Western songs about saying “goodbye” — perfect for bereavement or a departed lover

Suddenly, have you ever felt that there are surprisingly few Western songs themed around “goodbye” that you can truly relate to?

In life, there are many kinds of farewells—breakups, bereavement, and more, even though they all fall under the same word: goodbye.

It’s the same with music.

Even when a song shares the theme of bereavement, it can be surprisingly hard to find lyrics that resonate with your own experience.

So this time, we’ve picked out a variety of Western songs themed around “goodbye,” focusing especially on tracks about loss and departed lovers.

From brand-new releases to timeless classics, we’ve selected from a wide range of eras—so you’re sure to find something that fits you perfectly!

Please sit back, relax, and enjoy.

Playlist

Western songs about saying “goodbye” — perfect for bereavement or a departed lover
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	See You Again ft. Charlie PuthWiz Khalifa		A song by Wiz Khalifa themed around a breakup
2	Someone Like YouAdele		Adele’s famous song, a Grammy Award–winning track
3	Goodbye To YouMichelle Branch		A famous song that sings of Michelle’s resolve to part ways
4	Tears in HeavenEric Clapton		Requiem for Clapton’s Son
5	Goodbye My LoverJames Blunt		Introducing James Blunt’s breakup classic, “Goodbye My Lover”
6	Never Say GoodbyeBon Jovi		Bon Jovi’s farewell ballad
7	Time To Say GoodbyeAndrea Bocelli & Sarah Brightman		Bocelli and Brightman’s duet becomes a worldwide hit
8	Stay With MeSam Smith		Sam Smith's heartbreak song
9	Beautiful GoodbyeMaroon 5		Maroon 5’s breakup song, a heart-healing track
10	Wake Me Up When September EndsGreen Day		A song by Green Day imbued with feelings for his father
11	StitchesShawn Mendes		Shawn Mendes’s breakup song “Stitches”
12	Someone You LovedLewis Capaldi		Lewis Capaldi’s classic songs about heartbreak and bereavement
13	GhostJustin Bieber		A beaver sings of the loss of a loved one and of hope
14	Stay ft. Mikky EkkoRihanna		A ballad depicting Rihanna’s obsession with and struggle over her beloved
15	Good RiddanceGreen Day		Green Day’s farewell song
16	HallelujahPentatonix		A famous Cohen song, a poignant track about love
17	If You Could See Me NowThe Script		A song by The Script bidding farewell to a father
18	1-800-273-8255 ft. Alessia Cara, KhalidLogic		Logic’s suicide prevention awareness song becomes a global hit
19	Slipped AwayAvril Lavigne		A ballad imbued with Avril Lavigne’s feelings for her grandfather
20	Let Me Go ft. Chad KroegerAvril Lavigne		A bittersweet song by Avril Lavigne about a breakup
21	HappierMarshmello ft. Bastille		Marshmello × Bastille Step back for the one you love
22	You’re Somebody Elseflora cash		Flora Cash’s signature melancholic song
23	Closing TimeSemisonic		Semisonic’s 1998 hit song “Closing Time”
24	A Sky Full Of StarsColdplay		A tearful song about a departed lover
25	Don’t Go AwayOasis		A man's earnest wish who cannot accept the breakup
26	Lounge ActNirvana		Nirvana’s breakup song depicts the essence of love.
27	Don’t Think Twice It’s All RightBob Dylan		A song to encourage young people struggling with a breakup
28	Adam’s Songblink-182		Dark songs by blink-182 are linked to suicide
29	Say GoodbyeChris Brown		A song by Chris Brown themed around a breakup
30	Leave Out All The RestLinkin Park		A famous Linkin Park song themed around farewell
31	HurtChristina Aguilera		Introducing Christina’s hit song “Hurt”
32	One Day Goodbye Will Be FarewellMorrissey		A song that sings about the dangers of dependence on a loved one and resonated with young people.
33	San TropezPink Floyd		The appeal of Pink Floyd’s philosophically enigmatic songs
34	Let it beThe Beatles		The masterpiece “Let It Be” after the Beatles’ breakup
35	GoodbyeSpice Girls		It’s a breakup song, but I recommend it for its upbeat vibe.
36	MotherJohn Lennon		One-sided love for my mother and the sorrow of parting
37	Sad VacationJohnny Thunders		Farewell song of the punk evangelist Johnny Thunders
38	Exit MusicRadiohead		Romeo and Juliet bound together by death
39	Candle In The WindElton John		A Farewell Song to Marilyn Monroe
40	Leave Me in the DarkAlexander Stewart		An emotional slow ballad themed around heartbreak
41	Under The BridgeRed Hot Chili Peppers		Severance from one's past self and rebirth
42	The EndDoors		An article introducing iconic songs by the Doors
43	Last GoodbyeJeff Buckley		Portrays the poignancy of parting as love dies out.
44	Under Cover of DarknessThe Strokes		Decadent lyrics of The Strokes’ comeback song
45	Only Love Can Break Your HeartNeil Young		The danger of romance breaking loneliness
46	BurnUsher		A breakup song by an R&B singer
47	How Do I Say GoodbyeDean Lewis		Dean Lewis's moving breakup song
48	SAYONARAMary MacGregor		Mary MacGregor's Galaxy Express 999 ending theme
49	LostMichael Bublé		A heart-stirring ballad that sings of the pain of heartbreak and the hope of renewal.
50	Instead of goodbyeTUBE × GACKT		A moving collaborative ballad by TUBE and GACKT
51	Maplesupittsu		A classic Spitz song that portrays autumn memories and parting
52	goodbyeKelly Clarkson		Kelly Clarkson’s new song centers on the strength to overcome heartbreak.
53	ONE RAY OF SUNLIGHTPhantom Planet		An anthem of encouragement that delivers hope to young people who feel uncertain about the future.
54	All My FriendsLCD Soundsystem		Memories with friends and a sense of nostalgia
55	Thnks fr th MmrsFall Out Boy		A song that sings of the bittersweet pain of parting
56	Separate WaysJourney		Feelings I can't forget even after the breakup