Six types of farewell songs: goodbye songs for each scene
Farewell days appear at various milestones in life.
Some farewells are anticipated, like graduation ceremonies, while others may come suddenly—an unexpected transfer, a breakup, or even the loss of a loved one.
Not all farewells are positive; some can be heartbreaking.
But we can’t stay trapped in sorrow forever, can we?
Here, I’ll introduce plenty of gentle farewell songs to soothe your pain and stay close to the emptiness left in your heart.
I hope they help you overcome your sadness and loneliness, and take a new step forward.
- Farewell Songs: Karaoke tunes to sing at a farewell party. Goodbye songs.
- Farewell Song: A goodbye song. A tearful parting song.
- Songs That Touch the Heart! Tearjerkers to Sing at Farewell Parties & A Collection of Song Ideas to Send Off
- Farewell Songs: Tracks that sing various kinds of “goodbyes”
- Songs to Play at My Own Funeral: Timeless Gems to Make Farewells Uniquely My Own
- A farewell song for a dear friend—an uplifting graduation song that conveys heartfelt gratitude.
- Only masterpieces that color the season of meetings and farewells! Spring songs recommended for Gen Z.
- [Touching] Entrance/Exit Songs for Graduation Ceremonies: Classics & the Latest BGM
- 7 types of sad songs: tear-jerker tracks for every scene
- Thank you, Teacher: A Song of Gratitude for Teachers and Mentors — An Emotional Farewell Song for the Journey Ahead
- [Farewell Party Songs] From hidden gems to the latest hits: a collection of classics to color the moment of parting
- A Collection of Moving Graduation Songs You’ll Want to Sing at Karaoke! [Farewells, Friendship, and Fight Songs]
- [Graduation Songs] Choral pieces perfect for singing at elementary school graduation ceremonies: A collection of moving classics
Classic graduation songs to listen to during graduation season (1–10)
CorrectRADWIMPS
“18 Festival,” organized by NHK, has been held since 2016.
RADWIMPS’s “Seikai (Answer)” was created for “RADWIMPS 18 Festival 2018.” As a song directed at that generation, it’s packed with youth, and it powerfully conveys a range of feelings and memories about friendship and friends.
It’s a graduation song, and for those taking a new step forward, it’s a deeply moving track that can bring you to tears.
HarukaYOASOBI
YOASOBI’s “Haruka” is a song that beautifully captures the bittersweetness and hope of a new beginning.
Based on Osamu Suzuki’s story “Tsuki Ōji” (Moon Prince), it features a heartwarming melody that perfectly suits graduation season.
The tender yet poignant vocals color feelings of gratitude and encouragement, along with cherished memories.
Its lyrics, which evoke friendship and family love, will gently embrace those closing a chapter of their youth as spring arrives.
It’s a moving track for everyone embarking on the journey of graduation.
We againSG
SG’s “Bokura Mata” is a song that stands beside you as you reach the important milestone of graduation.
It gently portrays deep emotions: friendships that won’t change even as paths diverge, the hope within a new first step, and the trembling heart stirred by memories of school days gone by.
SG’s warm vocals have strong support on social media, especially on TikTok.
The joyful moments of school life and the bittersweet farewells are expressed over a soft R&B beat, making your heart swell each time you listen.
CorrectRADWIMPS
A gemlike ballad by RADWIMPS that gently accompanies graduation season and the spring brimming with memories.
It warmly portrays the delicate emotions of those of us standing at life’s crossroads—hesitating and struggling, yet trying to find answers that are true to ourselves.
Released for streaming in January 2024, this song incorporates a heartwarming arrangement featuring a student choir, making it even more moving.
Its gentle vocals suggest that there isn’t just one answer in life, while its powerful melody seems to give listeners a supportive push.
It’s a piece we’d like to offer to those taking a new step forward or facing farewells at graduation—one song that quietly stays by your side.
Gazing up, the sky is blueHata Motohiro
This work beautifully portrays graduation as a milestone in life.
Motohiro Hata’s clear, translucent voice captures both the sadness of parting and the hope of a new beginning in full.
Released in March 2019, it garnered attention as the theme song for a SoftBank TV commercial.
While cherishing past memories, this piece gives you the courage to take a step toward the future.
It’s a song I hope those embarking on a new chapter will listen to as spring arrives.
Its heartfelt melody and lyrics will surely give you a gentle push forward.
GraduationOzaki Yutaka
Yutaka Ozaki delivers a work that captures the clumsy emotions of youth in their entirety with his powerful singing voice.
Frankly portraying the feelings of young people—such as the sense of suffocation in school life and distrust toward adults—this piece carries a universal message about the thirst for freedom felt within the school days that everyone experiences.
Released in January 1985 and peaking at No.
20 on the Oricon charts, it was issued as the lead single from the album Kaikisen (Tropic of Cancer).
Later, in 2016, it was also featured as the commercial song for a web-exclusive short film by a casual clothing chain, continuing to resonate with many people across generations.
It’s a track you’ll want to listen to when you’re wavering between ideals and reality or questioning the norms of society.
Only the graduation photo knowsHinatazaka46
A graduation-themed song with a poignant love story layered over the cherry blossom season leaves a strong impression.
Hinatazaka46’s clear, pure vocals gently embrace memories of the past and feelings that were never confessed.
It’s the group’s 13th single, released in January 2025, with Nao Kosaka serving as center.
The music video, set on a graduation day, was released in December 2024.
It’s a track you’ll want to listen to in the season when the arrival of spring brings back nostalgic feelings.
Highly recommended for students approaching graduation and for anyone who has experienced parting with someone dear.