Unveiling the Tale: Tammy Wynette’s Captivating Song, “D-I-V-O-R-C-E”
Tammy Wynette, renowned for her soul-stirring performances, had a diverse array of professions before her foray into entertainment. From toiling away in a shoe factory to assisting doctors, working in cotton fields, and even managing a hair salon, Wynette’s past was brimming with diverse experiences. However, it was her 1968 timeless hit, “D-I-V-O-R-C-E,” that revealed an unexpected talent: spelling.
Back in 1966, Bobby Braddock found himself on the road, serving as the piano player for Marty Robbins’ band. While the thrill of touring initially enticed him, Braddock soon grew weary and embarked on a new path the following year as a songwriter under Tree Publishing Company. One of his early creations began as “I L-O-V-E Y-O-U (Do I Have to Spell It out for You),” a song that would eventually transform into the renowned “D-I-V-O-R-C-E.”
Braddock diligently recorded a demo for the tune and began shopping it around, hoping to find interest. However, his efforts fell short, as nobody seemed captivated by the song. It wasn’t until early 1968 that Curly Putman, Braddock’s colleague at Tree Publishing, noticed something intriguing. Putman, responsible for screening new material and matching artists with suitable songs, felt that the melody of “D-I-V-O-R-C-E” was too cheerful for a somber subject. Eager to refine the song, Putman shared his observation with Braddock.
Acknowledging the validity of Putman’s insight, Braddock humorously referred to his original melody as “goofy.” Together, they embarked on a mission to polish the song, completely revamping the melody and making slight adjustments to the lyrics. Once they were satisfied with their efforts, Putman generously refused any claim to royalties. Nevertheless, Braddock insisted that Putman deserved a share of the earnings for his invaluable contributions, which had breathed life into “D-I-V-O-R-C-E.”
On February 29, 1968, the same evening Tammy Wynette won a Grammy award for her moving rendition of “I Don’t Wanna Play House,” Braddock seized the opportunity to share “D-I-V-O-R-C-E” with Wynette’s producer, Billy Sherrill. The very next day, Putman and Braddock personally delivered the song to Sherrill’s office at the Columbia Records building. Billy Sherrill and Wynette were instant fans of the song’s raw emotional power.
“D-I-V-O-R-C-E” stormed onto Billboard’s country singles chart on May 18, 1968, and within a mere five weeks, on June 29th, it soared to the coveted #1 position. This achievement marked Wynette’s fourth chart-topping hit out of an impressive 20 (with 16 as a solo artist). The song even made a brief appearance on Billboard’s Hot 100 pop chart, securing a spot for six weeks and peaking at #63.
Wynette’s subsequent release would be the iconic anthem that defined her career: the unforgettable “Stand by Your Man.” Meanwhile, the partnership between Bobby Braddock and Curly Putman would endure, leading them to pen another unforgettable country masterpiece a decade later—George Jones’ melancholic gem, “He Stopped Loving Her Today.”
Album: D-I-V-O-R-C-E
Artist: Tammy Wynette
Released: 1968
Genre: Classic Country
Lyrics
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.
