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	Stay With MeSam Smith		Sam Smith's heartbreak song
8	Time To Say GoodbyeAndrea Bocelli & Sarah Brightman		Bocelli and Brightman’s duet becomes a worldwide hit
9	Beautiful GoodbyeMaroon 5		Maroon 5’s breakup song, a heart-healing track
10	1-800-273-8255 ft. Alessia Cara, KhalidLogic		Logic’s suicide prevention awareness song becomes a global hit
11	Someone You LovedLewis Capaldi		Lewis Capaldi’s classic songs about heartbreak and bereavement
12	HappierMarshmello ft. Bastille		Marshmello × Bastille Step back for the one you love
13	Wake Me Up When September EndsGreen Day		A song by Green Day imbued with feelings for his father
14	GhostJustin Bieber		A beaver sings of the loss of a loved one and of hope
15	StitchesShawn Mendes		Shawn Mendes’s breakup song “Stitches”
16	Good RiddanceGreen Day		Green Day’s farewell song
17	HallelujahPentatonix		A famous Cohen song, a poignant track about love
18	If You Could See Me NowThe Script		A song by The Script bidding farewell to a father
19	Stay ft. Mikky EkkoRihanna		A ballad depicting Rihanna’s obsession with and struggle over her beloved
20	Slipped AwayAvril Lavigne		A ballad imbued with Avril Lavigne’s feelings for her grandfather
21	Let Me Go ft. Chad KroegerAvril Lavigne		A bittersweet song by Avril Lavigne about a breakup
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	Say GoodbyeChris Brown		A song by Chris Brown themed around a breakup
29	Let it beThe Beatles		The masterpiece “Let It Be” after the Beatles’ breakup
30	HurtChristina Aguilera		Introducing Christina’s hit song “Hurt”
31	San TropezPink Floyd		The appeal of Pink Floyd’s philosophically enigmatic songs
32	Adam’s Songblink-182		Dark songs by blink-182 are linked to suicide
33	Leave Out All The RestLinkin Park		A famous Linkin Park song themed around farewell
34	Exit MusicRadiohead		Romeo and Juliet bound together by death
35	One Day Goodbye Will Be FarewellMorrissey		A song that sings about the dangers of dependence on a loved one and resonated with young people.
36	GoodbyeSpice Girls		It’s a breakup song, but I recommend it for its upbeat vibe.
37	MotherJohn Lennon		One-sided love for my mother and the sorrow of parting
38	Candle In The WindElton John		A Farewell Song to Marilyn Monroe
39	Sad VacationJohnny Thunders		Farewell song of the punk evangelist Johnny Thunders
40	Under The BridgeRed Hot Chili Peppers		Severance from one's past self and rebirth
41	Under Cover of DarknessThe Strokes		Decadent lyrics of The Strokes’ comeback song
42	SAYONARAMary MacGregor		Mary MacGregor's Galaxy Express 999 ending theme
43	Leave Me in the DarkAlexander Stewart		An emotional slow ballad themed around heartbreak
44	Only Love Can Break Your HeartNeil Young		The danger of romance breaking loneliness
45	BurnUsher		A breakup song by an R&B singer
46	Last GoodbyeJeff Buckley		Portrays the poignancy of parting as love dies out.
47	How Do I Say GoodbyeDean Lewis		Dean Lewis's moving breakup song
48	The EndDoors		An article introducing iconic songs by the Doors
49	Instead of goodbyeTUBE × GACKT		A moving collaborative ballad by TUBE and GACKT
50	Maplesupittsu		A classic Spitz song that portrays autumn memories and parting
51	LostMichael Bublé		A heart-stirring ballad that sings of the pain of heartbreak and the hope of renewal.
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