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 Etude: Songs of Goodbye. Tearful Parting Songs (41–50)
A Bouquet for YouUtada Hikaru
This beautiful song by Hikaru Utada, with its calm atmosphere, was used as the theme song for NHK’s morning drama series “Toto Nee-chan.” The lyrics, filled with deep gratitude, are striking, and it’s said that the song was written with Utada’s mother, Keiko Fuji, in mind.
There aren’t many songs that portray the pain of parting—especially the most difficult kind, bereavement—with such beauty, are there? After a farewell, it’s a song that overflows with renewed feelings of gratitude.
Goodbye, Regretkururi
For those who want to become a new version of themselves after graduating or changing jobs, I recommend listening to “Sayonara Regret.” It was released in 2008 by the rock band Quruli and was used as the theme song for House Foods’ “Java Curry” commercial.
Its gently paced, soothing melody line is memorable.
The lyrics, told with a picture-book-like sensibility, are filled with messages that resonate with adults, too.
It’s a track that helps you realize that both the good and not-so-good experiences you’ve had up to now are what support you.
On the Day of DepartureGasshou Kyoku
Tabidachi no Hi ni is a classic graduation song that many people likely sang in chorus at their school ceremonies.
Even years after graduating, many can probably still remember the lyrics and sing along.
The song’s lyrics reflect on past memories while expressing hope for the future that lies ahead.
You don’t often hear it outside of graduation ceremonies, but it’s a beloved piece about a positive parting—perfect for sending off someone moving to a new place, such as through a job transfer or a school change.
Ordinary people in love don’t danceThis is LAST
A song that gives you the courage to make a fresh start and a push on the back—that’s This is LAST’s “Renai Bonjin wa Odoranai” (“Ordinary People in Love Don’t Dance”).
Released in the summer of 2023, it features a crystal-clear melody perfect for the pleasant season and lyrics that are strikingly straightforward and impulsive.
The drums lean heavily on off-beats, and the energetic rhythm grabs listeners by the heart.
At the same time, the melodic, songful guitar riffs will set hearts dancing.
While embracing the theme of parting, this track teaches the importance of moving forward.
Friend ~Time of Departure~yuzu
When it comes to Yuzu’s graduation songs and farewell anthems, this is the one that comes to mind! Farewell moments like graduation or a job transfer can feel lonely and sad, but the time and memories we’ve shared with our friends will always stay in our hearts as part of our lives.
The lyrics of this song convey the message: “Let’s each do our best on our own paths with this song in our hearts, and meet again someday.” It’s a song that lifts your spirits with the thought, “Even if we’re apart, our hearts can stay connected!”
Goodbyekariyushi 58
In this song where “goodbye” is repeated many times, Shingo Maekawa’s straightforward vocals are incredibly captivating and really hit you in the heart, don’t they? Many people might know it since it was the theme song for the drama “Zeni Geba.” The lyrics have a warmth and nostalgia that evoke a sunset, which is so appealing.
While it portrays parting from the friends and memories we’ve shared, it also sings of continuing to move forward without forgetting them, keeping them close to our hearts, and holding on to hope for the future.
THANXWANIMA
The song “THANX,” included on the 2015 album Are You Coming?, is one you hear in all sorts of settings and has become a staple graduation song.
While it’s about parting ways and saying goodbye, it’s brimming with WANIMA’s signature style—a farewell song that still feels exhilarating and fast-paced.
It’s a track about carrying plenty of happy memories and moving on to the next step, and it’s one I’d love for anyone taking on something new to hear.
