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Songs About Losing a Friend
Songs About Losing a Friend
Elena Rostova••10 min read
Songs about losing a friend are songs that make you realize the value of friendship and the temporality of life. Research confirms that friends are like sound health, its value isn’t known until it’s lost.
Parting ways with our friends don’t always translate to death, it could be unresolved differences leading to break-up and divorce. While these emotions can evoke feelings of frustration, regrets, sadness, and confusion, it is also irreparable.
Songs about losing friends are a great connector to those who have passed through moments of grief but eventually found a sense of tranquility in the midst of turbulence. Listening to these songs would provide you the solace you need that although you may have lost someone dear to you, there’s still hope for a better life ahead.
15 Songs You Can Turn-on in Moments of Grief
1. See You Again – Wiz Khalifa Ft. Charlie Puth
Released: 2015
Songwriter(s): Cameron Thomaz, Charlie Puth, Justin Franks, Andrew Cedar, Dann Hume, Josh Hardy, Phoebe Cockburn
Album: Most Wanted
Genres: Hip hop, pop-rap
This song gives hope of being reunited with your friends who have passed on. Somehow, the narrator is convinced that he’ll meet this friend again and he can’t wait to relate all that has happened in their absence.
Lyrics
It’s been a long day without you, my friend And I’ll tell you all about it when I see you again We’ve come a long way from where we began Oh, I’ll tell you all about it when I see you again When I see you again
2. My Heart Will Go On – Celine Dion
Released: 1997
Songwriter(s): James Horner
Album: let’s talk about love
Genres: pop
This is one of the Canadian Singer’s signature songs. It was used as the theme song for the movie Titanic to express the pain of losing a friend. The narrator declares that every piece of their memory is safe in her heart even if she moves on.
Lyrics
Near, far, wherever you are I believe that the heart does go on Once more, you open the door And you’re here in my heart And my heart will go on and on
3. You Are Not Alone – Micheal Jackson
Released: 1995
Songwriter(s): Robert Kelly
Album: History
Genres: Pop and R&B
This song by Michael Jackson sends a hopeful reminder that you are not alone in the moment of grief. Although circumstances leave one in a lonely state, the king of pop is sure that distance isn’t strong enough to keep two hearts away.
Lyrics
That you are not alone I am here with you Though you’re far away I am here to stay But you are not alone I am here with you Though we’re far apart You’re always in my heart But you are not alone
4. I’ll be Missing You – Puff Daddy Ft. Faith Evans
Released: 1997
Songwriter(s): Todd Gaither & Faith Evans
Album: No way out
Genres: R&B/Soul, Hip -Hop/Rap
This heartfelt song by Puff daddy was sung in honor of his friend Notorious B.I.G who was shot to death during an industry party in Los Angeles. The lyrics of this song are reassuring. He believes that even though his friend is gone, he remains irreplaceable and would be greatly missed.
Lyrics
Every step I take, every move I make Every single day, every time I pray I’ll be missing you Thinkin’ of the day, when you went away What a life to take, what a bond to break I’ll be missing you
5. Tears In Heaven – Eric Clapton
Released: 1992
Songwriter(s): Eric Clapton
Album: Rush
Genres: Soft Rock
“Tears in Heaven” is one of Clapton’s heartbreaking songs. He wrote this song while grieving his four-year-old son, Conor who accidentally fell from a 54 story apartment. The verses captioned the devastating experience of losing a child and the guilt he felt for not protecting him.
This is one song about losing a friend that can help you move on just like the English Rock and blues guitarist who finally admitted in his lines that he had to move on cause he can’t stay “here in heaven”.
Lyrics
Would you hold my hand if I saw you in heaven? Would you help me stand if I saw you in heaven? I’ll find my way through night and day ‘Cause I know I just can’t stay Here in heaven
This song topped the UK list of the most played songs at funerals in 2002. Though misfortunes come in unannounced, it isn’t a call to remain stagnant. This song has inspired thousands of people over the years to keep hoping for better days even after losing a loved one.
Lyrics
Did I ever tell you you’re my hero? You’re everything, everything I wish I could be Oh, and I, I could fly higher than an eagle For you are the wind beneath my wings ‘Cause you are the wind beneath my wings
7. Gone Too Soon – Micheal Jackson
Released: 1993
Songwriter(s): Larry Grossman and Buz Kohan
Album: Dangerous
Genres: Operatic Pop
This song by Micheal Jackson was dedicated to honoring an Indiana teenager, Ryan White who was diagnosed with AIDS after a blood transfusion. The discrimination against people living with the dreaded disease in the 80s led to Ryan’s expulsion from school. Micheal Jackson, Elton John, and Donald Trump were the only ones who help him until his death in 1991 at the age of 18.
This bittersweet song was performed by Usher at the king of pop memorial service on July 7, 2009.
Lyrics
Like a comet Blazing ‘cross the evening sky Gone too soon Like a rainbow Fading in the twinkling of an eye Gone too soon
8. I’ll Remember You – Elvis Presley
Released: 1965
Songwriter(s): Kui Lee
Album: The don ho show
Genres: Seasonal
Life goes on after you lose a friend. This song inspires you to keep thriving and doing your best to make your friends happy wherever they are.
Lyrics
I’ll remember you Long after this endless summer is gone I’ll be lonely, oh so lonely Living only to remember you
9. Missing You – Diana Ross
Released: 1984
Songwriter(s):
Album: Swept Away
Genres: R$B/Soul
A piece of you leaves when you lose a friend. Thinking of all the beautiful moments you shared can only make you miss them more.
Lyrics
I’m missing you Tell me why the road turns As I look around I see things that remind me Just to see you smile Made my heart fill with joy I’ll still recall All those dreams we shared together Where did you run to, boy? I’m missing you
Songwriter(s): Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt, and Tré Cool
Album: American Idiot
Genres: Alternative Rock
Sadly, rough moments do not ring a bell before arrival and that was the case the Green Day lead singer Billie lost his father at the age of 10 and asked his mother to wake him up when September ends hence the title of the song. This song also holds meaning to the families of victims who suffered the tragic September 11 Hurricane Katrina.
Lyrics
As my memory rests But never forgets what I lost Wake me up when September ends Summer has come and passed The innocent can never last Wake me up when September ends
11. I Will Remember You – Sarah McLauchlan
Released: 1995
Songwriter(s): Sarah McLachlan, Séamus Egan, and Dave Merenda
Album: The brothers McMullen
Genres: Pop
This heartfelt song was written in memory of Jeff Porcaro who passed away due to drug issues. When he was still alive, he felt that no one really loved him even though his family and friends were always there for him. However, some consider this song to be a story of two lovers recollecting memories that won’t fade off.
Lyrics
I will remember you, will you remember me? Don’t let your life pass you by Weep not for the memories Remember the good times that we had? I let them slip away from us when things got bad How clearly I first saw you smilin’ in the sun Want to feel your warmth upon me I want to be the one
12. Goodbye My Friend – Linda Ronstadt
Released: 1989
Songwriter(s): Karla Bonoff
Album: Cry like a rainstorm
Genres: Pop/Folk
Saying goodbye is the hardest part of friendship even though it’s to a pet. This song was written by Karla Bonoff in memory of her beloved cat whom she considers a good friend. Notwithstanding this song has been used to honor friendships which has passed the test of time.
Lyrics.
So goodbye my friend I know I’ll never see you again But the time together through all the years Will take away these tears
13. Fire and Rain – James Taylor
Released: 1970
Songwriter(s): James Taylor
Album: Sweet Baby James
Genres: Soft rock and Folk rock
James Taylor inspired by his high and low days recorded the song Fire and Rain. He reflects on how he juggled from one grief to the other trying to find balance and even though the best isn’t promised, he remains hopeful.
Lyrics
Oh, I’ve seen fire and I’ve seen rain I’ve seen sunny days that I thought would never end I’ve seen lonely times when I could not find a friend But I always thought that I’d see you again
14. One More Day – Diamond Rio
Released: 2000
Songwriter(s): Bobby Tomberlin, Steven Dale Jones
Album: One more day
Genres: Country
Time is indeed very precious and no one understands this better than the country singer Diamond Rio who keeps asking for just one day with his friend. Although a day is obviously not enough but would afford them the time to say goodbye.
Lyrics
One more day, one more time One more sunset, maybe I’d be satisfied But then again, I know what it would do Leave me wishing still for one more day with you One more day
15. Someone That I Used To Know – Kimbra
Released: 2011
Songwriter(s): Wally de Backer
Album: Making Mirrors
Genres: Art pop
This song is a great reminder of how temporary friendship can be. The singer relates to how you meet someone today and tomorrow they are no more. This song encourages one to value every moment of friendship.
Lyrics
But you treat me like a stranger And that feels so rough You didn’t have to stoop so low Have your friends collect your records And then change your number I guess that I don’t need that though Now you’re just somebody that I used to know
Elena Rostova holds a Master's degree in Public Health Journalism. She covers groundbreaking medical research, holistic wellness trends, mental health awareness, and nutritional science.
