20 Best Songs About Divorce

Eddy Villa

Divorce is one of the most difficult things anyone can go through.

It’s not just a matter of splitting up the property, dividing the assets and child custody agreements.

Divorce has an emotional component to it that makes it unique from any other type of loss or change in life.

And as if divorce itself weren’t hard enough on your emotions, there are also songs about how tough it is to be divorced.

These songs provide comfort for those going through this difficult time, either because they have experienced divorce themselves or because they know someone who has gone through a similar experience.

Here are 20 best songs about divorce:

By the way, if you’re looking for more songs about divorce, you might find some good songs in our other articles, such as songs about electricity, and songs about leaves.

Take It On The Run – REO Speedwagon

REO Speedwagon - Take It On the Run (Official Audio)

Take It On The Run is a song by the rock band REO Speedwagon.

Released in 1981, the song was written by Kevin Cronin about his parents’ divorce.

The song is about the pain and heartache that comes with divorce.

Its lyrics are about how a person might feel isolated from the world during such a time, and how they need to find somewhere to turn.

Many songs have been written about divorce, but this song makes it into the top 20 because of its raw emotion.

We Just Disagree – Dave Mason

Dave Mason - We Just Disagree (Audio)

We Just Disagree is a song by Dave Mason.

The song was released in 1970 as the lead single from his album of the same name.

The song reached number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

The song is about a couple that is breaking up, and the man is trying to convince the woman to stay with him.

He tells her that they just disagree about things and that they can work it out.

However, the woman has already made up her mind and is leaving him.

One Less Bell to Answer – The 5th Dimension

The 5th Dimension - One Less Bell To Answer (Official Audio)

One Less Bell to Answer is a song about a woman who is coping with the death of her husband.

She sings about how much easier her life is now that he is gone and how she doesn’t have to worry about him anymore.

This song could be interpreted as being about divorce, as it portrays the relief that can come from leaving a difficult relationship. 

Its lyrics are about how any argument or disagreement can make a couple stronger, but sometimes it is better to break up and move on.

The Winner Takes It All – ABBA

ABBA - The Winner Takes It All

This classic song by ABBA is about the dissolution of a long-term relationship, with one party asking to take control of their life.

The title is an important reminder not to let your pride get in the way when it comes to divorce, even if you are right.

Its lyrics are about people who are so “used to being together” that they sometimes forget how much it hurts to be apart.

This song is about finding the strength within yourself to pick up the pieces and move forward after a divorce.

Many songs have been written about divorce, but none as well as this song.

Highway 20 Ride – Zac Brown Band

Zac Brown Band - Highway 20 Ride (Official Music Video)

Highway 20 Ride by Zac Brown Band is a song about a father who is going through a divorce.

The father is trying to stay strong for his children, but he’s struggling.

The song is an emotional portrayal of the struggles that divorced parents face.

Its lyrics are about moving on in hope instead of despair.

Many songs about divorce feature this theme. Some people believe that divorce is a betrayal of marriage vows, and even if they are not religious, it’s important to try to stay strong.

Fortress Around Your Heart – Sting

Sting - Fortress Around Your Heart (Option Two)

The song Fortress Around Your Heart was written by Sting and is about a relationship that is on the rocks.

The song is about how the protagonist is trying to save the relationship and keep the other person close to him.

He sings about how he has built a fortress around his heart to protect himself from getting hurt.

Many songs about divorce are written by men about women, but this song is an example of how one man wrote a song about another man.

D-I-V-O-R-C-E – Tammy Wynette

Tammy Wynette - D-I-V-O-R-C-E (Official Audio)

One of the best-known songs about divorce is Tammy Wynette’s “D-I-V-O-R-C-E”.

The song was released in 1968 and became an instant country classic.

The lyrics describe the pain that a woman feels when her husband leaves her.

Its lyrics are about the sadness, loneliness and despair of a divorce.

“D-I-V-O-R-C-E” reached number one on the country music charts for eight weeks and crossed over to mainstream audiences, ranking at number twelve on Billboard’s all genre Hot 100 list.

The song was even nominated for a Grammy Award in 1969.

The song was even nominated for a Grammy award.

This Is How It Feels – Inspiral Carpets

Inspiral Carpets - This Is How It Feels (Official Video)

The song “This Is How It Feels” by Inspiral Carpets is a powerful ballad about the pain of divorce.

The lyrics capture the feeling of loss and betrayal that often accompanies a break-up.

Its lyrics are about looking forward rather than looking back, but the song ends with the repeated refrain of “this is how it feels.”

Many songs about divorce take a more light-hearted approach to the subject, but this song brings emotional depth to the topic.

A Good Year for the Roses – Elvis Costello & The Attractions

Elvis Costello & The Attractions - Good Year For The Roses

A Good Year for the Roses is a song written by Elvis Costello and The Attractions.

It was released on their album Imperial Bedroom in 1982.

The song is about a man who is reflecting on his failed relationship.

He remembers all the good times they had, but he also remembers all the fights they had.

He wishes that he could go back to those good times, but he knows that it’s too late.

Many songs about divorce are about longing for the past or regretting past mistakes, and this song is no exception.

Misunderstanding – Genesis

Genesis - Misunderstanding (Official Music Video)

Misunderstanding is a song by the rock band Genesis. It was released as a single in 1980 and appeared on their album Duke.

The song was written by Phil Collins and Tony Banks.

The lyrics of the song are about a couple who are going through a divorce.

The husband is trying to tell his wife that he still loves her, but she doesn’t seem to understand.

The song ends with the husband walking away, leaving his wife behind.

Emergency – Paramore

Paramore: Emergency [OFFICIAL VIDEO]

Paramore released the song “Emergency” in 2018, and it’s a powerful ballad about divorce.

In the song, lead singer Hayley Williams sings about how she felt when her parents divorced.

She talks about the anger and sadness that she felt, and how she wished that she could go back in time and change things.

“Emergency” is a raw, emotional song that will strike a chord with anyone who has gone through a divorce.

Some people may even be able to relate to it more than others, like the singer herself.

Too Hurt to Dance – Duffy

Duffy - Too Hurt To Dance (Live at Café de Paris, 2010)

Too Hurt to Dance is a song by Duffy about a couple that is going through a rough divorce.

The song is full of pain and heartbreak, and Duffy sings about how the couple is too hurt to dance anymore.

The song is a powerful testament to the pain that can be caused by a broken marriage.

Its lyrics are about as sad as they come.

The song’s music video is a perfect accompaniment, as it shows both people in the relationship taking on different partners and getting involved with other people.

What’s Left of Me – Nick Lachey

Nick Lachey - What's Left Of Me (Main Video Version)

What’s Left of Me is a song by Nick Lachey.

The song was released in 2006 as the lead single from his album, What’s Left of Me.

The song is about Lachey’s divorce from his first wife, Jessica Simpson.

Many songs have been written about divorce, helping children of divorced parents who have to navigate between two homes and two different families.

Some people might find it an especially trying time for the children of divorced parents, who often have to work out between two homes and two different families.

As a way of helping these children through this tough time, many artists have written songs about divorce.

Here are 20 best songs about divorce.

blink-182 - I Miss You (Official Video)

Miss You is a song by blink-182, released on February 17, 2003 as the fourth and final single from the group’s fifth studio album, Blink-182.

The song was written by bassist Mark Hoppus, drummer Travis Barker, and guitarist Tom DeLonge.

DeLonge has said that the song is about his then-girlfriend Jennifer Jenkins.

The song reached number one on the Billboard Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart in the United States and number two on the UK Singles Chart.

Miss You was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales of over half a million copies in the United States.

Too Hot – Jason Derulo

Jason Derulo - Too Hot [Official Music Video]

Too Hot is a song about a break-up that is sung by Jason Derulo.

The song is about how the two lovers are no longer together and how they are both moving on.

Jason Derulo sings about how he is trying to move on from the relationship and how he is doing well.

Its lyrics are about how the narrator has met someone new and how they are doing better than the previous relationship.

The song is quite uplifting as it shows that there is life after a break-up and that one can do well even without their ex-lover.

Too Hot is known to be Jason Derulo’s breakthrough hit single, reaching number 5 in the Billboard Hot 100 and in other countries.

If It Wasn’t for the Nights – ABBA

If It Wasn't For The Nights

ABBA’s If It Wasn’t for the Nights is a powerful ballad about a couple who is divorcing.

The song explores the pain that both parties are feeling and how they are coping with the end of their relationship.

If It Wasn’t for the Nights is one of ABBA’s most emotional songs and is a must-listen for anyone going through a divorce.

Its lyrics are about coping with the loneliness after a relationship ends, and it is written in an open narrative that makes the song relatable to anyone listening.

Many songs about divorce tend to focus on a traditional narrative where a person is bitter and angry about the end of their marriage, but If It Wasn’t for the Nights offers a different perspective.

Because Of You – Kelly Clarkson

Kelly Clarkson - Because Of You (VIDEO)

Kelly Clarkson’s song “Because of You” is about the pain that comes with a broken home.

Clarkson sings about the emptiness that she felt after her parents divorced, and how that feeling followed her into her adult life.

The song is a heartfelt plea for understanding and compassion from those who have been through a similar experience.

Its lyrics are about the loneliness that many children of divorce feel.

That’s The Way I’ve Always Heard It Should Be – Carly Simon

Carly Simon - That's The Way I Always Heard It Should Be - 1971

That’s The Way I’ve Always Heard It Should Be by Carly Simon is a heart-wrenching song about the pain of divorce.

In the song, Simon sings about how she always believed that her parents’ marriage would last forever, and how she is struggling to come to terms with the fact that it has ended.

This song is a must-listen for anyone who is going through a divorce.

Some people even think it is about Simon’s own life.

Its lyrics are about the sadness that comes with separation, but Simon manages to write it in a way that is not too dramatic.

Brilliant Disguise – Bruce Springsteen

Bruce Springsteen - Brilliant Disguise (Official Video)

Bruce Springsteen’s song “Brilliant Disguise” is about a relationship that is falling apart.

The lyrics talk about how the singer can’t see what is happening right in front of them and how they are trying to hold on to what little they have left.

This song is a great reminder that things might not be as they seem in a relationship and that it’s important to be honest with yourself and the person you’re with.

Its lyrics are about a couple working through a divorce and trying to stay together.

It also shows the perspective of a child going through a divorce.

Seven Year Ache – Rosanne Cash

Rosanne Cash - Seven Year Ache (Official Video)

Rosanne Cash released her song “Seven Year Ache” in 1981, and it quickly became a hit.

The song is about a woman who is struggling to get over her divorce after seven years.

She sings about the pain that she’s been feeling and how she just wants to move on with her life.

This song is a great reminder that it’s okay to feel pain after a divorce and that the pain will eventually go away.

Its lyrics are about how getting over the pain takes time, but eventually, everything will be okay.