Know
John Legend’s “She Don’t Have To Know,” released in 2004 and produced by will.i.am, presents a song about mutual infidelity, detailing two individuals cheating on their respective partners with each other. The song cleverly shifts perspectives, starting from the man’s viewpoint and then switching to the woman’s in the second verse. This dual perspective provides a balanced portrayal of the complexities and justifications that can occur in situations of mutual cheating, exploring the motivations and rationalizations of both parties involved in an affair.
Maroon 5 – Wake Up Call
Maroon 5, the pop-rock band, explores the immediate aftermath of discovering infidelity in “Wake Up Call,” a single from their 2007 album. The lyrics describe catching a partner in the act of cheating. The music video, directed by Jonas Åkerlund, visually amplifies this scenario, depicting lead singer Adam Levine confronting the infidelity and engaging in a physical altercation with the other man. “Wake Up Call” captures the raw shock, anger, and immediate chaotic response to witnessing infidelity firsthand, a visceral portrayal of the emotional turmoil that ensues.
Maroon 5 – Wake Up Call (Official Music Video)
Billy Paul – Me and Mrs. Jones
Billy Paul’s soulful 1972 hit, “Me and Mrs. Jones,” is a classic portrayal of an affair, explicitly depicting two people cheating on their spouses with each other. Reaching No. 1 in December 1972, the song’s popularity resurfaced with Michael Bublé’s 2007 version, which featured Emily Blunt. “Me and Mrs. Jones” is a candid and emotionally charged depiction of the secret rendezvous and forbidden love inherent in extramarital affairs, focusing on the illicit thrill and the clandestine nature of cheating.
Eagles – Lyin’ Eyes
The Eagles, the legendary rock band, crafted “Lyin’ Eyes” in 1975, inspired by an observation at a Los Angeles restaurant. Don Henley and Glenn Frey noticed women seemingly mismatched with their male companions, suggesting underlying infidelity. Winning a Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Performance and nominated for Record of the Year, “Lyin’ Eyes” tells the story of a woman trapped in a loveless marriage who seeks affection elsewhere. The song explores the motivations behind cheating, particularly the search for emotional fulfillment when a primary relationship lacks genuine connection, a common theme in songs about infidelity that examine the root causes of betrayal.
Sugarland feat. Taylor Swift – Babe
Sugarland, featuring Taylor Swift, released “Babe,” a song co-written by Swift and Train’s Patrick Monahan in 2012, detailing the devastating impact of a cheating partner on a relationship. Swift later released her solo version, “Babe (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault),” on her Red (Taylor’s Version) re-recording project. “Babe” focuses on the aftermath of infidelity and the irreversible damage it inflicts on trust and love, highlighting the pain and finality of betrayal in a relationship, a perspective often echoed in songs about cheating that deal with the consequences of broken trust.
Ariana Grande – One Last Time
Ariana Grande’s “One Last Time,” from her 2014 album My Everything, while ostensibly about wanting a final moment with an ex, takes a dramatic turn in its music video. Inspired by sci-fi themes and directed by Matt Landis, the video depicts a couple facing an apocalyptic comet strike. Although not explicitly about cheating in the lyrics, the video’s desperate plea for connection in the face of destruction can be interpreted as a metaphor for the lengths people go to salvage relationships, even after infidelity, or the desire for reconciliation in the face of impending loss, adding a layer of metaphorical interpretation to the theme of relationship crisis, which can be triggered by cheating.
Ariana Grande – One Last Time (Official Video)
Justin Timberlake – Cry Me a River
Justin Timberlake’s “Cry Me a River” is a song fueled by animosity towards a cheating ex-partner. Widely speculated to be about his breakup with Britney Spears, the music video further fueled this interpretation by featuring a blonde look-alike of Spears as the alleged cheater. “Cry Me a River” became a defining song of heartbreak and public breakup narratives, capturing the bitterness and public airing of grievances that can follow a high-profile relationship ending due to infidelity, setting a precedent for celebrity breakup songs addressing cheating accusations.
Loretta Lynn – You Ain’t Woman Enough
Loretta Lynn, a pioneering woman in country music, wrote and recorded “You Ain’t Woman Enough (To Take My Man)” after overhearing a conversation backstage. Inspired by a woman sharing her story of someone attempting to steal her husband, Lynn’s classic retort became the song’s title. “You Ain’t Woman Enough” is a defiant and assertive country anthem, directly addressing a potential “other woman” and asserting the strength and possessiveness of a woman protecting her relationship from infidelity, a powerful female perspective in songs about cheating that emphasizes self-worth and marital commitment.
Usher – Confessions Part II
Usher’s “Confessions Part II,” a 2004 continuation of “Confessions Part I,” delves into the narrative of a man’s infidelity resulting in a pregnant mistress. While “Part II” focuses on his attempts to reconcile with his current girlfriend, the lyrical content and timing, coinciding with his breakup with TLC’s Chilli, led to public speculation about the song’s autobiographical nature, which Usher later denied. “Confessions Part II” reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100, becoming the album’s third consecutive chart-topping single and illustrating the public’s fascination with celebrity relationships and the potential for real-life drama to mirror themes of infidelity in music.
Sam Smith – I’m Not The Only One
Sam Smith’s “I’m Not the Only One” addresses the pain and isolation of being cheated on. Released in 2014, Smith aimed for a “classic” and “long-lasting” song that resonated emotionally. “I’m Not the Only One” is a soulful ballad that captures the quiet devastation and loneliness of discovering a partner’s infidelity, emphasizing the shared experience of heartbreak and the realization that one is not alone in facing betrayal, a comforting message within songs about cheating that often focus on individual pain.
Sam Smith – I’m Not The Only One (Official Music Video)
Robyn – Call Your Girlfriend
Robyn’s “Call Your Girlfriend,” from her 2010 album Body Talk, offers a unique and empathetic perspective on infidelity. The song is sung from the viewpoint of a woman who wants a man to end his current relationship to be with her, but advises him to break up with his girlfriend gently and respectfully. Nominated for a Grammy for Best Dance Recording in 2012, “Call Your Girlfriend” is a surprisingly considerate take on being “the other woman,” urging for ethical behavior even within a situation of romantic pursuit and potential relationship upheaval, offering a nuanced perspective within songs about cheating that often lack such complexity.
P!nk feat. Eminem – Revenge
P!nk collaborated with Eminem on “Revenge” in 2017, a track co-written with Max Martin and Shellback. Released as the second single from her album Beautiful Trauma, “Revenge” is described by P!nk as a “funny song” about a toxic relationship. While the title suggests a darker theme, P!nk emphasizes the song’s lighthearted and humorous approach to dealing with relationship conflict, potentially including infidelity, offering a more comedic and less dramatic take on the subject matter compared to other songs about cheating that often dwell on pain and anger.
Alanis Morissette – You Oughta Know
Alanis Morissette’s “You Oughta Know,” a defining anthem of the 90s, is an intensely raw and unforgettable song about betrayal. Released in 1995 when Morissette was 21, the lead single from Jagged Little Pill is widely believed to be about Full House actor Dave Coulier, though the subject remains unconfirmed. “You Oughta Know” became an iconic expression of female rage and post-breakup bitterness, setting a new standard for emotionally charged songs about cheating and female empowerment in the alternative rock scene, paving the way for future artists to express raw and unfiltered emotions in their music.
TLC – Creep
TLC’s 1994 hit “Creep” was written by Dallas Austin about T-Boz’s personal experience with infidelity, specifically women who cheat to gain attention within their primary relationships. Despite the song’s subject matter, Left Eye initially resisted appearing in the music video but eventually participated. “Creep” reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100, becoming an anthem of female agency and exploring the complex motivations behind infidelity, even from the perspective of the one cheating, adding a layer of psychological depth to songs about cheating that often focus on the victim’s experience.
Amy Winehouse – Between the Cheats
Amy Winehouse’s “Between the Cheats,” recorded in 2008, was intended for her unreleased third album but was included on the posthumous compilation Lioness: Hidden Treasures. Producer Salaam Remi described the song as being “about her marriage where there was cheating going on.” “Between the Cheats” reflects the tumultuous nature of Winehouse’s personal life and her ability to channel personal pain into soulful and evocative music, offering a glimpse into the raw emotions and relationship struggles that defined her artistry, and adding to the canon of songs about cheating that are deeply personal and autobiographical.
Between The Cheats
Blu Cantrell – Hit Em Up Style
Blu Cantrell’s debut single, “Hit ‘Em Up Style (Oops!),” released in 2001, remains her biggest hit. The R&B track centers on women seeking financial retribution from cheating men. Sampling Frank Sinatra’s “Boys’ Night Out,” the song offers a humorous and empowering take on revenge after infidelity, suggesting financial exploitation as a form of payback, a unique and commercially successful approach to songs about cheating that blends humor with a message of female empowerment and financial independence.
Whitney Houston – It’s Not Right, But It’s Okay
Whitney Houston, the vocal legend, released “It’s Not Right but It’s Okay” in 1999, a song about a woman confronting her partner about cheating and ultimately choosing self-respect and moving on. Houston won a Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for this track in 2000. “It’s Not Right but It’s Okay” became an anthem of female empowerment and resilience, emphasizing self-worth and the decision to leave a relationship marred by infidelity, a powerful message of strength and independence within songs about cheating that focus on moving forward after betrayal.
Marvin Gaye – Heard It Through the Grapevine
Marvin Gaye’s iconic rendition of “Heard It Through the Grapevine,” originally written for Motown Records in 1966, became a defining song about rumors and suspicion of infidelity. Despite versions by The Miracles and Gladys Knight & the Pips, Gaye’s version, released as a single in 1968, topped Billboard’s Pop Singles chart and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998. “Heard It Through the Grapevine” captures the agonizing uncertainty and emotional turmoil of suspecting infidelity based on hearsay and indirect information, a timeless portrayal of relationship anxiety and the corrosive nature of suspicion, a theme present in many songs about cheating that explore the psychological impact of doubt and uncertainty.
Marvin Gaye – I Heard It Through The Grapevine (Lyric Video)
Panic! at the Disco – I Write Sins Not Tragedies
Panic! at the Disco’s biggest hit, “I Write Sins Not Tragedies,” from their 2005 debut album A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out, details a groom discovering his bride-to-be is cheating on their wedding day. The music video, featuring a circus-themed wedding, won Video of the Year at the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards. “I Write Sins Not Tragedies” blends emo-pop with theatrical flair to depict the dramatic and public humiliation of discovering infidelity at such a pivotal moment, offering a visually and musically memorable take on songs about cheating that amplify the shock and public spectacle of betrayal.
Did we miss your favorite song about cheating? Share your additions in the comments below!
