Songs About Divorce
Divorce can be an emotionally charged experience for children. Navigating between two homes and families can be emotionally draining; many artists have expressed their sadness and frustration through songs about divorce such as Linkin Park’s Numb about parents forcing their kids into lives they don’t want, while Eminem wrote Mockingbird about his failed marriage and its effect on his daughter. We will explore other songs about divorce.
Adele – Someone Like You
Adele’s hit ballad “Someone Like You” has become one of the signature songs in her career, representing powerful emotional truths about love that ends and finding someone new who fills its place.
The song can be read differently depending on who hears it; its deeper layers allow listeners to interpret it for themselves. This work by Adele is one of the first ones that come to mind among songs about divorce.
Beyoncé – Irreplaceable
“Irreplaceable” is a song by American singer Beyoncé for her second studio album, B’Day (2006). The song was written by Shaffer “Ne-Yo” Smith, Tor Erik Hermansen, Mikkel S. Eriksen, Espen Lind, Amund Bjørklund, Beyoncé and produced by Stargate and Beyoncé. ,
“Irreplaceable” was originally a country record; it was rearranged as a mid-tempo ballad with pop and R&B influences by modifying the vocal arrangements and instrumentation. This track is one of the most popular songs about divorce.
Kelly Clarkson – Since U Been Gone
Among songs about divorce, it would be impossible not to mention this song by Clarkson.
Clarkson’s music video for this song depicts her destroying her former flame’s apartment by breaking objects such as vases, televisions and clocks, smashing frames showing them with another woman in the living room and shattering frames of photos of them together framed around a room divider in their living room.
Her video earned numerous awards including one Grammy award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.
Whitney Houston – I Will Always Love You
One of the iconic tracks from The Bodyguard, Whitney Houston’s rendition of Dolly Parton’s song spent 14 weeks as the number-one single from any soundtrack album ever in U.S. charts; becoming both her third best-selling and most successful release to date.This unforgettable song is one of the most high-energy among songs about divorce.
The music video for Houston’s hit song features her sitting alone in an empty theater as she begins singing, before shifting to an open camp at Fallen Leaf Lake in California for her dramatic vocal conclusion. The original version of Something Special was first released in 1995 on that album; later featured at the end of The Bodyguard as part of Houston and Costner performing it together live from their jukebox performance.
Natalie Imbruglia – Torn
Natalie Imbruglia became instantly iconic when she released Torn, instantly beloved by teenagers around the world. This hit single encapsulates the heartbreak associated with being dumped from a relationship. However, Imbruglia didn’t write the song herself – in fact she never even dated its protagonist! One of its songwriters
Anne Preven actually composed it about an incident which happened while working at a New York mental hospital under pressure from her psychiatrist father where she encountered someone attempting suicide who ultimately committed herself. It is considered as one of the songs about divorce.
Carrie Underwood – Before He Cheats
Underwood’s version earned her a Grammy Award for Best Country Female Vocal Performance and its music video has since become the most-watched GAC video ever, winning CMT Music Video of the Year as well.
Kear and Tompkins have since gone on to write hits for Dierks Bentley (Drunk On You), Tyler Farr (“Redneck Crazy”) and more besides Underwood herself.
The All-American Rejects – Gives You Hell
“Gives You Hell” is a song by American rock band the All-American Rejects, released as the lead single from their third studio album, When the World Comes Down in 2008. It can be listed as one of the songs about divorce.
The J. Geils Band – Love Stinks
“Love Stinks” is a song written by Peter Wolf and Seth Justman that was the title track of the J. Geils Band’s 1980 album Love Stinks. The song was released as a single and peaked in the US at #38, spending three weeks in the Top 40.
In Canada, the song reached number 15, as it did on WLS-AM in Chicago. This is a striking example for the songs about divorce.
Eminem – Mockingbird
“Mockingbird” is a song by American rapper Eminem from his fifth studio album Encore (2004). It was released as the fifth single from the album in April 2005. It peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100, and number four in Denmark. It received a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Solo Performance, but lost to “Gold Digger” by Kanye West. “Mockingbird” was later included on Eminem’s greatest hits compilation album Curtain Call: The Hits (2005). This song is the most famous one among songs about divorce.
Linkin Park – Numb
“Numb” is a song by American rock band Linkin Park. It was released as the third single from their second studio album, Meteora (2003), and is the closing track on the album. One of Linkin Park’s most well-known and critically acclaimed songs, “Numb” topped the Billboard Alternative Songs chart for 12 weeks. This song’s lyrics are related to divorce and so it is an example for songs about divorce.
Dolly Parton – Starting Over Again
Here is a timeless song among songs about divorce. “Starting Over Again” by Dolly Parton is a poignant country ballad featured on her album “Dolly, Dolly, Dolly,” released in 1980. The song’s heartfelt lyrics and soulful melody tell the story of a couple who decides to give their relationship another chance after facing hardships and setbacks.
The song’s evocative storytelling and emotional depth resonate with listeners who have experienced the challenges of rebuilding a relationship and finding hope in the face of adversity. With its timeless message of redemption and renewal, “Starting Over Again” stands as a testament to Dolly Parton’s songwriting talent and her ability to capture the complexities of human emotion.
George Strait – Give It Away
“Give It Away” by George Strait is a heartfelt country ballad featured on his album “It Just Comes Natural,” released in 2006. The song’s tender lyrics and gentle melody tell the story of a couple who decides to end their relationship and part ways. Against a backdrop of acoustic guitars and Strait’s smooth vocals, “Give It Away” explores themes of heartbreak, acceptance, and the bittersweet nature of letting go.
The song’s emotional resonance and honest portrayal of love lost resonate with listeners who have experienced the pain of a breakup.