At some point in our lives, we have all lost someone whom we loved, whether this is from a breakup, moving, or death. It’s only natural to miss people once they are gone, even if we know that we are going to see that person again relatively soon. During times like these, music always helps me to center myself again, so I decided to put together a list of songs about missing someone you love.
Simply scroll through this list and find some songs that resonate with you!
1. Ghost by Justin Bieber
| Genre | Pop |
| Year Released | 2021 |
| Album | Justice |
It’s hard to see a relationship end, but it’s even harder when that person suddenly passes away. When this happens, you will never get the chance to make things right again. All you are left with are the memories you have with that person. That’s the kind of pain that Justin Bieber must have been going through in his track “Ghost,” which is from his album “Justice.” In this song, a relationship prematurely ends in the worst way imaginable. One of them dies. Naturally, the one that left alive misses his partner terribly.
2. You Should Be Here By Cole Swindell
| Genre | Country |
| Year Released | 2016 |
| Album | You Should Be Here |
Cole Swindell has grown in popularity massively in recent years, and his hit song “You Should Be Here” is a big reason for that. Cole wrote the song after losing his father and realizing that his father would no longer be there for the most important moments and to share his success. Most people who have lost a loved one can certainly resonate with the feelings expressed by Cole in this song. It’s personally one of my favorite country songs, and it even topped the country music Billboard charts.
3. I Miss You by Blink-182
| Genre | Pop Punk |
| Year Released | 2003 |
| Album | Blink-182 |
Throughout the years, the guys in Blink-182 have earned the reputation of being the clowns of pop punk. However, on their self-titled fifth studio album, they released one of the most serious songs of their career called “I Miss You.” Written by lead vocalist and guitarist Tom DeLonge and bassist Mark Hoppus, this track was inspired by The Cure’s song “The Love Cats,” and is the age-old story of an introverted guy who is madly in love with a girl, although he is too scared to approach her and talk to her.
4. Tears In Heaven by Eric Clapton
| Genre | Rock |
| Year Released | 1992 |
| Album | Rush |
As a parent, one of the most horrible feelings you can experience is losing a child, especially if that child was still young when they passed. Sadly, the guitar virtuoso and vocalist Eric Clapton knows this pain all too well as he lost his son due to a tragic fall in 1991. This song, which won three Grammy Awards in 1992, was Clapton’s way of coping with the grief he was going through at the time. Although he still misses his son, writing this song gave him a way to channel his pain.
5. A Long December by Counting Crows
| Genre | Alternative Rock |
| Year Released | 1996 |
| Album | Recovering the Satellites |
Appearing on their second studio album, 1996’s “Recovering the Satellites,” the track “A Long December” quickly became one of the Counting Crows’ most beloved songs, as well as one of their most successful singles. The song was written by lead singer Adam Duritz, who was inspired to write it after hearing that one of his friends had been in an accident. He also said that while he misses his friend, it’s also about looking back at the past and seeing how much things have changed while simultaneously looking forward to future changes.
6. Miss You by Ed Sheeran
| Genre | Indie Pop, Alternative |
| Year Released | 2015 |
| Album | Unreleased |
Sometimes an artist will intentionally leave a song off of an album and only perform it live once or twice. Thanks to modern technology and social media, the song can gain traction without ever being officially released. That’s what happened with Ed Sheeran’s previously unreleased song “Miss You,” which is a song about a girl who cheated on a guy plenty of times and has come to regret her infidelity. She repeatedly tells her ex that she misses him, and although he misses her as well, he does not want her back.
7. Thinking About You by Arianna Grande
| Genre | Pop |
| Year Released | 2016 |
| Album | Dangerous Woman |
You hear about this all the time. A couple splits up, and as time passes. They start to miss each other and wonder if they can make things work again. If this sounds familiar to you, then you already know what the song “Thinking About You” from Ariana Grande is about. Included in her 2016 release “Dangerous Woman,” a couple may have prematurely parted ways. After some time has passed and things have cooled down, one of them realizes how much they missed the other and wants to get back together with them.
8. Always by Bon Jovi
| Genre | Hair Metal |
| Year Released | 1994 |
| Album | Cross Road |
Jon Bon Jovi has made a career of writing sappy love songs that will either make you swoon or cry. Appearing on his 1994 album “Cross Road,” the song “Always” is just another chapter in this story. This time, our hero has been broken up with, and he’s trying to win her back. He does this by telling her how much he misses her and by recalling some of the memories the two of them have together. Although it’s not clear if he wins her back, he certainly gives it his best shot.
9. So Far Away by Avenged Sevenfold
| Genre | Metal |
| Year Released | 2010 |
| Album | Nightmare |
There are several interpretations of “So Far Away.” This song can be applied to situations where someone has passed away; has moved; is emotionally detached, or has passed away. No matter which interpretation you choose to apply, the bottom line is that the sixth track from Avenged Sevenfold’s album” Nightmare “is about how painful it is to miss someone M. Shadows share a special bond and have made memories with. He will never get the chance to say what he needs to say, which will end up costing him the closure he deserves.
10. I Remember You by Skid Row
| Genre | Hair Metal |
| Year Released | 1989 |
| Album | Skid Row |
There’s no love quite like young love. These are the romances that live in your memory long after you’re old and gray. That’s the message conveyed in Skid Row’s single “I Remember You” from their self-titled debut album. Former lead vocalist Sebastian Bach has a set of pipes that could shatter glass, and you feel his pain as he reminisces about his lost love. Written by bassist Rachel Bolan and guitarist Dave “Snake” Sabo, the track reached number six on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1989 and remains a mainstay on rock radio today. If you like this song, you’ll love our playlist of songs about young love.
11. Ocean Front Property by George Strait
| Genre | Country |
| Year Released | 1987 |
| Album | Ocean Front Property |
Country music legend George Strait took the title of this song from a response the old-timers used to give when they didn’t believe what somebody was telling them. This is because, as most of you are already aware, there are no oceans anywhere near Arizona. The title track from his 1987 album “Ocean Front Property” starts with George telling an ex he doesn’t think about her, nor does he miss her. As you may have guessed, he admits to lying by saying, “If you believe this, I’ve got some oceanfront property in Arizona.”
12. I Want You Back by The Jackson 5
| Genre | Motown, Pop |
| Year Released | 1969 |
| Album | I Want You Back |
Michael Jackson has been in the music industry for so long that he was writing songs about breakups before he was old enough to date anybody. The King of Pop got his start by being the lead singer for the musical group The Jackson 5, which was composed of Michael and his four brothers. Written by Berry Gordy and several others from Motown Records, “I Want You Back” became the Jackson 5’s first hit. It was released in 1969, shortly after Michael’s 11th birthday, and is about missing someone and wanting them back.
13. The Message by Dr. Dre (Featuring Mary J. Blige)
| Genre | Rap, Hip Hop |
| Year Released | 1999 |
| Album | The Chronic 2001 |
Growing up on the streets of Compton, Dr. Dre has witnessed plenty of bloodshed and experienced the pain of losing friends and loved ones throughout his life. In “The Chronic 2001,” he did what most artists do when they are missing someone they loved. He wrote a song about it. Featuring a guest spot from the incomparable Mary J. Blige, his track “The Message” is about the tragic loss of his brother Tyree and leaves us with the lyrics “I’m tryin’ to tell you somethin’ good. Don’t get caught up in the hood.”
14. These Days by Rascal Flatts
| Genre | Country |
| Year Released | 2002 |
| Album | Mesh |
In the song “These Days,” Rascal Flatts singer Gary LeVox’s life includes waking up crying over his ex, going to work, and then going directly home after to make sure that his former love interest hasn’t called. At night, he cries himself to sleep. He misses her so badly that on the hit single from their second album, “Mesh,” he envisions running into her around town and even imagines how he would answer if she asks what he’s been up to these days. However, she’s already started a new life in Las Vegas.
15. No One But You (Only The Good Die Young) by Queen
| Genre | Classics Rock |
| Year Released | 1998 |
| Album | Queen Ballads |
Queen’s charismatic frontman and phenomenal lead singer Freddie Mercury was known around rock music as one of the nicest and most caring people you could ever meet. When he died in 1991, the world mourned the loss of this wonderful man. Perhaps the best way the surviving members of the band could pay tribute to him can be heard on the track “No One But You (Only The Good Die Young).” On this track, bassist John Deacon and guitarist Brian May split vocal duties on this song is about missing their dear friend.
16. ‘Til We Die by Slipknot
| Genre | Nu Metal |
| Year Released | 2008 |
| Album | All Hope Is Gone |
The members of the band Slipknot are no strangers to losing founding members, although bassist Paul Gray’s death shortly after the release of their fourth album, “All Hope Is Gone,” came as a shock to all of them. They paid tribute to their friend the only way they could. They gathered the instruments, headed into the studio, and recorded the track “‘Til We Die” as a way to pay tribute to their fallen bandmate. Vocalist Corey Taylor and percussionist Shawn Crahan have both given numerous interviews where they discuss how much they miss Paul.
17. Here Without You by 3 Doors Down
| Genre | Alternative Rock |
| Year Released | 2002 |
| Album | The Better Life |
There are times when couples separate because they don’t want to be together anymore, and there are times when circumstances beyond their control dictate that they must be apart. When our military personnel is deployed, we don’t always think about the families they are forced to leave behind, sometimes at a moment’s notice. Being avid supporters of the military, the Mississippi alternative rock band 3 Doors Down wrote this song out of respect for our military and as a tribute to the family members they leave behind when they are called to duty.
18. Girl From a Pawn Shop by The Black Crowes
| Genre | Blues Rock |
| Year Released | 1996 |
| Album | Three Snakes and One Charm |
Hailing from Atlanta, the blues rock band The Black Crowes have endured plenty of pain in their lives. “Girl From a Pawn Shop” is an example of how they used these experiences to write some of the most heartbreaking songs ever recorded. Found on the band’s fourth record, “Three Snakes and One Charm,” this song follows a woman who is still healing from a recent breakup. She misses her ex so much that she carries the” Dear John” letter he wrote her around in her bag, occasionally reading his final words to her.
19. I Just Don’t Know What To Do With Myself by The White Stripes
| Genre | Indie, Garage Rock |
| Year Released | 2003 |
| Album | Elephant |
Jack and Meg White were more than just bandmates in the indie garage rock band The White Stripes. For a brief time, they were all so husband and wife. On their 2003 album “Elephant,” the duo decided to cover a song originally recorded by Tommy Hunt and later recorded by Dusty Springfield, called “I Just Don’t Know What To Do With Myself,” which is about a couple who planned to do everything together but then broke up. Now, one of them is all alone, and he has no idea what to do with himself.
20. Yesterday by The Beatles
| Genre | Classic Rock |
| Year Released | 1965 |
| Album | Help! |
Many people consider this track from the Fab Four’s 1965 release “Help!” to be one of the greatest songs in their entire catalog because of its simple melody and poetic lyrics. Written by Paul McCartney, the first single released from this album sees McCartney waxing poetically about how much simpler life was when he was younger, before the heartache he experienced at the hands of his ex-lover. He misses the life they had together. Over fifty years after its release, this song remains as popular as ever, having been covered over 2,000 times.
21. Miss You Like Crazy by Natalie Cole
| Genre | R&B, Soul |
| Year Released | 1989 |
| Album | Good To Be Back |
Being the daughter of the legendary Nat King Cole means that Natalie Cole has probably had music in her blood since the day she was born. The song “Miss You Like Crazy” was included on Natalie’s 11 studio album, which was 1989’s “Good To Be Back,” and was a very successful single for Cole. This song is about a couple who have been broken up for a long time. Despite this, she is still very much in love with him. She misses him like crazy and will probably never get over him. If you’re looking for missing songs about someone, then this is definitely one you’ll want to add to your playlist.
22. I’ll Be Missing You by Puff Daddy (Featuring Faith Evans)
| Genre | Rap, Hip Hop |
| Year Released | 1997 |
| Album | No Way Out |
Sean Combs is a successful rapper, producer, and businessman. Known by several stage names throughout his career, Combs founded Bad Boy Entertainment. One of his earliest signings was a young rapper named Christopher Wallace, who went by the rap moniker Notorious B.IG. in 1997, the Brooklyn musician was shot leaving a party and tragically passed away shortly after. Not only was he signed to Combs’ label, but Wallace was also his best friend. Sampling The Police’s hit single “Every Breath You Take,” Combs recorded this track which featured Wallace’s widow, Faith Evans.
23. Missing You by John Waite
| Genre | Pop |
| Year Released | 1984 |
| Album | No Brakes |
Although his music career began as the lead singer and bassist for the British rock band The Babys, John Waite’s biggest hit came during his solo career with “Missing You.” The 1984 Grammy nominee for Best Male Vocal Pop Performance is about a couple who have gone their separate ways, although it’s never specified how they arrived at this decision. Still madly in love with his ex, Waite says that he still thinks about her now and then, trying to convince himself that he doesn’t miss her. Something tells me that he does.
24. Hollow by Pantera
| Genre | Groove Metal |
| Year Released | 1992 |
| Album | Vulgar Display of Power |
Texas-based groove metal legends Pantera were making albums long before they appeared on the national scene. The band’s second major-label release helped cement their status as contenders for the metal crown, thanks in part to an opening spot on Skid Row’s 1992 North American tour. “Vulgar Display of Power” closes out with the track “Hollow,” which is about losing a friend either to drug addiction or mental illness. Unfortu
Hi, my name is Kevin and I’m from Butler, Pennsylvania. I’ve been obsessed with music and audio gear for as long as I can remember. I started this website to help people find professional advice related to a wide range of audio topics. We have a number of Audio Engineers on our team who have been designing and fixing audio gear for decades.