40 Farewell Songs for a Going-Away Party, a Coworker Leaving or a Friend Moving Away

What is a good farewell song?

"Leaving on a Jet Plane" by John Denver and "So Long, Farewell" from The Sound of Music are the classic goodbye songs. For a going-away party, "Closing Time" by Semisonic and "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)" by Green Day strike the right mix of fun and feeling. For a close friend, "For Good" from Wicked is the farewell that makes everyone cry.

Classic goodbye songs

1. "So Long, Farewell", from The Sound of Music: the cheerful goodbye everyone knows.
2. "Leaving on a Jet Plane", John Denver: the bittersweet departure.
3. "Happy Trails", Roy Rogers and Dale Evans: the cowboy goodbye.
4. "See You Later, Alligator", Bill Haley & His Comets: a rock and roll send-off.
5. "Hit the Road Jack", Ray Charles: the cheeky goodbye.
6. "Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye", Steam: the stadium farewell chant.
7. "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road", Elton John: leaving one life for another.
8. "Time to Say Goodbye", Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman: the grand farewell.
9. "Auld Lang Syne": the old song about old friends.
10. "Hello, Goodbye", The Beatles: a playful pop goodbye.

Going-away party songs

11. "Closing Time", Semisonic: the last-call song that became a goodbye anthem.
12. "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)", Green Day: grateful for the time together.
13. "See You Again", Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth: about meeting again down the road.
14. "Bye Bye Bye", NSYNC: the fun, dramatic exit.
15. "On the Road Again", Willie Nelson: off on the next adventure.
16. "Life Is a Highway", Tom Cochrane: the road-trip send-off.
17. "Unwritten", Natasha Bedingfield: a whole new story ahead.
18. "Wherever You Will Go", The Calling: a promise to stay close.

Farewell songs for a coworker leaving

19. "Thank You for Being a Friend", Andrew Gold: for the work friend who became a real friend.
20. "Taking Care of Business", Bachman-Turner Overdrive: for the colleague who always got things done.
21. "9 to 5", Dolly Parton: a nod to every shared shift.
22. "Take This Job and Shove It", Johnny Paycheck: only for a coworker with a great sense of humor.
23. "Another One Bites the Dust", Queen: the joke at every office farewell.
24. "Celebration", Kool & The Gang: for a happy send-off.

Gift ideas are in our guide to the best farewell gift for a colleague.

Emotional farewell songs

25. "For Good", from Wicked: about being changed by a friendship.
26. "It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday", Boyz II Men: the slow, aching goodbye.
27. "The Parting Glass": the traditional Irish farewell.
28. "Fare Thee Well", Oscar Isaac and Marcus Mumford: a folk goodbye from Inside Llewyn Davis.
29. "Landslide", Fleetwood Mac: about time and change.
30. "Wind Beneath My Wings", Bette Midler: for someone who carried you.
31. "Graduation (Friends Forever)", Vitamin C: moving on with friends behind you.
32. "Lean on Me", Bill Withers: a promise that still stands.

Songs for a friend moving away

33. "Home", Phillip Phillips: wherever they go next.
34. "Homeward Bound", Simon & Garfunkel: for the trips back to visit.
35. "I'll Be Seeing You", Billie Holiday: memories in every familiar place.
36. "500 Miles", Peter, Paul and Mary: the old folk song about being far from home.
37. "Count on Me", Bruno Mars: distance changes nothing.
38. "You've Got a Friend", Carole King: a promise to be there.
39. "Stand by Me", Ben E. King: still on their side.
40. "Take Me Home, Country Roads", John Denver: for the one who will come back.

For a friend leaving town, see also our farewell song for a friend moving away.

Funny farewell songs

For a lighthearted send-off, "Hit the Road Jack", "Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye", "Bye Bye Bye" and "Another One Bites the Dust" get a laugh without being mean. Keep the joke songs for people who will enjoy them.

Farewell songs for a teacher, a team or a military deployment

For a teacher, see our songs for teachers; for a retirement, our retirement songs. For a deployment, "Leaving on a Jet Plane", "I'll Be Seeing You" and "Homeward Bound" carry the hope of coming home.

Goodbye songs for kids and classrooms

For the last day of school or a classmate moving away, kids love "So Long, Farewell", "See You Later, Alligator", "You've Got a Friend in Me" and "Count on Me". A short class video set to one of these songs makes a sweet goodbye gift for the child who is leaving.

How to plan the music for a going-away party

• Start upbeat: "On the Road Again" and "Life Is a Highway" set a happy tone.
• Add a moment: play one emotional song during the toast or the card signing.
• End with a singalong: "So Long, Farewell" or "Closing Time" sends everyone home smiling.

A farewell song written for them

For a coworker, a friend or a family member who is leaving, a personalized song can capture the memories: their name, the inside jokes, the projects and adventures you shared and where they are heading next. Play it at the party and send them the link to keep. See our guide to a farewell song for a coworker.

How to create a farewell song

1. Choose a style from 14 genres: pop, country, rock, acoustic and more.
2. Add their name.
3. Share three memories and where they are heading next.
4. Review the lyrics and edit or regenerate them for free before any music is made.
5. Listen to 4 free 45-second previews and choose your favorite.

The full 3 to 4 minute song costs $24.99, or $29.99 for Premium with four full versions and editable lyrics. You get the MP3, a gift page and the lyrics as a PDF.

Send them off with a song of their own: create a song and hear four previews for free.