We miss someone when we’re in a long-distance relationship. Or if we lost a loved one. We also long for a person we haven’t seen in a while.
Missing someone can be a painful experience that we all go through at some point in our lives. There’s that loneliness and emptiness we feel for a certain person, and it seems like nothing can fill that void in our hearts.
Sometimes, it’s difficult to deal with this feeling. Thankfully, there are ways to make it bearable. One is music, which can be a powerful tool for expressing those emotions. Let’s start by listening to our compilation of 25 of the best songs about missing someone.
1. “I Will Always Love You” By Whitney Houston
There’s no sadder feeling than leaving someone you love, and missing them in the end. Whitney Houston‘s version of “I Will Always Love You” is exactly about that sentiment.
There are many reasons why sometimes we have to leave a relationship. It could be a case of “right love at the wrong time,” as the song seems to reflect. Here, the singer is leaving her lover, believing she is in the way of his dreams or happiness.
But despite leaving, she wants to express her enduring love for him. She expresses her gratitude for the time they spent together. She hopes that the other person will be happy and prosperous in his future endeavors.
2. “Nothing Compares 2 U” By Sinead O’Connor
There’s always that person that we can’t forget after all this time. In “Nothing Compares 2 U,” Sinead O’Connor sings about missing the person she recently separated from.
In this heart-wrenching ballad, the singer is struggling to cope with the end of a relationship. It’s only been “seven hours and 15 days,” but his memory already haunts her. And while their breakup allows her to “see whomever I choose,” his absence reminds her that no one will ever come close to being compared to him.
She can’t help admitting that she misses him badly. She’d been lonely since he left. And it might be that way for a while.
3. “The One That Got Away” By Katy Perry
Not all past relationships deserve to be remembered. But in “The One That Got Away,” Katy Perry sings about the regret she feels over losing that person.
The verses describe how the relationship was great at first as the singer recounts how things started between her and her ex. They had poignant memories and plans for the future.
But something goes wrong along the way, and they have to go their separate ways. Now she’s missing him. If there’s one thing that all this experience shows her, it’s that he’s “the one that got away.” And if she could do anything, she’d make him stay with her.
4. “Someone Like You” By Adele
Like Katy Perry’s song, Adele is regretful about breaking up with her ex in “Someone Like You.” The singer is struggling to accept that the relationship is over and that her former partner has moved on to someone new.
The singer has to deal with lingering feelings of heartbreak and sadness, as well as find closure and move on. But there’s no denying the fact that she misses him.
In fact, despite knowing that the right thing is to stay away, she can’t fight her desire to see him. If only to tell him that she hasn’t moved on yet.
5. “Miss You Like Crazy” By Natalie Cole
Missing someone is such a strong feeling. Natalie Cole sings about this feeling in “Miss You Like Crazy.” It was released in 1989, but the timeless message still resonates with a lot of people.
The lyrics convey a deep sense of longing for someone who has left. For the singer, it’s never easy to pick up the pieces afterward. And it doesn’t matter whether it’s a failed relationship or not. After all this time, her feelings for him remained the same.
And those are in play as she misses him terribly. “Every hour of every day” is hard to get through because she yearns for him. And if he comes back, all it takes is just a touch for them to get back to the way they used to.
6. “Yesterday” By The Beatles
In The Beatles‘ “Yesterday,” what the singer misses is not entirely a person but the past. The song is a classic ballad that speaks to the universal human experience of loss and regret.
The opening lines express a longing for the past when everything was all right. Yesterday marks a time of happiness and euphoria with his lover. With her around, “all my troubles seemed so far away.” But when she left, things were never the same.
Overall, the lyrics suggest that he may be grappling with feelings of guilt or regret about how the relationship ended. He wishes that he could go back and fix his mistakes.
7. “My Heart Will Go On” By Celine Dion
Love does transcend death. Even if the person is no longer alive, the love remains. This is the message behind Celine Dion‘s “My Heart Will Go On.” It became the anthem for enduring love and was written for the blockbuster movie Titanic.
In the lyrics, the narrator sings about someone she truly loved and still misses. He’s now gone, but his memories remain and manifest in her dreams. Love never dies because it’s stronger than death.
In the chorus, it shows that it doesn’t matter where he is now. “The heart does go on” means that she’ll continue to live for him and keep their memories in her heart.
8. “Tears In Heaven” By Eric Clapton
Here’s another song for someone who’s already gone forever. Eric Clapton co-wrote “Tears in Heaven” following the tragic death of his young son, Conor, who fell from a window in a New York City apartment building.
Clapton pours out his pain into words that reflect grief following Conor’s death. The song expresses his yearning and longing to be reunited with him in the afterlife.
The end of the song suggests a sense of acceptance. The singer reflects that it’s not yet his time to be reunited permanently with his son. However, it’s him against time as he still has a lot of moving on to do.
9. “Unchained Melody” By The Righteous Brothers
When you’re away from your loved one, you can’t help but miss them all the time. “Unchained Melody” by The Righteous Brothers reflects this feeling.
Through the lyrics, you can feel the singer’s yearning who is separated from the woman he loves. He feels as if forever has passed as “time goes by so slowly.” There’s nothing he wants more than to be reunited with her.
The song speaks of the intense emotions and desires that he feels and how the memory of their love remains unbroken despite the distance between them.
10. “When You’re Gone” By Avril Lavigne
Goodbyes are not always easy, especially if the one you’re saying goodbye to is someone you really care about, as Avril Lavigne‘s “When You’re Gone” will show you.
This song with “miss you” in the lyrics shows what it’s like with the other person gone. Things remind her of him, such as his side of the bed and the clothes he left. She holds onto their memories and feels lost and alone without him.
His absence makes itself known in times when she needs him the most. No one is there to lend a shoulder for her to cry on. The days go ever so slowly, and she misses him so badly.
11. “I’m Missing You” By Meja
When we miss someone, we want them to know about it, even if we’re not sure if they feel the same way. This is what Meja‘s “I’m Missing You” is all about. The singer expresses her longing for the person she’s separated from.
She starts with an admission that she’s missing him. Then, she talks about the daily moments that remind her of him and make her miss him more. It’s in those moments that she wants to let him know how she feels.
But in the end, there’s nothing she can do about it. She’ll keep on missing him and wondering where he is at the moment. Her longing for him only makes her feel bluer than blue.
12. “I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing” By Aerosmith
In Aerosmith’s “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing,” the song talks about the deep love and affection that the singer has for his partner. He is so in love with her that he doesn’t want to miss a single moment with her.
The song describes the singer’s intense emotions as he talks about the simple joys of being in a relationship – from watching her sleep to sharing dreams. For him, every moment with her is precious. He fears that he might miss something if he falls asleep.
This song makes us realize that when we love someone, we should cherish every moment we have with them. Because when they’re not around, those are the moments that we’ll miss the most.
13. “Ain’t No Sunshine” By Bill Withers
There’s a haunting melody that expresses Bill Withers‘ loss and sadness in “Ain’t No Sunshine.” He was inspired to write the song after watching the 1962 movie Days of Wine and Roses. He says that sometimes, we miss things that are not good for us.
The lyrics reflect this sentiment as they describe the feelings of a man whose lover keeps leaving him. He is deeply in love with her, but it seems like she can’t commit to him. Sometimes she leaves for days with no assurance of when she’ll return to him.
The singer feels despondent without her by his side. It feels like there is no sunshine in his life; it’s just cold. He goes as far as saying that their house doesn’t feel like home when she’s not around.
14. “I Will Remember You” By Sarah McLachlan
In 1995, Sarah McLachlan‘s “I Will Remember You” came out from her album Mirrorball. The song is a tribute to someone who has passed away. It speaks to the feelings of loss and longing that we experience when we lose someone we love.
The song describes the memories that we hold onto after someone has left us and the way that those memories can help us to keep their memory alive. The singer dearly misses the other person, finding herself “clinging to a past that doesn’t let me choose.”
“I Will Remember You” is a heartfelt expression of grief and remembrance. It’s a popular choice for funerals, memorials, and other occasions where people come together to remember and honor loved ones who have passed away.
15. “Back To December” By Taylor Swift
Up next is a heartfelt apology for a past relationship that ended badly. At the same time, Taylor Swift‘s “Back to December” expresses how much she misses him since they broke up.
The lyrics describe the singer’s regret for the way she treated her ex. And when they meet again, she gives him the long-overdue apology. She is remorseful for being distant toward him and acknowledges that she was at fault for the breakup.
Overall, the song reflects the desire to make amends for past mistakes. It serves as a reminder of the importance of honesty and emotional vulnerability in relationships.
16. “Always On My Mind” By Willie Nelson
Our next song is about regret and missing that person whom you took for granted. “Always on My Mind” is a song originally recorded by multiple artists, including Willie Nelson, whose rendition was a hit in 1982.
In the song, the singer has some belated realizations when it comes to his ex. He should have treated or loved her better. He must have been busy with other things that he neglected the “little things” that he should have said or done.
And now that she’s out of his life, her memories are the only thing he holds on to. He regrets his actions and wishes for a second chance.
17. “Need You Now” By Lady A
Up next, we have Lady A’s “Need You Now.” This is a song about the longing we feel during late-night moments. The band sings about missing an ex-partner, especially in the wee hours when the pain of loss seems to be the most intense.
The song gives us a picture of how loneliness and longing take over in these moments. The singer is yearning to see her ex again. Even though they’ve broken up and it’s not right to contact him, she can’t help herself.
“Need You Now” represents the struggle of moving on after a breakup and how we handle the pain of missing someone we were once close to. The singer wishes to have him near her again, even if it’s only for a moment.
18. “Crying” By Roy Orbison
One of Ray Orbison‘s most beloved and enduring hits is “Crying.” The song may be six decades old, but its meaning is timeless.
The lyrics follow a man whose unexpected meeting with his ex brings to the surface feelings he’s hidden for a long time. He thought he got over her because he “was alright for a while.”
But what his ex didn’t know is that he’d been crying over her. And now his feelings come back in full force, making him realize he loves her more than before. Too bad for him. She can’t reciprocate his feelings because she no longer loves him.
19. “Far Away” By Nickelback
Our next song is about missing a person who is far away from us. In Nickelback’s “Far Away,” the singer expresses the emotional pain he feels over the distance between them.
In the song, he describes the memories and promises they shared. He recalls how much he loves her and how he wants to be with her. He also mentions his intention to hold on to what they have despite the difficulties they face.
What is truly touching about this song is the sincerity and depth of his emotions. He is longing for her, not just because of the distance but because he truly cares for her and values their relationship.
20. “Ghost” By Justin Bieber
Last but certainly not least is Justin Bieber’s “Ghost.” This song describes the feeling of missing someone who was once a significant part of our lives. Bieber explores the idea of longing for someone who has disappeared like a ghost from his life.
The lyrics depict the singer’s struggles as he copes with the void left by the person he misses. He still hopes for a chance to reconnect, even if it’s in another lifetime. The song suggests that sometimes, what we miss the most is not necessarily the person but the connection we once had with them.
“Ghost” provides a relatable narrative for those who have experienced a loss and are left with only memories and a profound sense of longing. It serves as a reminder that it’s okay to grieve and it’s okay to miss someone.
21. “See You Again” By Wiz Khalifa Ft. Charlie Puth
The year 2013 would go down in history as the year American actor Paul Walker died in a vehicular accident. “See You Again” by Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth, was written as a tribute to Walker. It was also a soundtrack for Furious 7 of the Fast and Furious franchise, where Walker starred.
The song’s lyrics reflect the unbreakable bond between two friends. They also express the sadness of losing someone. The singer longs to see the person again and catch up on everything that’s happened.
The verses, rapped by Wiz Khalifa, touch on themes of friendship, loyalty, and the memories that keep loved ones close.
22. “Miss You Much” By Janet Jackson
Is there anything more straightforward than telling your loved one how you miss them? “Miss You Much,” released in 1989, is the lead single from Janet Jackson‘s fourth studio album, Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation 1814.
The lyrics of the song with “miss you” in the title express the singer’s desire and longing for a former lover whom she misses deeply. She’s not used to living each other day alone without him.
Despite his absence, she still feels the love and passion she once had for him. There’s nothing she wants more than to rekindle the relationship.
23. “Supermarket Flowers” By Ed Sheeran
Missing someone who is gone forever is perhaps the most difficult. “Supermarket Flowers” is a tribute to Ed Sheeran‘s late grandmother, who passed away while he was writing the album.
The lyrics describe the aftermath of a loved one’s passing and the grief experienced by those left behind. The title refers to the flowers often sold in supermarkets. These are usually a convenient option for those purchasing flowers for a funeral.
Sheeran describes going to the supermarket to buy these flowers for his grandmother’s funeral and the bittersweet memories it brings up. Quite touching!
24. “Dance With My Father” By Luther Vandross
One of the most poignant songs that serve as a tribute to a father is Luther Vandross‘ “Dance with My Father.” It was released as a single in 2003 from the album of the same name.
The lyrics describe the singer’s memories of his father when he was young. They shared a relationship that most dads and kids would envy. The elder man would always dance with him and his mother, making him feel loved.
However, his father was taken away from them too soon. He misses him terribly, wishing to relive those happy moments of his childhood—particularly the dances he had with his father.
25. “Wish You Were Here” By Pink Floyd
The English rock band Pink Floyd used to perform for a small audience. But fame, money, and success lead to them becoming famous, which can bring about stress. Their former frontman, Syd Barrett, left the band due to mental health issues. Their 1975 hit “Wish You Were Here” was a tribute to him.
The lyrics convey a sense of disillusionment and alienation. Here, the singer longs for a connection with someone who is absent.
He misses that person, wishing that the latter is still with him. He feels like they’re just “two souls swimming in a fishbowl.” And he wishes for his friend to be there because he knows his friend understands how it feels.
Summing Up Our List Of Missing Someone Songs
It’s never easy when you lose someone who holds a special place in your life. In the same way, it’s difficult to be away from them, even for a short while.
These songs capture the essence of the complicated emotions that come from losing people in a variety of ways, whether it be by death, distance, and more.
Hopefully, these songs help you through some of those tough times, as music is a powerful catalyst for hope and moving past grief.
