13 Heartfelt, Unforgettable Goodbye Songs | Playlist

13 Heartfelt, Unforgettable Goodbye Songs features songs by AJR, Kristinia DeBarge, RAYE, Sabrina Carpenter, Sam Smith, and Steam.

And with those lyrics, British singer-songwriter RAYE has spoken. She’s said G-O-O-D-B-Y-E! Lucus is in the same frame of mind, with a quick tempo and bright musical accompaniment supporting him: “If it’s wrong, then I don’t care / You’ll be fine, although I’ll be gone /And now we say goodbye.” And, most famously, Gary DeCarlo of Steam timelessly proclaimed, “Na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na, hey, hey, hey, goodbye.” The common thread between these three songs is the word goodbye, which fuels the fire on 13 Heartfelt, Unforgettable Goodbye Songs. This playlist features songs by AJR, Kristinia DeBarge, RAYE, Sabrina Carpenter, Sam Smith, and Steam. The only requirement is the use of the word, goodbye.  So, without further ado, let’s get those hands ready to wave goodbye, shall we?!

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~ Table of Contents ~

1. RAYE, “Goodbye Henry.” (Ft. Al Green)	2. Artemas, “before we say goodbye”	3. Sabrina Carpenter, “Goodbye”
4. AJR, “The Big Goodbye”	5. Sam Smith, “Too Good At Goodbyes”	6. Kristinia DeBarge, “Goodbye”
7. ADONXS, “Kiss Kiss Goodbye”	8. Lucus, “Goodbye”	9. Sufjan Stevens, “Goodbye Evergreen”
10. Chris Brown, “Say Goodbye”	11. The Chicks, “Goodbye Earl”	12. The Manhattans, “Kiss And Say Goodbye”
13. Steam, “Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye”

 

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1. RAYE, “Goodbye Henry.” (Ft. Al Green)

THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE. » RAYE / Human Re Sources » 2026

RAYE (Rachel Keen) asserts in the intro of “Goodbye Henry.”. The British singer-songwriter adds, “In fact, it makes me so, so sad to sing this song / But I will sing it for you anyway.” Despite her sadness, I’m glad Keen decided to share the 10^th track from her 2026 album, THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE.  Sweetening the deal is the fact that she collaborates with a musical icon: Al Green! “Goodbye Henry.” was written by RAYE, Paul Murray, Matt Brooks, Chris Hill, Graeme Blevins, Augie Haas, Tom Richards, and Oscar Steiler. RAYE and Pete Clements produced it.

RAYE dominates most of “Goodbye Henry.” Following the intro, she performs the first verse, pre-chorus, chorus, second verse, pre-chorus, chorus, and an interlude.  In the first verse, RAYE reveals she’s writing the song about “A very lovely boy / And his name isn’t even Henry.” Oh! She adds, “In another life we could have made it / But in this one, well, we let go.” Word.  Speaking of another life, in the second pre-chorus, Keen states, “I’d wear his ring, and we’d have three beautiful children.” Ooh-wee! The chorus, varied each time, is intriguing. In its second iteration, she concludes:

“And who knows, Henry? Maybe one day we could try again

Don’t forget me (Don’t forget me) or regret me (Or regret me)

I tell him, ‘Goodbye, Henry.’

I told you this was a sad song.”

RAYE sings beautifully and playfully. The sophisticated, soulful backdrop, intact with organ, adds to the allure.  As for Al Green, he enters the mix for the first time in the third verse. Not before a proper introduction by RAYE. The Memphis soul-like cues suit him. “It’s nice to be on a microphone with a story to tell,” he says, and later sings, “Sometimes in life, we have to say goodbye / Tears falling from our eyes.” In the chorus and bridge that follow, RAYE leads the charge, with distinct, soulful contributions from Green and one significant joint moment (“Still in love, still in love, still in love with him”).  RAYE concludes with the outro: “And as I watch Henry drive out of my life / I warned you, dear listener, didn’t I.” Yep, RAYE, you sure did.  All told, “Goodbye Henry.” marks another compelling song from THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE.   

Appears in 🔻:

RAYE & Al Green, Goodbye Henry.: Dazzling Duets No. 22 (2026)

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2. Artemas, “before we say goodbye”

“before we say goodbye” » Artemas » 2025

Um, excuse me, Artemas (Artemas Diamandis)? What did you say? The English pop singer, songwriter, and producer tends to be blunt, frank, overt, and most of all, sexual.  The opening lyric from the chorus of “before we say goodbye” isn’t subtle in the least.  They have already fucked, and clearly, Artemas sees no harm in fuckin’ again.  For added context, he adds, “It might just stop the hurtin’ for the night, yeah / Our bodies miss each other, so do I / Before I have to burn you from my mind / Before we say goodbye.” So, this is breakup sex. Artemas wrote and produced this passionate cut.

There are lots of things to like about “before we say goodbye.” This is another, well-produced song from Artemas.  The darker, moody synths and groove are a key part of this song’s success.  The well-rounded musical accompaniment fuels Artemas’ fire, which is both emotional and sexual. In the first verse, Artemas doesn’t want her to come around (Bullshit! 😏) but also asserts, “I wish I didn’t miss your face / I wish you didn’t touch me.”  In the pre-chorus, she’s undressing, leading to the fuckin’ chorus (literally).  In the second verse, the “jump right in” is referencing coitus… no cap! Meanwhile, in the second pre-chorus, he asserts, “You cut me with your nails 💅 /… ‘Cause you know you’ll never be / This close to me again.” Holy fuck 😜! As always, Artemas delivers an entertaining and strong vocal performance.  He’s not a powerhouse singer, but when it comes to sex, he is a powerhouse! You buy the sex that he sells, and there is no shortage of embracing pleasure, even before an inevitable breakup on “before we say goodbye”.  At least the goodbye is a hot, steamy, and ultra-passionate one!

Appears in 🔻:

Artemas, before we say goodbye: Spicy Tunez No. 6 (2026) 13 More Scintillating WE Songs (2026)

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3. Sabrina Carpenter, “Goodbye”

Man’s Best Friend » Island » 2025 

The Grammy-winning pop singer-songwriter, Sabrina Carpenter, has spoken! “Goodbye” is the 12^th and final track from Carpenter’s Grammy-nominated, 2025 album, Man’s Best Friend.  A top 40 hit, “Goodbye” peaked at number 33 on the Billboard Hot 100.  Carpenter penned this fun closer alongside Amy Allen and producer extraordinaire, Jack Antonoff.  The musical accompaniment is colorful and sleek, giving Carpenter ample fuel for the fire. It has some Baroque pop qualities. Beyond the rhythm section (keys, guitars, bass, drums), there are woodwinds, brass, strings, and mallet percussion (glockenspiel).  The ear candy is decadent.

Do you know who else is decadent? Sabrina Carpenter, of course! She delivers a fun and playful vocal performance.  She is spirited and exhibits a big ole personality from the jump. “Goodbye” is filled with memorable, often tongue-in-cheek lyrics.  “To show you just how much it hurts / I wish I had a gun or words / If something got lost in communication,” she sings in the first verse. Word.  In the second, she asserts, “You used to love my ass, now, baby, you won’t see it anymore.” The use of ass – brilliant! Beyond the verses, the pre-choruses are intriguing. The first pre-chorus features Japanese and Spanish (“Well, sayonara, adiós / You’re not bilingual, but you should know”),  while the second features French (“But I’ll say, ‘Arrivederci, au revoir’ / Forgive my French, but fuck you, ta-ta”). Ooh-wee, Sabrina! The chorus is the crème de la crème – memorable and tuneful to the nth degree.

“Goodbye means that you’re losing me for life

Can’t call it love, then call it quits

Can’t shoot me down, then shoot the shit

Did you forget that it was you who said goodbye?

So you don’t get to be the one who cries

Can’t have your cake and eat it too

By walking out, that means you choose goodbye.”

The bridge, like the pre-choruses, also dips into other languages (Japanese and Spanish) before concluding (“Por siempre te amo [I love you forever], wait, no / Shit, when did you get here? / Go put on some clothes”). Once again, Sabrina Carpenter delivers an infectious pop bop with “Goodbye”, a song I never want to say goodbye to because it’s the sugar honey iced tea!

Appears in 🔻:

Sabrina Carpenter, Goodbye: Bangerz N Bopz No. 18 (2026)

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4. AJR, “The Big Goodbye”

What No One’s Thinking (EP) » AJR Productions » 2025

Indeed, AJR, indeed! The alt-pop trio, comprised of the Met brothers, Adam, Jack, and Ryan, dropped a B-I-G banger with “The Big Goodbye”.  “The Big Goodbye” is the fifth and final track from their 2025 EP, What No One’s Thinking. Ryan Met, Jack Met, Leroy Van Dyke, and Buddy Black penned “The Big Goodbye.” Ryan produced it. How he did so is fascinating, demonstrated in a YouTube short 🔻. 

Notably, “The Big Goodbye” samples “The Auctioneer” by The Fortunairs Barbershop Quartet.  This vintage, a cappella, old-school sound sets the tone.  Initially, the sample’s pace is quick, matching the speed of an auctioneer – duh!  Ryan re-pitched and slowed down the sample, making the pace of the auctioneer slacken (“5 hundred 25, will you give me 30, make it 30, will you give me 40, will you give me 45”).

Eventually, “The Big Goodbye” settles into the expected, eccentric AJR alt-pop sound.  That sound is lush thanks to keys and strings, rhythmic, brassy, and ornate. Jack Met delivers bright, exuberant lead vocals in all their millennial glory (He’s technically elder Gen-Z, given his 1997 birth date). Like many an AJR song, there are incredibly tuneful melodies and distinct lyrics.  Kicking things off, Jack sings in the first verse, “I wrote a song ‘bout bein’ weak / Now I hear congratulations.” Facts, “Weak” is a big deal in the AJR musical catalog.  As the verse continues, he recalls other songs from their catalog, including a personal favorite, “100 Bad Days” (“The shows that no one came to”).  Beyond the verses, the melodies are tuneful during the pre-chorus and chorus, while the lyrics are unforgettable.  “And I should be so happy I could cry,” Jack asserts in the pre-chorus, and adds, “If this is what a happy end looks like.” Uh-oh, Jack, where are we going with this, buddy?  Why, the centerpiece, the chorus, which is intact with s- and f-bombs for the win!

“Someone tell me why

Why I’m all in my head

Why you’re all on my mind

Why it feels like my friends are leaving me behind

Why I miss all the shit I’ve seen a million times

… Why the town feels like home for the first time in years

Why’d  I need to be known? They fuckin’ know me here…”

During the post-chorus, the auctioneer loop returns, prefacing a brief second verse. “Oh, I wish I could take you all where I’m headin’,” Jack sings, and adds, “Guess I could FaceTime into all of your weddings.” That’s such an AJR thing to say! After another chorus, there is a bridge, which references a ten-year reunion.  After another auctioneer interlude, Jack concludes with the outro: “Then someday I’ll sing about the shit I did / And not the shit I’ll miss / Then my whole life can sound like this.” Word.  All told, “The Big Goodbye” is a jam-packed alt-pop gem.

Appears in 🔻:

AJR, The Big Goodbye: Wacky Wednesday No. 10 (2026) 13 Memorable, Big-Time BIG Songs (2026)

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5. Sam Smith, “Too Good At Goodbyes”

The Thrill Of It All » Universal Music Operations Limited » 2017

Academy- and Grammy-award winning pop singer/songwriter Sam Smith made a big-time return in 2017 with “Too Good at Goodbyes”. The multiplatinum, promo single from The Thrill of It All reached number four on the Billboard Hot 100. Smith sounds absolutely gorgeous, showing off their unique vocal tone and brilliant falsetto. The verses are distinct in this ballad, yet written similarly. “You must think that I’m new to this / But I have seen this all before,” Smith asserts in the first, adding in the second, “I’m just protectin’ my innocence / I’m just protectin’ my soul.” Noted. A rhythmic pre-chorus follows both verses, with Smith proclaiming, “So I’m never gonna get too close to you.” The chorus, the centerpiece, is filled with emotion:

“And every time you hurt me, the less that I cry

And every time you leave me, the quicker these tears dry

And every time you walk out, the less I love you

Baby, we don’t stand a chance, it’s sad, but it’s true

I’m way too good at goodbyes (I’m way too good at goodbyes)

I’m way too good at goodbyes (I’m way too good at goodbyes).”

The production (Jimmy Napes, Steve Fitzmaurice, and StarGate) expands beginning on the final two lines of the chorus, where those goodbyes come into play.  Here, Smith has supporting, backing vocals. By the extended chorus and bridge towards the end, Smith loosens up more, delivering some awesome vocal runs. Smith may be “too good at goodbyes,” but they’re also good at singing, songwriting, and the whole pop artist thing.

Appears in 🔻:

15 Really ‘Good’ Songs… It’s That Simple! (2019) Goodbye: 5ive Songs No. 60 (2020)  11 Compelling Bye Songs (2021) 15 Songs That Highlight the Power of TOO (2024)

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6. Kristinia DeBarge, “Goodbye”

Exposed » The Island Def Jam Music Group » 2009

It’s safe to say that Kristinia DeBarge reps that “single girl swag” hard.  If the last name sounds familiar, it’s because Kristinia is a member of the renowned musical family (James DeBarge is her father). “Goodbye” is the fourth track from her 2009 debut, Exposed.  It samples the hook and riff from the beloved 1969 Steam classic, “Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye”. Unlike her family, “Goodbye” was DeBarge’s sole pop hit, peaking at number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100. The single was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America in 2011, which is worth celebrating.  Also worth celebrating is the fact that “Goodbye” is a surefire earworm, no cap! Damon Thomas, Adonis, Paul Leka, Dale Frashuer, Antonio Dixon, Gary DeCarlo, and Eric Dawkins penned it.

What makes “Goodbye” a bop? It begins with alluring, bright, synth-driven production.  Babyface (b. 1959) and The Pentagon. The stomping beat brings a mad attitude that gasses up Kristinia. DeBarge’s vocals keep the same energy as the accompaniment.  She brings it with assertive, confident lead vocals. She easily brings the tuneful melodies to life in the verses, and especially the chorus and post-chorus.  Beyond handling the melody like a champ, she serves up some sweet ad-libs. She also gets terrific support from the background vocals. In the verses, the focus is moving on from this lame boy! In the second verse, she asserts, “Thinking of changing up how I ride / No more on the passenger’s side / Too bad you missed out on the way that I drive it.” Ooh-wee! In the pre-chorus, Kristinia has determined, “Baby, I’m gone,” leading into the totally over it chorus excerpted earlier.  The Steam classic is loud and clear, and fully appropriate in the post-chorus:

“Na-na-na-na (Hey)

Na-na-na-na (Hey)

Hey, hey, hey, goodbye (Goodbye).”

While Kristinia DeBarge didn’t strike gold beyond “Goodbye”, it’s an undeniable pop/R&B banger. The attitude-laden vocals, the electronic sound palette, and the infectious chorus, even if interpolated, carry lots of weight.  A bop to the nth degree approaching two decades later!

Appears in 🔻:

Kristinia DeBarge, Goodbye: 1 Hit WONDERful No. 2 (2026)

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7. ADONXS, “Kiss Kiss Goodbye”

“Kiss Kiss Goodbye” » Warner Music Czech Republic s.r.o. » 2025

Oh, snap, ADONXS! The dashing 😍, deep-voiced, openly gay Slovak singer (real name, Adam Pavlovčin) piques our ears with his Eurovision Song Contest 2025 single, “Kiss Kiss Goodbye”. Pavlovčin wrote “Kiss Kiss Goodbye” with CHAiLD (LUX), Maella, and Ines Coulon. Ronald Janeček, George Masters-Clark, and Lorenzo Calvo produced it. As the title and the excerpted lyrics from the pre-chorus suggest, matters of the heart play a sizable role. In the first verse, ADONXS mentions two kisses representing love and desperation. “There’s no other place to hide / Only one survives, when the night arrives / Will you be my ride or die?” In the second verse, before asking the same question, he sings, “Caught in a motion, you’re wearing me out / Tainted devotion, heart on the ground.” The section to beat, the centerpiece, is the chorus:

“Kiss, kiss goodbye (Kiss, kiss goodbye)

Kiss, kiss goodbye (Kiss, kiss goodbye)

Now keep your half apologies, drunken apathy

Over and over again

Kiss, kiss.”

ADONXS is fierce AF throughout “Kiss Kiss Goodbye.” His robust bass voice is the sugar, honey iced tea. The melodies he brings to life with his voice, including some falsetto, are nicely contoured and tuneful to the nth degree.  The musical backdrop is sleekly produced. Set in a minor key, the dramatic, choral, and orchestral music cues are epic.  The keyboards, synths, and programming are top-notch, too.  “Kiss Kiss Goodbye” is not an overtly queer song, but it feels like a necessary addition to an ever-growing queer music catalog.  ADONXS slays!

Appears in 🔻:

ADONXS, Kiss Kiss Goodbye: Beaming with Pride No. 24 (2025) Bops from 2025 That Make You Beam with Pride A Kool Kollection of K Songs (2025) 13 More Songs Where It’s All in a Kiss (2026) A Memorable Song From Each Letter of the Alphabet (2026) Goodbye: 5 Gems No. 14 (2026)

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8. Lucus, “Goodbye”

“Goodbye” » Akasha Music » 2025

Lucus sings on his short but utterly sweet single, “Goodbye.” How brief is the goodbye? Oh, it clocks in under two minutes.  Even so, Lucus’ tenor sounds beautiful, boyish, and ear-catching.  The melodies are rhythmic and tuneful, while the songwriting is memorable.  Matters of the heart drive the narrative, with the goodbye imminent.  “I walk into the room, she sits alone,” he sings in the first verse, and continues, “I think she knows it’s coming / And can’t understand all of the things I did for us.” In the pre-chorus, Lucus states the compromises he made, and adds, “If there is no better end / Would it be wrong to just forget and move on?” Food for thought. The chorus, excerpted earlier, is the section to beat.  He adds, “If it’s wrong, then I don’t care / You’ll be fine, although I’ll be gone / And now we say goodbye.” Backed by delightful, striking production (Lucus and August Grau wrote and produced it), he cooks on “Goodbye.”

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9. Sufjan Stevens, “Goodbye Evergreen”

Javelin » Asthmatic Kitty » 2023

“Goodbye Evergreen” fabulously sets the tone for Javelin, the 10^th studio album by Academy– and Grammy Award-nominated singer-songwriter.  Stevens delivers beautiful vocals that are poised yet potent. His hushed voice becomes amplified by vocal layering, which recurs throughout Javelin. Beyond his vocals, the instrumental is utterly brilliant, growing more ornate as “Goodbye Evergreen” proceeds. Stevens, an elite musician, delivers terrific arranging and producing.  Returning to the songwriting itself, there are two consecutive verses, sans chorus.  In the second, Stevens admits, “I’m frightened of the end / I’m drowning in my self-defense.” The death of his partner, Evans Richardson, weighs heavily.

Appears in 🔻:

11 Everlasting, Evergreen 🌲 Songs (2023)  Compelling Bye Songs, Vol. 2 (2024)

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10. Chris Brown, “Say Goodbye”

Chris Brown » RCA Records » 2025

When Grammy-winning R&B singer-songwriter Chris Brown released “Say Goodbye” in 2005, he was only 16 years old.  Even so, his path to superstardom was clear, particularly after a dominant debut single, “Run It”. “Say Goodbye” is the multiplatinum 13^th track from his multiplatinum self-titled debut album. One of multiple top 10 hits, “Goodbye” peaked at number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. Wyldcard, Adonis, and producer Bryan-Michael Cox wrote this early, enduring gem from the Brown catalog.

So, what makes “Say Goodbye” the sugar, honey, iced tea? It begins with the incredibly lush, warm backdrop. Some of the highlights of Cox’s production include the keys and strings. But, the star of the show is Brown, who sets the tone with his spoken word introduction.  From there, he impresses with a beautiful and expressive vocal performance. “Girl, I know your heart is breakin’,” Brown sings in the second verse, and adds, “But trust me, girl, I never / Meant to crush your world, and I never / Thought I would see the day we grew apart.” Matters of the heart, specifically breaking up, dominant this goodbye track. Throughout the song, there are rhythmic, tuneful melodies. The form is well-rounded and easy to follow: verse, pre-chorus, chorus, twice, that is followed by the bridge and concluding with an extended chorus. The chorus, excerpted earlier, is the crème de la crème, led by Brown’s harmonized, rhythmic vocals:

“There’s never a right time to say goodbye (Yeah)

But I gotta make the first move

‘Cause if I don’t, you’re gonna start hatin’ me

‘Cause I really don’t feel the way I once felt about you

Girl, it’s not you, it’s me, I

Kinda gotta figure out what I need, oh

There’s never a right time to say goodbye

But we know that we gotta go our separate ways

And I know it’s hard, but I gotta do it, and it’s killin’ me

‘Cause there’s never a right time, right time to say goodbye.”

Two decades after its release, “Say Goodbye” remains one of Chris Brown’s best songs.  This break-up, goodbye ballad is divine. 

Appears in 🔻:

Chris Brown, Say Goodbye: Bangerz N Bopz No. 43 (2026)

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11. The Chicks, “Goodbye Earl”

Fly » Columbia » 1999

This seems like the opportune time to double down on the fact that two wrongs DO make a right, so let’s controversially consult ‘the good book’ for context in the controversial The Chicks classic, “Goodbye Earl”! The Bible says, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, so it feels totally right that Natalie Maines and company atoned for abuse with the murder of the scum of the earth. HELL yeah, with emphasis on the HELL part.  Honestly, the excerpted lyrics from the chorus tell you why this gem from their 1999 album, Fly, is deemed as one of the most controversial songs of all time.

To be fair, The Chicks did NOT write the song or originally perform it.  Blame songwriter Dennis Linde for the controversy, dang it! Linde is to blame for penning an anti-abuse anthem that found the abused (Wanda), and her friend (Mary Ann), murdering the abuser (Earl)! “You’re feeling weak / Why don’t you lay down and sleep, Earl,” Maines continues singing in the chorus, adding, “Ain’t it dark / Wrapped up in that tarp, Earl?” Again, what more can you say but, damn! Anyways, Linde wrote this anthem, which finds Earl abusing Wanda in the second verse, including Earl “Walked right through that restraining order / And put her in intensive care.” Originally, the song was recorded by Sons of the Desert, but the album was never released – a whole mess.  Naturally, the message of “Goodbye Earl” is mixed, hence why it aroused the controversy it did.  It is probably best to look at this fictional song as tongue-in-cheek; however, there have been real-life instances where someone was abused in some form or fashion, and they ultimately killed the abuser.  That said, it is still disturbing that “It turns out he [Earl] was a missing person / Who nobody missed at all.”

Appears in 🔻:

The Chicks, Goodbye Earl: Controversial Tunes No. 23 (2022)  13 Unapologetic, Controversial Tunes, Vol. 3 (2023) 15 Chilling Murder Ballads (2024)

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12. The Manhattans, “Kiss and Say Goodbye”

The Manhattans » Sony Music Entertainment » 1976

Winifred Lovett says in the intro of “Kiss and Say Goodbye”.  He continues, “I won’t be able to see you anymore / Because of my obligations and the ties that you have /… Let’s just kiss and say goodbye.” “Kiss and Say Goodbye” is one of the greatest R&B/soul songs of all-time, period.  It is worth noting that Lovett composed this 1976 classic, which hails from The Manhattans’ self-titled album and marks their biggest hit. “Kiss and Say Goodbye” topped the Billboard Hot 100, deservedly so! Sadly, “Kiss and Say Goodbye” wasn’t nominated for a Grammy, but the collective later won a Grammy for another hit, “Shining Star”.

“Kiss and Say Goodbye” is iconic for many reasons. The production (Bobby Martin) is idiomatic of the 70s soul sound – lush, picturesque, romantic, and warm.  The vocals are stellar, from the commanding, expressive lead (Gerald Alston) to the assertive backing vocals.  The theme and lyrics are relatable, as the love affair has come to an end.  Even if it’s wrong, breaking up is difficult regardless of the situation, something that “Kiss and Say Goodbye” captures perfectly.

“We’ve been meeting here so long

I guess what we done, oh, was wrong

Please darlin’, don’t you cry

Let’s just kiss and say goodbye.”

“Kiss and Say Goodbye” = a once-in-a-lifetime record.

Appears in 🔻:

Kisses: An Intriguing Compendium of Kiss Songs 💋 (2021) The Manhattans, Kiss and Say Goodbye: Throwback Vibez No. 86 (2022) 13 Songs That SAY it! (2024)

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13. Steam, “Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye”

60’s Gold » Universal Music Enterprises / UMG Recordings, Inc. » 2006

One word: ICONIC! Those lyrics hail from the beloved Steam classic, “Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye”.  We most often sing those goodbye lyrics at a sporting event as we send the losers on their way home, ha-ha-ha 😈! “Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye” marked the Steam’s sole top 40 hit. It’s a bummer they had no more substantial hits. Still, “Na Na…” spent two weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 at the end of 1969.  Gary DeCarlo (1942 – 2017), the lead singer, Paul Leka (1943 – 2011), and Dale Frashuer (1939 – 1998) wrote the song.  Leka produced it.  The most famous part is the chorus, performed by gang vocals, which is tuneful and memorable to the nth degree.

Still, “Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye” is more than its chorus.  The infectious groove is one of the biggest selling points.  This groove is a surefire catalyst for your body movement of choice. And those psychedelic pop/rock sounds… well, they are sure a vibe! The energy is electrifying from the jump, with the chorus rightfully kicking things off. Gary DeCarlo does a fine job performing the lead vocals during the verses.  While we talk less about the verses, generally, they are also noteworthy and tuneful.  The vocals are kinder and gentler, contrasting the more dynamic chorus.  “He’ll never love you the way that I love you,” DeCarlo sings in the first verse, and concludes, “‘Cause if he did, no, no, he wouldn’t make you cry.” Word.  The second verse is penned similarly – this dude is not the one, baby! In the pre-chorus, DeCarlo pleads his case: “He might be thrillin’ baby but a-my love /… So doggone willin’, so kiss him / Go on and kiss him goodbye.” Woo!  A four-minute-plus song, much of the ending of “Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye” focuses on that irresistible groove and of course, that irresistible chorus. The outro finds DeCarlo riffin’, leading with the background vocals faithfully reiterating that ever-unforgettable refrain.  Yeah, they only had one hit, but Steam ensured their sole hit kicked ass and took names!

Appears in 🔻:

Steam, Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye: 1 Hit WONDERful No. 7 (2026) 13 More Songs Where It’s All in a Kiss (2026)

 

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13 Heartfelt, Unforgettable Goodbye Songs (2026) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; AJR Productions, Akasha Music, Artemas, Asthmatic Kitty, Columbia, Human Re Sources, Island, RAYE, RCA Records, Sony Music Entertainment, The Island Def Jam Music Group, UMG Recordings, Inc., Universal Music Enterprises, Universal Music Operations Limited, Warner Music Czech Republic s.r.o.; Andrea Piacquadio, Polina Zimmerman, Zeynep Sude Emek from Pexels; Gordon Johnson from Pixabay; Mayank Baranwal on Unsplash]

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