Moving on after a loss or heartbreak is never easy. Most people struggle internally, others write songs about moving on. The artists on this list have done at least the latter. These are the best country songs about moving on and moving forward.
1. Brand New Man by Brooks & Dunn
Song Year: 1991
By hit country duo Brooks & Dunn comes a beautiful, upbeat song about a reformed man. In this song, the narrator recounts his wild ways, which he moved on from. While he was once a philanderer, he eventually meets a woman who makes him change his practices, calling himself a new man.
This song was released only a year after Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn formed their revolutionary band, and it marks one of their very first hits.
2. A Better Man by Clint Black
Song Year:1989
This song has the quintessential sound of 80s country with its upbeat melody and dramatic lyrics. A Better Man is about Clint Black’s seven-year relationship ending. In the song, he expresses his excitement to move on and thanks his former girlfriend for her essential role in his life. It’s a beautiful reflection on the value of relationships—and a good song for moving on.
The music video is also quite evocative, featuring a young Clint Black packing up his bags and hitting the road.
3. I Will Always Love You by Dolly Parton
Song Year: 1973
This one is a classic in every sense of the word.
Dolly Parton’s I Will Always Love You was initially written and recorded by the artist in 1973 to celebrate her split from her longtime partner and mentor, Porter Wagoner. She decided to pursue a solo career—and wrote a song about it.
The song is about a breakup between two people parting with nothing but respect and goodwill in their hearts. It’s a beautiful sentiment—one we would all do well to emulate.
4. These Boots Are Made for Walkin by Loretta Lynn
Song Year: 1966
This song is about walking—literally and figuratively—from an unhealthy relationship. Loretta Lynn, a mid-century country singer with multiple gold albums, sings about her dissatisfaction with her relationship and how she plans to leave him.
Although the song was initially recorded by Nancy Sinatra, Loretta Lynn’s version offers more country rhythm and an upbeat, pre-pop style.
Loretta Lynn was a country music star from Kentucky. She is best known for this exact song.
5. Blue Skies by Willie Nelson
Song Year:1978
Irving Berlin initially wrote Blue Skies in 1926, but it earned considerable acclaim after Willie Nelson recorded a version in 1978.
The song’s lyrics touch on the beauty of a summer’s day—symbolic of the narrator’s excitement at escaping a bad situation.
This is the type of song you would play as you head out the door towards broader horizons.
6. Good as Gone by Little Big Town
Song Year: 2006
Good as Gone is the third single from the country band Little Big Town’s album, The Road to Here. The group wrote the song—unusual in today’s music industry.
It touches on the story of a young woman leaving her partner after discovering he’s been disloyal to her. She decides to set off on her own, seeking a healthier relationship.
Good as Gone received a favorable review from critics upon its release, and it debuted at number 58 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in 2006. It remains popular to this day.
7. Consider Me Gone by Reba McIntire
Song Year: 2009
This song is about a relationship that has worn thin. The narrator recounts her dissatisfaction that her partner won’t communicate with her or make an effort to rekindle their relationship. She eventually demands honesty and determines it may be time to move on.
Reba McIntire is one of the most popular country music singers of the 20th century. She earned popularity by releasing her hit single “Can’t Even Get the Blues.”
8. Goodbye Time by Blake Shelton
Song Year: 2004
Goodbye Time is a song written by James Dean Hicks and Roger Murrah and recorded by singer Conway Twitty in 1988 and Blake Shelton in 2004.
Upon its release, the song hit number seven on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. Shelton’s cover peaked at number ten on the country charts and 73 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The song consists of a letter addressed to the narrator’s former lover. He attempts to keep her from leaving before deciding that she is determined to move on.
9. A Little Dive Bar in Dahlonega by Ashley McBryde
Song Year: 2017
A Little Dive Bar in Dahlonega is a sentimental song about the people who hang out at a dive bar. They undergo heartbreak and experience the most challenging parts of life together, but they all eventually move on together.
The song was named one of the best songs of 2017 by The New York Times and earned considerable attention from critics.
The music video is an excellent cinematography piece, illustrating all the colorful characters at a local dive bar.
10. I’m Moving On by Hank Snow
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iL_fnyHwr68
Song Year: 1950
I’m Moving On is Hank Snow’s 1950 classic about a man escaping a problematic relationship. He leaves his lover after she betrays him, hopping on a train out of town. In the song, he reflects on the imbalance in their relationship and decides that he shouldn’t look back.
The song peaked at number one on the Billboard Country Singles chart and remained there for over 20 weeks. It was one of Snow’s seven chart-toppers throughout his long and successful career.
11. Best Days of Your Life by Kellie Pickler
Song Year: 2008
This fun, upbeat song will keep you off your feet and dry those tears in no time. Kellie Pickler’s Best Days of Your Life is an anthem of resilience and goodwill. In this song, she expresses her pity for her ex-partner, whom she claims has already lived the best days of his life.
Part country, part pop, it’s a classic breakup song with a powerful message: you don’t need anyone to make you happy, and there are always other fish in the sea.
12. I’m a Long Gone Daddy by Hank Williams
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtpe6_2nCts
Song Year: 1947
I’m a Long Gone Daddy about a man who leaves his grumpy and resentful wife. He recounts his emotional abuse at her hands and expresses his excitement to head out the door finally.
This song became Hank Williams’ second top hit and was eventually quoted in Bruce Springsteen’s Born in the USA.
13. Easy Come, Easy Go by George Strait
Song Year:1993
Easy Come, Easy Go is a breakup song at its finest. This song is about a man and his lover who have decided to separate. They determine they are no longer suitable for each other and part ways.
This is George Strait’s hit song from his fourteenth studio album released with MCA Records. Upon its release, it reached number one on the Billboard Hot Country Singles and Tracks chart in 1993. It also reached number 71 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking Strait’s first hit.
14. Tennessee Song by Margo Price
Song Year: 2016
Tennessee Song is Margo Price’s genre-bending single about an impending breakup. In this song, she warns her lover that they won’t last long, asking him to be honest with her and share his feelings. When he is unable to, she decides to take off.
The song offers a potent blend of Memphis soul and Nashville country, and it’s the perfect song to add to your breakup playlist.
It’s one of the best songs about Tennessee ever written.
15. I’m Movin On by Rascal Flatts
Song Year: 2002
This mid-tempo ballad features a beautiful mandolin and piano instrumental. It has powerful lyrics that discuss a man moving on with his life after a difficult time.
He recounts his painful experiences, stating that he is finally at peace with himself because he is leaving his hometown.
This Rascal Flatts song won Song of the Year at the 38th Academy of Country Music Awards. It received considerable attention from critics and has become one of the band’s most famous songs.
Top Country Songs About Moving On, Final Thoughts
Life is full of breakups, losses, and heartbreaks.
But eventually, we all must learn to move on.
The songs on this list are some of the best country songs about moving on. From Loretta Lynn and Margo Price to George Strait and Blake Shelton, each artist has something poignant and powerful to say about the topic.
If you enjoyed this article, consider making a playlist of your own. Remember to share this guide with your friends to inspire others to move on for good!