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
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6. Wind Beneath My Wings – Betty Midler
- Released: 1983
- Songwriter(s): L.Henley & J. Silbar
- Album: When the night comes
- Genres: Soul
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
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10. Wake Me Up When September Ends – Green Day
- Released: 2005
- 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
