40 Songs About Moving On, After a Breakup, a Loss or a Big Change

What is the best song for letting go?

For a breakup, "Since U Been Gone" by Kelly Clarkson and "thank u, next" by Ariana Grande turn heartbreak into a fresh start, and "Flowers" by Miley Cyrus is the modern self-love anthem. For a quieter goodbye, "Let Her Go" by Passenger and "Let It Be" by The Beatles are the songs people return to. For a new chapter that has nothing to do with romance, "Unwritten" by Natasha Bedingfield is the classic.

Songs about moving on from a breakup

1. "Since U Been Gone", Kelly Clarkson: the relief anthem.
2. "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)", Kelly Clarkson: coming back tougher.
3. "thank u, next", Ariana Grande: grateful for the lessons, ready for what is next.
4. "I Will Survive", Gloria Gaynor: the original moving-on song.
5. "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together", Taylor Swift: a clear decision.
6. "Love Yourself", Justin Bieber: walking away with honesty.
7. "Someone Like You", Adele: accepting it is over.
8. "New Rules", Dua Lipa: a plan for not going back.
9. "Don't Start Now", Dua Lipa: a dance-floor goodbye.
10. "Flowers", Miley Cyrus: loving yourself better.
11. "Irreplaceable", Beyoncé: knowing your worth.
12. "Survivor", Destiny's Child: stronger than before.
13. "Feelin' Stronger Every Day", Chicago: a 70s song about getting better day by day.
14. "50 Ways to Say Goodbye", Train: a funny take on an ending.
15. "You'll Think of Me", Keith Urban: letting go with a little pride.

Songs about letting go

16. "Let It Be", The Beatles: peace in what you cannot change.
17. "Let Her Go", Passenger: about realizing too late.
18. "Breakeven", The Script: when one person moves on faster.
19. "Shake It Out", Florence + The Machine: leaving the past behind.
20. "Let It Go", from Frozen: the anthem for letting go of what holds you back.
21. "Hold On", Wilson Phillips: things will get better.
22. "Here Comes the Sun", The Beatles: light after a long winter.
23. "Landslide", Fleetwood Mac: about fear of change.

Songs about moving on to a new chapter

24. "Unwritten", Natasha Bedingfield: the rest of the story is yours.
25. "Closing Time", Semisonic: every ending is a beginning.
26. "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)", Green Day: grateful and ready.
27. "The Climb", Miley Cyrus: the journey matters.
28. "Home", Phillip Phillips: wherever you go next.
29. "Leaving on a Jet Plane", John Denver: the bittersweet goodbye.
30. "On the Road Again", Willie Nelson: ready for the next adventure.
31. "Life Is a Highway", Tom Cochrane: the road-trip anthem.
32. "Take It Easy", Eagles: a relaxed start to something new.
33. "Graduation (Friends Forever)", Vitamin C: moving on with friends behind you.
34. "Brand New Day", Sting: starting over.

Country songs about moving on

35. "Ready to Run", The Chicks: when it is time to go.
36. "I Hope You're Happy Now", Carly Pearce and Lee Brice: wishing someone well.
37. "Wildflowers", Tom Petty: letting someone be free.
38. "Take Me Home, Country Roads", John Denver: heading home to start again.
39. "Starting Over", Chris Stapleton: a new life somewhere else.
40. "Bless the Broken Road", Rascal Flatts: every wrong turn led here.

Songs about moving on from a job

For a last day at work, a retirement or a career change, "Closing Time", "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)", "Unwritten" and "On the Road Again" set the right tone: grateful for what was, excited for what is next. See our list of retirement songs for a farewell party.

Songs about moving on and growing up

Leaving home, graduating or turning a big birthday is moving on too. "Unwritten", "The Climb", "Home" and "Landslide" capture that mix of excitement and fear. More in our lists of songs about growing up and graduation songs.

When moving on hurts

Not every goodbye feels like a victory. "Someone Like You", "Let Her Go", "Breakeven" and "Landslide" give you room to grieve what you are leaving behind. Listen to them on the hard days, then switch to "Flowers" or "Since U Been Gone" when you are ready.

Songs about moving on after a loss

Moving on after someone dies does not mean forgetting them. "Let It Be", "Here Comes the Sun" and "Hold On" offer gentle hope. For songs to remember someone, see our memorial service songs and songs about heaven.

How music helps you move on

• Make two playlists: one for feeling it, one for getting up and going.
• Change the soundtrack: skip the songs tied to the person or place you are leaving, for a while.
• Move: a walk or a drive with "Life Is a Highway" does more than another night on the couch.
• Share it: send a song to a friend who is going through the same thing.

A song for someone starting over

If someone you love is moving on, from a breakup, a job, a city or a loss, a personalized song can remind them who they are and what is ahead: their name, their strengths, the people in their corner and the next chapter. It makes a meaningful going-away or encouragement gift. See our guides to thanking someone who changed your life and our songs about second chances.

How to create a song for a new chapter

1. Choose a style from 14 genres: pop, country, acoustic, rock and more.
2. Add their name.
3. Share three strengths or 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.

Give them a song for what comes next: create a song and hear four previews for free.