Divorce is one of the most emotionally complex experiences anyone can go through, and music has always been a powerful outlet for those feelings. From heartbreak to empowerment, artists across every genre have written unforgettable songs about divorce, separation, and the long road to healing. Whether you’re looking for country songs about divorce, divorce songs for him, or something to scream-sing in the car, there’s a track here that captures the moment.
Be sure to check out the Songs About Divorce Playlist at the bottom of this page.
Best Songs About Divorce
1. “Moral of the Story” – Ashe
Lyric Sample: “Some mistakes get made, that’s alright, that’s okay.”
This indie-pop song walks the line between vulnerability and empowerment, capturing the messy truth of lessons learned through a failed marriage. Its raw honesty and cinematic production have made it a go-to breakup song for a new generation.
2. “Papers” – Usher
Lyric Sample: “I done turned into the man I never thought I’d be.”
Usher lays out the emotional toll of ending a relationship in this R&B confessional. It’s one of the best divorce songs for anyone dealing with custody battles, personal growth, and public fallout.
3. “Highway 20 Ride” – Zac Brown Band
Lyric Sample: “Your mom and me couldn’t get along, so I’ll drive and I think about my life.”
This country ballad captures a divorced father’s pain as he drives to visit his son on weekends. It’s a powerful song about custody, sacrifice, and staying connected even when the family has fractured.
4. “Easy on Me” – Adele
Lyric Sample: “I changed who I was to put you both first, but now I give up.”
Adele channels her signature vulnerability into this emotional piano ballad about leaving a marriage with a child in the middle. Her plea for understanding resonates with those navigating guilt and growth.
Related: “Easy on Me” Song Meaning
5. “I Cried All the Way to the Bank” – Norma Jean
Lyric Sample: “You gave me so much money if I’d let you go free.”
This classic song flips the idea of a big divorce settlement into something heartbreakingly hollow. It’s a perfect pick for anyone looking for old-school country songs about divorce with emotional weight.
6. “If You Could Read My Mind” – Gordon Lightfoot
Lyric Sample: “I don’t know where we went wrong / But the feeling’s gone and I just can’t get it back.”
“If You Could Read My Mind” captures the quiet unraveling of a marriage. It’s ideal for those looking for bittersweet divorce songs about losing a love that once felt unshakable.
Related: “If You Could Read My Mind” Song Meaning
7. “Divorce Song” – Liz Phair
Lyric Sample: “And the license said you had to stick around until I was dead.”
Liz Phair’s blunt, spoken-sung delivery lays bare the bitterness and irony of a relationship unraveling. This alt-rock gem stands out as one of the most brutally honest songs about divorce.
8. “My Little Love” – Adele
Lyric Sample: “I’m sorry I’m so emotional / I’m sorry if that’s selfish of me.”
Told partially through voice memos, this deeply personal track explores the heartbreak of separating while raising a young child. It’s an emotional powerhouse from Adele’s 30 album that tackles guilt, love, and motherly grief.
9. “Give It Away” – George Strait
Lyric Sample: “Just give it away, there ain’t nothing in this house worth fighting over.”
“Give It Away” tells the story of a bitter divorce where one partner gives up everything. Strait’s calm delivery contrasts with the painful resignation in the lyrics, making it a standout among country songs about divorce.
10. “Gaslighter” – The Chicks
Lyric Sample: “Gaslighter, denier, doin’ anything to get your ass farther.”
“Gaslighter” is a fiery anthem of betrayal and anger aimed squarely at an unfaithful ex. With punchy production and biting lyrics, it’s one of the most cathartic divorce songs.
11. “D-I-V-O-R-C-E” – Tammy Wynette
Lyric Sample: “Our D-I-V-O-R-C-E becomes final today, me and little J-O-E will be goin’ away.”
Tammy Wynette spells out the pain of separation for a child in one of the most iconic country songs about divorce. The song’s soft delivery and emotional storytelling helped define a genre.
12. “Over For You” – Morgan Evans
Lyric Sample: “I would have searched the whole world over for you, took a flight through the night to be that shoulder for you.”
Morgan Evans delivers a heartbreakingly honest account of a breakup he didn’t see coming. Written about his divorce from Kelsea Ballerini, this raw ballad resonates with anyone blindsided by separation.
13. “Haitian Divorce” – Steely Dan
Lyric Sample: “No hesitation, no tears and no hearts breakin’.”
Steely Dan tells the ironic tale of a brief romance that ends in a quick foreign divorce. The satirical tone adds a unique flavor to this genre-blending track.
14. “Child Support” – Barbara Mandrell
Lyric Sample: “I sure could use the money, but I’ve got my child support.”
Mandrell flips the phrase on its head in this touching tribute to a son who gives emotional strength in the wake of abandonment. It’s a powerful reminder that love from a child can be more sustaining than a check ever could.
15. “The Real Thing” – Kenny Loggins
Lyric Sample: “I did it for you, and the boys.”
Loggins sings to his daughter in this heartfelt track, trying to explain why he left. It’s a rare look at divorce from a father’s perspective, focused on breaking the cycle of unhappy love.
16. “Got My Name Changed Back” – Pistol Annies
Lyric Sample: “I don’t wanna be a Missus on paper no more.”
This sassy breakup song turns divorce into a victory lap. Miranda Lambert and company celebrate reclaiming identity and freedom after a messy split.
17. “Family Portrait” – P!nk
Lyric Sample: “In our family portrait, we look pretty happy, let’s play pretend, let’s act like it comes naturally.”
P!nk’s emotional pop song captures the devastating impact of divorce on children. With raw honesty, she expresses a longing for family unity amidst the chaos of parental conflict.
18. “Stay Together for the Kids” – blink-182
Lyric Sample: “Their anger hurts my ears, been running strong for seven years.”
blink-182 tackles divorce from a teenager’s perspective, capturing the helplessness of being caught in the middle. Its emotional punch and alt-rock intensity made it an anthem for broken homes.
19. “Her Town Too” – James Taylor
Lyric Sample: “She gets the house and the garden, he gets the boys in the band.”
James Taylor’s duet with J.D. Souther tells the story of a woman whose social life vanishes after a breakup. It’s a smooth, reflective soft rock song about the quiet fallout of separation.
20. “Alimony” – Weird Al Yankovic
Lyric Sample: “She took my nest egg then she took the nest, my shoes, and my toothbrush too.”
With his signature humor, Weird Al Yankovic turns the painful reality of alimony into a comedic story. The song exaggerates the financial struggles and absurdity of divorce settlements in his trademark playful style.
21. “Divorce Separation Blues” – The Avett Brothers
Lyric Sample: “I’ve got the tough education, no celebration, divorce separation blues.”
The Avett Brothers paint a vivid picture of the emotional toll a divorce takes. The lyrics capture the struggle of living with the aftermath of a broken relationship, with an emphasis on loneliness, tough realizations, and the challenge of moving forward.
22. “She Got the Goldmine (I Got the Shaft)” – Jerry Reed
Lyric Sample: “They split it right down the middle, and then they gave her the better half.”
Jerry Reed’s hilarious country tune paints a picture of a one-sided divorce settlement. Its humor and catchy melody make it a go-to track in any list of funny or ironic songs about divorce.
When It’s Over: How Music Helps You Heal
Whether bitter, bittersweet, or downright funny, songs about divorce let us process pain, anger, and relief in equal measure. These artists turn real-life heartbreak into music that resonates long after the papers are signed.
So whether you’re filing, healing, or just reminiscing, crank up these best divorce songs to remind yourself you’re not alone in the mess.
For more emotional and relatable songs, check out our lists of Songs About Missing Someone and Songs About Friendship.