A selection of touching farewell songs in Western music that sing of goodbyes—carefully chosen classics that resonate with the heart

MemoriesMaroon 5

Maroon 5 – Memories (Official Video)

Maroon 5 is a band beloved around the world for their genre-blending musicality.

They’re very familiar to fans in Japan as well, and their song “Memories” has earned strong acclaim as a touching ballad.

Released in September 2019, its chord progression, reminiscent of Pachelbel’s Canon, evokes a deep sense of nostalgia.

In fact, the song is a tribute to their former manager who passed away suddenly in 2017, and it was later included on the album “Jordi,” named in honor of their late friend.

The track is also known for being used in the film “Venom: The Last Dance.” Filled with affection for friends who must part ways, it’s the kind of song that, when played at a farewell gathering, can envelop the entire venue in warm emotion.

All Too Well (10 Minute Version)Taylor Swift

All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault) (Lyric Video)

Singer-songwriter Taylor Swift enjoys worldwide popularity and is known for her wide-ranging musical style, spanning country, pop, and rock.

This work is her reconstruction of a track from the 2012 classic album Red into a 10-minute-13-second extended version on the 2021 album Red (Taylor’s Version).

It became a major talking point as the longest song ever to reach No.

1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S.

Its lyrics vividly depict the pain of heartbreak, making it perfect for listening closely on long, chilly autumn nights.

She also directed the short film All Too Well: The Short Film, which lets you immerse yourself even more deeply in the world of the song through its visuals.

BACK WHEN YOU WERE MINEThe Kid LAROI

The Kid LAROI – BACK WHEN YOU WERE MINE (Official Audio)

The Kid Laroi, known as a young yet highly skilled rapper from Australia, sent the world into a frenzy with his collaboration “STAY” featuring Justin Bieber.

On his album Before I Forget, released in January 2026, the closing track “BACK WHEN YOU WERE MINE” is an emotional number that lays bare his inner vulnerability.

Concluding the breakup narrative woven throughout the album, the song channels regret for days that won’t return, set to a trap-leaning pop sound.

Its delicate production—featuring contributions from Daniel Aged and Zac Sekoff—is another draw.

It’s the perfect track to sink into on a quiet night when memories of a former lover come flooding back.

That’s HilariousCharlie Puth

Charlie Puth – That’s Hilarious [Official Video]

It’s a song title that carries nuances like “That’s funny!” or “Hilarious,” but once you understand the lyrics’ meaning, you’ll realize just how ironic the title really is.

Charlie Puth’s track “That’s Hilarious,” known alongside his smash hit “See You Again” with Wiz Khalifa, opens his third studio album, Charlie, released in 2022.

Charlie’s soaring vocals are highly emotional, and there’s an indescribable sense of sorrow in the chorus in particular.

According to Charlie himself, the song reflects a painful breakup he went through in 2019, and he’s even said it’s “the hardest song” he’s ever written.

If you’ve had a similar experience, simply imagining what Charlie felt may be tough—so take care!

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MaroonTaylor Swift

Taylor Swift – Maroon (Official Lyric Video)

Taylor Swift’s tenth studio album, Midnights, released on October 21, 2022, has achieved phenomenal success, continually breaking records—including an unprecedented sweep of the top 10 on the U.S.

singles chart.

Undeniably one of today’s preeminent singer-songwriters, Taylor continues to lead the music scene, and she’s also beloved by women around the world as a master of breakup songs born from many experiences of love.

Her ability to distill them into brilliant tracks—sometimes directly, sometimes through metaphor—is nothing short of remarkable.

In this piece, let’s take a look at Maroon, a song included on the aforementioned Midnights.

At a casual listen it may sound like a lyrical, subdued love song, but the lyrics in fact revisit memories of someone lost.

The way she employs the color “maroon” is masterful, and you’ll be struck not only by Taylor’s talent as a lyricist but also moved to tears by the depth of her emotion.

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You should be sadHalsey

Halsey – You should be sad

Halsey is known as a leading artist in electropop.

When you think of her songs, many people probably picture something flashy and cool.

“You should be sad” is one of her popular breakup songs.

The melody isn’t exactly bright, but it’s not dark either.

It portrays the real feelings of a woman breaking up with her boyfriend.

The song matches a woman’s bittersweet feelings toward a boyfriend who doesn’t give her attention with its melody.

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HelloAdele

Adele – Hello (Official Music Video)

Adele is a singer-songwriter who represents the UK.

With her distinctive timbre and richly expressive vocals, she has earned high praise from listeners around the world.

One of her signature songs, Hello, was released in 2015 and won the Grammy Award for Record of the Year that same year.

The lyrics depict a complex scenario in which a woman who has been unfaithful conveys both an apology and gratitude to the man she parted ways with.

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