40 Songs About Divorce, from Empowering Anthems to Country Classics

What is the perfect divorce song?

"I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor is the divorce anthem everyone knows, and "I'm Still Standing" by Elton John is a close second. For the sadder side, "Easy on Me" by Adele was written about her own divorce, and in country, "D-I-V-O-R-C-E" by Tammy Wynette is the classic that spelled it out.

Empowering divorce songs

1. "I Will Survive", Gloria Gaynor: the original survival anthem.
2. "I'm Still Standing", Elton John: a triumphant comeback.
3. "Since U Been Gone", Kelly Clarkson: relief, loudly.
4. "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)", Kelly Clarkson: coming back tougher.
5. "Flowers", Miley Cyrus: loving yourself better.
6. "Good as Hell", Lizzo: a confidence boost.
7. "Survivor", Destiny's Child: stronger than before.
8. "Irreplaceable", Beyoncé: knowing your worth.
9. "Shake It Out", Florence + The Machine: leaving the past behind.
10. "Good Life", OneRepublic: a gratitude anthem for starting fresh.
11. "Fighter", Christina Aguilera: turning pain into strength.
12. "thank u, next", Ariana Grande: grateful for the lessons.

Sad songs about divorce

13. "Easy on Me", Adele: written about her own divorce.
14. "Someone Like You", Adele: accepting it is over.
15. "Go Your Own Way", Fleetwood Mac: written as a relationship inside the band fell apart.
16. "Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)", Journey: written while band members were going through divorces.
17. "Always on My Mind", Willie Nelson: regret for what was left unsaid.
18. "Stars", Simply Red: a beautiful sad song.
19. "Un-Break My Heart", Toni Braxton: the 90s heartbreak ballad.
20. "Someone You Loved", Lewis Capaldi: the empty space someone leaves.

Country songs about divorce

21. "D-I-V-O-R-C-E", Tammy Wynette: the gold standard.
22. "Wher'm I Gonna Live?", Billy Ray Cyrus: a man figuring out where to go after she throws him out.
23. "When I Call Your Name", Vince Gill: coming home to an empty house.
24. "A Bad Goodbye", Clint Black and Wynonna: a duet about ending it.
25. "Before He Cheats", Carrie Underwood: the revenge fantasy.
26. "Mama's Broken Heart", Miranda Lambert: falling apart in public.

Funny divorce songs

27. "She Got the Goldmine (I Got the Shaft)", Jerry Reed: the funniest divorce settlement in music.
28. "All My Ex's Live in Texas", George Strait: a man avoiding an entire state.
29. "Here's a Quarter (Call Someone Who Cares)", Travis Tritt: the perfect comeback.
30. "Divorce Me C.O.D.", Merle Travis: a 1940s country joke.
31. "Hit the Road Jack", Ray Charles: short and to the point.
32. "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together", Taylor Swift: a clear decision.

Songs about parents' divorce

33. "Because of You", Kelly Clarkson: about growing up around a broken marriage.
34. "Family Portrait", P!nk: a child's view of parents splitting up.
35. "Stay Together for the Kids", Blink-182: about a home falling apart.
36. "Broken Home", Papa Roach: a raw rock song about divorce.

Songs for a fresh start

37. "Here Comes the Sun", The Beatles: the light after a hard season.
38. "Unwritten", Natasha Bedingfield: a whole new story ahead.
39. "Brave", Sara Bareilles: about finding your voice.
40. "Shake It Off", Taylor Swift: letting the noise go.

Happy divorce songs for her

For a divorce party or a girls' night, "Flowers", "Good as Hell", "Since U Been Gone", "I Will Survive" and "thank u, next" are the favorites. End the night with "Shake It Off" and a toast to what comes next.

Divorce songs for him

For men, country often says it best: "Wher'm I Gonna Live?", "When I Call Your Name", "All My Ex's Live in Texas" and "She Got the Goldmine (I Got the Shaft)". "I'm Still Standing" and "Good Life" work for anyone on the way back up.

Rock songs about divorce

Rock has its own long list of breakups set to guitars. "Go Your Own Way" and "Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)" are the classics, "Mr. Brightside" by The Killers captures the jealousy, and "The Chain" by Fleetwood Mac, recorded while the band's marriages and relationships were ending, is the sound of people holding on to the music even when they could not hold on to each other.

Helping kids through a divorce

Children often feel a divorce more than they can say. Music can help them name the feelings: let them choose songs, listen together and talk about what the lyrics mean to them. A family therapist or school counselor can also help.

How to support a friend going through divorce

• Show up: a text, a coffee or a walk matters more than advice.
• Send a song: "Lean on Me" or "Stronger" with one honest sentence.
• Celebrate the small wins: the first weekend away, the new apartment, the first laugh.

More ideas are in our lists of songs about moving on, songs about second chances and songs about hope.

A song of encouragement for a fresh start

For a friend or family member starting over, a personalized song can remind them who they are: their name, their strengths, the people in their corner and the life ahead. It is a thoughtful gift for a new home, a birthday after a hard year or just because.

How to create a song of encouragement

1. Choose a style from 14 genres: pop, country, acoustic and more.
2. Add their name.
3. Share three strengths or memories and what you want them to know.
4. Review the lyrics and edit or regenerate them for free before any music is made.
5. Listen to 4 free 45-second previews and choose your favorite.

The full 3 to 4 minute song costs $24.99, or $29.99 for Premium with four full versions and editable lyrics. You get the MP3, a gift page and the lyrics as a PDF.

Help someone start their next chapter: create a song and hear four previews for free.