Meaning of “Haitian Divorce” by Steely Dan
“Haitian Divorce” is a song performed by the American rock band Steely Dan. The lyrics of the song tell the story of a married woman who travels all by herself to Haiti in order to get a quick divorce from her husband. While in Haiti, she has a very brief romantic affair with a Haitian man and somehow ends up being unable to get the divorce that took her to the Caribbean country in the first place. She returns home to America only to find out that she’s pregnant. Nine months later she gives birth to a half Haitian baby.
The lyrics of “Haitian Divorce” are inspired by how 1970s Haiti used to be a hot spot for Americans looking for a quick and easy divorce. In the early 1970s, the Haitian government made it ridiculously easy for foreigners (especially Americans) to come into their country and get divorced from their spouses. The laws in Haiti made the divorce process so easy for foreign nationals by getting rid of a number of red tapes, including lengthy waiting periods and residency requirements. In addition to that, both partners were not required to be present at the hearing on their divorce. All in all, a foreigner could enter into Haiti and obtain a divorce in just a matter of hours!
It’s noteworthy that in addition to giving foreign nationals the opportunity of obtaining a quick and painless divorce, Haiti also gave couples the option of a very quick marriage devoid of so many red tapes. So generally speaking, a married foreigner could just travel to Haiti with his/her wife/husband-to-be, get a divorce and get married to his/her new flame within a matter of days.
The authorities of Haiti used their quickie divorce and marriage for foreigners as a clever strategy to attract more tourists into the country.
Facts about “Haitian Divorce”
- “Haitian Divorce” was written by Steely Dan members Donald Fagen and Walter Becker.
- The production of the song was done by the band’s longtime music producer Gary Katz.
- The song was released in 1976 as the third and final single from the band’s fifth studio album titled The Royal Scam.
- This is one of the most famous songs of all time to make use of a talkbox.
Did “Haitian Divorce” win a Grammy Award?
To date, neither the original version nor any other version of “Haitian Divorce” has won a Grammy.
In the lyrics of the song, it appears the woman’s father was the one who advised her to go to Haiti for the quick divorce. Is this the case?
The line “Papa say” from the song is primarily what makes many to believe that the woman’s Dad was the one who encouraged her to go to the Caribbean nation for the divorce. But the interesting thing is that the “Papa” could possibly refer to the former totalitarian President of Haiti François Duvalier (also known by the nickname Papa Doc). Papa Doc ruled Haiti from 1957 until his death in 1971. During his tenure as President, he often tried promoting Haiti as one of the world’s top divorce-jackpot destinations in order to boost tourism.
what was the number Ricky wasnt allowed to lose?
867-5309
They have a sound that is unique to them and they are certainly up there with the best rock bands in history
Rick Derringer I believe.
Wicked song!
The author says “she ends up being unable to get the divorce”. I’d say she called off the divorce when she found out she was knocked up and was horrified at the prospect of raising essentially a mixed-race bastard on her own. “Tearful reunion in the USA” implies she emotionally manipulated Clean Willie to reunite then mollified him until the baby was born.
Interesting note about “Papa Doc” Duvallier.
“I’d say she called off the divorce when she found out she was knocked up and was horrified at the prospect of raising essentially a mixed-race [child] on her own.”
She called off the divorce in Haiti. The divorce process took only hours or days, not nearly enough time for her to find out that she was pregnant.
She either had second thoughts while in Haiti or felt remorse after her “fling” in Haiti.
My brother got me into S.D. music and he ran into Walter and Donald a few times while living on Maui. Well…once he told them that in some small way, he could relate to EVERY Steely Dan song…. except for Haitian Divorce. Flash forward many years, he had married a very accomplished, educated Jamaican woman who worked for the IMF. She took an assignment in Haiti and they both moved down there. Things didn’t work out because she wanted to get pregnant but he didn’t think their relationship was in a good enuf place to start a family. So he initiated a Haitian divorce…after which he then could relate to EVERY Steely Dan song!! True story. He was more handsome than he deserved to be and lived life on the edge down in SoCal. I swear he was so similar to so many savvy or sketchy characters in S.D. lyrics it’s not even funny….. He is no longer with us. Can’t listen to SD without thinking of him… Oh Michael…
Love everyone’s opinion of the song. Steeley Dan is the best American band of all time. We’ll miss you, Walter. I remember the first time I saw them, OUTSTANDING:, and who said they were a “studio band”
“The best rock band “, I could start reeling off names but I would rather say that SD are among the most talented and have a sound unique to them!