25 Best Retirement Songs

14. “Hit The Road Jack” by Ray Charles

Song Year: 1961

If you’re looking for a funnier song to end a retirement party than Closing Time, Hit The Road Jack is probably the song you’re looking for. This #1 R&B hit features the singers telling Jack to get out and never come back, which is a feeling many coworkers can relate to when someone is heading out. Just make sure it’s known to be played for fun, rather than spite.

R&B is an unusual genre for retirement songs, which tend to be more relaxing and optimistic. The lyrics are simple and mostly repeat throughout the song, making this an easy listen despite its snappy sound.

15. “I’ll Always Remember You” by Robert Cray

Song Year: 2012

A relatively recent retirement song, Robert Cray’s gentle tune is unusually long for an option on this list, coming in at more than six minutes. It features long instrumental sections and slower vocals than many other songs, which add to the wistfulness and depth of emotion in the song.

Most of this song’s power is in the instrumentals instead of the lyrics, so it’s worth actively paying attention to the music instead of just having it on as background while you think about its song. As a retirement song, it’s also a kind way to tell a coworker who’s leaving that you’re not going to forget them or the impact they had on your life.

16. “Hard Workin’ Man” by Brooks and Dunn

Song Year: 1993

Country songs often praise the value of work, and this classic from Brooks and Dunn is no exception to that trend. As a retirement song, this tune about work is a good reminder that people who are leaving have often spent a lot of time getting where they are today, and work is about far more than showing up and collecting a paycheck.

Towards its end, this song also reminds us that getting up in the morning can involve going back to work. In retirement, that’s not always the same thing as a job, but people who are passionate and active in life rarely end up sitting still for too long. The form of the work may change, and you may call it something else, but you don’t have to sit still at any stage of your life.

17. “I Hope You Dance” by Lee Ann Womack

Song Year: 2000

Lee Ann Womack’s gentle country-pop song is wistful but hopeful, ideal for any change or departure in life. It’s just as relevant to children growing up as it is to adults ready to focus on their own lives instead of work, with a particular emphasis on taking opportunities and enjoying the journey along the way.

It’s also a song full of advice, from setting goals to taking chances on love. Lee Ann won a Grammy for it, among other awards, and by that metric, it’s easily one of the best songs on this list.

18. “Gone Gone Gone” by Uptown Vocal Jazz Quartet

Song Year: 2012

Quartet songs are a little different than most, with different group members coming in at various times to harmonize or perform their sections. The Uptown Vocal Jazz Quartet isn’t nearly as well-known as some of the other groups on this list, but their smooth rendition and outstanding jazz styling make them worth the listen for a calmer part of a retirement party.

Jazz is different from most genres and has some distinctive styling elements. If you’re curious about the way these songs stand out, check out our guide to jazz music.

19. “Thanks for the Memory” by Bob Hope and Shirley Ross

Song Year: 1938

Easily the oldest song on this list, Thanks for the Memory was written for a 1938 film, featuring a range of lyrics for two people who had previously divorced deciding to get back together. It’s a flexible song, and people have added many different lyrics in the years since. If you’re looking for a song you can customize for a specific retiree, this is the one.

In the decades since, a range of artists have produced their versions of the song. Unsurprisingly, Frank Sinatra is among them, which means that in some ways he got onto this list three times.

20. “Thnks fr the Mmrs” by Fall Out Boy

Song Year: 2007

Lacking the vowels of the previous song, Fall Out Boy’s 2007 is an interesting look at faith and willpower. It points out that it can be hard to know if there’s any God or afterlife, so whatever you believe, don’t stop it from letting you live a life you’re proud of. The lyrics focus on broken relationships and fame, both of which can be touching to someone newly retiring.

Less obviously, this song includes references to the 2004 film Closer, featuring Julia Roberts, Jude Law, Natalie Portman, and Clive Owen as they’re embroiled in a complex web of sex and lies. Viewing the film just before listening adds a new layer to this song, and it’s worth the time spent if you want to understand all the layers in this tune.

21. “Unforgettable” by Nat King Cole & Natalie Cole

Song Year: 1951/1991

Originally recorded in the early 1950s, this song eventually saw a remix as Nat King Cole’s daughter Natalie used technology to create a virtual duet that adds an entirely new layer of meaning to its verses.

It’s a positive sentiment for someone retiring, whether it’s from or to the person leaving. Its smooth jazz styling is comfortable and pleasant, reminding people that however far away they go, they’re still remembered by anyone whose life they’ve touched. However, the feelings can be reciprocal, which helps them stand out even more.

22. “I’m Free” by The Rolling Stones

Song Year: 1965

Freedom is a complicated thing, but it’s one of the main things that a true retirement provides. This song is an excellent reminder of what it means to have that freedom and to be able to do the things you want, when you want, with nothing else holding you down. It’s especially poignant if you’re saying goodbye to someone who was a little too tied to their work.

However, the most important message in this song is to not be afraid of that freedom. Retirement is such a huge change that people can feel lost or stuck, unsure of what to do with that time now that they have it. Moving forward and seizing life can make retirement far better.

23. “Work Is a Four-Letter Word” by The Smiths

Song Year: 1988

For a more comedic look at things, The Smiths have this catchy song from their 1988 album. Work Is a Four-Letter Word focuses on love and the idea of moving on from things together. It also talks about changing your life, and understanding that there’s more to it than trying to make a buck for your boss.

24. “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor

Song Year: 1978

Although most people think of Gloria Gaynor’s iconic disco-rock song as an anthem of independence from a relationship, it works just as well as a tongue-in-cheek farewell for a colleague who’s heading off.

For added entertainment, put this song immediately after Hit The Road Jack. The two songs work well together, emphasizing the way colleagues who are still on the job will be able to get along, so the retiree can move along without worrying about what their old companions are doing.

25. “Already Gone” by The Eagles

Song Year: 1974

The Eagles are one of the top bands of all time, a distinction their long series of hits proves they deserve. Already Gone is a bold tune, mixing traditional rock and pop elements with folk and country to create a distinctive sound.

The lyrics here focus on someone who’s leaving on their terms before they can be fired by someone else. This is a particularly good song for anyone who’s retiring on their schedule instead of a mandatory limit. Few songs focus on this point of view, so it stands out as one of the best songs about retirement.

Top Retirement Songs, Final Thoughts

Retirement songs range from wistful to optimistic, with an emphasis on new beginnings while remembering things that occurred before. Whether you’re trying to create a playlist for a retirement party or want to know the emotions you’ll be feeling in the future, the songs on this list represent the best of moving on to a new part of your life.