When I think of leaving someone, it’s often the scene from Ernest Hemingway’s short story “End of Something” that comes to mind. In it a boy Nick is calling things off with his girlfriend Marjorie, and he says to her simply and sadly, “It isn’t fun any more. It isn’t fun anymore. Not any of it.” To which she replies, “Isn’t love any fun?”
“No,” he says.
Ouch. It’s a harsh way to say goodbye, but sometimes at the end of something there isn’t anything else to say but the truth. There are a lot of ways to leave someone (according to Paul Simon there must be 50) and lot of different ways to feel about it. Sometimes you’re left feeling empowered and strong, others times your parting is sad and lonely, and then there are those bittersweet goodbyes—the ones that leave you feeling hopeful for the future but sad for what was lost.
If you’re looking to leave someone behind (or if you already have) and you need a soundtrack to make walking away a little easier, I’ve put one together one for you here. From the loud blues songs that say goodbye and good riddance to the soft melancholy ballads filled with bittersweet reflections, there are a variety of leaving songs to play while you’re on your way. Explore the songs below or checkout the entire Songs About Leaving Someone playlist on Spotify to listen to them all.
1. Babe, I’m Gonna Leave You, Led Zeppelin
Favorite Lyrics:
Babe, I’m gonna leave you
Oh, baby, you know, I’ve really got to leave you
Oh I can hear it callin ‘me
I said don’t you hear it callin’ me the way it used to do?
2. I’ll Follow the Sun, The Beatles
Favorite Lyrics:
And now the time has come
And so, my love, I must go
And though I lose a friend
In the end you will know
3. These Boots Are Made for Walkin’, Nancy Sinatra
Favorite Lyrics:
You keep lyin’ when you oughta be truthin’
You keep losing when you oughta not bet
You keep samin’ when you oughta be a’changin’
Now what’s right is right but you ain’t been right yet
4. Walk Away, Ben Harper
Favorite Lyrics:
It’s so hard to do
And so easy to say
But sometimes, sometimes you just have to walk away.
5. Walking to New Orleans, Fats Domino
Favorite Lyrics:
You used to be my honey
Till you spent all my money
No use for you to cry
I’ll see you by and by
6. 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover, Paul Simon
Favorite Lyrics:
You just slip out the back, Jack
Make a new plan, Stan
You don’t need to be coy, Roy
Just get yourself free
Hop on the bus, Gus
You don’t need to discuss much
Just drop off the key, Lee
And get yourself free
7. Farewell Angelina, Bob Dylan
Favorite Lyrics:
There’s no need for anger, there’s no need for blame
There’s nothing to prove, everything’s still the same
Just a table standing empty by the edge of the sea
Means farewell, Angelina, the sky is trembling and I must leave
8. Just a Song Before I Go, Crosby, Stills & Nash
Favorite Lyrics:
Just a song before I go,
A lesson to be learned
Traveling twice the speed of sound
It’s easy to get burned
9. That’s It, I Quit, I’m Moving On, Sam Cooke
Favorite Lyrics:
Yeah, that’s it
Baby, I quit, I’m moving on
10. Maybe You’re Right, Miley Cyrus
Favorite Lyrics:
You might think I’m crazy
That I’m lost and foolish
Leaving you behind
Maybe you’re right
11. Easier to Walk Away, Elton John
Favorite Lyrics:
It’s easier to walk away
Better off to face the facts
When love holds you up for ransom
Walk away and don’t look back
12. Bite the Bullet, Motörhead
Favorite Lyrics:
Stepping out, I’m leaving here
No use crying, crying in my beer
Enough’s enough, believe it’s true
Bite the bullet, I’m leaving you
13. Leaving U 4 the Groove, LMFAO
Favorite Lyrics:
Baby we need to talk
You know, you know our relationship ain’t really been going right
I don’t really know how to tell you this but
I’m leaving you for the groove
14. Diving, Sneaker Pimps
Favorite Lyrics:
Leaving you became arriving
Falling down became diving
15. I’m Leaving You Now, Lightnin’ Hopkins
Favorite Lyrics:
I tried anything I could to get along with you
You don’t mean me no good
No, I’m through
16. Leaving You, Bad Company
Favorite Lyrics:
You loved me and you made me what I am today
You loved me and you gave in every single way
You loved me and you gave it all so tenderly
You loved me and I’m a telling you now on bended knee
I’m a leavin’ you baby
17. I’m Leaving You Baby, Junior Kimbrough
Favorite Lyrics:
Well, I’m leaving, I’m leaving
I’m leaving you baby
Oh, girl, then I’m going away
18. I’m Leaving You, Electric Light Orchestra
Favorite Lyrics:
You’re leaving me, you’re leaving me
But just before you go, there’s something you should know
I’ve found somebody new, and I’m leaving you
19. I’m Leaving You Again, New Edition
Favorite Lyrics:
Girl, I’m leaving you again
And I thought I’ll tell you when.
I know how you must feel,
But if you’re love’s for real.
You’ll try to understand
That I’m in popular demand.
20. I’m Leaving You (Commit a Crime), Stevie Ray Vaughn
Favorite Lyrics:
I’m leavin’ you woman, before I commit a crime
You the evilest woman, I think ever crossed my mind
21. Leaving the Table, Leonard Cohen
Favorite Lyrics:
You don’t need a lawyer
I’m not making a claim
You don’t need to surrender
I’m not taking aim
I don’t need a lover, no, no, no
The wretched beast is tame
I don’t need a lover
So blow out the flame
22. I’ve Been a Long Time Leaving (But I’ll Be a Long Time Gone), Waylon Jennings
Favorite Lyrics:
Hello high line, hello highway
Here come a big old semi my way
Stick up my thumb, hear the truck come
Trees goin’ by, lookin’ like a fly
On the big legs are my Levi’s
23. Leaving Trunk, Taj Mahal
Favorite Lyrics:
I went upstairs to pack my leavin’ trunk, you know
I ain’t see no blues or whiskey made me sloppy drunk
I ain’t never seen no whiskey, the blues made me sloppy drunk
I go home baby and I lay down on the lawn
24. Leaving New York, R.E.M.
Favorite Lyrics:
You might’ve laughed if I told you
You might have hidden your frown
You might’ve succeeded in changing me
I might’ve been turned around
It’s easier to leave than to be left behind
Leaving was never my proud
Leaving New York never easy
I saw the light fading out
25. As I’m Leaving, David Grey
Favorite Lyrics:
And I’m almost
Through the water
Through the rain
To the soul of everything
Wash my heart out on the stones
And I’m almost gone
26. I Will Always Love You, Dolly Parton
Favorite Lyrics:
Bittersweet memories
That is all I’m taking with me
So good-bye
Please don’t cry
We both know I’m not what you need
