When we lose someone we love, it’s hard to cope and move on. Music is often seen as a way to heal and as an emotional outlet, and it’s easy to relate to songs about loved ones lost. These songs can help us find comfort and strength to keep going during difficult times.
1. “Tears in Heaven” by Eric Clapton
This is almost certainly going to be the first song that comes to anyone’s mind when they are asked to mention songs about loved ones lost.
Prepare your tissues, because we’re going to start off our list for the best songs about loved ones lost with one of the funeral songs that has been performed the most often throughout history.
Sadly, Eric Clapton was inspired to write the song after the passing of his child, who was involved in a tragic accident in which they fell from a window.
It has been performed by various musicians in the years that have followed its publication, and it is a stunning homage to Eric’s son Conor, who was only four years old when he passed away. This very special song about loss has made a significant impression.
2. “My Heart Will Go On song by Celine Dion
Next on our list of songs about loved ones lost is this power ballad from the late nineties and is regarded as one of Celine’s trademark songs, however many people are still on the fence about their feelings about it. It was included on the soundtrack for the movie Titanic and went on to become the physical single that sold the most copies anywhere in the world.
Some people might find the lyrics a touch too sweet, and much like her heart, it sounds and feels like it just continues on forever. However, it is impossible to overlook the fact that the song’s lyrics and the subject matter of the movie, which is based on real events, make it an excellent choice for a list of songs to play after a loved one has passed away.
3. “One Sweet Day”
Song by Mariah Carey and Boys 2 Men
Does anyone else recall listening to this moving R&B track?
This song has a little more to say than the artist’s customary subjects, which were mostly about love.
Due to the fact that the narrative describes reunification with loved ones, it is an excellent example of one of those upbeat songs about loved ones in heaven that the devout among us can connect to. It’s based on true events and deals with the AIDS pandemic, among other cultural and societal issues.
4. Ocean Breathes Salty song by Modest Mouse.
Up next is a song that may not be as well-known but has some profound messages to impart. This song was released as a single in 2004 and has a lot of commentary about physical death as well as carrying the memory of the person with you after they are gone. It is a song about missing loved ones, and the words are really moving. Additionally, the music video is excellent.
5. Vera Lynn – “We’ll Meet Again”
We are rewinding all the way to the famous age of music with this sing-along by the vocalist Vera Lynn that was performed during World War II.
Although the song was written to wish the soldiers well as they went out to war, its words are crafted in such a way as to leave open the possibility that the soldiers will, in fact, “meet again some bright day,” regardless of whether or not they are killed or captured during the conflict.
Encouragement abounds, as does the traditional British “stay calm and carry on” rallying spirit that permeates the atmosphere. Vera serenades us with a warm farewell song, which continues to be a touching way for loved ones to express their gratitude to one another even today.
6. Robbie Williams – “Angels”
This ballad, which has the feel of a lullaby, gained popularity very rapidly all around the world and helped Williams launch his career as a solo artist. It is written in part after the author’s partner experienced a miscarriage, and it is about death, but it does it in a very bittersweet manner.
It is, once again, one of the memorial songs that is requested the most frequently during funerals.
7. “Beloved” by Mumford & Sons
One of the most well-known songs on loved ones lost is “Beloved” by Mumford & Sons. It is one of those songs to listen to when someone dies that really hits home since it is such a poignant song about death with powerful lyrics that are full of heart-tugging emotional depth.
8. Before You Go by Lewis Capaldi.
Capaldi delivers more of the same with his emotional track, which he penned after learning that his aunt had committed suicide when he was a child. This music was inspired by this event.
According to the musician, it is “by far the most personal melody” he has ever created. Personal songs make for some of the best songs about losing someone, if there is such a thing as best?!
9. “Unchained Melody” by the Righteous Brothers.
One of the most iconic songs about loved ones lost is “Unchained Melody”. This powerful song speaks to the pain of loss but also brings comfort in the idea that we will see our loved ones again.
Some songs about losing someone aren’t as black and white, with death as a looming motif in the lyrics. One song that deals with the subject of loss is titled
Because of the song’s subdued nature, one could interpret it as being about the end of a romantic relationship rather than the death of a loved one.
However, much like the other songs on our list, it is frequently played during memorial services and funerals as a way to honor the deceased and pay respect to those who have passed away.
10. “Fire And Rain” song by James Taylor
This is a mournful song about the passing of a loved one. The verses of the song address three hard topics, but they start with the suicide of a close friend.
The performer didn’t find out about her passing until six months after it happened since a close friend thought it could be too distracting for him at a time when his big break was just around the corner.
11. Carrie Underwood “See You Again”
This is yet another example of a song about parting ways with someone that emphasizes on the prospect of reconnecting in the afterlife with that person. The song is fascinating because it is replete with stunning portrayals of nature and images of the landscape, both of which contribute to the song’s overall atmosphere.
12. “There You’ll Be” by Faith Hill
Moving on following the death of a loved one is never simple, but the majority of us make an effort to minimize the sense of loss by memorializing the deceased person in some way that we can take with us on our own individual journeys through life.
This song by Faith Hill was used as the theme for the movie “Pearl Harbor,” and it is unquestionably one of those songs about the loss of a loved one that has an upbeat and optimistic slant to it.
13. “The Greatest Man I Never Knew” song by Reba McEntire.
The passing of a family member has the potential to bring up lingering problems and questions, and it may also leave a lot of those problems unaddressed. We are always under the impression that we will have more time and that certain topics can be postponed until a later date for discussion.
Some individuals do not find that the overly sentimental songs that sound like eulogies and are about the passing of a loved one to be a honest depiction of the feelings that they have gone through.
It is more difficult to express emotion after the death of a person with whom one did not have the finest relationship; yet, Reba does an excellent job of expressing herself in this song.
14. “Who You’d Be Today” song by Kenny Chesney
Death is usually more painful when a person dies young. This song by Kenny Chesney about losing someone explores the feelings of missing that person and picturing the things they would have accomplished if they had not met their end.
15. “He Stopped Loving Her Today” song by George Jones
The main character in this song promises to love his wife until he dies, which is a story that will make even the toughest of you cry. In a heartbreaking homage, the singer recalls the day he stopped loving his wife and their visit together.
16. “If You’re Reading This” song by Tim McGraw.
This song is typical of the gritty, authentic country sound that Tim McGraw is known for creating, and this song is no exception. The authors claim that they got the idea for this one from reading an article about war casualties.
It is difficult to read some parts of the poetic format without getting a lump in your throat since it cleverly follows the format of a regular letter home from a soldier stationed away from home land. If the topic is really meaningful to you, even the first few sentences may provoke an emotional response from you.
17. The Chicks’ “Travelin’ Soldier”
Casualties on both sides account for a significant portion of the overall death toll. Therefore, it should not come as a surprise that soldiers are mentioned in more than a few songs that are about the death of a loved one.
That is the situation with this country ballad that The (Dixie) Chicks have covered. The tale is tragic but all too common: a young soldier gets on a bus to go to Vietnam with the intention of writing to a gorgeous girl who wears a bow in her hair. He breaks his promise.
His letters describe how things are “getting sorta difficult,” and the stanza that reveals the worst of it comes at the end of the third verse.
18. Miranda Lambert – “Over You”
This one was written by Black Shelton and Miranda together, and Black Shelton was inspired to write it by a personal tragedy. Lambert revealed that despite Blake’s reservations, she felt driven to record the song because of how emotionally vulnerable it was.
These lyrics are about his older brother who passed away in a vehicle accident, and they touch upon the rage that is one of the stages of grieving that we go through.
19. “Go Rest High On That Mountain” song by Vince Gill.
A wonderful example of a genuine “eulogy” song written in memory of a deceased loved one. It was composed after Keith Whitley had passed away, however the tribute does not specifically mention anyone and can be applied to anyone who was beloved to the singer.
20. “Missing You” by Diana Ross
The song “I Miss You” was Diana’s most famous hit, and it was one of her final releases to achieve significant popularity. The song was written out of sadness when Lionel Richie and I had a conversation about Marvin Gaye’s tragic death, which was caused by his own father, on Marvin’s birthday of all days.
21. “How Do I Live?” song by LeAnn Rimes ”
This song, which was penned by Dianne Warwick, the undisputed queen of songwriting, spent an incredible 34 weeks on the charts. This is not a typical “passing away” song, but rather a song about the experience of grieving the loss of a loved one.
It was initially composed for the soundtrack of the film Con Air and sung by Year Trisha wood, but many people think that Rimes’ rendition is superior to the original.
22. “You Are Not Alone” by Michael Jackson
This song was nominated for a Grammy, and the reception it garnered from critics was mixed, with some saying it was great and others calling it corny. Similar to the music that came before it, this one is more of a love ballad that centers on the concept of being alone.
Isolation and introspection, combined with the sentiments expressed in the song’s words as well as its singing and creative delivery, result in a soothing piece of music that can be used to honor and remember loved ones. Lyrically, this is one of the best songs on loved ones lost.
23. Puff Daddy – “I’ll Be Missing You”
We live in a society where it can be difficult to choose whether or not to include particular musicians, but Puff Daddy’s reworking of Sting’s classic makes for another wonderful entry when it comes to songs about losing someone, and it is still well-loved by many people despite the antics of the artist.
24. “I Will Not Say Goodbye” by Danny Gokey
This song was composed just for the finalist of American Idol, and he brought a powerful raw emotion to it since he had the first-hand knowledge necessary to deliver a song about the loss of a loved one in a real manner.
The corresponding music video shows spouses losing their wives and parents losing their children, and it concludes with a devotion to the singer’s wife.
25. “Slipped Away” by Avril Lavigne
A wonderful song that was written by Avril about her grandfather at the time of his passing. The singer was on tour at the time, and it impacted her hard. Avril wrote the song herself. She translated her thoughts into true expression through song, which many people found to be moving, much like many other great artists have done before her.
Because she was gone, she didn’t get the chance to say her goodbyes, which is a regrettable experience that many people can relate to. It transforms the song into a heartfelt lament about losing someone, this is one of the songs about loved ones lost that reflects on a lot of things.
26. “One More Day” by Diamond Rio
The one thing that unites people who are grieving the loss of a loved one is the sentiment that they wish they could have spent just a little bit more time with the deceased.
In this song, Rio Diamond sings on the subject matter in question. In the opening lines, the hypothetical premise is established as follows: If they could have one wish granted:
The lyrics capture the feelings of many people in a lovely way; after all, who wouldn’t want time to crawl if they could spend just one more day with a loved one who has passed away? Lyrically, “One More Day” by Diamond Rio is one of the best songs about loved ones lost.
27. Green Day’s “Wake Me Up When September Ends”
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The loss of a close friend or loved one can hang over your head like a cloud for weeks, months, or perhaps for a much longer period of time. While you wait for the feeling of grief to pass, you can get the urge to shut yourself off from the outside world by going to sleep.
This rock song was written in 2005 by the frontman of the band Green Day about the passing of the singer’s father from cancer when the vocalist was a child. The song has also come to be seen as a symbol of the grief that many have felt in the wake of tragedies such as the attacks on September 11 and Hurricane Katrina.
28. “Everybody Hurts” is a song recorded by R.E.M.
After suffering a loss, you might at times feel as though giving up is the best option. This rock song from 1992 expresses sympathy for your suffering and sadness and encourages you to keep going. It places an emphasis on the fact that tragedy is a frequent aspect of the human experience, and that you are not alone in the pain that you are going through.
29. Kenny Chesney titled “Who You’d Be Today”
There are very few things in life that are as terrible as the loss of a person before their time has come. A premature death seems to go against the natural order that exists in our universe.
This country song was released in 2005, and its narrator mourns the loss of a loved one. He dwells on their untapped potential and the many wonderful things they were deprived of having the opportunity to enjoy, and he ponders what their life would have been like if it hadn’t been cut short:
30. A song by Christina Aguilera titled “Hurt”
This pop song from 2006 was written in memory of the songwriter’s late father. Its lyrics emphasize the protagonist’s remorse that she wasn’t able to forgive her father’s sins when he was still alive. She resorted to blaming and rejecting him rather than making an effort to reconcile their differences.
Despite the fact that she wishes for reconciliation, it is too late to put things right. She has come to the conclusion that her decisions have only served to harm herself.
31. Steve Wariner’s “Holes in the Floor of Heaven”
This heartfelt country ballad from 1998 also reflects on songs about loved ones lost, it tells the narrative of a guy who, as a youngster, had to say goodbye to his grandmother, and as an adult, he had to say goodbye to his young bride.
The thought that his loved ones are watching over him from above, yearning that they could be with him, is the common denominator that ties both of these tragic occurrences together.
32. By Dani and Lizzy “Dancing in the Sky”
Take a moment to listen to this poignant pop tune for yourself. In 2016, this song by Canadian twin sisters went popular when they posted it on social media. It was written by one of the girls, Lizzie, in memory of their friend, who passed away.
33. Jo Dee Messina’s “Heaven Was Needing a Hero”
This country ballad from 2010 features a protagonist who laments the loss of a loved one and thinks back to the last time she saw them alive. In an effort to make meaning of their passing, she arrives at the conclusion that heaven required a hero. At the funeral for Michael Jackson, Usher performed his song “Gone Too Soon.”
34. Wiz Khalifa’s song “See You Again” (Featuring Charlie Puth)
![Wiz Khalifa - See You Again ft. Charlie Puth [Official Video] Furious 7 Soundtrack](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/RgKAFK5djSk/0.jpg)
This pop song from 2015 has a narrator who thinks on his friendship with a person who was important to him but passed away, and he expresses his wish that this person is now in a better place. He thinks back on all of the fun moments they had together and anticipates the day when they will be able to catch up again.
35. Reba McEntire’s “The Greatest Man I Never Knew”
This country song from 1992 will truly hit home for you on an emotional level if you grew up with a strong-willed father. This song is both a lament and an expression of regret for what has happened.
The narrator relates their childhood experiences of having a father who was always wrapped up in his profession. In spite of the fact that he loved her, he was incapable of articulating his feelings for her, and he rarely gave her a hug.
Over the years, they drifted farther and more apart till he passed away; by the time she found out that he had thought the world of her, it was too late.
36. Diamond Rio’s “One More Day”
When the narrator in this country song from the year 2000 has a dream in which he is given the opportunity to wish for anything, he chooses to ask for one more day with the person he has lost rather than for wealth.
He plays out in his head how the two of them would spend their limited time together. It is important to ensure that you communicate well with the people you care about so that you do not experience feelings of regret in the future.
37. Lonestar’s “Not a Day Goes By”
The narrator of this moving country song from 2001 expresses his sorrow over the passing of a loved one who was significant to him. It is unclear if she left because of a breakup or because she passed away, but it is clear that he misses her terribly.
He takes a picture of her with him everywhere he goes, and the memory of her is still deeply etched into his very being. On the surface, he gives off the impression that everything is going swimmingly, but on the inside, things are quite different.
