Brian McKnight Performs Original Song 'Can't Say Goodbye' in Honor of the Late Kobe Bryant

Brian McKnight put into song what many of us are feeling following the passing of legendary basketball player, Kobe Bryant. Try not to cry when you listen to it.

On Sunday, Brian McKnight debuted the heart-wrenching song he wrote for his late friend and former Los Angeles Lakers player, Kobe Bryant.

In it, we see McKnight, 50, wearing a black hoodie and sweatpants as he sits on a white coach holding a brown guitar. The clip is found below.

McKnight touches hearts with song

"Been a tough week," McKnight first says in the video as he gently passes his finger on the guitar strings. He notes how the world came together to mourn Kobe, his daughter, and the seven others who died in a helicopter crash last Sunday.

As he sings, McKnight's heartfelt words seem to perfectly describe the emotions so many have expressed since Kobe's passing. For instance, it could happen to anyone, and we're still wondering why it did at all.

Kobe once did a song with McKnight

McKnight also used a few metaphors to get his touching message across. His chorus, however, sums it up well. It goes, "We'll say so long, but we can't say goodbye."

Loyal fans might recall that the R&B singer — who is also a Lakers fan — once did a song with Bryant back in 1997. Towards the end of it, Kobe did a short rap segment.

Vanessa is trying to be strong

Of course, Kobe's loss hit his family the hardest. His wife Vanessa Bryant is reportedly struggling to cope and support the couple's children, Natalia, 17, Bianka, three, and Capri, seven months.

People reported that a family friend said Vanessa is trying to "be the strong one" for her kids. Kobe and Vanessa have been married since 2001. Fortunately, Vannesa does have a strong support system around her.

McKnight enjoys Spain with his wife

Meanwhile, McKnight is one of the lucky ones. He's been married to his wife Lelani Mendoza, since 2017. Last November, the pair went on a lovely vacation in Spain.

The "Back at One" singer shared photos from the outing. In one of them, he planted a kiss on his sweetheart's cheeks as they stood outside enjoying some warm weather.

We hope McKnight's words in his latest song for Kobe can somehow be an outlet for others and help them cope with the pain they're feeling today so that they can enjoy a better tomorrow.