D-I-V-O-R-C-E – Tammy Wynette

One of the most iconic songs ever recorded on the subject of divorce is Tammy Wynette’s D-I-V-O-R-C-E, the title track of the country singer’s 1968 album. The recording draws heavily on Wynette’s real-life experiences (she had just been divorced for the second time), although some may not realize the signature song was composed not by Wynette, but songwriting duo Bobby Braddock and Curly Putman.

The Visitors – ABBA

Legendary Swedish pop group ABBA was famously made up of two married couples – so naturally their working relationship became fraught when both marriages ended. 1981’s The Visitors (their last album until 2022 reunion record Voyage) chronicles this difficult time, most famously on the album’s lead single One of Us.

Frank Sinatra Sings for Only the Lonely – Frank Sinatra

Cited by Frank Sinatra as his own personal favorite from his discography, 1958’s Frank Sinatra Sings for Only the Lonely was recorded in the wake of the legendary singer’s divorce from actress Ava Gardner. Sinatra’s band leader Nelson Riddle was also going through troubles, having recently lost both his mother and daughter, and admirers suggest this all impacted the album’s deeply melancholic mood.

Rumours – Fleetwood Mac

Whilst recording their 1977 album Rumours, rock band Fleetwood Mac were in a dark place personally; the two couples within the group were in the process of splitting, and drug use was rampant. However, this time of difficulty had a significant impact on their music, as Rumours proved to be not only Fleetwood Mac’s biggest hit, but one of the highest-selling albums of all time.

Tunnel of Love – Bruce Springsteen

Singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen was at the height of his 80s superstardom when he recorded 1987’s Tunnel of Love. The album marked a major transition for The Boss, as he was in the process of divorcing actress Julianne Philips whilst also beginning a new relationship with E Street Band member Patti Scialfa. The result was a far more intimate and introspective record than fans necessarily expected.

Back to Black – Amy Winehouse

When Amy Winehouse recorded her second and last album Back to Black in 2006, she had not yet married longtime partner Blake Fielder-Civil; they would tie the knot in 2007, and divorce by 2009. However, the record chronicles the intense nature of the relationship and how events impacted Winehouse, all of which has a tragic quality given the singer’s sad early death five years later.

Here, My Dear – Marvin Gaye

During his bitter divorce proceedings with Anna Gordy Gaye, soul legend Marvin Gaye was coerced into signing over half his royalties from his next album to his ex-wife. With this in mind, Gaye decided to make the album specifically about the divorce, and the resulting was a sprawling, experimental double album intended as a supreme act of catharsis on the part of the singer-songwriter.

30 – Adele

Released in 2021, Adele’s fourth album 30 chronicles her personal woes following her divorce and subsequent single motherhood. The English singer-songwriter has explained that, as much as the record was intended to help process her own grief at the time, it was also intended as a means of explaining the situation to her son, most notably on the track Easy on Me.

Blood on the Tracks – Bob Dylan

One of the most highly regarded records of legendary singer-songwriter Bob Dylan, 1975’s Blood on the Tracks was written and recorded whilst his marriage to Sara Dylan was falling apart; the couple would split by 1977. Dylan himself has consistently refused to address the record’s personal nature, but many commentators including his own son Jakob Dylan are adamant that it’s all about the breakup.

Face Value – Phil Collins

After several years as the frontman of prog rock band Genesis, Phil Collins released his first solo album Face Value in 1981. The songs draw heavily on Collins’ emotional state during divorce proceedings with his first wife Andrea, most famously informing the moody and atmospheric opening track In the Air Tonight, which became a huge hit single. Soon, Collins’ solo success eclipsed that of Genesis.