Is 'How Do I Say Goodbye' Based on a True Story? the Truth Behind Dean Lewis's Track
By Alexander Ross
The visual accompaniment for "How Do I Say Goodbye" avoided scripted actors and high-concept cinematic sets. Directed by Lewis’s brother, Sean Loaney, the official music video relies almost entirely on real VHS home movies and contemporary footage of John Lewis.
Viewers see grainy clips of Dean as a toddler learning to swim, being hoisted onto his father’s shoulders, and opening Christmas presents in suburban Australia. These decades-old memories are intercut with recent footage of John walking alongside Dean, visibly older and weathered by chemotherapy, but undeniably alive.
The video transformed the song from an elegy into a celebration of survival. In the comment sections of YouTube and TikTok, millions of listeners began sharing their own stories. Some celebrated parents who survived; others used the video as a virtual memorial for parents they had lost.
Alexander Ross has covered the video game industry for a decade, writing deep dives on game design, esports tournaments, VR developments, and gaming culture.
