Back in 2019, Australian singer-songwriter Dean Lewis got terrible news—his dad was diagnosed with cancer. The doctors didn’t have much hope, and Lewis was heartbroken. He needed a way to express his emotions, so he wrote a song called How Do I Say Goodbye. It was a deeply personal song about the fear of losing his father. In September 2022, he released it to the world.
But not everyone thought it was a good idea. Lewis remembers people asking him, “Are you sure you want to put out a death song just after COVID?” They thought the song was too sad. But Lewis believed in it. “Yeah, but it’s the best song I’ve ever done,” he said.
At first, he worried that people wouldn’t want to listen more than once because it was such an emotional song. But something incredible happened—the song went viral. It connected with people everywhere. Listeners around the world were moved to tears, and the song became a huge success.
Meanwhile, something even more amazing was happening. Lewis’ father was undergoing an experimental stem cell transplant to treat his leukemia. And against all odds—it worked! His cancer went into remission. Lewis and his family were overjoyed. To celebrate, something special happened. In 2022, during a concert in Sydney, his father joined him on stage to sing How Do I Say Goodbye together in front of thousands of fans.
The moment was unforgettable. One fan, Mark Uszxc, commented, “His dad doesn’t even glance at the crowd; he’s just looking at his son. He must be so proud of him.” Another, Debbie Brownlee, said, “Absolutely love how the dad moves toward his son.” Yukki pointed out the crowd’s energy: “I love how his audience doesn’t just scream randomly, but actually sings the song in sync. It really adds to the performance.” Many fans admitted they couldn’t listen to the song without crying. “I can never listen to this song without crying like a baby,” said G Patha.
After that magical night in Sydney, Lewis decided to take his dad on tour with him. In 2023, during his European tour, his father joined him on stage once again to perform How Do I Say Goodbye. Lewis loved seeing his dad enjoy the experience. “He’s loving the attention. He’s living his dream because he’s always played and wanted to get onstage. It’s been amazing for all of us,” he shared.
This wasn’t the first time Dean Lewis had made headlines. Long before his music career, he was a competitive gamer. At just 18 years old, he represented Team Australia in Halo 2 at the 2005 World Cyber Games! But it was his music that made him a household name. His biggest hits include Waves (2016, certified 7× Platinum in Australia), Be Alright (2018, 11× Platinum in Australia), and How Do I Say Goodbye, which went gold or platinum in more than 10 countries. His most recent album, The Epilogue, was released in October 2024—his third full-length record.
Today, Dean Lewis’ father is still in remission, and their bond is stronger than ever. How Do I Say Goodbye isn’t just a song—it’s a symbol of love, hope, and the unbreakable connection between a father and son. Lewis’ journey has touched millions, proving that music has the power to heal. If you want to dive deeper into his story and music, check out the links below!
