Taylor Swift's new album is rife with breakup songs. Psychologists explain why we love them

"Sadness is not exclusive to breakups," Galligher said. "Sometimes it can be helpful to listen to a song that is ostensibly about a breakup, but it helps you tap into something inside of you that knows sadness."

She recalled a time that Adele's "Someone Like You" came on the radio as she was driving to a memorial service.

"I was in a perfectly functional relationship, very happily coupled, and I found myself tapping into the song's sadness and grief related to the loss of my friend," she said. "It was really helpful to be able to access those emotions."

When a breakup is fresh and the pain is raw, a song can serve as "a virtual empathetic friend" by affirming and validating a listener's emotions, helping them process their feelings, and reminding them they're not alone, Thompson said.

"The advantage is that you won't get unwanted advice," he said. "Music is just there for you and supportive."

Thagard agreed: "There's no judgment coming from a song." (Unless you're one of the unlucky men who has broken Swift's heart.)

In addition, binging on breakup songs can be part of "a habituation process" that reduces the intensity of feelings associated with a romantic split, Sbarra said. Some people may find that necessary before they're ready to talk about their breakup with another person.

"Sometimes folks need to spend a little time reflecting on their own feelings," Galligher said. "Having a little bit of solitude to be introspective can be really beneficial, and then you seek the connection with others."

Yet for all that breakup songs have to offer, it's still possible to have too much of a good thing. Studies have found that listening to sad music can make sad people feel even sadder by prompting them them to dwell on their sadness.

"You do have to take your temperature about whether this is ultimately helping you or hurting you," Sbarra said.

That said, listening to breakup songs can be a healthy way of distancing oneself from a painful event.

"It's not you," he said. "It's Taylor Swift."