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50 Best Songs to Play at a Leavers’ Party

  • Aug 04, 2026
  • By Learn How To Be a DJ
  • DJ Playlist Ideas
  • 4 min read
50 Best Songs to Play at a Leavers’ Party

50 Best Songs to Play at a Leavers’ Party

Leaving school, college, university or a workplace is a milestone worth celebrating. A great Leavers’ Party playlist helps create an atmosphere that is both nostalgic and exciting, bringing people together one last time before everyone moves on to new opportunities. Whether it is a school prom style celebration, sixth form farewell, university graduation party or office leaving event, music provides the soundtrack to memories that will last for years.

The audience at a Leavers’ Party is usually made up of friends, classmates, colleagues and family members spanning different musical tastes. For that reason, the most successful playlists include a mixture of pop, dance, R&B, indie, disco, rock and timeless party classics that appeal to everyone. Familiar singalong anthems, feel good classics and modern chart hits help create a positive atmosphere while encouraging guests onto the dance floor.

The energy should gradually build throughout the event. Start with relaxed background music while guests arrive and socialise before moving into upbeat classics and current favourites as the evening develops. Towards the end of the celebration, emotional singalong tracks and feel good anthems work particularly well as everyone reflects on shared experiences and prepares for their next chapter.

When planning music for a Leavers’ Party, think about variety rather than sticking to one genre. Include music from different decades so that parents, teachers, lecturers, managers and guests of all ages can enjoy themselves alongside younger attendees. Mixing well known pop hits with dancefloor fillers, classic disco, R&B favourites and modern chart music keeps the atmosphere fresh and entertaining throughout the celebration.

A carefully planned Leavers’ Party playlist should create memorable moments, encourage plenty of dancing and finish on a high. The following collection features some of the most reliable songs that professional DJs regularly use to keep the dance floor full at farewell celebrations.

50 Best Songs to Play at a Leavers’ Party

No. Song Artist Original Release Year Genre
1 Don’t Stop Me Now Queen 1979 Rock
2 Mr. Brightside The Killers 2003 Indie Rock
3 Dancing Queen ABBA 1976 Disco
4 I Gotta Feeling The Black Eyed Peas 2009 Pop
5 Shut Up and Dance Walk the Moon 2014 Pop Rock
6 Can’t Stop the Feeling! Justin Timberlake 2016 Pop
7 Uptown Funk Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars 2014 Funk Pop
8 Happy Pharrell Williams 2013 Pop
9 Levitating Dua Lipa 2020 Disco Pop
10 Blinding Lights The Weeknd 2019 Synth Pop
11 Firework Katy Perry 2010 Pop
12 Roar Katy Perry 2013 Pop
13 Hall of Fame The Script featuring will.i.am 2012 Pop Rock
14 Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) Green Day 1997 Acoustic Rock
15 We Are Young Fun. featuring Janelle Monáe 2011 Indie Pop
16 Counting Stars OneRepublic 2013 Pop Rock
17 Best Day of My Life American Authors 2013 Indie Rock
18 Rather Be Clean Bandit featuring Jess Glynne 2014 Dance Pop
19 Titanium David Guetta featuring Sia 2011 Dance Pop
20 Wake Me Up Avicii 2013 EDM
21 Levels Avicii 2011 Progressive House
22 One Kiss Calvin Harris & Dua Lipa 2018 House
23 Feel So Close Calvin Harris 2011 Dance
24 Freed from Desire Gala 1996 Eurodance
25 September Earth, Wind & Fire 1978 Disco
26 Celebration Kool & The Gang 1980 Funk
27 Ain’t No Mountain High Enough Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell 1967 Soul
28 Sweet Caroline Neil Diamond 1969 Pop
29 Don’t Stop Believin’ Journey 1981 Rock
30 Livin’ on a Prayer Bon Jovi 1986 Rock
31 Walking on Sunshine Katrina and the Waves 1985 Pop Rock
32 Valerie Mark Ronson featuring Amy Winehouse 2007 Soul Pop
33 Can’t Take My Eyes Off You Andy Williams 1967 Pop
34 Hey Ya! Outkast 2003 Hip Hop
35 Crazy in Love Beyoncé featuring Jay-Z 2003 R&B
36 Yeah! Usher featuring Lil Jon & Ludacris 2004 R&B
37 24K Magic Bruno Mars 2016 Funk Pop
38 Treasure Bruno Mars 2013 Funk Pop
39 Dance Monkey Tones and I 2019 Pop
40 Flowers Miley Cyrus 2023 Pop
41 As It Was Harry Styles 2022 Pop
42 Shake It Off Taylor Swift 2014 Pop
43 Party Rock Anthem LMFAO featuring Lauren Bennett & GoonRock 2011 Electro Pop
44 We Found Love Rihanna featuring Calvin Harris 2011 Dance Pop
45 Get Lucky Daft Punk featuring Pharrell Williams 2013 Disco
46 Sex on Fire Kings of Leon 2008 Rock
47 Pompeii Bastille 2013 Indie Pop
48 Castle on the Hill Ed Sheeran 2017 Pop Rock
49 Unwritten Natasha Bedingfield 2004 Pop
50 This Is Me Keala Settle & The Greatest Showman Ensemble 2017 Musical Pop

Learn How to Be a DJ

If creating playlists like this has inspired you to step behind the decks yourself, there has never been a better time to learn. DJing is a rewarding skill that combines music knowledge, creativity and performance, whether you want to play at parties, weddings, clubs or festivals.

Our comprehensive ebook covers everything beginners need to know, including choosing DJ equipment, understanding music structure, beatmatching, mixing techniques, reading a crowd, building playlists and finding your first paid bookings.

Start your DJ journey today with How to Become a DJ and discover the skills, techniques and confidence needed to perform like a professional.

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