Divorce can make you hang your head and cry or celebrate a future of possibilities. I’ve been through that post-decree mixed bag of emotions. Twice. And it all came flooding back when my brother, the computer tech/weekend DJ, posted this message on Facebook ” I was asked to put one together so: What songs would you put on a “Happy My Divorce Is Final” CD?” He received 35 likes and 200 recommendations.
Compiling the list
I was intrigued by the idea of a divorce party playlist, so I decided to make a list of my own. I followed no scientific method in my selection process. I simply contemplated the decades of breakup songs stuck in my head, read the 200 Facebook recommendations, then made a list using my gut-reaction scale. (I played the Youtube video and if a song hit me the right way, I put it on the list.)
It didn’t surprise me that the songs were mostly old school blues and country. Blues, by its very nature, sucks you in with bad luck, breakups, and lost love. Now that I think about it, Country songs do the same thing. I refined my list to make it fair and balanced by tossing in a few Rock and Pop songs, some from the Facebook recommendations, others from a Youtube search. And I cut Johnny Taylor’s old school song, “It’s Cheaper to Keep Her,” because it’s about not getting divorced so he wouldn’t have to pay alimony.
What’s on My List
“I Will Survive,” was a Facebook breakup favorite. And I had to include B.B. King’s “The Thrill is Gone.” It reminds me of childhood Saturdays when my father blasted the stereo, worked in the yard, and sang along with B.B. and other blues legends. B.B. is still a blues icon. You’ll find several versions of “Thrill…” on Youtube, accompanied by Eric Clapton, John Mayer, Gladys Knight, and other music greats.
Here’s the list of my 15 favorite songs suitable for a “Happy My Divorce Is Final” party . When you’re done reading it, please add your favorite in a comment below. I’ll pass it along to my brother.
- “I Will Survive” – Gloria Gaynor
- “The Thrill is Gone” – B. B. King
- “Hit the Road Jack” – Ray Charles
- “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” – Paul Simon
- “D-I-V-O-R-C-E” – Tammy Wynette or Dolly Parton
- “Me, Myself, and I” – Beyonce
- “If You think You’re Lonely Now” – Bobby Womack
- “I Changed the Lock” – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
- “Dear John” – Taylor Swift
- “Get Out Of My Life Woman” – Lee Dorsey
- “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore” – Rose Royce
- “You Don’t Have to Call” – Usher
- “Free Bird” – Lynard Skynard
- “Just Fine” – Mary J. Blige
- “Blame It On Me” – Chrisette Michelle
