Ranking of Western farewell songs [2025]

Good RiddanceGreen Day71rank/position

Green Day – Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) [Official Music Video] [4K UPGRADE]

Green Day is known as a quintessential punk rock band and has garnered immense popularity among listeners in Japan as well.

Their song Good Riddance was released from their fifth album, Nimrod.

Centered on the theme of farewell, the track portrays the feeling of trying to forget a former lover in order to move forward on a new path.

While some of the emotions are tempered by the melody, as is typical in punk, it still comes together as a poignant song.

Be sure to give it a listen.

Moral of the StoryAshe72rank/position

Ashe – Moral of the Story (Official Audio)

Ash’s signature song, “Moral of the Story.” It’s her biggest hit.

She’s influenced by jazz, and you can really feel those jazz elements in “Moral of the Story” as well.

The lyrics are abstract, but they likely portray the fate of a woman who chose a no-good boyfriend.

It’s a song imbued with the idea of loving each other until it’s lost.

She’s not very well-known in Japan yet, but she seems like an artist who will gain much more recognition from here on.

Happiest YearJaymes Young73rank/position

Jaymes Young – Happiest Year [Official Music Video]

James Young’s song “Happiest Year,” released in 2019, is a bittersweet farewell track.

Warm and grateful even as it looks back on a lost love, it resonates deeply with listeners.

Young distills the value of irreplaceable time—something we often recognize only after it’s gone—into 3 minutes and 48 seconds, conveying that poignant feeling through music.

The song encourages us to find the courage to look forward, even after losing everything, while still cherishing the happiness of those moments.

It’s a recommended piece for those who wish to embrace what they’re losing with love, as well as for anyone carrying unspoken feelings in their heart.

BruisesLewis Capaldi74rank/position

Lewis Capaldi – Bruises (Official Video)

Lewis Capaldi is an artist known for his rich voice and occasional raspy vocals.

His popularity is tremendous, and it’s no exaggeration to say he’s the most popular singer-songwriter from Scotland.

His classic song “Bruises,” released in 2017, straightforwardly portrays a man who can’t forget his former lover.

Be sure to check it out.

Eyes ClosedEd Sheeran75rank/position

Ed Sheeran – Eyes Closed [Official Video]

The lead single from Ed Sheeran’s 2023 album “-” is “Eyes Closed,” which reached number one on the UK Singles Chart.

The song is dedicated to DJ Jamal Edwards, a close friend of Ed’s who passed away in 2022.

Its lyrics about “losing someone close to you” really hit home.

The blue monster that appears in the music video is said to symbolize Ed’s grief.

Overpass GraffitiEd Sheeran76rank/position

Ed Sheeran – Overpass Graffiti [Official Video]

Ed Sheeran is an artist who’s hugely popular in Japan as well.

Many people probably got to know him through his 2017 release, “Shape of You.” The song he released in October 2021, “Overpass Graffiti,” is a straightforward breakup track that portrays the feelings of a man who, after some time has passed since saying goodbye, still can’t forget his ex.

Combined with the bittersweet melody, it’s a masterpiece that’s been crafted into a deeply emotional work.

Under Cover of DarknessThe Strokes77rank/position

The Strokes – Under Cover of Darkness (Official Video)

Don’t go over there; I’ve been waiting for you all this time.

The Strokes’ ‘Under Cover of Darkness’ became a long-awaited track for fans marking the band’s return from their hiatus.

They recaptured their original band sound and deliver lyrics with a decadent theme.

Farewell, my friends and armies.