Divorce is painful.
It doesn’t matter if you’ve been together for days, months, or years, moving on from someone you love can be tough.
You get a range of emotions every time you reminisce about the good old days.
Then you remember all the promises you made.
And sometimes, innocent children.
At this point, you will need a powerful tool to calm your mind and assure you that everything will be okay.
That’s where divorce songs for moving on come in.
Below, we have a list of the 35 best songs for divorce to soothe you when you need comfort.
The songs on our list are perfect for calming, inspiring, and motivating when you need it the most.
So, let’s dive right in.
1. “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor
Gloria Gaynor’s defiant anthem describes the singer in her lowest moment.
Like the song’s title, “I Will Survive” is the only affirmation you need after a painful separation.
The female anthem is always assumed to describe a woman moving on after a breakup.
But the lyrics take different meanings for different people experiencing difficult circumstances.
2. “Better By Myself” by Hey Violet
Moving on from a toxic relationship is refreshing.
And those are the sentiments echoed by Hey Violet while addressing a timeless concern.
The singer isn’t advocating for singlehood.
But rather advising the listeners to have the courage to move on from unhealthy relationships.
3. “Someone Like You” by Adele
In “Someone Like You,” Adele is doing everything to move on from the love of her life.
She looks forward to stepping into a new life.
And she hopes her new lover will treat her right, just like her ex-lover.
It’s just every girl’s wish when moving on from a troubled relationship.
4. “Better In Time” by Leona Lewis
Pain, sadness, and regret accompany broken relationships.
But time heals everything.
Leona Lewis conveys the same message in her 2007 pop song.
No matter how terrible the feeling gets, time repairs all broken hearts.
That’s the much-needed affirmation after a divorce.
5. “A Little Bit Stronger” by Sarah Evans
In “A Little Bit Stronger,” Sarah Evans expresses her desire to move on from a previous relationship.
It is an autobiographical song about the first few months after a painful breakup.
On the one hand, she wants to move on.
But on the other, she’s constantly reminded of that one special person who made her world special.
Either way, she needs the courage to rebuild her life.
6. “Bye Bye Bye” by *NSYNC
“Don’t want to be a fool for you.”
That sums up the narrator’s feelings in the award-winning 2000 pop song.
The guy is fed up with the relationship.
So, he compiles emotional lyrics about his desire to move on.
The pop smash was a major success for the American boy band, peaking at #4 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
7. “Dancing With Myself” by Billy Idol
Billy Idol portrays the image of a lonely man dancing alone because he can’t find love.
It is a song for those lonely days after realizing that the one person who complimented your life is no longer there.
When reality hits, you find yourself dancing alone in front of the mirror.
8. “Gonna Get Over You” by Sara Bareilles
Sadness is a persistent feeling when two lovebirds separate.
And at that moment, you must tell yourself that things will get better no matter how bad they appear.
That’s Sara Bareilles’ positive message in her upbeat pop song.
Of course, it hurts to be away from someone you love.
But no matter how painful it gets, you have to walk away when the relationship has run its course.
9. “I’m Movin’ On” by Rascal Flatts
Rascal Flatts’ melancholic ballad tells the tale of a sad man regretting his troubled past.
What stands out in the song is that he’s finally at peace with himself.
He’s faced his demons alone and is ready to make a fresh start.
It’s the same feeling you’d get when escaping a troubled relationship.
10. “My Life” by Billy Joel
You need the courage to end a relationship.
And strength to get over a troubled affair.
And Billy Joel will give you just that in his power ballad from the 1978 52nd street album.
“My Life” is a song about acquiring the strength to face your demons.
And that includes moving on from toxic people and relationships.
11. “Irreplaceable” by Beyoncé
In your search for good divorce songs, you will need upbeat tunes to show you that going solo is better than tolerating a cheating partner who disrespects you.
And Beyoncé’s girl power anthem is there to give you the courage to move on.
It is an empowering tune and a clap back for that one person who took your love for granted.
12. “Silver Lining” by Rilo Kiley
How about Rilo Kiley’s “Silver Lining?”
This is an acknowledgment that your best life is yet to come, despite the current struggles.
If you are beginning to get the signals that your better half is yet to come, this is the tune to help with the wait.
There’s real pain and sadness in every broken relationship.
But just like the proverbial “light at the end of the tunnel,” successful healing always promises a better future.
13. “So What” by Pink
Pink’s “So What” feels just right when you want to immerse yourself in the joy of singlehood.
As you heal and adjust, you will realize that everything doesn’t revolve around your ex-lover’s little world.
And this upbeat tune will be there to help you redefine your path.
14. “Since U Been Gone” by Kelly Clarkson
Kelly Clarkson’s song tells the story of a failed relationship from a woman’s perspective.
Surprisingly, her life has only become better after the breakup.
And as she continues to revel in her newly found freedom, she can’t stop taunting her ex-lover.
“But since you been gone/I can breathe for the first time.”
Probably referencing the stifling relationship she’d been in all this while.
15. “These Boots Are Made For Walkin'” by Nancy Sinatra
In the midst of the pain and sadness accompanying a breakup, you also get a chance to break free from the shackles of a toxic lover.
That’s why a manipulative lover won’t tame Nancy Sinatra.
She’s had enough of his toxic behavior.
And wants to move on.
If you ever feel less valued in a relationship, move on.
16. “The Great Divide” by Neil Young
“The Great Divide” is a great divorce song from Neil Young’s Silver and Gold album.
The emotional lyrics describe a somber mood, making it one of the greatest songs for moving on.
17. “Divorce Separation Blues” by The Avett Brothers
There’s no better person to sing about love, divorce, and separation than Seth Avett of The Avett Brothers band.
Seth had a first-hand experience with divorce in 2013 and shared his sentiments in this old-time-sounding hit.
He describes the painful experience using emotional lyrics that touch on love, divorce, and separation.
18. “D-I-V-O-R-C-E” by Tammy Wynette
Tammy Wynette’s song follows the life of two adults entangled in a painful divorce.
But that’s not even the most painful part.
The most agonizing bit is how they’ll break the news to their 4-year-old song.
So, they resort to adult words to conceal the message from the little one.
19. “Stronger” by Britney Spears
Britney Spears’ dance-pop song expresses her troubles in love.
She’s been hurt, used, and heartbroken countless times.
But she won’t give up on love.
Give it a listen because you will need the same mindset to overcome a painful heartbreak.
20. “Warrior” by Demi Lovato
If you want to put your relationship woes behind you and move on with your life, you have to listen to this Demi Lovato masterpiece.
For Lovato, her biggest struggle is her mental health.
But for you, it could be your troubled love life.
21. “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” by Taylor Swift
We would only complete this list after mentioning a Taylor Swift masterpiece.
And this is one of those songs to evoke emotions when you want to move on.
Some people can’t get over their ex-lovers after a breakup.
But others fast realize that they are better off without their toxic partners.
If you belong to the second category, this is the perfect tune to lighten your mood after a divorce.
22. “You Learn” by Alanis Morissette
Divorce is a painful process.
And no matter how strong you think you are, there comes a time when you can’t hold it anymore.
You will find yourself sobbing uncontrollably because a special someone broke your heart.
Sometimes, it is a sharp pain that takes weeks, months, and years to heal.
But always remember that divorce is also a perfect learning experience.
That’s the message from Alanis Morissette’s rock song.
23. “Wide Awake” by Katy Perry
Katy Perry’s “Wide Awake” is the perfect song for picking yourself up and moving on when all looks lost.
The singer describes it as a “dose of reality” and could sum up the negative emotions surrounding divorce.
The song is more of a reality check when you finally acknowledge the urge to keep going.
The power ballad joined the long list of Katy Perry’s most successful tracks, topping the charts in New Zealand and Canada.
24. “Family Portrait” by Pink
Pink delivered a passionate narration when talking about her family problems.
In this song, she reveals her family conflicts through the eyes of an innocent 9-year-old.
This was her age when her parents divorced, and the consequences of the divorce have haunted her ever since.
In one of the interviews, Pink admits that there were better ways to handle family problems.
But there’s no denying many divorce victims related to the song’s powerful message.
25. “Don’t Speak” by No Doubt
“Don’t Speak” is a song based on an actual breakup involving Gwen Stefani and Tony Kanal.
The hit portrays the emotions accompanying the 8-year union before the tragic end.
26. “Strong Enough” by Cher
Cher has only one thought when she realizes that her lover doesn’t value her; to end the relationship.
She views this as the ultimate liberation and would do anything to attain the much-needed freedom.
The good thing is that she has the courage to let go.
27. “Go Your Own Way” by Fleetwood Mac
“Packing up/Shacking up is all you want to do.”
That line sums up everything about this song.
The narrator is tired of the relationship and only wants to move on.
That was Lindsey Buckingham’s message to Stevie Nicks about their failed relationship.
28. “Somebody That I Used Know” by Gotye ft. Kimbra
Pretending not to know someone who meant the world to you is awkward.
But such is the nature of breakups, where two lovebirds change from best friends to strangers.
Just like Gotye and Kimbra sing in their Grammy-nominated 2011 alternative rock.
29. “50 Ways To Leave Your Lover” by Paul Simon
Ladies and gentlemen, here are Paul Simon’s top 50 ways to leave your lover.
Just “slip out the back, make a new plan, and don’t be coy.”
Of course, none of these tips makes sense.
But the upbeat tune will tell you that there’s much more to life than sticking with someone who doesn’t value your love.
30. “Free Bird” by Lynyrd Skynyrd
Only one thing comes to mind when you listen to Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Free Bird.”
That you can still live your best life without committing to a serious relationship.
The song is the perfect reminder that you don’t have to chain yourself to the wrong lover just because of loneliness.
And the lyrics capture the emotions perfectly.
31. “Harden My Heart” by Quarterflash
“Harden My Heart” is one of the many songs that express the feelings of moving on.
To move forward after a breakup, you have to forget the past and step into a new life with new energy.
That makes Quarterflash’s “Harden My Heart” one of the best songs for divorce.
32. “I’m Still Standing” by Elton John
“Don’t you know I’m still standing better than I ever did/Looking like a true survivor, feeling like a little kid.”
Sings Elton John in his up-tempo song while describing his successful recovery from a failed relationship.
This is the perfect tune to step into a new life after putting your troubled marriage behind you.
As your relationship runs its course, perhaps this is the best time to remind yourself of the wonderful memories you shared.
33. “Separate Ways” by Journey
The inevitability of a breakup in Journey’s song is written all over the narrator’s heart.
There appears to be a foregone conclusion that no matter what happens, the relationship will fail.
34. “You’re No Good” by Linda Ronstadt
A painful divorce is also a perfect opportunity to throw a jibe at a toxic ex-lover.
And singing along to Linda Ronstadt’s “You’re No Good” will lessen the pain, even if only for a minute.
35. “What Hurts The Most” by Rascal Flatts
Country music is synonymous with love and heartbreak.
And Rascal Flatts conveys the perfect breakup message in this iconic country pop song.
The hit became a huge commercial success for the American country music band, entering the Billboard Hot 100 chart at #1.
What hurts the most is that this is the last divorce song on our list.
Best Divorce Songs – Final Thoughts
Songs about divorce are sure to evoke emotions.
Some describe the somber mood accompanying the separation.
Others express the newly found freedom after getting away from a toxic lover.
While a few express the regret of losing a special someone.
All in all, there’s always something for everyone when it comes to the best songs about divorce and moving on.
So, create the perfect divorce playlist with the best songs from the list.
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