What is the best song with which a band knowingly closed out their existence? You know...the last song on their last album, which they knew was going to be their final album at the time they wrote and recorded it. Try thinking of ones that either directly or cryptically allude to the fact that the curtain has come down on their run.

My nominee:

"Wipe Those Prints and Run" by Beulah, the last song on their last album, Yoko

This track is the perfect closing statement to a brilliant, yet all too brief, tenure as a truly unique and original band. One of the few bands without a single misfire to be found in their entire body of work. Some might say it's better to go out without a blemish, rather than overstay your welcome and tarnish your legacy, but I just wish those guys were still together.

"Her Majesty"

Does Joy Division's 'Decades' count?

Velvet Underground - O Sweet Nuthin

(Though the convoluted demise of the band [and the existence of one post-Lou album {which doesn't count}] might preclude anyone knowing it would be their swansong track.)

This is a great ending.

I think Riders on the Storm is another. Like VU, the post-Doors work doesn't count.

Phish tried to do a good version of 'The Curtain' to close out the final show of the farewell tour. And 'You Enjoy Myself' was the one to close out the last show before hiatus. Both of those were decent choices in the scheme of things.

"Don't Cry" by Adam Again

"Soon" by My Bloody Valentine (that was technically their last song wasn't it?)

I hope this counts.
"The Show Must Go On" by Queen.

age of innocence from machina by the smashing pumpkins is undoubtedly one of the best songs they ever wrote, probably makes top 5 by them.

Not a song, but Roxy Music's Avalon is the perfect last album

'Til the new one comes out.

"Omerta / Vampire Lanois" by Afghan Whigs off of '1965'

Artful Dodger ended their last album (Rave On) with a song called "Forever" that pretty much spelled out how they couldn't believe the whole thing was finally over.

And it's not on an album, but the last single Mott the Hoople put out was "Saturday Gigs". It's a quick account of the band's history (ie: "oh '73 was a jamboree/ we were the dudes and the dudes were we/ do you remember the suits and the platform boots?") and ends with Ian Hunter singing "goodbye... goodbye" over the fade-out.

(Supposedly, the rest of the group hadn't been told that the band was finished when they recorded it - and they didn't understand why the fuck he was saying goodbye.)

Should have been, and easily my choice.

A couple of good ones:

Boo Radleys - The Future Is Now
Big Star - Take Care

'I Won't Share You' always seemed a fitting end to the Smiths considering the circumstances surrounding the split (basically Moz pissed off at Johnny Marr hanging around with other people).

I'LL GET YOU!

Agreed on the Doors, probably my favorite tune of theirs too. True with Roxy, although I am now discovering there was WAY more to that band than I ever knew.

Yes.