"A Lesson in Leavin'", also titled as "Lesson in Leavin'"', is a song written by Randy Goodrum and Brent Maher. It was originally recorded in 1980 by American country music singer, Dottie West, who brought the song to No. 1 on the Billboard Country Chart. In 1999, it was re-recorded by American country music singer, Jo Dee Messina, whose version spent seven weeks at No. 2 on the Billboard Country Chart.