Ten songs about... divorce and break-ups
It's not only a leap in the dark... divorce and breakups have inspired some beautiful love songs.
Number one hit "D-I-V-O-R-C-E" for Tammy Wynette in 1968 (having divorced already two of her five husbands - Euple Byrd and Don Chapel). She later married George Jones, Michael Tomlin, and George Richey, whom she stayed married to until she passed away in 1998. In "D-I-V-O-R-C-E," she sings about spelling the words relating to her split out loud in order to keep the information from her young son. "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 it will be pure H.E double L for me/Oh, I wish that we could stop this D.I.V.O.R.C.E."
Blur's "No Distance Left To Run" appeared in their album 13, which contained songs inspired by singer Damon Albarn's split to Justine Frischmann (of once-feted Britpop band Elastica).
Carole King's "It's too late" Listen to it on YouTube #1 song from her 1971 album Tapestry. The song was covered by The Isley Brothers on their 1972 album Brother, Brother, Brother. "It's Too Late" has been featured in Hollywood films, including Fandango, The Lake House, and Invincible.
Bob Dylan's "Tangled Up In Blue" - like the rest of his album Blood On The Tracks, a tale of love ending... "So now I'm goin' back again, I got to get to her somehow... ... We always did feel the same, We just saw it from a different point of view, Tangled up in blue."
The Band's underrated "It Makes No Difference" - taster from the bridge: "Without your love I'm nothing at all, like an empty hall it's a lonely fall / Since you've been gone it's a losing battle, Stampeding cattle, They rattle the walls."
Ok... if Fleetwood Mac aren't experts at break-ups, I don't know who is: drummer Mick Fleetwood went with singer Stevie Nicks, who was married to guitarist Lindsay Buckingham, who was having an affair with keyboardist Christine McVie, which left her husband, bassist John McVie alone. And that's a cautionary tale for all bassists.
The beautiful "It's Easier" by John Grant, from his solo album Queen of Denmark,
Elvis, naturally, with "Suspicious Minds".
Spiritualized's "Broken Heart".
...Ok, this one's taking the piss. But Ludwig's song here is as serious as the flames of hell.