Farewell Song: A goodbye song. A tearful parting song.
In life, farewells come at many turning points—graduation, starting a job, moving to Tokyo to pursue a dream, or even heartbreak.
Even when it’s necessary to move forward on a new path, leaving your current environment can bring feelings of loneliness and pain.
Conversely, seeing someone off on their new journey can be just as hard.
In this article, we’ll introduce songs themed around various farewell situations in life.
We’ve carefully selected masterpieces that help you overcome the pain of parting and give you the courage to take a step forward.
Please read on to the end!
- [Songs of Bereavement] Songs about losing a loved one. Tracks to listen to while thinking of someone dear
- [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”
- 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.
- [Moving] Tear-jerking cheer song. A roundup of popular motivational anthems that resonate with the heart!
- [Tearjerker] Songs that make your heart tremble with tears & moving tracks with lyrics that touch the soul
- Only masterpieces that color the season of meetings and farewells! Spring songs recommended for Gen Z.
Farewell Etude: Songs of Goodbye. Tearful Parting Songs (41–50)
MetronomeYonezu Kenshi
For those who feel lonely being apart from someone important, I recommend “Metronome.” It’s included on Kenshi Yonezu’s 2015 release Bremen, and its promotional video—composed of 200 drawings he created—became a hot topic.
The ambient synth textures and unhurried tempo make it a warm, gentle track.
The emotional lyrics delicately portray the misalignment between hearts, leaving a deep impression.
It’s a song that softly embraces anyone struggling to come to terms with a painful farewell.
Farewell Songs: Songs of Goodbye. Tearful Parting Tunes (51–60)
Beyond the GoodbyeYamaguchi Momoe
Momoe Yamaguchi is a legendary singer beloved across generations and genders.
Her 1980 release “The Other Side of Goodbye” is a renowned ballad covered by many artists.
Its beautiful, jazz-tinged arrangement resonates deeply.
The lyrics, which make you want to express gratitude to someone dear at the moment of parting, are truly beautiful.
The gradually swelling melody line reflects the ebb and flow of emotion.
Her steady, impassive yet powerful delivery can be a source of strength when you lose your way in life.
It’s a number that makes you want to believe in the future that awaits beyond a heartbreaking farewell.
Until the day I can no longer rememberback number
Many of back number’s songs are real tearjerkers, aren’t they? This song, “Until the Day I Can No Longer Remember,” is especially guaranteed to make you cry if you’ve gone through a painful breakup or can no longer see someone important to you.
It was released in 2011 as back number’s third single.
The lyrics, which reflect on the memories of having that special person by your side and how, once you’re alone, you come to deeply realize their importance, will surely bring many listeners to tears.
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.
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.
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.
contrailArai Yumi
This song, which was also the theme for the film The Wind Rises, was originally a track on an album released in 1973.
The song carries a message that resonates with the film’s theme, which prompts reflection on life and death.
It’s said to have been written in memory of a friend who passed away during the songwriter’s school days.
While the lyrics evoke the loss of someone dear, they are depicted with great beauty, and the overall tone of the piece feels very refreshing.
Listening to this song, you might feel that departing from this world isn’t only something to be feared.