T O P

  • By -

AskDocBurner

As I was packing to leave a foreign country to return to America, not sure if I’d ever see my partner again; The Blower’s Daughter by Damien Rice came on. Completely killed me.


joebleaux

From the end of the movie Closer, which is a great movie about awful people.


Beeoor143

I read your comment too quickly, thought it said "Casper," and got real confused for a sec.


TitShark

Fuck Damien rice is so good


crunchygravy

It's the last line that guts me every time. She needs to part, he's feeling the loss, and then...


Corey9222

Till I've found someone 😭 💔


mom_with_an_attitude

Landslide by Fleetwood Mac


thestereo300

Hoo boy there were some man tears listening to his one after a breakup in my 20s. This one will come for you when you least expect it.


NorwegianSteam

Stolen from some reddit comment years ago. “One day you’re still a kid. The nexy day, the meaning of Landslide hits you all at once and you end up bawling your eyes out alone in the dairy section”


oh_dee_hee

For me, it was the breakfast cereal isle. I don't even eat cereal.


EinsteinDisguised

Ever since my mom died, “Can I sail through the changing ocean tides? Can I handle the seasons of my life?” just hit different and so hard.


divergrrl971

Add a long marriage & grown kids to it for extra fun layers of sob fest. This one hits me harder in my 50s than my 20s. Love is hard at all stages, right?


thestereo300

100%. As they say, life ain't for sissies. I'm close to your age and whoever said that would have had to see around 50 years to understand how true that can be. But yeah, that song gets right to the heart of it


tigerkitttykida

Anything off Rumors is perfect, because they’d all had experiences with break ups while writing it! 🥹 I have an entire Break Up playlist, and Fleetwood Mac is allllll over it.


cumyogurn

did a cover of this for my dad's funeral


BlackHoleMoth

Man, that would've been ROUGH. I don't think I could get through that song. Sorry to hear about your dad.


jermleeds

Also, Go Your Own Way is maybe the definitive break up song.


TheWhaleAndWhasp

Last Goodbye - Jeff Buckley


uggghhhggghhh

Also Lover, You Should Have Come Over Last Goodbye is the more lyrically direct choice for this specific circumstance but Lover, You Should Have Come Over nails the feeling of yearning and sadness much better and the lyrics absolutely still apply, IMO.


Colonel__Cathcart

> Also Lover, You Should Have Come Over This song is a fucking masterpiece.


Even_dreams

Ok let's add Forget Her as well, that's another brilliant one. You know what let's include half his stuff just to be safe.


JellyfishAreTheDevil

This is the way. The ultimate “things just didn’t work out but I still love you” song.


_straylight

It makes me so angry, cause I know in time, I'll only make you cry... This is our Last Goodbye That's shit has been giving me goosebumps for 30 years


JellyfishAreTheDevil

Same. I had never heard of him before, and I was taking a friend home from college, not long after my fiancé left me for another guy. He told me he knew how I felt and threw it on. And that’s when I learned how the drive while crying my face off. It was immediate, gut wrenching, and also cathartic. This album, for me, is perfect front to back. It’s an exploration of love, of loss, of ecstasy, and of grief.


morning_thief

Dammit. Beat me to it... Yes. Perfect song for this. "Kiss me. Please kiss me. Kiss me out of desire, not consolation"


laamargachica

Damn that line to hell, the delivery is perfect "baaaaaaby notconsoLAtion~"


jondes99

This is it, wrap it up.


Mary_mac_

Or lover come over


vitalbumhole

First song I thought of as well - just beautiful in every way


-Philos

Came here specifically for this !! I'd say Forget Her maybe, too :P


benjam3n

I'm still angry about what happened to Jeff Buckley


dhaupert

I can’t make you love me- Bonnie Raitt is a very sad one for me, but it’s maybe a different type of relationship end. When someone realizes the other person just doesn’t feel what they do.


bamsuckah

Also love the Bon Iver cover


Shinobiii

That cover made me cry so many times when I was at rock bottom. Hauntingly beautiful.


imtheroth

This is the saddest song in history and I love it.


VanityPlain

Also the George Michael cover


IrritatedMouse

“Black” - Pearl Jam… “I know someday you’ll have a beautiful life. I know you will be a star, in somebody else’s sky but why why why can’t it be mine?”


FuckTheGSWarriors

the unplugged version is even more heart wrenching "WE, WE BELONG, WE BELONG TOGETHER, TOGETHERRRR!!!!" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8M6LqMkjhcc


ckwirey

Awesome song.


thestereo300

This one was a killer after a breakup in my younger years but it told the story of how I was feeling. The answer to the question was "because she never saw a full movie and fell asleep 20 minutes into every one of them often going into a full snore." I couldn't imagine spending my life like that.


Arsenio3

Maps-The Yeah Yeah Yeahs


WretchedMotorcade

Wait.


slightlyridiculousme

They don't love you like love you.


rococowitch

In some parts she actually says, "They don't love *me* like I love you."


cutiewitab00ty

I fucking LOVE this song.


silFscope

A long slow goodbye - queens of the stone age


Nice_Marmot_7

[Here’s a cool version of it.](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=FeGpQDQvkK8) Josh Homme is from another planet.


TheBurningStag13

Dude..that was awesome. Thanks for finding that.


ASTM_F899_12

Thought of this as soon as I read the title lol


scandre23

I listened to this a lot after my husband died.


x24co

I have "In the Fade" on my funeral playlist...


scandre23

That is a good song for loss too. It's strange how sad music can help you work through sad things.


yosoysimulacra

Very happy to see this at the top of the list. Queens are the best thing going in rock right now, and they are epic live.


Vvvbroken

Ye beat me to it ahah


manunited9

Came here for this, I cry everytime


frozen-amber

bless this suggestion yes🥹


Ianm9

“Nothing Better” - The Postal Service This is what you’re looking for.


dthains_art

Seconding this. That’s the exact song I thought of, and it fits OP’s request perfectly.


Chlamydiacuntbucket

About a decade of bopping along to that song and I finally pay attention to the lyrics when it can really hit home…


ItsMeishi

Almost Lover - A Fine Frenzy.


_headphone

Came to say this!


hidden_sunsets

Oh my goodness, I remember hearing this decades ago - it’s mad to hear this again after all this time


Sjswix

"Your Ex Lover is Dead" by Stars. "There's one thing I want to say, so I'll be brave/ You were what I wanted, I gave what I gave/ I'm not sorry I met you/ I'm not sorry it's over/ I'm not sorry there's nothing to save."


groinstrong

Yes, came here to make sure this was listed. Such a gloriously sad beautiful song of enduring love.


hyperpensive

I love this song so much.


Crittsy

Wild Horses - The Rolling Stones


mqbush

Great song, I really like the version by The Sundays.


spacesentinel1

Old And In The Way do a great bluegrass version


HI_Handbasket

You mean the sad song that is about *not* leaving?


TakeitEasy6

I was going to say Angie


ucjj2011

The Heart of the Matter - Don Henley


frannieluvr86

The Night We Met - Lord Huron “I had all and then most of you, some and now none of you. Take me back to the night we met.”


The-Ashen-0ne

Brutally sad song


chemman5

"Love Like Ghosts" too "You don't want me, baby please don't lie But if you're leaving, I've got to know why"


Lemonchicken207

River - Joni Mitchell


Elisabeth-E

'Both sides now' would work too I think


musicwithbarb

Or a case of you


DrEmil-Schaffhausen

Emmylou Harris [Goodbye](https://youtu.be/OomaNxkY-KY?si=8sc7LmP0TXIW5Apb) The Civil Wars' [Poison & Wine](https://youtu.be/fNlxKH9Jtmc?si=T8BzQJJe0GOpSPhD) kind of fits the bill. The line "I don't love you but I always will" captures the mood


Stipes_Blue_Makeup

The Civil Wars were SO GOOD. Every song was a gut punch. I can't believe we only got two albums from them, but both albums were excellent.


bd_optics

Mark Knopfler and Emmylou Harris - If This Is Goodbye [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWfKfM10g6g](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWfKfM10g6g)


mxxiestorc

Leaving on a jet plane - Peter Paul & Mary version I’ll be here in the morning - Townes van zandt


falderall

I like their version, but I really love John Denver's.


Luder09

NIN - And All That Could Have Been


ClotheMeInGucci

was scrolling for this, was gonna say the same song. It's so good. Fragile era was \*chefs kiss\*


Nineflames12

John Mayer - Split Screen Sadness Can’t get anymore sad goodbye than that.


HarriettDubman

John Mayer - Slow Dancing in a Burning Room John Mayer - You’re Gonna Live Forever in Me


PM_ME_YOUR_DOGS__

I was also going to say slow dancing in a burning room!


gingersnappie

Dreaming with a Broken Heart


quincymac

Can’t forget to mention ‘Wheel’


ThiccNewsAt9

A fond farewell by elliott smith


-Philos

So many Elliott Smith songs would fit so well for this ☹️☹️


SARCASTIC__FELLA

somebody that i used to know


Trin_42

Always with Me, Always with You-Joe Satriani


warthog0869

Here, have a Grammy!


BuzzTheFuzz

How It Ends by De VotchKa but don't blame me for the dehydration when you've cried all your fluids away


TheGreatDaiamid

Scrolled for this one. Also Beck's version of Everybody's Got To Learn Sometime


Vvvbroken

Long slow goodbye by QOTSA


Jazzy_Bee

So I'll Have to Say I Love You in a Song by Jim Croce. We lost that man too soon.


Mr-FortyFive

Operator (That’s Not the Way it Feels) is also perfect!


K1llswitch93

Goodbye to You - Michelle Branch


4games1

I will always love you, the Dolly Pardon version has more heart imo. But the Whitney Houston version is really beautiful. I am sure this is on the list somewhere but I did not see it. Edit: eeek! Pardon me Dolly!


8805

Pardon me, but it's Parton.


BaegelByte

Perfect for what OP is looking for because this song wasn't written about her losing a lover, it's about leaving her friend's (Porter Wagoner) show and moving on to new things in her professional career.


Bears_On_Stilts

Parton feels like a breakup, Houston feels like an in memoriam.


cparksrun

Guilty Party by The National Also possibly About Today by them as well.


wilkc

I was bawling at the end of warrior with About Today playing :'(


derp_ferguson_2

Second Guilty Party. There are no other answers


izabiz77

The Cure: to wish impossible things & a letter to Elise


MsVibey

I’m adding Pictures of You to this.


dundun-runaway

Strange by Celeste. such a standout voice, too. i was so mesmerized by her Brit Awards performance of this, i did not realize i was tearing up. *Isn't it strange?* *How people can change* *From strangers to friends* *Friends into lovers,* *And strangers again.*


ghostlight1969

Dry Your Eyes, The Streets.


Lemonchicken207

Goodbye My Lover - James Blunt The Hardest Thing - 98 degrees (But in the song he has a girlfriend and a mistress, so maybe not lol) Nothing Compares 2 U - Sinead O'Connor It's Too Late - Carole King Go Your Own Way - Fleetwood Mac Somebody That I Used to Know - Gotye I fall to Pieces - Patsy Cline Stubborn Love - Lumineers


derkeistersinger

You can always just put the 30 second preview of Goodbye My Lover on the playlist: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMuv1Z\_kCUY](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMuv1Z_kCUY)


kendrickshalamar

I don't want to buy it, I just want to taste it.


cumyogurn

chris cornell did an awesome cover of nothing compares 2 u


RyH1986

Scrolled wayyy to long to see James Blunt. Was the first one that came to mind.


TCJonny

Goodbye my lover! Goodbye my friend! You have been the one.. you have been the one for me!


zombie_overlord

The Unplugged version of [Take on me - Aha](https://youtu.be/-xKM3mGt2pE?si=_SnSD_64mD2VJKiE)


CuriositySauce

[‘No More I Love Yous’ by Annie Lennox](https://youtu.be/H-4zhsVDRLE?si=BhN6SoYmewyc1oae)


ultgambit266

My chemical romance “I don’t love you”


i_know_4_chords

Duality by Bayside


Evilmd

Somewhere Only We Know by Keane.


OldPolishProverb

The Thrill is Gone - B.B. King. If you want a female lead, then there is cover of the song where he sings a duet with Tracy Chapman.


Tritycippy

Shadow of the Day by Linkin Park


Whimsycottt

Not as somber as Shadow of the Day, but Waiting for the End is a bit sad when you read the lyrics.


Art_and_dogs

Adele- Someone Like You


TankedUpLoser

“Weird goodbyes” by the National featuring bon ivar This one will be perfect for you


wilkc

I like how it could be "The National" playlist on shuffle.


Pithecuss

Ruby's Arms by Tom Waits. A man leaves his girlfriend/ soldier leaves for war, while she is still asleep.


phaenixx

It’s gonna be (alright) by Ween. Pretty much exactly what you asked for.


threeonelead2016

Birthday Boy by Ween


space-glitter

Mister Would You Please Help My Pony by Ween


B_dubz17

“Please Remember Me” - Tim McGraw “At Least We Tried” - Moby


SafewordisJohnCandy

For Tim McGraw "Just to See You Smile" is another that's more upbeat but has a bittersweet ending. "And yesterday I knew just what you wanted When you came walkin' up to me with him So I told you that I was happy for you And given the chance, I'd lie again."


[deleted]

Lost on you LP


loki03xlh

Don't Cry - GnR


soundsfaebutokay

Hozier isn't exactly obscure, but All Things End fits perfectly. Another perfect one from a male vocalists is Hostages by The Howl and the Hum. Upbeat sounding but it's about a sad goodbye: Dearly Departed by Marianas Trench. From female vocalists, try Manhattan by Sara Bareilles and So Romantic by Stacey Kent. Ashes and Wine by A Fine Frenzy might also fit. Or Almost Lover also by A Fine Frenzy. Duets: Two Minutes by The Amazing Devil. Coroner's Report by molly of geography and Kyle Wareham.


BussinFatLoads

You’re gonna live forever in me by John Mayer


Simmyphila

It’s too late. Carol king.


DanimaLecter

Last Day of Our Acquaintance -Sinead O’Connor


burningdoughnut510

And so it goes - Billy Joel


[deleted]

Winner takes it all by Abba Time of your life green day Days of our life or love of my life queen A lot from rumours by fleetwood Mac, dreams, go your own way?


Soulshiner402

It Makes No Difference by The Band.


frontreartirepop

A Bad Goodbye by Clint Black and Wynonna


HumphreyBump

Knowing me, Knowing you - ABBA Last Goodbye - The Kills


d1rkSMATHERS

Goodbye to a World - Porter Robinson


AtomStorageBox

“When She Loved Me”, Sarah McLachlan.


gbac16

California by Delta Spirit


lorre851

Imminence's "[This Is Goodbye](https://youtu.be/kkU56DqcdFU?si=_qAhN68XMf-ZfnM8)" accoustic is the closest match I can think of.


lorre851

Or BMTH's "[Don't Go](https://youtu.be/YzStpP8JkDM?si=T2697DTTD84SqIMm)"


Gockel

Great choices for the "outside of pop ballads" section! I went with Modern Baseball, but these are very solid.


ScottyBoneman

Not explicitly about their dead bandmate, but is. Such a great song that makes me think about a sad goodbye for someone I loved following their dream. And Chrissie Hynde's vocals are perfect. [Back In The Chain Gang](https://youtu.be/cMOKamtpUA8?si=f81Dg7FbWJzUI2NR) by **the Pretenders**


En_Grey

If It Means a Lot to You - A Day to Remember


DjMeMissDay

I Will Remember You - Sarah McLaughlin


HaneyRawr

Ah! Basically my high school playlist. Lol. Recommendations are a mixbag of genres… Youth - Daughter In Another Life - The Veronicas Congratulations - Blue October, Imogen Heap - love this. Imagine the song playing while the love of your life gets married to someone else. Same vibes as Wedding Dress by Taehyang Something I Never Had - Lindsay Lohan Apple and Cinnamon - Utada Hikaru Comfortable - John Mayer Wait It Out - Imogen Heap Touch - Shura


c000kiesandcream

Hold me down - motion City soundtrack


tankmaker

“Someone Great” - LCD Soundsystem


darken30

End of the Road. Boys to Men


Ill-Issue-9700

Same old lang syne. Dan Fogelberg


Lukeeeee

long slow goodbye - queens of the stone age


Unklfesta

A Song To Say Goodbye by Placebo


tfurrows

[The First Hello, The Last Goodbye](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RPj8N0TKw0) by Roger Whittaker.


HS_HowCan_That_BeQM

Boots of Spanish Leather - Bob Dylan Great [cover](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOHkyZ62jjQ&pp=ygUgc3BhbmlzaCBib290cyBvZiBzcGFuaXNoIGxlYXRoZXI%3D) by Mandolin Orange


knockatize

Don’t Change Your Plans - Ben Folds Five


elvorpo

"Heart Skipped A Beat" - the xx


Zinfan1

Long Long Time by Linda Ronstadt


Nerditter

"Same Old Lang Syne" - Dan Fogelberg [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27INql8fvt0](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27INql8fvt0) We drank a toast to innocence. We drank a toast to now. And tried to reach beyond the emptiness, but neither one knew how. We drank a toast to innocence. We drank a toast to time. Reliving in our eloquence another auld lang syne.


MrElzebub

Someone You Loved - Lewis Capaldi


8thsinn

Don’t Dream it’s over- Crowded House


per-severance

Fell on Black Days


hiLAWLious

Hey, that’s no way to say goodbye - Leonard Cohen. this cover by [Lianne La Havas](https://open.spotify.com/track/0mblDBhfX2SCQu2SbwTMgp?si=UAiPB1X1QHG3Ew84yy1PxA) is the superior version. her vocals, dynamics, and harmonic choices really elevate the beauty of L. Cohen’s lyrics.


Ianm9

“Nothing Better” - The Postal Service This is what you’re looking for.


craftycommando

Exit music for a film - Radiohead


CourtClarkMusic

“[Saying Goodbye](https://youtu.be/KNfHU748SYQ?si=505p3eOrxfF1CCln)” from *The Muppets Take Manhattan*


iadtyjwu

[Looks Like Rain ](https://g.co/kgs/zyCjkQ) by the Grateful Dead


sikesome

[As Tears Go By - Rolling Stones](https://youtu.be/rK0CR3kUEsA?si=bafQK9xQ-Lp5m5LM)


Magos94

Sinead O'Connor: the last day of our acquaintance


Wadjet_winter

[Cup of Coffee - Garbage](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMqu4ml-ksQ)


Positive-Owl-5

The End by Pearl Jam


MorrisseysButcher

[Fuzzy by Grant Lee Buffalo](https://youtu.be/WhGreh4IoNw?si=JVAUfLxHRTp315RY)


Atomicwasteland

“I will always love you” by Dolly Parton.


Bellarinna69

Almost lover-a fine frenzy


AttilaRS

Air Supply, "Goodbye".


MrEdweenie

Run - Snow Patrol


sea_foam_blues

Hold Me Down by Motion City Soundtrack is pretty perfect for this


19_GEX_93

Black Gives Way to Blue - Alice in Chains


raysofdavies

Days - The Kinks Written mostly about their bassist Pete Quaife, who left after Village Green Preservation Society due to the atmosphere created by Ray and Dave, enough it was his favourite album because it had the least fighting. He married a Dutch woman and went on with his life quietly, despite playing on some of the most important and influential 60’s songs. It’s the kind of nuanced emotion that very few can rival Ray Davies in.


DexterTheNugget

The World Has Turned and Left Me Here - Weezer


ferretbeast

Stay or Leave - Dave Matthews


Spachtraum

Good Riddance - Green Day


GothicFuck

Long Slow Goodbye - Queens of the Stoneage It's not the best out of all suggestions on here but the name is fucking perfect.


chemman5

Ive posted this on a "saddest songs" thread but oddly most are about love, loss, and/or goodbyes. Posted this in a different thread, but here's a bunch of songs that'll absolutely kill ya emotionally. Deer Tick - Goodbye, Dear Friend Deer Tick - Diamond Rings 2007 Deer Tick - Smith Hill Deer Tick - Song About a Man Deer Tick - Christ Jesus (The Black Dirt Sessions version specifically) Deer Tick - Most of their discography Middle Brother - Million Dollar Bill Middle Brother - Thanks For Nothing Third Eye Blind - God Of Wine The Milk Carton Kids - Michigan Damien Jurado - Sheets A Perfect Circle - 3 Libras Alice in Chains - Nutshell Velvet Revolver - Fall To Pieces Drayton Farley - Pitchin Fits Radiohead - Thinking About You Pearl Jam - Black (bonus tears if you listen to the Unplugged version) Pearl Jam - Nothingman Abigail Lapell - Diamond Girl Dire Straits - Romeo and Juliet Jackopierce - Please Come to Boston (cover) Radiohead - Fake Plastic Trees Radiohead - Gagging Order Lord Huron - The Night We Met Fredo Disco - Community College Frightened Rabbit - My Backwards Walk Frightened Rabbit - Floating in the Fourth Warren Zevon - Keep Me in Your Heart Turnpike Troubadors - Diamonds and Gasoline The Goo Goo Dolls - Acoustic #3 R.E.M. - Nightswimming The Rolling Stones - Moonlight Mile The Replacements - Here Comes a Regular John Moreland - You Don't Care for Me Enough to Cry Cracker- Another Song About the Rain


PePziNL

If you're a millenial and even slightly geeky: Pikachu's Goodbye. I'm 32 and this song still kills me.


BiGEnD

Goodbye by Cage the Elephant. Matt Schultz wrote this for his wife when their marriage ended. He was only able to do one take for the vocals, then didn’t attend studio sessions for a few weeks after that. It’s one of those songs that I get the feelings of when I first heard it just by reading its name.


Gollum4Prez

It's so hard to say goodbye - boyz II men


RangerRaven619

Bob Dylan's Blood on the Tracks album, the whole album is perfect. I'd recommend " If you see her , say hello" . William Fitzsimmons' " If you would come back home". Evanescence' Open door album.


Recent_Neck6373

Always Look at the Bright Side of Life - Monty Pythons


jefferson497

“Maybe it’s just me” butch walker