Farewell Songs: Tracks that sing various kinds of “goodbyes”
In life, we encounter many kinds of farewells: breaking up with a lover, parting ways with beloved friends and mentors when moving on to further studies or a new job, and even losing precious family members.
Some farewells are sad, while others are hopeful—but saying “goodbye” is always tinged with loneliness.
In this article, we’ll introduce songs that capture the feeling of “goodbye” and gently accompany your heart.
From songs that heal the wounds of heartbreak to songs that cheer you on at a new beginning, we’ve picked out tracks that sing about all kinds of farewells.
Find the one that perfectly fits your situation!
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[Farewell Songs] Tracks that sing various "goodbyes" (1–10)
Take Me MaybePenthouse
Please consider gifting this song to friends you’ll be parting with upon graduation.
It’s a track by the six-member coed band Penthouse, included on their first album, “Balcony,” released in January 2023.
Warm and inviting, the piece blends a band sound with the gentle timbre of piano.
A highlight is the beautiful harmony of the two vocalists, Namioka and Oshima.
Many listeners will relate to the lyric: “Even if we’re far apart, you’re always in my heart.”
Song of the Eternal NightKami wa saikoro o furanai
This is a song about the lingering feeling of never being able to forget that someone precious was by your side.
It’s a track by the Fukuoka-born rock band Kami wa Saikoro wo Furanai, included on their 2019 mini-album “A View on Lambda.” It’s a rock ballad with a strikingly mixed sound arrangement, and vocalist Shusaku Yanagida’s wistful voice really hits home.
If you’re seeing someone right now, it might help you reaffirm how important their presence is.
primary colorsYOASOBI
It’s a song by YOASOBI that seems to express enduring memories and the bonds we’ve built, remaining unchanged even when distance separates us.
The light, breezy sound featuring flamenco guitar-like tones is striking, conveying a strong sense of positivity.
Focusing on a reunion beyond parting, it tells a story that even if distance causes a relationship to fade, it can be reconnected through meeting again.
By firmly believing in that reunion, you can feel the bonds that tie you together and welcome a new departure with positivity.
[Farewell Songs] Tracks that sing various kinds of “goodbyes” (11–20)
fishback number
Back Number’s “fish” is a masterpiece that poignantly and beautifully sings about the pain of a heartbreak that feels like it might break your spirit.
Written from a woman’s perspective, the lyrics trace lingering attachment to a lost love, cutting straight to the heart.
It’s as if it symbolizes how we become adults each time we say goodbye.
Take your time savoring the feelings that sway between regret and sorrow, accompanied by a soothing ballad sound.
Summer loverSHISHAMO
Many people have either told a partner it’s over or been on the receiving end.
With that in mind, I’d like to introduce “Natsu no Koibito” (“Summer Lover”).
It’s a song released by SHISHAMO in 2016, depicting the casual scenes of a summer romance and the farewell that eventually arrives.
Because the decision to break up is stated clearly early in the song, the everyday moments that follow feel all the more heartrending.
The section in the latter half that portrays inner conflict, and the transition from there into an a cappella part, are especially emotional.
After the nightadieu
The stage name that Moka Kamishiraishi—who is active as an actress, model, and TV personality—uses for her singing career is adieu.
The song included on her 2019 album “adieu 1” is “Yoru no Ato” (After the Night).
It carries a tender yet heartrending message for the moment before parting with a loved one.
Many listeners may relate to the lyrics that express wishing happiness for the other person, even while knowing you’ll be separated.
It’s a ballad in which her clear, translucent voice resonates, offering comfort to the loneliness of the night.
Why not give this track—often used in breakup-themed videos and lyric videos—a listen?
Beyond the goodbyeMatsushita Kohei
Drawing on his experience in oil painting and dance, Kohei Matsushita also has a background as a painting singer-songwriter.
Sayonara no Mukou ni, released ahead of his 3rd single Nonfiction, is a song written for NHK’s Minna no Uta.
Its lyrics, which depict the farewells we encounter many times in life, still convey a message of moving forward into the future.
With a gentle vocal over a piano-featured ensemble, it’s an emotional pop tune that resonates in the heart.
