About the song
D-I-V-O-R-C-E is a song written by Bobby Braddock and Curly Putman, and recorded by American country music artist Tammy Wynette. It was released in May 1968 as the first single from her album of the same name. The song topped the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart for six weeks and became Wynette’s biggest hit to date. It also crossed over to the pop charts, reaching number 63 on the Billboard Hot 100.
“D-I-V-O-R-C-E” is a powerful ballad about the pain and heartbreak of divorce. The song’s lyrics tell the story of a woman who is going through a divorce, and her feelings of sadness, anger, and regret. Wynette’s vocals are raw and emotional, and she delivers the song with a conviction that can only come from personal experience.
The song was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to solidify Wynette’s status as one of the leading country music singers of her era. It has been covered by many other artists, including Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, and Reba McEntire. “D-I-V-O-R-C-E” is a classic country music song that continues to resonate with listeners today.
Background
Tammy Wynette was born in 1942 in Mississippi. She began her music career in the early 1960s, and she signed with Epic Records in 1966. Her first single for Epic, “Your Good Girl’s Gonna Go Bad,” was a Top 10 hit on the country charts.
In 1968, Wynette released her third album, D-I-V-O-R-C-E. The album was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to solidify Wynette’s status as one of the leading country music singers of her era. The album’s title track was released as the first single, and it became Wynette’s biggest hit to date.
The Song
“D-I-V-O-R-C-E” is a powerful ballad about the pain and heartbreak of divorce. The song’s lyrics tell the story of a woman who is going through a divorce, and her feelings of sadness, anger, and regret. Wynette’s vocals are raw and emotional, and she delivers the song with a conviction that can only come from personal experience.
The song begins with Wynette singing about the day she received the news that her husband was leaving her. She sings about how she felt like her world was falling apart, and how she didn’t know how she would go on.
The song then goes on to describe the pain and loneliness of divorce. Wynette sings about how she misses her husband, and how she doesn’t know how to live without him. She also sings about the anger she feels towards him, and how she wishes she could make him pay for the pain he has caused her.
The song ends with Wynette coming to terms with her divorce. She sings about how she is finally starting to heal, and how she is ready to move on with her life.
Impact
“D-I-V-O-R-C-E” was a critical and commercial success. It won the Grammy Award for Best Country Vocal Performance by a Female in 1969, and it was named the Song of the Year by the Country Music Association. The song was also a major crossover hit, reaching number 63 on the Billboard Hot 100.
“D-I-V-O-R-C-E” had a major impact on country music. It was one of the first songs to deal with the subject of divorce, and it helped to break down the taboo surrounding the topic. The song also helped to make Wynette a household name, and it solidified her status as one of the leading country music singers of her era.
“D-I-V-O-R-C-E” is a classic country music song that continues to resonate with listeners today. It is a powerful and moving ballad about the pain and heartbreak of divorce, and it is a testament to Wynette’s talent as a singer and songwriter.
Video
Lyrics
“D-I-V-O-R-C-E”
Our little boy is four years old and quite a little man
So we spell out the words we don’t want him to understand
Like T-O-Y or maybe S-U-R P-R-I-S-E
But the words we’re hiding from him now
Tear the heart right out of me.Our D-I-V-O-R-C-E; becomes final today
Me and little J-O-E will be goin’ away
I love you both and this will be pure H-E double L for me
Oh, I wish that we could stop this D-I-V-O-R-C-E.Watch him smile, he thinks it Christmas
Or his 5th Birthday
And he thinks C-U-S-T-O-D-Y spells fun or play
I spell out all the hurtin’ words
And turn my head when I speak
‘Cause I can’t spell away this hurt
That’s drippin’ down my cheek.Our D-I-V-O-R-C-E; becomes final today
Me and little J-O-E will be goin’ away
I love you both and this will be pure H-E double L for me
Oh, I wish that we could stop this D-I-V-O-R-C-E.