Farewells have two opposite significations.
On the one hand, they are a sad experience. Not everyone’s ready to say goodbye to a special person they still yearn to keep close.
On the other hand, though, farewells are a breath of fresh air. This is the case for toxic relationships mainly, but also for accepting when a loved one will not come back.
One way or another, goodbyes are a part of life.
We have gathered 21 of the best songs to say goodbye for you to feel accompanied in these situations.
1. Careless Whisper – George Michael
Starting with a classic is a recipe for success.
However, this farewell story is not based on true events. Rather, it’s a fictional experience.
Real or not, thousands have identified themselves with this immortal hit.
2. I Don’t Love You – My Chemical Romance
Being in love is a marvelous experience. Unfortunately, there are cases in which the magic simply disappears.
Not always because the other person has revealed wicked traits of some kind.
More often than not, you and your partner may just not get along anymore.
You should always consider your situation before taking action, but if you feel you have to say goodbye, it’s the healthiest thing to do.
3. Goodbye Stranger – Supertramp
The title is a straight-up reference to one-night stands.
In other words, it is a song about having sexual relationships with people you will never see again in your life.
4. The End – The Doors
An enigmatic, eerie song that finishes The Door’s debut album.
But what is this ‘end’ about?
The end of life? The end of an era?
We don’t know. But one thing’s for sure, this goodbye is far from being a happy ever after.
5. Farewell – Rihanna
One must be strong to finish a relationship and wish the best for your ex-partner.
Unfortunately, even if you say goodbye, you might still long for their company deep inside.
Nonetheless, only the strongest don’t go back despite their yearnings. After all, these people understand that doing that is stepping back on one’s progress.
6. Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) – Green Day
Billie Joe Armstrong wrote this acoustic song for one of his girlfriends. The girl was traveling to a different country and putting a stop to the relationship because of that.
Billie was mad and hurtful. He didn’t want to accept the reality, but he did in the end.
He found some comfort in writing the song and venting out his emotions.
As usual, music is the best medicine.
7. Bye Bye Bitch Bye Bye – Motörhead
Most farewells are unfortunate events. But who says there can’t be happy endings?
In this track from the album The World Is Yours, Lemmy gives the sack to a woman that brings him more misery than pleasure.
8. Don’t Speak – No Doubt
Don’t Speak is dedicated to two breakups, both within the band’s members.
The first one is a failed relationship between singer Gwen Stefani and bass player Tony Kanal.
The other one is between Gwen and her brother Eric Stefani, who co-wrote the song but left the band not long after.
Although this last case is not the reason behind the song’s lyrics, it undoubtedly fits the ultimate message.
9. Don’t Mean Shit – Hardcore Superstar
Bitterness poisons our hearts when we are betrayed by a dear person.
Needless to say, perfection doesn’t exist, and anyone can make a mistake.
A different thing, though, is when a person consciously stabs you in the back.
Dedicate this song to those impostors. You deserve better.
10. Goodbye My Lover – James Blunt
According to singer James Blunt, Goodbye My Lover is about that sharp emotion you get when you break up with someone and realize she or he will never be with you.
However, that person is still alive and might be with someone else.
Indeed, it’s a painful experience, but one needs to be brave and face the facts.
11. Happy Trails – Roy Rogers
Not all goodbyes are a final stop.
In certain circumstances, a farewell is momentary, and you’ll reunite with your people on a different chapter of your life.
In the meantime, enjoy the time. As the song says “keep smiling until then…”
12. Bye Bye Baby – The Ramones
The longest Ramone song in their entire discography, and arguably the most melancholic one.
13. Goin’ Down With The Ship – Michael Monroe
The lyrics relate life on the road to sailing on a ship.
One says goodbye to a town to move to another one, only to leave it behind the following night.
But the hardest part of it is saying goodbye to your children, wife, or husband.
Do you think it’s a price worth paying?
14. All She Wrote – Firehouse
The premise of the song is that a man opens a letter to find out her lover left him.
Sadder still is knowing that the woman only wrote five words: “Bye-bye baby, bye-bye…”
15. Goodbye To Romance – Ozzy Osbourne
Appearing on his debut album Blizzard of Ozz, Goodbye To Romance is a farewell to Ozzy Osbourne’s previous band Black Sabbath.
16. Bye Bye Beautiful – Nightwish
Singer Tarja Turunen received a letter one day from their band members.
The message was simple: she had been kicked out of the band.
When Nightwish found a replacement, they released this song as their first single. The title says it all.
17. Trust – Megadeth
Trust will resonate with anyone who has put an end to a relationship and agreed to still be friends.
But not with those who successfully keep their promises.
This one is for people who say goodbye from the outside but cannot accept it from the inside.
18. Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) – Journey
Probably the most popular song ever made by Journey.
The track has appeared in several media, including movies and series such as Tron: Legacy, The Simpsons, and Stranger Things.
19. Go Your Own Way – Fleetwood Mac
Inspired by a real break-up between the band’s members Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham.
Go Your Own Way appears in the top-seller album Rumours.
20. Goodbye Graceful – Falling In Reverse
A powerful song to say goodbye to bad habits, inner demons, and wicked wrongdoings.
Naturally, singer Ronnie Radke has struggled with all of them during his young adulthood and teenage years.
21. Goodbye – Paul Stanley
The last track on the first solo album by KISS former member Paul Stanley.
It’s a bittersweet farewell, but as Stanley says “Goodbye, is only for now…”
Goodbye to you too and see you in the next article!
Hello there, my name is Ramiro and I’ve been playing guitar for almost 20 years. I’m obsessed with everything gear-related and I thought it might be worth sharing it. From guitars, pedals, amps, and synths to studio gear and production tips, I hope you find what I post here useful, and I’ll try my best to keep it entertaining also.
