Saying goodbye is always an inevitable part of life. Whether it’s your family member moving to another town or a colleague from work leaving for the next stage of their job, these parties can be a great send-off and can leave them with the happiest memories of their life.
Farewell parties can be memorable with the right music. With the proper song, you’ll be saying farewell with smiles or tears.
We’ve highlighted 25 of the best songs for your farewell parties. From upbeat anthems to tear-tugging ballads, your farewell parties will never cease to be unforgettable!
The Best Songs for Farewell Parties
“I Will Remember You” – Sarah McLauchlan
Make anyone cry with this heartwarming, feels-inducing ballad about cherishing the best moments in life.
The song appeared on the soundtrack of the 1995 film The Brothers McMullen.
With sparse yet lush instrumentals, this pop-rock song would make your farewell parties more memorable.
“If You Leave Me Now” – Chicago
This soft-rock tune might be written as a love song, but it can also be dedicated to friends or colleagues who’re leaving.
The track stood out as a chart-topper in 1976 and has even won a Grammy for Best Vocal Performance.
It’s a slow-paced ballad delivered over a simple melody and passionate vocals.
“Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” – Green Day
“Good Riddance” is a hit at high school proms despite its bleak message about broken hearts and missed opportunities.
It also diverges from Green Day’s usual sound, being more mellow and contemplative. Yet, it has solidified itself as a concert staple and fan favorite.
“You’ve Got a Friend” – James Taylor
This 1971 song goes out to the all the friends we have to say goodbye to.
A cover of the same song by Carole King, this track revolves around close-knitted friendships where you’ll always support each other.
It has become a popular song over the years, spawning covers by artists like Michael Jackson, Anne Murray, and Dusty Springfield.
“Seasons in the Sun” – Westlife
“Seasons in the Sun” is a classic Westlife song that evokes a strong sense of nostalgia.
This song is perfect for farewell parties as it deals with reminiscing on happier days and moving on toward a better future.
“Leaving on a Jet Plane” – Peter, Paul, and Mary
Written by John Denver in 1966, this folksy ballad is about how the protagonist doesn’t want to leave his home or lover.
The melodic rhythm and calming vocal delivery give it a bittersweet vibe that encapsulates saying farewell to your friends or family members who’re leaving.
“On the Road Again” – Willie Nelson
Published on the 1980 album Honeysuckle Rose, this country single sets a more hopeful tone for those who’re leaving.
It details the excitement and adventure-seeking spirit of the protagonist as he travels around.
Rather than your usual sad farewell, you can dedicate this song to get them pumped for the next new stage of their life.
“Bye Bye Bye” – NSYNC
This song is another classic boyband hit that has stuck with many people since 2000.
It’s a catchy yet hilarious track as it deals with a man trying to break up with his difficult significant other.
You’ll certainly get plenty of laughs if you dedicate it to your friend or family member who’s going to leave.
“Never Say Goodbye” – Bon Jovi
Saying goodbye to someone is hard, especially when you’ve known them for a long time.
Bon Jovi’s 1987 power ballad depicts those sentiments perfectly, accompanied by drawn out vocals and intense riffs.
“I’ve Had the Time of My Life” – Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes
Farewell parties don’t always have to be sad and gloomy. Say your goodbyes in an upbeat way with this catchy banger!
This award-winning track was first featured in the 1987 film Dirty Dancing.
The song might deal with reflecting on the past, but it’s an enthusiastic way to send your loved one off with a smile.
“Dancing With Myself” – Billy Idol
Even if someone important to you is leaving, sing this song to remind them to keep on dancing wherever they are.
After it failed to gain success through Idol’s former group Gen X, he re-released it with a different style. It ironically became a hit and launched his career.
The inspiration for this track came from Idol seeing people dance with their reflections rather than with each other at a Tokyo disco.
“Don’t You Forget About Me” – Simple Minds
This song is best known for being featured in the film The Breakfast Club.
It has a melancholic message, but the energetic vocals and instrumentals give it an optimistic tone.
“I Will Survive” – Gloria Gaynor
This 1978 song is one of the most loved and powerful disco songs of all time.
The message of finding inner strength following devastating circumstances has always been relatable to anyone.
While it might feel unsuitable for a farewell party, it still works as a send-off song to inspire the person who’s leaving so they know there’s always untapped potential within themselves.
“Happy Trails” – Roy Rogers and Dale Evans
“Happy Trails” is first known as the theme song for the 1950s show The Roy Roger Show.
This country ballad is delivered over an old-timey tune, upbeat rhythm, and clean lyrics.
The song mainly deals with seeing off a loved one and wishing the best for them.
It’s fondly remembered by the Boomer generation as it reminds them of a simpler time.
“When Can I See You Again?” – Owl City
Released in 2012, this upbeat synth-pop track focuses on eternal friendship and holding hope that you’ll reunite with the person you’re saying goodbye to.
The cheerful melody and inspiring lyrics of this song will surely make any farewell party less tearful and merrier with dancing!
“Hello, Goodbye” – The Beatles
This is a fun song that you can sing and dance to at a farewell party!
It’s a pretty random song, exploring duality as its theme and how everything has an opposite.
The catchy tune adds an irresistible appeal to the song, making it great for duets.
“Farewell” – Rihanna
Rihanna’s “Farewell” serves as the closing track to her 2011 album Talk That Talk.
The song is about saying goodbye to a loved one and wishing you could go with them.
The sweeping instrumentals and Rihanna’s passionate vocals give it a melancholic tone that’d make anyone shed a tear.
“See You Again” – Charlie Puth feat. Wiz Khalifa
This 2015 pop-rap track is one of the most popular songs to sing to say farewell to someone you love.
The song centers on the theme of friendship, grief, nostalgia, and hope.
It’s a beautiful song with a light, piano-backed melody and smooth vocal performance.
“Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye” – Steam
We guarantee you won’t be able to get this song out of your head once you give it a listen!
Performed under the fictitious band Steam, this track is about a man who tries to convince his love interest to leave her former apathetic partner.
With a relaxing tune, it makes a memorable banger, especially the chorus.
“Dusty Old Dust” – Woody Guthrie
Released in 1943, this old song details the harsh times Americans had to go through during the Great Depression.
Yet, even with its gloomy theme, it evokes a sense of comfort in its melody. It’s a great choice as a closing to your farewell party.
“How Can I Help You Say Goodbye” – Patty Loveless
Farewells can be heartbreaking, and this song perfectly captures that feeling.
The song finds Loveless describing how she had to say goodbye to her friend, husband, and mother.
This emotional track is anything less than exceptional, with soul-rattling melody and Loveless’s artistic vocals piercing our very hearts.
“Don’t Forget to Remember Me” – Bee Gees
Published on the 1969 album Cucumber Castle, this song tells the story of a man who’s still haunted by his failed love affair.
It might have romantic undertones, but the yearning quality and forlorn vocal delivery make it a good pick for farewell parties.
You’d definitely want to be remembered by your relative or friend who’s going to leave.
“50 Ways to Say Goodbye” – Train
This song is one way to get everyone in stitches at a farewell party!
This energetic track finds a man being immature over his breakup, so he claims his ex died in a hilarious variety of ways.
With its infectious tune and descriptive lyrics, it’s a carefree anthem you can have fun singing with your friends and family.
“I’m Movin’ On” – Rascal Flatts
This 2000 song will get you hard and good in the feels. It’s a relatable song, dealing with themes of moving on and being content with the peace you have in your life.
Featuring sparse instrumentals and Flatts’s emotional vocals, this song will help you come to terms with saying farewell to the ones who’re leaving.
“Go Your Own Way” – Fleetwood Mac
Featured on the 1976 album Rumours, this fast-paced track details the fallout of many relationships within the band.
That said, it still fits the bittersweet and sentimental tone of a farewell party as you reconcile with that fact that everyone leaves at some point.
It’s also an absolute bop that’ll make everyone go crazy!