31 Songs About Leaving – Work, Home, Or The Past Behind

The Sign- Ace of Base

Song Year: 1992

Ace of Base came out with a few hits during their time, but “The Sign” is certainly on a different level. When you leave a bad situation behind, or finally choose to allow a terrible ex to stay in the past, the best revenge is being happy in spite of it.

This song is about just that; a girl that left someone who hurt her and is now showing them that she is happy and better off. Plus, this song is a great one to belt in the car with your girls!

Landslide- Fleetwood Mac

Song Year: 1975

This song is about changing and moving on, but it is also about growing pains. Growing up and experiencing new things can hurt, but it is never a good idea to put all your eggs in one basket.

Stevie Nicks has such original and haunting vocals, when you miss home and wonder if you made the right decision, this is a great song to sing along with while hoping you did the best you could.

Wild World- Cat Stevens

Song Year: 1970

Cat Stevens wrote some pretty hippy-dippy music in his day, but this song was a total smash for its relatability. This song could be about a man speaking to a leaving woman he continues to love, but it could also be written about a dad telling his daughter to be safe as she leaves home for the first time.

There are a lot of loving warnings in this song, and a lot of best wishes for the person leaving. Just as it hurts to leave home, it hurts to be left behind, especially when you still love that person.

Ramble On- Led Zepplin

Song Year: 1969

The year of 1969 is one of the best for awesome music, and this hit from Led Zepplin is no exception. This song is such a great pump up song for when you have had enough and you have made up your mind.

Whether you are leaving a job for good or are merely done with a bad day, “Ramble On” is a great tune to blast in your car as you throw obscenities out the window and peel out. It says the perfect amount of “Screw this!” and “Up yours!”

Separate Ways- Journey

Song Year: 1983

Journey wrote some power ballads in their time, and “Seperate Ways” is an incomparable song about letting someone move on when you know that it is not right. Steve Perry tells his love that he will always feel for her, but if she needs to leave, he will support her.

Breaking up sucks, even when both parties are mature enough to show each other that they truly want what is best for one another, even if the breakup is not perfectly mutual.

Midnight Train to Georgia- Gladys Knight and the Pips

Song Year: 1973

Gladys Knight has the voice of a smoky angel, and this song tells a soulful story of a man that could not make his dream happen in California. He leaves the job he is passionate about to go back to live a simpler, less glamorous life. The queen that she is, Knight sings that she will go with him wherever he leads.

I Will Always Love You- Dolly Parton (Whitney Housten)

Song Year: 1974

Although this song was written by Dolly Parton as a goodbye present to her manager, it was made popular by the powerhouse voice of Whitney Housten. It tells of a bittersweet story of leaving someone that you will always love, because you believe it to be the right thing to do for them.

Even if you may not have the incomparable vocals of Whitney, you should still sing along to this one, especially that perfect drop in the song before the chorus (you know the one).

(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay- Otis Redding

Song Year: 1968

This song is about sticking to your guns and doing what you want to do, even if others do not agree. In the lyrics, a man leaves his home behind to head out west and live his life by the shore.

He says that he can not make everyone happy, but he can do what is right by him, so at least one person will be satisfied. Hopefully you can see the truth in this song, and stop caring what others think about you.

Birmingham- Shovels and Rope

Song Year: 2013

This band is not well known, but this song (one of their first) tells the story of the two lead singers and how they traveled across the country before they came together to make music. They traveled separately and had to find themselves to be better together.

Sometimes leaving home can hurt, but if you can hear this song and remember that one day you will be with the love of your life, happy and stable, hopefully it will encourage you to move forward and live for you.

Hide and Seek- Imogen Heap

Song Year: 2005

This haunting melody is one that will stay with you, even when you can not quite understand the lyrics being sung by Imogen Heap. The general story is of a woman feeling completely taken off guard by her partner. He is either making an executive decision that she does not agree with, or he seriously hurt her in some way.

In the end she seems to cut ties and accepts that he is not living with her best interests at heart and decides to leave him behind. This song, once you look up the lyrics and learn it (you really should look up the lyrics) is the perfect amount of light, sweet melody and a pain-ridden belting chorus.

Songs About Leaving, Final Thoughts

Whether you are leaving home for the first time, or are finally making the career move you have always wanted, these songs will give you the perfect playlist to make your move. With a perfect blend of happy, sad, and bittersweet songs, you can be sure that you are not alone in the way you feel: moving on is hard for everyone.