There are no two ways about it, divorce is painful. It doesn’t matter if the two of you were together for two years or twenty years. Somebody is bound to get their feelings hurt, and there will be plenty of anger and blame to go around. However, the one thing you can depend on to get you through the pain is putting on some good music. The right song can help you to get through anything, including divorce.
It doesn’t matter if you are looking for an upbeat song to make yourself feel a little better about things or if you are in the mood for a sad tune that you can cry along with. As long as people have experienced heartache, there have been songs written about it. I have always felt that the most beautiful thing about music is that it allows you to feel complete. Here is a great list of songs about divorce written from a few different perspectives. I hope that you enjoy them.
Table of Contents
List of Divorce Songs
1. Highway 20 Ride by Zac Brown Band
| Genre | Country |
| Year Released | 2008 |
| Album | The Foundation |
While this may sound like the simplest song on this list, the emotions behind it are quite complex. In this song, he is trying to put on a brave face for his son while explaining the situation between the two parents involved while simultaneously breaking down inside over the pain of not being able to see his child as often as he would like. If there were two words that I could use to describe Zac Brown’s music, they would be honest and pure.
Zac Brown has a knack for sucking his audience into his songs and commanding all of their attention, allowing us to feel all of the joy and pain he experiences. His lyrics are uncomplicated, but they are far from simple. This song strikes a particular chord with me because I used to drive Highway 20 several times a year to pick up my daughters after their mom and I had split up. If any of you have ever experienced the pain of sharing custody of your child when they lived several states away, trust me when I say that this is the song for you.
2. Before You Go by Lewis Capaldi
| Genre | Pop |
| Year Released | 2019 |
| Album | Uninspired To A Hellish Extent |
There comes a time in every failed marriage when you realize that it’s over and there is nothing that you can do to save the relationship. Too often, we are too busy wrapped up in our struggles to see the battles that our partners are facing. Unfortunately, by the time we notice these things, it may be too late. That is the message that this song conveys to The Listener. The singer knows that the relationship has run its course, but he still wants to know if there was anything that he could have done to comfort his partner or make them feel wanted.
The lyrics to “Before You Go” are straightforward. Lewis Capaldi doesn’t waste your time by trying to paint a pretty picture from an ugly mess. What I love about this song is that he makes the conscious decision to leave it messy, and the result is amazing. Whether he sounds angry at the beginning of a song or when he is pleading with his partner at the end, his suffering is reflected brilliantly in his voice. This song does a fantastic job of letting Lewis Capaldi shine by letting the packing instruments complement him rather than overpowering him.
3. Snuff by Slipknot
| Genre | Hard Rock, Metal |
| Year Released | 2008 |
| Album | All Hope Is Gone |
Although Slipknot is known for being fast, loud, and aggressive, they show us a much softer side of this song. This song showcases Slipknot’s true songwriting ability by allowing Corey Taylor to shine, backed by only an acoustic guitar. This simple approach allows the vocals to shine. You can hear the anguish and pain in Corey’s voice as the song slowly builds momentum. Gradually, other instruments begin to join the song as it builds to a crescendo of raw emotion and power while still managing to be somewhat restrained.
At the beginning of the song, the lyrics sound accusatory, as if the singer is telling the other party that he is not the only person that is responsible for the downfall of the relationship. However, the song reaches a cathartic ending when the singer realizes that he is better off without the other person and vice versa. He realizes that to save everybody involved, he must forgo all hope of ever reconciling with this person. The song ends with Corey Taylor exclaiming, “If you still care, don’t ever let me know.” Indeed, all hope is gone.
4. Family Portrait by Pink
| Genre | Pop |
| Year Released | 2001 |
| Album | Misunderstood |
Most songs related to divorce, separation, or a breakup are usually told from the perspective of one of the adults involved in the relationship. This is not the case with this song, and that is what I think makes it stand out. This song is told from the perspective of a child living in a home that has been turned into complete chaos by a relationship gone bad. Torn between her love for her father and her desire to protect her mother, the child in this song ends up blaming herself for the demise of her parent’s relationship, and the result is gut-wrenching, to say the least.
While Pink is normally known for being the girl who gets the party started, she changes things up quite a bit on this track. The song remains upbeat, but the lyrics reflect her desire to be a part of a functional and loving family. She also talks about how the family is a facade, appearing happy to the outside world while simultaneously falling apart. What makes this song shine is Pink’s delivery. She sounds incredibly soulful, frightened, and apologetic at the same time. At the end of the song, she is reduced to a whimper, begging and pleading for her family to work it out. The results are heartbreaking.
5. Pain In My Heart by Otis Redding
| Genre | R&B, Soul |
| Year Released | 1964 |
| Album | Pain In My Heart |
Nobody can convey pain in their voice the way the legendary Otis Redding does, and no song is as painful to listen to as this one. Sometimes divorce is not the result of two people deciding to go their separate ways. Sometimes, one of the parties involved wants to work things out. Unfortunately, the other person has usually made up their mind and already has one foot out of the door. At this point, you can beg and plead all you want, but that’s not going to stop the other person from leaving. However, that doesn’t stop Otis Redding from trying.
Throughout this song, it seems as though Otis Redding is continuously replaying scenes from the relationship with his head. He wants his partner to come back to him, and that much is certainly made evident by his almost inhuman howling in this song. There is nothing but sheer pain and desperation in his vocals as he repeatedly begs his lover to “come back, come back, come back.” I have heard plenty of sad songs in my day, but I have never heard a song sound as brilliantly miserable as this.
6. Here’s To Us by Halestorm (featuring Slash)
| Genre | Hard Rock, Metal |
| Year Released | 2012 |
| Album | The Strange Case Of… (Deluxe Version) |
“Here’s To Us” is a prime example of a simple song that does not back down from making a point. The song is relatively short and kind of sweet (in a weird way). Again, we see the all-too-familiar story of a couple that has reached the end of their proverbial ropes and has decided to call it quits after years of a tumultuous relationship. This sounds like something that we’ve all heard before, doesn’t it? Well, that is where this song differs from others. After a few drinks, a couple in the song make a fairly surprising toast.
After years of fighting, the couple has a few drinks and voices their support for each other in an unconventional manner where they proclaim that while they can no longer get along, nobody else had better mess with them. The instrumentation is straightforward in this song (with a guest appearance from the Slash of Guns N’ Roses); I cannot think of a more perfect match for the sentiment in this song than Lizzy Hale’s voice. Her sultry, whiskey-soaked vocals are just rough enough to give this song the edge it needs to carry it. Here’s to this song!
7. Bye Baby by Nas
| Genre | Rap, Hip Hop |
| Year Released | 2012 |
| Album | Life Is Good |
Hip hop and rap songs about divorce aren’t as common as country songs, power ballads, and blues songs regarding the same topic, but this one is a diamond in the rough. From the opening line, “Bye baby, I guess you know why I walked away,” Nasty makes no secret that he has something he needs to get off of his chest. As indicated by the lyrics, it seems like the couple did everything they could to make the marriage work, and Nas seems regretful that things had to go in the direction they did. Still, things weren’t always bad.
He reminisces about the good times they had together while also sprinkling in lines where he states that while they had their differences, they had a great time together. What I admire about Nas is that he is not concerned about how many words he can fit into each song. Instead, he concentrates on his storytelling and his flow, which makes this song appealing to so many people. Sure, you can tell that he has his regrets about the way things had to end, but you can also tell that he was ready to say goodbye.
8. Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now) by Phil Collins
| Genre | Pop |
| Year Released | 1981 |
| Album | Against All Odds (Original Soundtrack) |
Very few songs have the power to make me cry, but this is a prime example of one that gets me every single time. Just like every other song on this list, this one paints a vivid picture of trouble in paradise. We have all had that one person in our lives that always believed in us. In this song, the singer expresses that his partner was the only one who knew him and believed in him at all. Sadly, in the blink of an eye, he manages to lose all of that. Left to face his demons, he completely breaks down.
Phil Collins knocks this one out of the park with his vocal delivery, which is fairly understated until the last part of the song. There are some classic lines in this song that I have often found myself wishing I could say in past relationships. “How can you just walk away from me when all I can do is watch you leave” immediately comes to mind. Don’t we all, though? Phil’s voice is so powerful yet so desperate when he delivers these lines that you find yourself rooting for him by the end of the song. However, the odds aren’t in his favor this time.
9. I Hope You Dance by Lee Ann Womack
| Genre | Country |
| Year Released | 2000 |
| Album | I Hope You Dance |
When two people decide to divorce, it’s not very often that you find them sincerely wishing each other well in their future endeavors. That is exactly the sentiment that is reflected in this song. The singer is mature enough to realize that the relationship is over, although she does not have any ill will towards her partner. Instead, she does something incredibly rare in bad relationships. She tells her partner that she hopes they can enjoy life instead of remaining bitter that they were unable to work things out.
Few songs would be able to pull off this sentiment as honestly as this one. Lee Ann Womack’s sweet voice carries this tune as the listener honestly believes that she wants nothing but the best for her ex-partner. Being a veteran of two-way divorces, I must admit that I have never been this gracious and kind in this situation. “I Hope You Dance” is a shining example of how it is possible to realize that you and your partner are not right for each other, but stillness wants what is right for them regardless of what happened between you.
10. Love Don’t Live Here Anymore by Rose Royce
| Genre | R&B, Soul |
| Year Released | 1978 |
| Album | Strikes Again |
This song is a prime example of what my grandmother used to tell me when I was younger. She used to say, “Hell has no fury as a woman scorned.” While the person singing this song chooses not to actively seek revenge on the person who cheated on her, she makes it abundantly clear that he is not welcome anymore. For that matter, neither is anybody else. Sadly, many marriages come to a premature end when one or both partners decide to be unfaithful. The only thing this manages to do is cause feelings of bitterness and resentment.
That is exactly what I hear in this song. You can tell that Rose Royce has had enough. This is not the first time that her partner has stepped out on her, and I have a feeling that if she had not put her foot down it would not be the last time. What I love about this song is that the vocal delivery remains calm. She refuses to become angry or hostile, choosing to maintain a sweet tone throughout the song. It’s not very often that you find someone who can make a point without becoming loud, but that’s exactly what Rose accomplishes here.
11. What Hurts The Most by Rascal Flatts
| Genre | Country |
| Year Released | 2008 |
| Album | Rascal Flatts |
While I must admit that I am not the world’s biggest Rascal Flatts fan, I will admit to loving this song. This song deals with perhaps the biggest side effect of divorce, which is regret. Sometimes, people are too quick to throw in the towel and call it quits. They don’t stick around and work it out, and most of the time, they live to regret that. The lyrics of this song are all about regret. The singer explains that what hurts him the most is that they were so close, but they gave in too soon, and they will never know what they could have been.
Although I am typically not a fan of Gary LeVox’s vocal style, I believe that it’s his delivery that makes this song so fantastic. There is a sense of longing in his voice that borders on desperation. It’s not difficult to tell that he would do anything to win this person back, even though he puts on a good face in front of everyone else. That makes this song so relatable to me because we have all been there, pretending like everything is fine when we are falling apart on the inside. That’s what hurts the most. This is easily one of the most popular divorce songs of all time.
12. I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor
| Genre | Disco |
| Year Released | 1978 |
| Album | I Will Survive |
This song certainly needs no introduction, as it is widely considered to be one of the greatest female empowerment anthems of our time. This song deals primarily with the fear of being alone once you and your partner decide to end the marriage. At the beginning of the song, Gloria Gaynor expresses how she was petrified to the point where she thought that she could not live without her partner. To some people, the fear of being alone is far worse than anything that could have happened to them in an otherwise awful marriage.
However, this song takes a turn for the better when the singer discovers her Inner strength. That is when the tempo picks up and the song transforms into the classic that it is. While I’m sure that none of us are rabid fans of disco, I am certain that everybody reading this has heard this song at least a handful of times in their life. In the many years since its release, this song has gone from being played in disco clubs around the world to being played at female empowerment rallies everywhere. To say the least, this song has survived.
13. Free Bird by Lynyrd Skynyrd
| Genre | Southern Rock |
| Year Released | 1973 |
| Album | (Pronounced ‘Lěh-‘nerd ‘Skin-‘nerd) |
“Free Bird” is probably going to be the most surprising entry on this list, although it should come as no surprise that one of the most well-known songs of all time is also a song about a broken relationship. Call me naive, but I grew up hearing this song throughout my entire life, and I had no idea what it was about until the last few years. Though I’m sure that most of you are already in the loop, please allow me to spell it out for you. This song is about a person realizing that he cannot change and choosing to end a relationship rather than even trying.
Besides being an incredibly long song with several tempo changes, “Free Bird” also has the distinction of having one of the most instantly recognizable guitar riffs on the planet. When you hear the organ and slide guitar at the beginning of the song, you are instantly transported to another dimension for approximately 10 minutes. The vocals in this song are very soulful, and there is plenty of longing in Ronnie Van Zant’s voice. He wants his freedom, but he knows that it will come with a hefty price. The musicianship is also second to none, allowing this song to soar.
14. D-I-V-O-R-C-E by Tammy Wynette
| Genre | Country |
| Year Released | 1968 |
| Album | D-I-V-O-R-C-E |
When this song first came out in 1968, divorce was still practically unheard of in the United States, especially in the family-friendly country music scene. Tammy Wynette kicked the doors in, stepped into the spotlight, and blew everybody away with this song. I know that most of you have spelled things out in front of children when you did not want them to know what you were talking about in front of other adults. Well, this song takes that approach to the subject of divorce. Tammy spells out the words that she doesn’t want her young child to understand.
I think what makes this song so unique and enjoyable, aside from the approach it takes to tell the story, is the pain and suffering in Tammy Wynette’s voice as she comes to realize that the inevitable is happening to her marriage. While this could be considered a basic country if you assessed it solely on the instruments, Tammy Wynette can take this song, place it on her back, and transform it into the classic that it has become. This song has become so legendary that Reba McEntire has even recorded a song called Tammy Wynette Kind of Pain.”
15. November Rain by Guns N’ Roses
| Genre | Hard Rock |
| Year Released | 1991 |
| Album | Use Your Illusion I |
I can’t think of a better way to end this list than with the 9-minute Opus that is the Guns N’ Roses classic, “November Rain.” This song has it all. It has sweeping guitars, a string section, a plethora of tempo changes, and a lot of Axl Rose’s attitude. If I can sum it up in one sentence, this song is everything that you would expect from a Guns N’ Roses power ballad while simultaneously being nothing you would expect from the world’s wildest rock and roll band. Strangely, “November Rain” starts as what sounds like a blatant love song, but then it takes an interesting twist.
Axl’s vocals start off sounding like somebody who is completely smitten by his better half. He spends the first couple of minutes of the song talking about how much he loves his partner, although it takes a sharp turn and becomes a song about a failed relationship very quickly. The first asks the other person if they need some time away from the relationship before insisting that they need time away. It’s almost as if he is shoving this person away. He then closes the song out exclaiming, “Everybody needs somebody.” Trust me. He’s not the only one.
16. I’m Still Standing by Elton John
| Genre | Pop |
| Year Released | 1983 |
| Album | Too Low For Zero |
Unfortunately, I have heard far too many examples of divorces being completely one-sided. One of the people involved is bitter, angry, and spiteful, while the other party involved is left wondering what went wrong and when it went wrong. More than anything, one of the partners wants to be rid of the other partner, which usually equates to divorce. They will usually say the most hurtful things to get the other party to leave them.
However, although they try their hardest to devastate their partner, they fail to realize just how resilient people can be. Sir Elton John’s song has become an anthem for those who have been left behind in a relationship and have had to pick up the pieces and put their respective lives back together. This song is upbeat and symbolic of a person’s sheer will to continue living after all hope was lost, and it has stood the test of time.
17. Love Hurts by Nazareth
| Genre | Classic Rock |
| Year Released | 1974 |
| Album | Super Group Festival |
“Love Hurts” is a song that portrays the painful, ugly side of a broken relationship, and it is a classic that has been played at practically every Middle School dance across the United States. There is no emotional pain that can compare to the pain of a love gone bad, and Nazareth conveys this message brilliantly. The music is nothing special. It is a typical power ballad, but that is not what makes this song so great.
While Dan McCafferty’s vocals take on an incredibly nasal tone, they fit this song perfectly. No other singer that I can think of could pull this song off as well as Dan. Many people say that his voice is a bit too whiny for their preference, but I disagree. His voice is the perfect vehicle to carry this song. Without it, “Love Hurts” would be just another forgetful power ballad. Very few songs can make you hurt this much.
18. We Just Disagree by Dave Mason
| Genre | Soft Rock |
| Year Released | 1977 |
| Album | Let It Flow |
I don’t know about you, but when I typically think of a good divorce song, I think of a really sad song that can make you break down and cry in an instant. This song could not be further from that concept. “We Just Disagree” is a song about two people who decide on an amicable separation and do not find fault with each other for the demise of their marriage. Isn’t that a refreshing concept?
Dave Mason’s vocals are as smooth and unwavering as are the lines he so eloquently delivers in the song. When he sings the classic lines “There ain’t no good guys. There ain’t no bad guys. There’s only you and me, and we just disagree,” you believe that he means what he is saying. The backing music for this track is just as calm and relaxed as the vocal delivery, and it works well. Give it a listen, but I know you’ll agree.
19. Since U Been Gone by Kelly Clarkson
| Genre | Pop |
| Year Released | 2004 |
| Album | Breakaway |
One of Kelly Clarkson’s first singles was a smash hit about the relief that somebody can feel once a bad relationship has run its course. If you have ever been in a similar situation, I’m sure that you will be able to relate to this song. Kelly exclaims that she can finally breathe now that this individual is no longer in her life. She goes on to give an account of all the things that she can do now that she is not being held back by this person.
Although Kelly’s voice fits this song like a glove, it’s the upbeat tempo that drives this tune’s point home. The song starts simple enough, with Kelly Clarkson giving a recount of how the couple got together. As the song progresses, she gives more details about why the relationship turned sour until it finally builds to a climax when Kelly expresses her joy that the relationship is over. Suffice it to say she’s glad that he’s gone.
20. You’re No Good by Linda Ronstadt
| Genre | Country |
| Year Released | 1974 |
| Album | I Fall To Pieces (Live) |
As one would expect, another country song about the topic of divorce makes its way onto this list. However, this is not your typical sad country song in which the singer for a love that he or she has lost. This is something completely different, and I love this song for that reason. This song is about a woman whose partner has been cheating on her, and she has grown weary of their antics.
She repeatedly tells her partner that they are no good for what they have done, and I certainly believe that she means every word of it. Linda Ronstadt has the perfect voice for this song. It is sultry and somewhat bluesy while still staying true to her country roots. There is also an angry tone in her voice that can only be portrayed by someone who is done with the relationship. Trust me when I say that this is good.
21. Unbreak My Heart by Toni Braxton
| Genre | R&B, Soul |
| Year Released | 1996 |
| Album | Secrets |
Here is another entry on the ever-expanding list of the saddest songs that I have ever heard. Then again, that can be said for most of the R & B songs on this list. They have the power to break you down into an emotional mess in the span of four to five minutes. “Unbreak My Heart” fits that description perfectly. This song is about a person who is reflecting on all of the hurt their partner calls them when they left.
Toni Braxton has the perfect soulful voice to convince us that she would do anything to have that person back in her life. She is convinced that all that person needs to do is return home, and all of the hurt and painful moments would simply disappear. While most of us know that this is not the way things happen in real life, we still root for Toni to get him back by the end of the song. The fact that she doesn’t breaks my heart.
22. Hello by Adele
| Genre | R&B, Soul |
| Year Released | 2015 |
| Album | 25 |
I don’t know who has more sad songs about breakups, Adele or Taylor Swift, although the approach they take could not be more different. This song deals with the old saying, “Time Heals all wounds.” However, rather than supporting this theory, “Hello” is a sad tale about someone longing to speak to their former partner for the opportunity to try to make things work again. She cannot move on with her life until she gets this chance.
Adele has one of the most powerful voices I have ever heard and is one of the most gifted singers and songwriters of her generation. There is a tone in her voice that lets you know that she has felt this kind of pain before. She is not simply singing a song as much as she is reliving memories. Her piano playing is also equally as beautiful as her voice, which gives this song a uniquely haunting tone. It’s almost otherworldly.
23. I Can’t Make You Love Me by Bonnie Raitt
| Genre | Country |
| Year Released | 1991 |
| Album | Luck Of The Draw |
There is nothing sadder than a relationship where someone wants to be loved so badly by someone who does not want to be with them any longer. This song is a sad tale about a relationship that has no emotion left in it. The only interaction the two people involved have with each other is purely physical. This song reflects the feelings of the narrator, who wants to be loved more than anything else.
Unfortunately, she has had to come to the sad realization that the other person no longer loves her and never will love her again. Bonnie Raitt can perfectly blend rock, blues, and country to create a song that is perfectly unique and wonderfully sad. Her soulful voice fits perfectly with the sentiment of this song, and the tone of the instruments or the perfect backdrop to make you appreciate this track.
24. When I Was Your Man by Bruno Mars
| Genre | R&B, Soul |
| Year Released | 2012 |
| Album | Unorthodox Jukebox |
When I think of Bruno Mars, I usually think of upbeat songs that make me want to get up and dance, not songs that make me want to sit and reflect on my past failures in relationships. In this song, Bruno manages to accomplish exactly that. This song tells the story of a man who, despite his best efforts, cannot escape the memory of his former love. He is reminded of her through hearing their song and seeing their friends.
I know that I am not alone when I say that I have been where Bruno is singing about. No matter what you do, sometimes you just cannot escape the ghosts of your past. Bruno’s vocals are delivered flawlessly in this song, and he is mostly backed by only a piano. The song has a slight upbeat quality that doesn’t quite match the lyrics, but the contradiction between music and words is what makes this song work best.
25. Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) by Journey
| Genre | Classic Rock |
| Year Released | 1983 |
| Album | Frontiers |
I don’t believe that there is a song that has ever been recorded that can get the message of undying love across like this song can. “Separate Ways” is a song about two people in a relationship that did not work. This much is true. However, where this song takes a turn is when Steve Perry expresses his undying love for his former partner by saying that he would always be there for them if things didn’t work out with their new love.
Perry’s voice is the highlight of this song, managing to sound both powerful and sincere at the same time. That is a feat that few vocalists can accomplish. Of course, this song is also known for its iconic keyboard intro and unique guitar riff. At first listen, “Separate Ways” sounds like your typical classic rock song. That is until you pay attention to the lyrics and realize that it is a classic story of both heartache and hope.
26. Nothing Lasts Forever by J Cole
| Genre | Rap, Hip Hop |
| Year Released | 2011 |
| Album | Cole World: The Sideline Story |
Few rap songs can discuss failed relationships as poignantly as “Nothing Lasts Forever,” and I don’t believe that there is any rapper who could execute this as well as J Cole can. He has a unique flow, combined with a knack for being able to put words together on the fly. When he tells us how things are going to get especially bad when the relationship ends, we believe every word of it.
Okay, I have to be honest with all of you for just a few seconds. I firmly believe that J Cole is one of the most talented and criminally underrated rappers alive. He has the unique talent of being able to paint a vivid picture with his lyrics, and he does it masterfully in this song. Simply put, the way that J Cole reminisces about his lost love makes me wish that this song would be one of those things that last forever. This is one of the most iconic songs about divorce ever.
27. Call Out My Name by The Weeknd
| Genre | R&B, Soul |
| Year Released | 2018 |
| Album | Dear Melancholy |
This is a tale of two damaged people who found each other at the roughest times of their respective lives, although we are quickly informed that things didn’t work out well when The Weeknd sings the line, “You gave me comfort, but falling for you was my mistake.” Usually, when people who are just getting out of bad relationships decide to immediately get involved with someone else, things have a way of not working out.
There aren’t very many artists who can transcend genres the way The Weeknd can. On “Call Out My Name,” there is a softness in his voice that almost sounds exasperated, although he is still trying to make things work. His vocals perfectly portray that feeling. The music is as soft and gentle as The Weeknd’s voice, which takes on a somber tone that fits the message in this song perfectly.
28. Every Rose Has Its Thorn by Poison
| Genre | Hard Rock |
| Year Released | 1988 |
| Album | Open Up And Say… Ahh! |
There are few songs on this list I am sure all of you have heard, but “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” is certainly one of them. This song is about two people who know that their relationship will be ending soon, but neither of them has the right words to address the situation. They know that their relationship has run its course, and there is nothing that they can do to save it. Instead, they lie in bed silently, feeling distant.
Bret Michaels silently wonders if he did something to upset his partner and exclaims that he tried his best not to be hurtful in the relationship. Alas, he realizes that there is nothing that he can do to save it, and accepts its inevitable end. While I would not consider Bret Michaels to be a top-notch singer, he does a great job in this song. However, the real star of this song is the musicianship, which is restrained and effective.
29. She’s Out Of My Life by Michael Jackson
| Genre | Pop |
| Year Released | 1997 |
| Album | Michael Jackson’s This Is It |
Michael Jackson proves in this song that not even he is immune to the pain of heartbreak. Known primarily for his dance moves and catchy pop tunes, this song takes on a much more mature subject matter. It is a tune about a person who has gotten into a relationship, only to find out that he has been used by his partner. She doesn’t love him, nor has she ever loved him. Poor Michael was just a means to an end.
Rather than sounding bitter about the whole ordeal, Michael sounds confused when he sings the line, “She’s out of my life, and I don’t know whether to laugh or to cry.” From the overall tone of the song, he sounds like he wants to cry. Michael Jackson has one of the most distinctive and unique voices in music, sounding like he is going to break down and cry at any second. Calling it effective would be a gross understatement.
30. Cry Me A River by Justin Timberlake
| Genre | Pop |
| Year Released | 2002 |
| Album | Justified |
When you have cried until you feel like you cannot cry another tear over a failed relationship, you are probably ready to move on. Nothing helps you to get past the heartache and pain of lost love like a good old-fashioned revenge song. We have all had moments where we have envisioned ourselves giving a piece of our minds to someone who has done us wrong in the past. Justin Timberlake does this perfectly in this song.
Much like Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake is a singer who is known more for his dance moves and pop songs than he is for sad breakup songs. If my memory serves me correctly, isn’t this the guy who sang “Bye, Bye, Bye?” “Cry Me A River” is another song in which he expresses his resentment, bitterness, and hatred. After all, can you blame him? He was cheated on. That’s enough to make anyone cry a river of tears.
31. Tears Dry On Their Own by Amy Winehouse
| Genre | R&B, Soul |
| Year Released | 2006 |
| Album | Back To Black |
Perhaps most well-known for her beehive hairdo and her unique retro sound, Amy Winehouse created quite a buzz in the musical world in 2006 when she released her best-selling album “Back To Black,” which would go on to earn the singer the 2008 Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album as well as the award for Best New Artist. However, the singer would tragically pass away at the incredibly young age of 27 years old.
While Amy Winehouse was remembered for her catchy hit singles, one of her lesser-known songs was “Tears Dry On Their Own.” What I like best about this track is the point that wine house was trying to make with her lyrics, which was no matter how good two people are together, a messy breakup can taint the relationship to the point where all the couple can remember about each other is the heartache in the hurt that the breakup caused them, which is reminiscent of plenty of divorces.
32. Somebody That I Used to Know by Gotye (Featuring Kimbra)
| Genre | Alternative, Pop |
| Year Released | 2011 |
| Album | Making Mirrors |
During any marriage, one of the people involved usually ends up turning into someone that is completely unrecognizable to their partner. It even escalates to the point where their partner doesn’t even know them anymore. Anyone who is old enough may have found themselves in this situation at least once in their life. That’s the message that is conveyed by Gotye and Kimbra in their hit single “Somebody That I Used to Know.”Needless to say, many people found themselves being able to relate to this song, which is what helped propel it to the chart-topping, incredibly successful single that it became.
33. Burn by Usher
| Genre | R&B, Soul |
| Year Released | 2004 |
| Album | Confessions |
Sometimes when we see that a relationship is coming to a bitter end, we have to force ourselves to end it before it gets even worse. When the song was released, Usher was just getting out of a two-year relationship with Chili from TLC, and this track was a way for him to vent his feelings. Although the singer was accused of recording the song as a marketing ploy, it is full of real-life confessions about accusations of infidelity in the relationship. Nothing in a relationship hurts worse than having your trust betrayed, so who can blame Usher for writing this song as a way to deal with his feelings?
34. Straight Tequila Night by John Anderson
| Genre | Country |
| Year Released | 1992 |
| Album | Seminole Wind |
Are plenty of ways for people to address their feelings about a failed relationship or marriage. One of those methods may include going to your local watering hole and attempting to drown those feelings in a bottle of tequila. n in his upbeat, chart-topping country tune “Straight Tequila Night,” John Anderson sings about a girl who attempts to drink away her failed relationship, although it doesn’t go well very often. What I like best about this song is that although it takes on a rather serious topic, Anderson does so in a playful manner that helps to keep the song from becoming too serious or depressing.
35. My Give a Damn’s Busted by Jo Dee Messina
| Genre | Country |
| Year Released | 2005 |
| Album | Delicious Surprise |
One of the sad realities of allowing someone to get as close to you as they do in a marriage is that they know several ways to push your buttons. Sometimes, they can take this too far and it gets to the point where you no longer care about them or anything they do or say. In the South, one of the ways to express these feelings is to say that “you give a damn’s busted.” In the appropriately titled “My Give a Damn’s Busted” by country superstar Jo Dee Messina, this topic is tackled in a straightforward fashion that makes you root for her to tell her exactly what’s on her mind.
36. Best Days of Your Life by Kellie Pickler
| Genre | Country |
| Year Released | 2006 |
| Album | Kellie Pickler |
When a marriage ends, you normally feel like you gave your ex-spouse some of the best days of your life. However, you can take solace in the fact that they also did the same for you and now the best days of their life or behind them. In a track from Kellie Pickler, she is addressing her former spouse and tells him that their relationship was easily the best days of his life, and now they are long behind him. Nevertheless, she makes it abundantly clear that those days are over, and there is no chance that he will ever have a relationship like theirs again.
37. Forget You by Cee Lo Green
| Genre | Hip-Hop, Rap |
| Year Released | 2010 |
| Album | The Lady Killer |
There is nothing in this life that annoys me more than seeing a good relationship because one of the people involved decided that they wanted to pursue a more luxurious life with someone of more substantial means. This is especially true when you see both people in the marriage Hustle and work for everything they have, only to see that what they have isn’t good enough. In this song by Cee Lo Green, he sees his partner riding around town with someone new after leaving him because he wasn’t wealthy enough for her, but he makes sure that he gets the last word.
38. Nothing Compares 2 U by Sinéad O’Connor
| Genre | Pop |
| Year Released | 1990 |
| Album | I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got |
Although it is now common knowledge that this song was originally written by the one and only Prince, this is one of the instances in which I feel like the cover version of the song outshines the original version. The Irish singer took this song to the top of the Billboard Hot 100, where it stayed for four consecutive weeks, regardless of being one of the more depressing tracks on this list. In this heartbroken ballad, Sinéad O’Connor is reminded of her ex in everything that she sees, and continuously reminds him that nothing will ever compare to him.
39. Need You Now by Lady Antebellum
| Genre | Country |
| Year Released | 2009 |
| Album | Need You Now |
When a relationship ends, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the people involved don’t yearn for each other from time to time, especially when it’s late at night and they have had a few drinks. If you have ever been in this position before, then you can wholeheartedly relate to the title track from the Grammy Award-winning Lady Antebellum’s sophomore album “Need You Now.” In this song, both Hillary Scott and Charles Kelley are trying to resist the temptation of contacting each other for a late-night rendezvous with each other, it’s not going very well for either of them.
40. We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together by Taylor Swift
| Genre | Pop Country |
| Year Released | 2021 |
| Album | Red |
Taylor Swift has undoubtedly earned the reputation of being in one failed relationship after another, which she has parlayed into a successful career in which she has sold over 70 million albums. One of the best examples of this is on her playful track “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” from her eight-time platinum album “Red.” What I like best about this song and what separates it from a myriad of other songs that tackle the same subject is that it does so in a refreshing manner in which Taylor Swift doesn’t attempt to hide her anger. Instead, she channels it into this hit single.
41. You Don’t Even Know Who I Am by Patty Loveless
| Genre | Country |
| Year Released | 1994 |
| Album | When Fallen Angels Fly |
Sadly, sometimes marriages are over long before they are officially finished, much like we see in this simple acoustic ballad from Patty Loveless. In this song, both the husband and the wife acknowledge that neither of them knows the other anymore. They have both been so fixated on going through the motions and wanting to end the relationship that they have lost touch with why they were together in the first place. Unfortunately, by the end of the song, they both realize that they are not good together and decide to call it quits before either of them gets hurt any more than they already have been.
42. Apologize by Timbaland (Featuring OneRepublic)
| Genre | R&B |
| Year Released | 2007 |
| Album | Shock Value |
Have you ever been in a situation in which your marriage has been so far gone that an apology simply won’t suffice anymore? Sometimes, we get so angry at the respective exes that we just want to shout at them from the top of the roof that it’s too late for an apology, much like we get on Timbaland’s track “Apologize.” Featuring a guest appearance from OneRepublic, this song finds the narrator exhausted from continuously being criticized by their spouse and is no longer willing to accept their apology. What makes this song great is the wall honesty in the lyrics.
43. 50 Ways to Say Goodbye by Train
| Genre | Alternative Pop |
| Year Released | 2012 |
| Album | California 37 |
Once a relationship has ended, one of the people involved has a hard time admitting to their friends and family that it’s over. This is especially hard when it comes to marriages. Let’s face it, there are going to be questions coming at you from every angle about why your ex-husband or ex-wife is no longer around. This song is one of the few that take the playful approach to what happened, and that’s what I like about it. Instead of telling his friends what happened in the relationship, Train lead vocalist Pat Monahan is perfectly content to make up wild scenarios in which his ex met an untimely fate.
44. You’ll Think of Me by Keith Urban
| Genre | Country |
| Year Released | 2002 |
| Album | Golden Road |
When a relationship ends and you go your separate ways, one of the more sobering aspects of watching something fall apart right before your eyes is seeing your ex hate the belongings that you’ve become accustomed to having around. Country star Keith Urban addresses this topic in his heartbreaking valid “You’ll Think of Me.” What makes this song so special is that it seems like Keith Urban pours enough emotion into it that you believe that he’s been where you are before. However, he gets the final word when he says that even though you’re taking everything, you’ll still think of him.
45. Baby Come Back by Player
| Genre | Soft Rock |
| Year Released | 1977 |
| Album | Player |
Seeing a marriage fall apart is not always a Mutual decision. Sometimes, it can be completely one-sided. When you don’t want your marriage to end, there’s practically no limit to what you are willing to do to save the relationship. This includes admitting any wrongdoing and accepting all of the blame for the relationship’s eventual demise. In Player’s hit single “Baby Come Back,” lead singer Peter Beckett admits to spending more time out on the town than he does with his spouse. Now that the relationship is over, he has seen the error of his ways and wants her to come back.
46. Give Me One Reason by Tracy Chapman
| Genre | Folk, Singer-Songwriter |
| Year Released | 1995 |
| Album | New Beginning |
Marriage is a peculiar thing. In the beginning, two people are willing to publicly declare their love for each other and agree to spend the rest of their lives together. However, all of this can be unraveled in an instant. You can make several Valiant attempts at trying to talk your spouse into staying, but sometimes they aren’t ready to hear what you have to say. Other times, all they want is one good reason to stay in the marriage. This is the message that Tracy Chapman is delivering in her single “Give Me One Reason.” What makes this song great is the simple, straightforward delivery of Chapman’s lyrics.
47. We Just Disagree by Dave Mason
| Genre | Soft Rock |
| Year Released | 1977 |
| Album | Let It Flow |
Divorce doesn’t have to be a one-sided affair. More often than not, it is a mutual decision reached by both people involved. Believe it or not, sometimes it can remain fairly civil. That’s what I like most about “We Just Disagree” by Dave Mason. In this song, neither of the people in the marriage is saying that the other is at fault, nor are they saying that their eggs are bad people. They have reached a mutual and amicable decision to end the marriage without making the other person the bad guy or making themselves a martyr. This is a lesson that more people could learn from.
48. Here’s a Quarter (Call Someone Who Cares) by Travis Tritt
| Genre | Country |
| Year Released | 1991 |
| Album | It’s All About Change |
Of all of the songs on this list, here’s a quarter by Travis Tritt is quite possibly the most enjoyable song to sing along with. What makes this track great is that it embodies all of the things that we have wanted to tell our respective exes at one time or another, especially if we have been cheated on by our partners. What makes this song great is the rousing chorus which is the most enjoyable part of the song. Let’s admit it, we have all had that one person we’ve pictured singing this song to while we sing along with Travis Tritt.
49. How Am I Supposed To Live Without You? by Michael Bolton
| Genre | Pop |
| Year Released | 1989 |
| Album | Soul Provider |
Michael Bolton has one of the most unique and distinguishable voices of all of the artists on this list, which is what makes his music so enjoyable. Whether he is tackling the topic of heartbreak or covering a Timeless classic, Michael Bolton has been blessed with a plethora of talent. And how am I supposed to live without you, the Grammy-winning artist tells us the story of a marriage ending in truly heartbreaking fashion, which is what makes this song So special. Bolton’s voice can carry a ton of emotion, which has the power to bring you to Tears by the end of the track.
50. Fifty Ways to Leave Your Lover by Paul Simon
| Genre | Pop, Singer-Songwriter |
| Year Released | 1975 |
| Album | Still Crazy After All These Years |
While the topic of this song from Paul Simon may not be humorous, his delivery may have you chuckling to yourself. The singer-songwriter uses an entertaining and playful rhyming scheme to list several of the appropriately titled “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover.” Although he was once one-half of the folk duo Simon & Garfunkel, it is refreshing to see Paul Simon performing songs of a significantly less serious nature. Honestly, I can’t think of a song that addresses a more serious nature but is also so fun to sing along with. Hopefully, most of you will get as much enjoyment out of this phone as I do.
Final Thoughts
While doing some research for this list, one of the more disturbing facts that I discovered was that over 50% of all marriages today and in divorce. I would have never thought that a commitment so serious be absolved so easily. However, if you find yourself in the middle of a divorce, maybe you can find a song or two from this list that can help you to get over whatever troubles you are facing at the time. Whether your divorce was a mutual decision or not, you are going to need something to help you get past whatever it is you’re going through. I have always found that music can be that special something more times than not.
Hi, my name is Kevin and I’m from Butler, Pennsylvania. I’ve been obsessed with music and audio gear for as long as I can remember. I started this website to help people find professional advice related to a wide range of audio topics. We have a number of Audio Engineers on our team who have been designing and fixing audio gear for decades.