[2025 Edition] Goodbye Songs in Western Music: Sad Farewell Tracks

Gone, Gone, GonePhillip Phillips

Phillip Phillips – Gone, Gone, Gone

If you’re looking for a moving goodbye song, I recommend “Gone, Gone, Gone.” Strictly speaking, it’s not a goodbye song, but it carries the message, “Even if we say goodbye, I’ll keep on loving you,” so I decided to feature it this time.

The melody is very refreshing, so even those who aren’t into Western music will find it easy to listen to.

When you want to express your love to your partner, this song can help you open up.

Be sure to give it a listen!

SAYONARAMary MacGregor

Mary MacGregor “Sayonara” (Farewell to Galaxy Express 999)

This is the ending theme of the film Farewell to Space Battleship Galaxy Express 999, created by American singer Mary MacGregor, who topped the U.

S.

charts in 1976 with her smash hit Torn Between Two Lovers.

For this animated film released in August 1981, she wrote both the lyrics and the music, resulting in a roughly five-and-a-half-minute ballad featuring an impressive, grand orchestration by the Los Angeles Symphony.

The lyrics, which sing of the sorrow of parting and the hope that follows, are carried by her delicate and emotionally rich vocals, and together with the movie’s final scene, they leave a deep impression on the audience.

Showcasing the power of music to transcend borders, this masterpiece is recommended not only for anime fans but also for lovers of Western pop.

Forget MeLewis Capaldi

Lewis Capaldi – Forget Me (Official Video)

With a rich baritone that tugs at the heartstrings, Lewis Capaldi’s acclaimed song “Forget Me” is a work that lays bare the pain of a breakup that leaves deep scars.

Released on September 9, 2022, it draws on his personal experience of heartbreak to portray a soul wavering between an inability to let go of the past and the need to move forward.

The way the pain seeps into everyday life and the stubborn refusal to forget are carried on a weighty refrain that speaks directly to the listener.

Showcasing Capaldi’s signature depth of expression, this track gives voice to the feelings of anyone who has lived through a parting.

It is, in every sense, a ballad meant to share the ache of lost love and lighten, if only a little, the heaviness we carry in our hearts.

Save Your TearsThe Weeknd

The Weeknd – Save Your Tears (Official Music Video)

The Weeknd is an American singer-songwriter known for his distinctive musical style that blends elements of modern R&B and pop with synth-pop, a genre that was a huge hit in the 1980s.

Among his works, “Save Your Tears” centers on the theme of saying goodbye.

The lyrics depict a heartbroken man feeling down as he watches his ex-girlfriend, who doesn’t seem to care about him at all.

It’s a unique piece, so be sure to check it out.

HomeMichael Bublé

Michael Bublé – Home [Official Music Video]

The second single from Canadian singer Michael Bublé’s album “It’s Time.” It’s a song about thinking of a lover far away, but it’s often used as a ballad for farewell scenes with friends.

It has also been covered by many artists, including Westlife.

We Are Never Ever Getting Back TogetherTaylor Swift

Taylor Swift – We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together

Taylor Swift’s smash hit “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.” If you don’t know the lyrics, it might seem bright and poppy, but it’s actually a seriously savage breakup song! The title basically translates to something like, “There’s absolutely no way we’re getting back together.” The catchy melody almost makes it even scarier, right? (lol) It’s a great recommendation for anyone who’s feeling refreshed after breaking up with a boyfriend.

Definitely give it a listen!

AltarKehlani

Kehlani – Altar [Official Music Video]

Kehlani, whose impactful, tattoo-covered look matches her diverse background and tough life experiences, is one of the leading singer-songwriters in contemporary R&B, known for her clear, beautiful vocals, melodies, and candid lyrics.

Her third album, Blue Water Road, released in 2022, was highly acclaimed for its stunning collection of tracks that blend refined R&B with elegant strings into gorgeous pop—just as the natural album cover photo suggests.

Altar, included on Blue Water Road, was released ahead of the album as a single in September 2021.

Riding an unforgettable beat, Kehlani delivers a gently sung, beautifully catchy melody that straddles pop and R&B—classic Kehlani.

Despite the overall bright atmosphere, the lyrics express feelings for a loved one who has passed away.

Rather than trying to forget as a way to overcome the loss and grief of death, the song conveys a compassionate embrace of memories and a sense of blessing for the departed.

For anyone who has experienced a painful goodbye, this track may offer a sense of solace.