Songs about missing someone

We all know the unmistakable feeling of emptiness you get when missing someone. Whether you’re missing a childhood best friend, grieving a broken relationship, or mourning someone who’s passed away, these songs about missing someone are sure to help.

The Top 25 Songs About Missing Someone

1. “Someone Like You” by Adele (2011)

By the time she recorded this song, Adele had already won international acclaim. She put together a more fleshed-out version of the song, complete with a full orchestra, but that version didn’t seem as emotional as the single-piano demo. The demo recording itself made it onto the record!

The song is in the key of A major, and it’s not too terribly difficult to play on the piano. Once you master the relatively straightforward right-hand arpeggios, you can add in the left-hand part. This video tutorial (below left) will take you through it!

2. “Supermarket Flowers” by Ed Sheeran (2018)

If you’re looking for a song about the death of a family member, look no further than this Ed Sheeran hit! The lyrics explore the death of his grandmother, though the song is written from the perspective of his mother.

This heartfelt song is in the key of F#. You can play it on piano or guitar, and there are plenty of versions out there, including simplified versions designed for newer players. But if you’re up for a bit of a challenge, this fingerstyle version (above right) is worth learning!

3. “Miss You” by the Rolling Stones (1978)

This massive hit about emotional distance was a real departure for the Rolling Stones. It came as a surprise to fans, as it had a disco-like feel that set it apart from much of the band’s work. The Stones considered it to be an R&B song.

This song is in the key of A major. It sounds great on guitar, especially if you play it electrically with a little bit of overdrive. This video (below left) will take you through how to play it. And as you’ll see, its catchy melody definitely has a sound like that of old-school blues.

4. “Lay Me Down” by Sam Smith (2014)

The feeling of unrequited love falls into the category of missing someone, and this Sam Smith song is a kind of anthem for unrequited love. He wrote it after falling for a guy who happened to be straight, and it’s a great song about mourning the loss of a romantic relationship (or a relationship that never was).

This sad song is in the key of E. It sounds great played on acoustic guitar, and this tutorial (video above right) can take you through it. You will need Emaj7, A, F#, E, A/B, C#, and D5.

5. “Ain’t No Sunshine” by Bill Withers (1971)

This classic song is probably one of the most famous lost love songs. The lyrics describe missing someone, and Bill Withers himself has said that the song is about missing things that weren’t necessarily good for you.

This sad song is in the key of E. The song is a classic that has been covered a lot, so if you’re working on your own version, it’s a good idea to try and stand out! This fingerstyle version (video below left) will help you do just that!

6. “Thinkin Bout You” by Frank Ocean (2012)

Frank Ocean’s beautiful and lyrically complex “Thinkin Bout You” sits in the middle of hip-hop and R&B. It traces Ocean’s ultimately coming to terms with his love for the man he’s fallen for.

This song is in the key of C. This tutorial (video above right) will take you through how to play it. You’ll need the guitar chords Fmaj7, Ebmaj7, Dm7, Em7, Am7, C, G, and A7.

7. “Tears in Heaven” by Eric Clapton (1991)

Missing people who have passed away is one of the loneliest feelings in the world. Eric Clapton captures that feeling perfectly in “Tears in Heaven,” a song written in memory of his four-year-old son.

This song is in the key of A. It sounds beautiful played acoustically, and this video tutorial (below left) can take you through a memorable fingerstyle version. It even includes tabs so you can follow along.

8. “Together Again” by Janet Jackson (1997)

Janet Jackson wrote “Together Again” after losing a number of friends and people she worked with to AIDS. The song is about how they all will eventually be together in heaven.

This touching song is in the key of G. Its piano melody is a beautiful one that’s reminiscent of ragtime music. However, it’s challenging enough that it may be too tough for newer pianists. This video (above right) shows you a helpful, video-game-style tutorial to help you master it.

9. “I Almost Do” by Taylor Swift (2012)

If you’re missing someone you want to reconnect with (but know deep down that wouldn’t be a good idea), then this song might be just what you need. The lyrics tell the tale of Swift reaching for the phone to connect with a former boyfriend, only to decide she’d rather not risk parting again.

This Taylor Swift song is in the key of E. But thanks to strategic capo placement, it’s not hard to play at all. This helpful video (below left) demonstrates the song and then shows you how to play the whole thing, including the intro riff.

10. “Missing You” by Diana Ross (1984)

“Missing You,” written by Lionel Richie, has an intensely personal meaning for Ross. It’s about the tragic and unexpected loss of her friend Marvin Gaye, who was killed by his own father in 1984.

This song is in E minor. It sounds especially nice on the piano. Or, as this tutorial shows you (video above right), you can add reverb and other effects to give it a dreamlike feel.

11. “The Bed’s Too Big Without You” by The Police (1979)

If you’re missing a former lover, you might find some comfort in this song by The Police. The song did well enough that when lead vocalist and bassist Sting began a solo career, he recorded his own version of it.

This song is in the key of B minor. You will need Am, Bm, Em7, and C. This helpful video (below left) shows you the chords you need, but it also takes you through the right strumming pattern to make the song sound like the original.

12. “Goodbye’s (The Saddest Word)” by Celine Dion (2002)

Celine Dion is the queen of the classic love song, and this number doesn’t disappoint! The original recording is over five minutes long, giving you plenty of time to enjoy Celine Dion’s stellar voice.

This song is in the key of E major. And like many Celine Dion tracks, it sounds especially nice played on solo piano. There aren’t that many how-to videos for “Goodbye’s (The Saddest Word)” out there, but this tutorial (video above right) is a good one!

13. “I Need My Girl” by the National (2013)

This beautiful song is one of the more recent tracks on the list. It has a melancholy yet catchy repeating riff. Lyrically, it’s pretty straightforward. Lead singer Matt Berninger has said that “It’s just a song about missing your wife, girlfriend, whoever.”

“I Need My Girl” is in the key of C minor. While you can certainly strum it if you want, picking it helps you really maintain the song’s character. This detailed breakdown video (below left) shows you how to play your own version of this unforgettable track.

14. “Long, Long Time” by Linda Ronstadt (1970)

Looking for a sad song about loving someone you can’t have? This great song narrates the struggle of coming to terms with unrequited love. It became a hit and helped Linda Ronstadt really cement her career.

Not everyone has the vocal ability to keep up with Linda Ronstadt. But if you want to learn an unforgettable solo guitar version, this video (above right) will show you how. It’s in the key of A major.

15. “Hate That You Know Me” by Bleachers (2017)

Once a relationship ends, it can be uncomfortable realizing that another person knows so much about you. “Hate that You Know Me” captures that sense perfectly. If you’re unfamiliar with the song, check out this live performance.

This song is in the key of G major. Even though it’s sad, it has quite an upbeat sound. And it’s refreshingly easy to play: as you’ll see on this chord sheet, you only need three chords.

16. “See You Sometime” by Joni Mitchell (1972)

This song about lost love features interesting and memorable lyrics. If you’ve ever come to terms with a relationship’s end but still wished you could see the other person again, you’ll probably relate!

This song is written in the key of F, and like all Joni Mitchell tunes, this one has an unmistakable style. This unique video (below left) shows you some of the techniques that shaped her sound. If you just want to learn the song, you can check out the chords here.

17. “When You’re Gone” by Avril Lavigne (2007)

When Avril Lavigne wrote this song, she was married to the lead singer of the band Sum 41. She wrote it about missing him when one or both of them was on tour.

The song is in the key of E minor, and it’s a great one to learn if you want to play a rock song about missing someone. It sounds great on an electric guitar, but as this tutorial (video above right) will show you, it doesn’t sound badly played acoustically, either.

18. “August 7, 4:15” by Bon Jovi (1997)

“August 7, 4:15” has one of the saddest backstories on the list. Jon Bon Jovi wrote it about Katherine Korzilius, the daughter of his personal manager. She was found murdered, and her murder has never been solved.

You can check out a live version of this sad song here (video below left). It’s in the key of E minor. It isn’t too difficult to play, and you can check out the chords you need here.

19. “Hey There Delilah” by Plain White T’s (2006)

You might think this is a song about a romantic relationship, but the lead singer of Plain White T’s simply wrote a song about a girl he knew in hopes of impressing her. But the real Delilah had a boyfriend, and the relationship never happened.

Nonetheless, if you want a pretty acoustic song about missing someone, this is a great one to learn! This video (above right) will take you through the picking pattern, which is easier to play than it sounds. It’s in the key of D major.

20. “So Far Away” by Carole King (1971)

This song is about the disconnect between a woman and her lover, but it also includes further-reaching commentary. It laments the fact that people, in general, have been becoming more disconnected from one another.

This classic song is in the key of D major. If you want to learn this pretty, downbeat song in the original key, this video (below left) takes you through a sparkling acoustic cover.

21. “You Don’t Seem to Miss Me” by Patty Loveless and George Jones (1997)

This song is about a relationship where there’s a good deal of distance. It includes the telling lyric, “But now when I return, there’s somethin’ missin’/When I’m gone, you don’t seem to miss me.”

This classic song is in the key of D#. You can check out the original music video here (above right). And if you want to play it, here’s an easy beginner version perfect for strumming around a campfire.

22. “Missing You” by Steve Perry (1994)

This very heartfelt song reflects on a past relationship where Perry acknowledges having hurt the other person. The song captures the universal theme of wishing you could go back in time and fix things.

Check out this song’s interesting video here (below left). It’s in the key of A#, and this chord sheet shows you an easy way to play it.

23. “Gone Too Soon” by Michael Jackson (1991)

“Gone Too Soon” is a heart-wrenching song dedicated to Ryan White, a teenager who died from AIDS. Before his death, he was expelled from school because of the disease. Usher performed it at Jackson’s memorial service.

This song is in the key of B. It sounds especially beautiful when played on the piano, and while it’s a little complex, it’s well worth taking the time to learn. This tutorial (video above right) can take you through it.

24. “Miss You Like Crazy” by Natalie Cole (1989)

This song was the fifth Top 10 hit for Natalie Cole. It also did well worldwide, reaching high on the charts in Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Australia, and New Zealand.

“Miss You Like Crazy” is in the key of D major. And if you’re a relatively new piano player, you might be relieved to hear that it’s not hard to play. This video tutorial (below left) will take you through a slow, easy version.

25. “Wish You Were Here” by Pink Floyd (1975)

This heart-wrenching song is about Pink Floyd founder Syd Barrett’s struggle with schizophrenia. The other band members were missing the person he used to be. The song is especially famous for the lyrics “we’re just two lost souls/swimming in a fish bowl.”

This beautifully complex song is in the key of G major. It sounds great on either acoustic or electric guitar, but this detailed tutorial (video above right) will take you through it on an acoustic.

Even More Great Songs About Missing Someone

1. “I’ll Be Missing You” by Puff Daddy ft. Faith Evans and 112 (1997)
2. “Yesterday” by the Beatles (1965)
3. “Night Shift” by Lucy Dacus (2017)
4. “Where Are You Tonight? (Journey Through Dark Heat)” by Bob Dylan (1978)
5. “Stardust” by Nat King Cole (1957)
6. “My First Night Alone Without You” by Bonnie Raitt (1975)
7. “There’s a Tear in My Beer” by Hank Williams Jr. (1988)
8. “When She Loved Me” by Sarah McLachlan (1999)
9. “Somebody’s Missing You” by Dolly Parton (2011)
10. “I Still Miss Someone” by Johnny Cash (1958)
11. “Alive and Dying (Waving, Smiling)” by Angel Olsen (2021)
12. “The Sound of Your Memory” by Willie Nelson (2012)
13. “Far From Me” by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds (1997)
14. “When You’re Gone” by the Cranberries (1996)
15. “Fire and Rain” by James Taylor (1970)

Final Thoughts

Whether you want to learn these songs to play through your feelings of loss or just want to listen to know you aren’t alone, we hope you’ve found this list helpful. But what do you think? What other great songs about missing someone do you know? Let us know in the comments, and please don’t forget to like and share if you found this article useful!