21 Songs about Divorce (2023)

Divorce is a heart-breaking process that does not only affect a couple but also the people around them, especially if they have kids. The decision to undergo the process of divorce already takes a lot of courage. There is actually no winner in a divorce. 

Our society still has a stigma toward people who are a product of divorce. Regardless of what others say, what’s important is that you find peace and happiness in your decision–it’s your life, anyway.

Here’s a compilation of songs about divorce that you might be able to relate to, whatever phase of the process you are going through right now.  

21. Family Portrait – Pink

This song is from Pink’s second studio album, Missundaztood, as a solo recording artist. Family Portrait is a sad song that shows a child begging her parents not to divorce. Pink revealed that this was actually based on a poem she wrote when she was a child coping with the separation of her parents.

20. I Can’t Make You Love Me – Bonnie Raitt

I Can’t Make You Love Me is an original song by Bonnie Raitt included in her eleventh studio album, Luck of the Draw. This is a song about a woman who is begging her lover to stay for the night, although she is aware that her lover does not have any feelings for her anymore. This song already has several versions including that of Adelle’s.

19. We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together – Taylor Swift

We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together was released in 2012 included in Taylor Swift’s fourth studio album, Red. This song made Taylor Swift the first female country artist to top the Billboard Hot 100 since Carrie Underwood. It was said that Taylor was inspired to make this song because of her very uncertain relationship with her ex–Jake Gyllenhaal. 

18. Since U Been Gone – Kelly Clarkson

This song was offered to some other singers before it was offered to American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson. Since U Been Gone was released in 2004 under Clarkson’s second studio album, Breakaway. This song made her career rise for it made her win the Best Female Pop Vocal Performance in the Grammy Awards in 2006. 

17. Because of You – Reba McEntyre & Kelly Clarkson

Another hit from American Idol Kelly Clarkson, but this time it’s a duet with “The Queen of Country”, American singer Reba McEntyre. Because of You was written by Clarkson when she was just 16 as a response to her parent’s divorce, especially to her relationship with her father that is falling apart..   

16. Alimony – “Weird Al” Yankovic

Alimony is a hit song by multi-talented Alfred Matthew “Weird Al” Yankovic in his fifth studio album released on April 12, 1988. This is actually a parody of Billy Idol’s 1981 hit ‘Mony, Mony’. Weird Al made the separation song into a comedy, although if you’ll try to understand the lyrics it reveals about a sad truth in divorce. 

15. Nothing Compares to You – Sinead O’Connor

Nothing Compares To You is a typical song about a lover who was abandoned by her lover. The persona in the song narrates that everything she does reminds her of him and that nothing compares to him, This song is included in the second studio album (I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got) of Irish singer-songwriter Sinead O’Connor.   

14. Don’t Speak – No Doubt

Don’t speak was written by No Doubt band lead singer Gwen Stefani and her brother Eric. It is the third single in their Tragic Kingdom Album released on April 15, 1996 where they garnered the MTV Music Video Award for Best Group and Danish Music Award for International Hit of the Year. 

13. Burn – Usher

Usher’s second single from his fourth studio album Confessions released in 2004 is entitled Burn. This song was conceptualized by Usher, Jermaine Dupri and Bryan-Michael Cox when Usher’s two-year relationship with TLC member Chilli was ending. The song is about ending a relationship that isn’t working anymore. 

12. Somebody That I Used to Know – Gotye featuring Kimbra 

This multi-awarded song is a part of the third studio album (Making Mirrors) of Belgian-Australian multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter Gotye. He admitted that this song is a reflection of previous relationships that he had. Somebody that I used to know won several awards in the music industry.

11. Stronger – Kelly Clarkson

“What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger…” This is a song that you sing to your ex when you want to tell him/ her that the break up made you a stronger person. Stronger is Kelly Clarkson’s song after breaking up with her ex-lover. This is included in her fifth studio album Stronger, same title as the song, released on October 21, 2011.  

10. Irreplaceable – Beyonce

Irreplaceable is the most successful single in the second studio album, B’day, of American singer, songwriter, actress, dancer and record producer Beyonce. This song is a song of a fierce, empowered woman who does not show any regret or hurt when her ex-lover left her. It brought Beyonce to the third place for most number one singles by a female songwriter. 

9. You Were Mine – The Chicks

You Were Mine is a hurtful song about a wife who doesn’t want to let go of her husband to another girl; she even mentioned about their children who adored their father. This song is included in the fourth studio album, Wide Open Spaces, of the American country music band The Chicks, formerly known as Dixie Chicks. 

8. You Learn – Alanis Morisette

If you will just look at the surface meaning of the song, You Learn is about learning anything from whatever we do. But if you will dig deeper into the metaphors and symbolism of this song, you will realize that Alanis is referring to someone as the jagged little pill–someone who is difficult to take in.

7. You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ – The Righteous Brothers

This song is a classic breakup song sung by the American duo, The Righteous Brothers, in their album You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ released in 1964. The persona in the song narrates how his lover’s feelings toward him have changed. The song ranked number 5 in the Billboard’s Year-end Top 100 of 1965 Hot 100.

6. Before You Go – Lewis Capaldi

Before You Go is an emotional track from Scottish singer-songwriter, Lewis Marc Capaldi, also known as Lewis Capaldi. This pop ballad was inspired by Capaldi’s experience when he was just a child–his aunt killed herself. This song doesn’t literally mean divorce of a couple but it also deals with coping with the loss of someone you love, just like in a divorce.

5. Someone Like You – Adelle

This song is personal to English singer-songwriter Adelle. She was struggling emotionally when she wrote it because it was actually about her defunct relationship with her ex. Someone Like You is a single from her 21 Album which made her win several music awards.

4. Wrecking Ball – Miley Cyrus

Recorded by American singer Miley Cyrus for her fourth studio album, Bangerz,  released on August 25, 2013, under RCA Records, Wrecking Ball is an analogy of how a lover wrecked the life of his woman. This music video became controversial because it featured Miley Cyrus naked while swinging in a wrecking ball.

3. When I Was Your Man – Bruno Mars

When I Was Your Man is a song full of regrets. American singer Bruno Mars has given justice to the message of the song because of his emotional performance of the song. He recorded this song for his second studio album  Unorthodox Jukebox which was released on December 7, 2012 under Atlantic Records. 

2. I Will Survive – Gloria Gaynor

Many call this the anthem of empowered independent women left by their lover. I Will Survive shows how emotionally strong a woman is after a break up. American singer Gloria Gaynor recorded this as her second single in her sixth studio album, Love Tracks in 1978. 

1. Better in Time – Leona Lewis

Separation may be hard, but let us end our list with a positive song by Leona Lewis. Better in Time was included in her debut album Spirit released in 2007. It talks about healing after coming from a ruined relationship. Sometimes we feel as if we cannot live after someone we love leaves us, but always this that we deserve to smile after all this.

Separation, or divorce, is not bad at all if it will be for the peace of both parties. Thanks for visiting our playlist.