[2025 Edition] Goodbye Songs in Western Music: Sad Farewell Tracks
Artists make a living by turning their own experiences and feelings into works, so it’s only natural that they would take on the theme of “goodbyes,” something everyone inevitably encounters in life.
It’s ironic that great songs are sometimes born precisely because of painful partings, but timeless masterpieces infused with artists’ emotions always move us.
In this article, we introduce Western songs that sing about all kinds of farewells—not just heartbreak.
From tracks that lift your spirits to ones that plunge you into the depths of sorrow, and even songs that lay bare lingering attachments, check out these masterpieces that reveal the artists’ true selves.
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[2025 Edition] Goodbye Songs in Western Music: Sad Farewell Tracks (21–30)
GhostJustin Bieber
Justin Bieber is a Canadian artist with worldwide popularity.
He started out as more of an idol, but since the 2020s he has shifted to a more mature direction and now receives high praise from many critics.
One of his works on the theme of farewell is Ghost.
Although the title suggests bereavement, that’s not the case here—it portrays a man’s heartbreaking cry: “I’d rather be with your ghost than without you.” If you like heavy breakup songs, be sure to check it out.
FallingHarry Styles
Harry Styles, the artist who was hugely successful as a member of One Direction, is also very well-known in Japan.
After One Direction went on hiatus, he pursued a solo career and has received strong acclaim from critics across the board.
His hit song “Falling,” released in 2019, was composed in the wake of his breakup with his ex-girlfriend, model Camille Rowe.
The poignant lyrics are especially memorable, so be sure to check out the Japanese translation as well.
[2025 Edition] Goodbye Songs in Western Music: Sad Farewell Tracks (31–40)
50 Ways to Say GoodbyeTrain
A 2012 hit by the American pop rock band Train.
It sings about the feelings of a man who’d rather do anything than be dumped by his girlfriend.
An Android app inspired by the song, “50 Ways to Survive,” was also released, and an instrumental version of the track plays in the game’s background.
WESTSIDEkeshi
This song is performed by Keshi, a singer-songwriter from the United States with the unique background of being a former nurse.
It sounds like it portrays the resolve of choosing to part ways with someone important and setting out alone toward a new future.
The gentle guitar and beautiful falsetto seem to softly accompany the complex feelings of moving forward while carrying loneliness.
The debut album GABRIEL, which includes this track, was released in March 2022 and reached No.
16 on the U.
S.
charts.
Rather than forcing yourself to forget the past, you want to quietly take the next step.
Perhaps this song will gently give you that encouraging push.
Vodka CranberryConan Gray
Conan Gray, a singer-songwriter from the U.
S.
who earns immense empathy from Gen Z by singing honestly about his own experiences.
This work portrays the bittersweet feeling of realizing that your partner’s attitude has changed after the relationship ends.
Its delicate, dramatic sound—reportedly reworked twice with a Grammy-winning producer—resonates deeply.
It’s a lead single from his fourth album, Wishbone, scheduled for release in August 2025, and the music video, featuring actor Corey Fogelmanis as his lover, plays like a short film.
The emotional distance conveyed without words heightens the late-summer melancholy even more.
Ciao AdiosAnne-Marie
This song portrays the mindset of a strong woman who, upon discovering her lover’s betrayal, doesn’t just grieve but declares, “I won’t waste any more time on you,” and walks away.
Sung by British singer-songwriter Anne-Marie, the track stands out for its protagonist decisively cutting ties over a breezy, dancehall-inspired beat.
Released in February 2017, the song reached No.
9 on the UK charts and was included on the acclaimed album Speak Your Mind.
If you’re feeling down after being cheated on, listening to this track can blow away the sadness and give you the courage to move forward with strength.
It just might push you to stop dwelling on the past and take a step forward as a new version of yourself.
It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to YesterdayBoyz II Men
After parting with someone dear, have you ever felt your chest tighten with the thought that you can never return to the joyful “yesterday”? The song “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday” by the American R&B group Boyz II Men is a classic that sings of longing for the past and the pain of farewell.
Precisely because it’s performed a cappella, without any instruments, the warmth and poignancy of their voices seep directly into the heart.
It’s as if the beautiful harmonies gently embrace the sorrow that overflows no matter how hard you try to hold it back.
This song feels like a warm presence that quietly stays close to a heart that has experienced a painful parting, allowing the tears to flow.