Tammy Wynette – D-I-V-O-R-C-E

About the Song

Tammy Wynette, the “First Lady of Country Music,” wasn’t afraid to tackle tough topics. In 1968, she released a song that resonated deeply with women across America: D-I-V-O-R-C-E. This wasn’t your typical, upbeat country tune. It was a raw and honest portrayal of the pain and heartbreak that comes with the dissolution of a marriage.
D-I-V-O-R-C-E wasn’t just any song for Wynette. Her own personal life mirrored the themes of the song. She had recently separated from her second husband, country star George Jones, a tumultuous relationship that would become tabloid fodder for years to come.

The song opens with a stark statement: “Our D-I-V-O-R-C-E becomes final today.” Wynette’s voice, both powerful and vulnerable, immediately draws the listener in. She sings not just of the legal separation, but of the emotional turmoil: “Me and little J-O-E will be goin’ away,” referencing a child caught in the crossfire.
The chorus doesn’t shy away from the pain: “I love you both and this will be pure H-E double L for me” The deliberate spelling out of “hell” underlined the raw emotion of the situation. There’s also a flicker of defiance, a hint that Wynette, although heartbroken, is determined to move forward: “Oh, I wish that we could stop this D-I-V-O-R-C-E“.

D-I-V-O-R-C-E was a groundbreaking song. It tackled a subject that was rarely addressed in country music at the time, especially from a woman’s perspective. Wynette’s powerful vocals and honest lyrics resonated with millions of women who had experienced similar heartbreak. The song became an instant hit, topping the country charts and even crossing over to the pop charts.
D-I-V-O-R-C-E wasn’t just a hit song, it was a cultural touchstone. It gave voice to a generation of women who were facing the realities of divorce. It remains a powerful and timeless ballad, a testament to Tammy Wynette’s artistry and her willingness to confront difficult emotions through her music.

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.

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