Tammy Wynette: The First Lady of Country Music and a Groundbreaking Anthem
Tammy Wynette, often referred to as the “First Lady of Country Music,” was a groundbreaking artist who brought a unique vulnerability and emotional depth to the genre.
Background
Her music resonated with audiences worldwide, and her songs have become timeless classics. Among her most iconic and controversial songs, “D-I-V-O-R-C-E” boldly addressed the then-taboo subject of marital dissolution, making it a landmark moment in country music.
Released in 1968, “D-I-V-O-R-C-E” was a groundbreaking song that challenged societal norms and sparked a national conversation.
Wynette’s powerful vocals, combined with the song’s raw honesty and emotional intensity, created a powerful and unforgettable listening experience.
The lyrics, written by Bobby Braddock and Curly Putman, poignantly depicted the pain and heartbreak of a woman navigating the complexities of divorce, a topic rarely addressed openly in country music at the time.
Wynette’s ability to connect with audiences on an emotional level is evident in “D-I-V-O-R-C-E.” The song’s universal themes of love, loss, and heartbreak resonated with listeners, both male and female, who were experiencing similar struggles.
It broke barriers and paved the way for more open discussions about divorce in country music and beyond
Video
Lyrics
🎵 Let’s sing along with the lyrics! 🎤
[Verse 1]
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[Chorus]
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[Verse 2]
Watch him smile, he thinks it Christmas or his fifth 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[Chorus]
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