153 Songs To Say Goodbye: Farewell Songs For Every Occasion
Written by: Bobby McNeill
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Goodbyes can be painful, and the feeling of saying goodbye to a loved one often makes you sad. With every loss of a friend, a love relationship, or a job change, a normal life situation ends. Graduation is also a farewell when you say goodbye to classmates and teachers.
For this reason, we have compiled a playlist that provides appropriate farewell songs for just such situations.
In addition to our playlist of “most popular songs to say goodbye to,” we’ve also put together two other playlists specifically about friendships and graduations.
Particularly bad are farewells that suddenly and unexpectedly take you out of your everyday life. Family members or friends who die cannot be said goodbye in person with words or gestures. Grief music is a world-spanning subject area, for which we have published an extra contribution page (Funeral music: 200 songs to sing at the funeral).
Among the most popular goodbye songs is “Someone Like You” by British singer Adele. It is a sad love story, and the protagonist is still deeply in love with her ex-boyfriend, but he is already married to another woman.
Another classic song to say goodbye comes from The Beatles. Their farewell song, “Hello, Goodbye,” created music that spreads a positive mood when saying goodbye.
(For each list, we’ve created a Spotify playlist for you with all the songs listed here.)
Best songs to say goodbye
01. My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion
There is hardly a person on this planet who does not know My Heart Will Go On. The worldwide successful movie Titanic inspired numerous fans worldwide and made Celine Dion a world star practically overnight. The emotional song says goodbye to a beloved person who will continue to live in the heart.
Wherever you are, that person will be there, too, as long as your heart is still beating. So My Heart Will Go On gives you some comfort that nothing and no one in the world are lost.
02. There You’ll Be by Faith Hill
There You’ll Be also became famous mainly because of Pearl Habor’s movie. The song impresses with a beautiful melody and can also convince with strong lyrics. Faith Hill proves that she can sing and offers a lot of feeling.
This song is also about the fact that a part of the other person will always be with you, no matter where your soul may be. A wonderful song about saying goodbye also shows that you should be grateful for what you have experienced together and always remember the good times.
03. Time To Say Goodbye by Sarah Brightman
One of the world’s most famous songs about saying goodbye is probably Time To Say Goodbye. The song is about love and friends and all the people you care about.
Sarah Brightman became internationally famous with this song and can now look back on a long and successful career. The music impresses with an enchanting singer, great emotions, and a unique lyric that says a lot. There comes a time in life when we all have to say goodbye.
Time To Say Goodbye does this in a very enchanting way.
04. Bittersweet Goodbye by Kylie Minogue
Kylie Minogue probably needs no introduction. Bittersweet Goodbye is an enchanting pop ballad that is about saying goodbye.
The beautiful voice of Kylie and the successful melody make the song one of the most popular goodbye songs even today. Many people can probably put themselves in the singer’s situation at this song and feel immediately addressed. In any case, the song is one of the most famous songs of Kylie Minogue, who enjoys worldwide fame.
05. We Got Tonight by Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers
We Got Tonight can also be considered a goodbye song because it becomes clear that the protagonists have only one night together. The song shows that you should live the moments together and not always think about the next day, even if you have to part again. Although the song is a Love song, nevertheless it could also well be applied to the theme of Friendship relate.
Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers impress with their voices and plenty of charm, which is why this song is still viral today and somehow just never goes out of fashion.
06. Candle In The Wind by Elton John
Elton John originally wrote candle In The Wind for the lovely Marilyn Monroe. The ballad refers to her life and has lyrically quite a lot of melancholy to offer.
Elton wrote the song for Funeral Princess Diana unceremoniously changed the song and performed it as a farewell song at her funeral. Thus Candle In The Wind became overnight one of the most famous goodbye songs you can find. Especially in the version for Diana, it is about a goodbye, which many people still feel today to weep can bring.
07. Before The Goodbye by Britney Spears
Before The Goodbye is an unknown song by Britney Spears. Britney made her breakthrough at a very young age and delivered numerous hits. Before The Goodbye is about saying goodbye and is also dedicated to the farewell theme.
Britney again convinces the song with her incomparable voice and proves that she is and remains the pop princess on this topic. The song is one of the most famous songs for this topic and surprised with thoughtful lyrics.
08. Goodbye by the Spice Girls
Goodbye, My Friend is a famous song by the Spice Girls, which addresses friends. The Spice Girls may not have made it to the U.S., but in Europe, they were one of the most famous pop bands of the 90s. Goodbye, My Friend offers a very thoughtful, beautiful lyric and a successful melody that immediately catches the ear.
The band was formed in London in 1994 and released their first song called Wannabe in 1996. The song made it number 1 in over 30 countries in the charts. With the music, the band reached international fame. Today the band is no more, but practically all members can look back on an eventful career in different fields.
Especially Victoria Beckham made it to the USA through her husband David Beckham.
09. Bye Bye from Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey is a true diva who has achieved worldwide fame with numerous songs. Bye, Bye is a rather lesser-known song dedicated to saying goodbye.
In 2000, Mariah was awarded the “Millennium Award” at the World Music Awards as the artist who achieved the most sales in the ’90s. Mariah inspires people with her enchanting voice, her incredible vocal range, and with her charming, diva-like manner. Mariah Carey is one of the most famous and influential artists of all time and can look back on a long, eventful career.
Whoever has heard Mariah once is thrilled by her voice!
10. Bye Bye Now My Sweet Love by Bonnie Tyler
Bonnie Tyler is a pop and rock singer from Great Britain. Her breakthrough came in the 70s with the song. It’s A Heartache. Bonnie became famous and popular for her rocking voice, which she got due to vocal cord nodules.
In the 80s, she made her international breakthrough with Total Eclipse Of The Heart and Holding Out For A Hero, with which she gained worldwide fame. Bonnie received several awards and was nominated for the Brit Award and the Grammy several times. Bye Now My Sweet Love is one of her lesser-known songs, but it also promises a lot of emotion and a strong voice!
11. Goodbye by Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus is a very young artist who became famous through the American television series Hannah Montana. However, Miley Cyrus proves that she is a really good singer and has more to offer than just scandals and headlines.
Goodbye by Miley is about saying goodbye and is one of the most emotional songs of the singer. The song is convincing by its lyrics, the enchanting melody, and Miley’s voice and unique character.
12. I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston
The song became internationally known through the movie Bodyguard. Whitney inspires with her unique, wonderful voice and incredible expression. The song describes a situation where you part with your lover and say goodbye, even though you know you will still love them.
The song has a great melody to offer and a moving lyric that reminds you that sometimes you have to part ways. Nevertheless, the love you feel for the person will always remain in your heart. A goodbye is sometimes simply unavoidable.
13. Strong Enough by Cher
Cher is one of the most successful artists and delivered numerous hits. Strong Enough is one of her most important songs and enjoys worldwide popularity.
Although the song is unclear about parting, the singer separates from her lover, who cheated on her, and settles the score with him in music. So goodbyes don’t always have to be sad; they can sometimes make you angry too. In any case, Cher comes out of the situation more vital than ever and proves with Strong Enough that she is strong enough on her own, too!
14. Goodbye’s The Saddest Word by Celine Dion
With this sad and emotional song, Celine Dion says goodbye to her mother in her mind. In it, she describes how the day she has to say goodbye to her mother will be the worst day of her life.
We all know that painful moment when we lose a loved one or have to prepare for it in our minds. The song gets under your skin, and the singer again proves that she has a great voice to offer, which contains an extreme amount of expression. The ballad shows how strong the bond between a mother and her child can be.
15. Consider Me Gone by Reba McEntire
With Consider Me Gone Reba McEntire says goodbye to her lover differently. With this song, the confident singer gets even with her ex-boyfriend and shows that it’s better to go separate ways when things aren’t right.
In the song, she says she’d rather say goodbye when she’s not the right person for him rather than live with a lie. Reba shows with this song that she is a great woman who knows how life plays.
16. The Power Of Good-Bye by Madonna
With this song, Madonna could inspire numerous people. The song describes that sometimes in life, you just have to let go. The power that a goodbye contains can make you incredibly strong.
With this song, Madonna shows her spiritual side and reveals a piece of her soul. For example, Madonna became famous with hits like Like A Virgin or Frozen, and Madonna has sold more than 350 million records worldwide.
Madonna is considered a real icon today and has been named the most successful musician and the singer with the most sold records several times.
17. Sometimes Love Just Ain’t Enough by Patty Smyth ft. Don Henley
This song also describes a farewell and explains that sometimes love is just not enough. Patty Smyth and Don Henley achieved worldwide success with this song.
The song is still viral today and can be seen as truly timeless. Sometimes Love Just Ain’t Enough shows that fate separates two people who love each other yet cannot walk the path together. Numerous people can relate to this song and feel immediately addressed by it with great certainty.
18. Geiles Leben by Glasperlenspiel
This song also says goodbye but shows that you can also see the matter a little bit sarcastically. The song wishes the ex-partner still a nice life as he imagines it.
The song describes the irony that these fast-paced times sometimes bring us. Geiles Leben became a real hit in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
19. It’s Alright, It’s OK by Ashley Tisdale
Ashley Tisdale became famous through the movie “High School Musical.” With It’s Alright, It’s Okay, she settles accounts with her ex-love and says she’s much better off without him.
Ashley proves that parting doesn’t always mean tears but can also be a real relief. Often, people don’t realize until much later that they actually deserve something much better, and after a Breakup even relieved. The song quickly makes you want to sing along and convinces Ashley Tisdale’s great voice.
So if you want to settle accounts with your ex mentally, this song is just the right choice for you.
20. Don’t turn on the light by Michelle
Michelle delivers with Mach Das Licht Nicht An a German song about goodbye. The song describes a situation in which the lady has to say goodbye to her lover and does not want to accept this fact.
Michelle convinces with her incredible voice and great vocal talent and proves that hits can sometimes have a pop character.
Places 21-103 Songs to say goodbye to:
Each song is linked via the title with the corresponding music video.
Saying goodbye to your best friend and finding the right words can sometimes be challenging. Often a suitable song helps to convey the emotions, thoughts, and feelings musically. Maybe you have grown fond of a colleague, and you want to say goodbye to him with a fitting song.
The following playlist is particularly suitable for this purpose, in which we have collected 21 songs that make the farewell easier.
Each song is linked to the corresponding music video via the title.
Final exams are written, and the vacations are just around the corner—time to plan for graduation because the school days are numbered. The bottom 30 songs will make any graduation party at school a success.
Songs like “We Are the Champions” by Queen and “Another Brick in the Wall” by British rock band Pink Floyd are timeless classics that will get any age group dancing!
Each song is linked to the corresponding music video via the title.
Saying goodbye is not always accessible and usually connected with many tears. But also anger or relief can bring farewell with it. Numerous songs describe these emotions and manage to hit us right in the heart and move us emotionally.
