How Do I Say Goodbye by Dean Lewis

Album: The Hardest Love (2022)

Charted: 23 105

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After Dean Lewis' father received a bleak cancer diagnosis, the Sydney-born singer-songwriter feared the worst. He considered his dad his best friend and the person he most looked up to, so when doctors gave him a 25% chance of living past a year, Lewis was heartbroken. He wrote "How Do I Say Goodbye" about coming to terms with his father potentially passing away.
Lewis wrote the song in Nashville with Jon Hume after his father had been in remission from cancer for six months. Hume also co-wrote Lewis' "Hurtless"; his other credits include JP Cooper's "September Song" and Sofi Tukker's "That's It (I'm Crazy)." Lewis penned the song from the perspective of when he still didn't know if his father was going to die.
When Lewis recorded the song, Hume set a mic up in the middle of the room. Lewis sang the chorus twice, took off his headphones, then Hume played it back to him. He couldn't believe what he was hearing from the speakers. "It was so powerful that we were blown away and I was crying," Lewis told Apple Music. "I think I cried 10 times, and I just sat there listening to the chorus over and over again. I could hear the emotion in the chorus, and it captured what I wrote the song about: my mum telling me, 'You have to come home.'"
Lewis played "How Do I Say Goodbye" to his father, who said he loves it but can't listen to it more than once.

Comments: 9

Kyren Raymond from UgandaWow this song is really heart touching thank you so much it's really hard to take in, and you know when you lost the people you love in your life it's like they have taken a piece that is very difficult to replace.
John from SydneyI wasn't there when my father passed away in 2019, and I've missed him every day since. I can't stand it anymore, so think it's time to go find him.
June from Glen Innes NswI lost my son September 2024 and they played this song and I felt he my son was saying goodbye to me but also my grandson who he my son was his father. Can be too for my grand daughters and also my sons wife. Iv watched it over and I cried and cried as I saw myself with my son as a baby holding him. My x hubby in there too and others too. Finally holding his only son when he was little.
Ange from Manchester UkMy dad passed away 13 years ago and I just heard this song and it just hit me again. Beautiful and sad. Couldn’t do anything for half an hour because of the floods of tears. What a magical experience music gives, taking us back in time to a place of intense emotions.
John Watkins from Pilot VirginiaI lost my dad in 2000 from a stroke. Yes he didn't die of cancer ...but he was my hero...he never had a drivers license but he was the best instructor and teacher I ever had. If your close to your dad...tell him every day how much you love him and gibe him a hug because you never know when your not gonna be able to tell him or hug him again face to face.
Paul Pridmore from Greenwood, ScThis song really hits home with me, but as sad as it is, I love it. My father passed away this past spring only a couple of weeks after being diagnosed with cancer. We look so much alike, even I take a pause when I see myself in pictures, often thinking for a moment that it’s him. He was always so proud of me and always supported me no matter what. I miss him more than anyone knows.
Addie from Madison OhioI'm so sorry I listen to this everyday and my mom texted me saying pls come home to me and I cried sitting on the floor because my best friend dog died and I just started crying out saying that she was the only thing that was saving me from hurting myself.
Jaxon Hines from Columbus, OhThanks, dean. My father was just in the hospital so I thought of this song.
Nancy from EnglandThank you for telling me why he wrote the song
I really thank you because i wnated to know why the song
Was about saying goodbye to something
But then i was really trying to question it
For saying how do i and that made me
Really confused but i am so sorry
To dean

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