Sometimes it can be difficult trying to express your emotions properly when you miss someone, however, what many people don’t seem to realize is that music is one of the best ways to express your feelings both for yourself, and when sharing your feelings with others too.
In fact, there are endless amounts of songs out there which are perfect for this exact situation, and sometimes it takes a song for you to truly realize just how much you miss someone, and the amount of heartache you actually feel as a result of it.
There is a lot of relief and comfort to be had in listening to songs about missing someone, especially those who you loved the most, and sometimes a song can be the perfect way to put your feelings into words when you can’t quite do it.
So, if you’ve had a difficult time trying to process your longing for someone, then listening to these songs can be a great way to help you work through some of these difficult feelings.
So whether it’s a romantic breakup, a death, or simply for someone who lives too far away for you to visit them regularly, these songs will help to provide comfort and solace for you!
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The Best Songs For When You Miss Someone
Here are some of the best songs to play when missing someone!
Lay Me Down – Sam Smith
The heartache of missing someone is a powerful emotion, which is exactly why this powerful song from British singer-songwriter Sam Smith is an exceptionally good song to listen to when you’re missing someone close to you.
This song, Lay Me Down, was released back in 2013, but still manages to remain raw and emotional, with its soulful sound, this ballad is all about the immeasurable pain that is felt when you lose someone you love, and the extent to which you would do anything to have them back.
The song is great both sonically and lyrically, and will definitely resonate with you if you’ve ever experienced this feeling before.
Wish You Were Here – Pink Floyd
One of the most highly influential bands of all time, and easily one of the most famous British rock bands, Pink Floyd has been instrumental in developing the progressive rock genre, and their song Wish You Were Here is the perfect anthem for when you’re missing that special someone.
This song is also seen to be one of their most iconic songs too, and is adored both by fans of the band, and those who have only heard some of their hits too.
So, if you need a song that helps to encapsulate that feeling of loss and longing that so often comes with missing someone, then the lyrics of this song will help to comfort you.
Come Back, Be Here – Taylor Swift
Even after over a decade since it first released, Come Back, Be Here by worldwide sensation Taylor Swift still happens to be one of the best songs to listen to when you’re missing someone, and if you’re someone who has lost someone who you once loved, no matter the context, then you’ll definitely be able to relate to some of the lyrics in this song.
This song focuses a lot on the loneliness and heartache that resides long after the person you miss has left, and is an especially good breakup song too, so if you’re still in your feelings after you and the one you loved have split, this song might just be able to help you.
I Miss You – Blink 182
Arguably one of the band’s most popular songs, especially since it reached number one on Billboard’s Modern Rock Tracks list upon release, this is emo-tinged breakup song is the creation of Tom DeLonge and Mark Hoppus, and is a great song to listen to whilst trying to express those more painful emotions.
The lyrics of the song focuses on the feeling of hurt when missing someone who is particularly good at making you feel better, and now that they’re gone too, everything else hurts even more.
Yesterday – The Beatles
Forever one of the best bands of all time, no one did music like the Beatles, which is why when it comes to finding a perfect song to listen to when missing someone, their song Yesterday is the perfect song to listen to, especially if you’re dealing with the loss of someone who was once close to you.
Like much of their discography, the Beatles manage to take a relatively simple concept, and create something beautiful with it, the lyrics of this song tend to focus mainly on the craving for the past and the happiness we once had with that person who is no longer here and the overall melancholy of the song helps to make this song one of the very best in the Beatles’ catalogue.
Miss You – The Rolling Stones
Revered as a massive hit when it was released in 1978, Miss You, which was written by the legendary Mick Jagger and Keith Richards and is still considered to be one of the most popular The Rolling Stones’ songs to this day.
With lyrics centered around the pain and emptiness we feel for someone who is no longer with us, and the longing we have for them, the lyrics don’t quite match up to the disco-inspired track, but it means that you’ll be inspired to both dance and cry to this incredible song whenever it plays!
I Will Always Love You – Whitney Houston
This song is considered a classic by many, and focuses on a couple who still remain in love, even though they have broken up, which many people can relate to.
The lyrics dig up some of the hardest emotions that come along with breakups, and saying goodbye to the person that you loved the most.
Originally this song was performed by Dolly Parton, but it is Whitney Houston’s version of this incredible song that people tend to remember the most!
Here Without You – 3 Doors Down
If you’re in a long distance relationship, or something has caused you away from your significant other for some time, then this song is definitely going to resonate with you.
Released in 2003 by the American rock band 3 Doors Down, Here Without You is sure to help you express the pain you feel for being separated from your lover.
This is definitely one to add to your shared playlist with your significant other!
I’ll Be Missing You – Puff Daddy Featuring Faith Evans
Dealing with the unexpected death of a friend or loved one can be extremely painful, and it’s often hard to put into words how it feels, especially if you’ve never experienced it before.
This song, by Puff Daddy and Faith Evans, is about exactly that, and was actually written about a close friend of Puff Daddy’s – The Notorious B.I.G., who was tragically killed in a drive-by shooting.
This song might not be your usual genre, but it’s certainly worth a listen to if you’re looking to try and express how you’re feeling about someone you’ve lost.
Miss You Much – Janet Jackson
Narrating the pain felt by someone who is missing someone and waiting upon their return, Miss You Much is sure to resonate with anyone who’s felt that deep pain of longing for someone to come back to you, whether you’re expecting them to or not.
If you’re looking for a song that helps to encapsulate the feelings you have whilst you’re waiting to be reunited with the person that you love the most, you should definitely check this song out.
Tears In Heaven – Eric Clapton
Written about the tragic loss of his son, Tears In Heaven by Eric Clapton is a truly heartbreaking song that somehow manages to verbalize the immense pain caused by such a devastating event, with Clapton himself later stating that he wrote the song as a way of attempting to heal.
As ever, it shows that music can be a much more powerful tool for our emotions than you might think!
How Can I Help You Say Goodbye – Patty Loveless
This song is filled with a lot of pain, and you can tell that not only from the lyrics, but in the tone of Patty Loveless’ voice too, having been separated from her husband, lost her childhood friend, as well as the death of her mother, who was once the one to bring her comfort in these situations.
Ultimately this song is for those who are struggling to deal with the immeasurable pain in which life can bring.
Goodbye’s The Saddest Word – Celine Dion
Celine Dion is known for her powerful and emotional singing, which is exactly why Goodbye’s The Saddest Word is an immensely touching song that helps to convey how hard it can be to say goodbye to the ones you love the most.
The beautifully sad part about this song is the realization that one day, we must say goodbye, to everything and everyone, and how that can break anyone’s heart.
Always – Bon Jovi
Writing about the shocking feeling of someone just leaving your life one day, the lyrics of Always are about trying to fight for the love you have and never giving up on that feeling.
It’s also about facing the reality of being unable to compare with your ex’s new lover, and yet still wanting to be with them. So for a song of pain and loss, this one’s for you.
Ain’t No Sunshine – Bill Withers
Focused on the feeling of emptiness that comes along with the end of a relationship, as well as the desperation that begins to creep up on you a short time after, the catchiness of this song will mean that it’ll soon become a song you play again and again during your moments of sadness.
Not only are the lyrics of this song perfectly apt for someone who has just been through a breakup, but Withers’ voice is perfect for helping to provide the emotional depth that this song deserves.
Somewhere Out There – Linda Ronstadt And James Ingram
Written for and featured in the movie “An American Tail”, Somewhere Out There is a song all about never giving up on finding the love of your life again, and is the perfect remedy for those who are separated from their significant other, but know that they’ll reunite again soon.
The lyrics in this song are beautiful, and provide plenty of comfort for lovers who are separated by distance, so you can listen to it again and again until you see your significant other!
A Picture Of Me (Without You) – George Jones
Losing a loved one is never easy, but it’s even harder when they’ve been by your side for so long, that not having them there feels alien.
This song encapsulates that feeling well, as George Jones describes what it’s like having to live without having his partner next to him.
With a focus on reflection, especially on loneliness and emptiness, this country song is certainly an introspective one.
Joanne – Lady Gaga
Known for her variety of pop hits, it’s this sad song, Joanne, that demonstrates Lady Gaga’s full range.
Focusing on her aunt, Joanne, who passed away when she was particularly young, it follows the narrative of coping with the tragic loss of a family member and grieving for them, but also learning how you can continue their legacy and allow them to live through you.
This song is heartbreaking as the lyrics plead for the person to stay and not to leave for heaven, and is something that many people will be able to relate to.
Talking To The Moon – Bruno Mars
Another song that discusses the pain of long distance relationships, Talking to the Moon is a powerful and emotional song that digs deep into the heartache of being separated from the one that you love the most.
The song also discusses the idea of how it might seem somewhat foolish to try and “talk to the moon” in order to connect with the person that you miss, but that he’ll continue to do so out of love for that person.
Missing You – Steve Perry
Missing someone, especially someone that you love, or have loved, can be one of the most painful feelings out there, which is exactly what Steve Perry is trying to convey in this soft rock classic, Missing You.
Reminiscing on happy moments and longing to have them back is natural, and nothing is more painful than trying to get them back.
Supermarket Flowers – Ed Sheeran
A song dedicated to his late grandmother, this song is written from the perspective of Ed’s mother as she loses her mom, and reminisces back on the amazing memories that she has of her.
For those who have recently lost a mother or a grandmother, this song is truly beautiful, and will make an excellent song to listen to, even if it ends up making you cry!
Miss You Like Crazy – Natalie Cole
For a song that perfectly epitomizes what it is like to miss your lover, then Miss You Like Crazy by Natalie Cole is most certainly it, and helps to put into words exactly what that mix of loneliness and desire for someone who is no longer around can feel like.
However, the song also has a hopeful tone, with the belief that your lover will come back to you one day soon.
Hey There Delilah – Plain White T’s
A long distance lovers classic, Hey There Delilah has become one of the most popular songs used to describe long distance love, and will definitely resonate with anyone who’s had to spend a large amount of time away from the person they love the most.
The song not only acts as a way of expressing the pain that comes with a long distance relationship, but also as a promise too, because while the distance between them is huge, the love will never fade.
Missing You – Diana Ross
Written by both Lionel Ritchie and Diana Ross, this song was initially a tribute to Marvin Gaye after his death, and the lyrics are filled with heartfelt loneliness and sadness at the gap that someone so special can leave in your life.
This is a song that will help to inspire you to remember the happy times you had with the person you lost, and to celebrate the moments you had together, rather than mourn for the ones you won’t have anymore.
When You’re Gone – Avril Lavigne
There have been many, many songs written about the pain of saying goodbye, and some of them are even on this list, but Avril Lavigne manages to capture that pain and emotion of saying goodbye to someone you love much better than others do.
The song discusses the fact that it’s not just the person you miss, but the little things they used to do as well, as well as the way they used to smell too.
Despite its sad lyrical content and theme, it’s still an upbeat song, and is meant to inspire you to continue loving someone, even once they’re gone.
Missing You – John Waite
Sometimes it’s hard to admit you miss someone, especially if you’ve been through a particularly nasty breakup, and this battle of emotions is encapsulated well by John Waite, as he discusses how it feels to miss an ex-lover whilst trying to deny that you do to everyone else around you.
This song is perfect for those still wrestling with their emotions over a breakup, so try it out if that sounds like you!
Heartbreak Anniversary – Giveon
Breakup anniversary sucks, and as any single person will tell you, whenever that day of the year passes around again, it’s a horrible reminder of what you once had and what you lost, and Heartbreak Anniversary is the perfect song to describe exactly how that feels.
Giveon’s vocal rawness and the emotion in the lyrics is what makes this song arguably one of the saddest songs on this entire list!
Thinking’ Bout You – Frank Ocean
There could have been any number of Frank Ocean songs on this list, as the singer is known for his deeply personal and emotional tracks, which often focus on a romantic interest, but Thinkin’ Bout You has to be one of the most gut-wrenching songs out there, detailing the regret and longing that happens after a breakup.
If you’ve never heard a Frank Ocean song before, then you’ll instantly fall in love with his voice, as well as the song’s production too, which helps to convey the heartbreak so well!
Goodbye My Lover – James Blunt
That moment of realization that can hit you when you know that things will never happen between you and an ex-lover together can be some of the most painful, which is exactly why this classic song by James Blunt resonates with so many people.
It’s the perfect storm of bitterness and acceptance that everyone goes through at some point.
My Heart Will Go On – Celine Dion
Written for the Titanic movie, this song is all about the everlasting endurance of true love, and although the two lovers are taken away from each other, which we see in the movie, their love still carries on.
This song is all about the proof that love can truly last forever if you want it to, no matter what happens to each other, and is a beautiful song for those who are mourning the loss of the once they knew and loved.
Conclusion
We hope that you’ve enjoyed this list, and whether it’s a breakup, a death, or that the person you love is away for a while, we hope that these songs are able to bring you some comfort.
