Farewell Song: A goodbye song. A tearful parting song.
In life, we encounter many farewells at various milestones—graduation, transfers, retirement, pursuing our dreams, and even heartbreak.
Even when we know that parting is a step toward a new path, leaving our current environment can still bring feelings of loneliness and pain.
Conversely, sending someone off on their new journey can be just as difficult.
In this article, we introduce songs that center on different farewell scenarios in life—friendships, romance, graduation, and more.
We’ve carefully selected masterpieces that give you the courage to overcome the anxiety of a new path and the pain of parting, transforming them into new strength.
We’ll present wonderful tracks that will make you feel that farewells, too, have meaning.
- [Songs of Bereavement] Songs about losing someone dear. Tracks to listen to while thinking of a loved one.
- [Song for a Departure] A send-off song for you. A classic masterpiece among departure songs.
- Farewell Songs: Tracks that sing various kinds of “goodbyes”
- [Tearjerker] Songs that make your heart tremble with tears & moving tracks with lyrics that touch the soul
- Farewell Songs: Karaoke tunes to sing at a farewell party. Goodbye songs.
- [Gratitude, Encouragement, Memories] Tear-Jerking Graduation Songs You Can’t Listen to Without Crying [2026]
- [Songs About Loving Yet Parting] Love songs for those who want to overcome heartbreak
- A Tearful Farewell Song: A Love Song About Parting with Someone You Love
- Songs to Play at My Own Funeral: Timeless Gems to Make Farewells Uniquely My Own
- [A moving friendship song] For dear friends and best friends. Songs of friendship that make you feel the bond.
- A song about losing a friend: bereavement, betrayal, and separation.
- Only masterpieces that color the season of meetings and farewells! Spring songs recommended for Gen Z.
- [So touching it makes you cry] A heartbreakingly wistful and sad song that tightens your chest
Farewell Songs: Goodbye Tunes. Tearful Parting Songs (21–30)
CorrectRADWIMPS
It’s a heartfelt ballad that brings to mind the faces of friends with whom you’ve shared the same moments.
The song is by the rock band RADWIMPS, also known for hits like “Zenzenzense” and “Yūshinron,” and it appears on their ninth album, ANTI ANTI GENERATION, released in 2018.
It was written specifically for the NHK program “RADWIMPS 18-sai,” and reflects the feelings of the “18-year-old generation,” spanning ages 17 to 19.
The more you listen carefully, the more it brings tears to your eyes.
Far, far awayMakihara Noriyuki
This is a song I especially want people to hear if they’re leaving their current environment—whether it’s for a job transfer, changing schools, or moving somewhere new to pursue a dream.
It’s one of Noriyuki Makihara’s most popular tracks! As the title “Tooku Tooku” (Far, Far Away) suggests, it portrays the determination of someone leaving their hometown to chase a dream, as well as gratitude toward those who support them.
It’s a work that helps you overcome the pain of parting and the loneliness of being without nearby support, and that lets you say, “Even from far away, I’m doing my best!” Listen to this song, and you, too, keep fighting!
GraduationMy Hair is Bad
A slightly positive breakup song, “Sotsugyo” by My Hair is Bad.
In the first verse, the lyrics are from the perspective of a man who loves “you,” while the second verse switches to “your” perspective.
The two go back and forth—getting together and drifting apart—slipping into a comfortable but complacent relationship, and the song depicts their decision to put an end to it in the form of “graduation.” In love, we tend to prioritize our feelings, but it’s bittersweet that they choose to part ways for the sake of their respective futures.
Until the day you can look back and feel it was for the best, listen to “Sotsugyo” and cry your tears dry.
cherry blossomKobukuro
Kobukuro has many great songs, but I think the most famous is Sakura.
When you think of Kobukuro, you think of their two-part harmony, and this song is no exception—the well-balanced blend of their voices is wonderful.
It’s a song that gives you courage when you set off on a new journey.
Sky of TearsGReeeeN
This is a song called “Namidazora” released by GReeeeN in 2008.
The music video is also themed around a graduation ceremony and depicts a junior high school graduation.
The lyrics are addressed to people setting off into a new world.
The key change in the final chorus somehow brings a tear to my eye.
KanadeSukima Suichi
This signature song by Sukima Switch, Kanade.
It’s been covered by many artists and often heard as a tie-in song.
Originally released in 2004 as their second single, it’s a tearjerker that anyone—men or women—can emotionally connect with.
The track movingly depicts the journey of growing into adulthood, a path everyone experiences.
There’s a reason it’s been loved for so long: the melody and lyrics grip your heart every time you listen—a true mark of a classic.
SignalWANIMA
This song offers words of encouragement to friends setting off before a farewell, and among WANIMA’s tracks, it’s especially popular as an anthem for parting.
Thanks to its characteristically catchy and upbeat WANIMA sound, it turns those often somber farewell moments into something positive and bright.
The lyrics are filled with messages of support, but the part you should pay special attention to is the ending.
Knowing you have friends who’ll tell you, “If you’ve given it your all and it still doesn’t work out, come back,” is truly reassuring.