And when I asked for a separate room
It was late at night and we'd been driving since noon
But if I'd known how that would sound to you
I would have stayed in your bed for the rest of my life
Just to prove I was right

That it's harder to be friends than lovers
And you shouldn't try to mix the two
'Cause if you do it and you're still unhappy
Then you know that the problem is you
And it's true that I stole your lighter
And it's also true that I lost the map

But when you said that I wasn't worth talking to
I had to take your word on that
But if you'd known how that would sound to me
You would have taken it back

And boxed it up and buried it in the ground
Boxed it up and buried it in the ground
Boxed it up and buried it in the ground
Burned it up and thrown it away

You put in my hands a loaded gun
And then told me not to fire it
When you did the things you said were up to me
And then accused me of trying to fuck it up

But you've never been a waste of my time
It's never been a drag
So take a deep breath and count back from ten
And maybe you'll be alright

And the license said you had to stick around until I was dead
But if you're tired of looking at my face, I guess I already am
But you've never been a waste of my time
It's never been a drag
So take a deep breath and count back from ten
And maybe you'll be alright


Lyrics submitted by ruben

Divorce Song Lyrics as written by Liz Phair

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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Divorce Song song meanings
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10 Comments

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  • +2
    General Comment

    this is a great song-- it's kinda depressing but really captures the feeling of a break up-- you're deeply hurt, vengful and sorry- all at the same time.

    L-E-7on December 29, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    yeah its awesome.

    yo mamma!on May 09, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I love that both members of the couple in this song say and do stupid things that make their spouse upset (like loosing a map) and its realistic that they always take their silly arguments one step further and say things they don't mean, but at the end of the day despite the conflicts the two still mean something to eachother even if their feelings and relationship isn't as sacred as it once was

    mcooneyon January 31, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    this song is sad on her behalf i think. like when somebody you love says something horrible to you..and you just think if you knew for ONE second how bad that made me feel, i know you'd take it back...

    that_sullen_girlon May 15, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    ok..."it's harder to be friends than lovers, and you shouldn't try to mix the two"....and..."the license said you had to stick around til i was dead"...are the best lyrics ever!!! i dunno why but they just really stick with me

    alissakissa24on August 11, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    i love this song, about couples who have petty arguments that split them up, and that being friends is harder to keep than being lovers, which is kinda true.

    MissLuLiciouson February 03, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    alissakissa I agree; love that line about the license as well; it's the epitome of great poetry

    tushita12on August 12, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    the raw feeling of hopelessness you get when you break up from someone you still love but don't like, this song is mourning the end of a relationship. liz phair's voice is so so so amazing in this song

    leonard91on September 17, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    "it's harder to be friends than lovers And you shouldn't try to mix the two"

    --such good lines! and so true. i've never understood the whole 'hey, we can't be lovers, let's be friends' thing--it doesn't work!! i guess it's just about a fight that leads to a break-up, and it's obviously always been a pretty fucked-up friendship/relationship.

    also great lyrics:

    "You put in my hands a loaded gun And then told me not to fire it"

    she's so good!

    missmeon December 17, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This is clearly NOT about divorce what are you people on about

    geniusbannedmeon August 25, 2023   Link

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