Songs About Losing Someone You Love

Some losses don’t have words. They have songs instead.

Whether you’re in the thick of grief, slowly finding your way through it, or looking for something to play at a memorial, this playlist brings together some of the most powerful songs ever written about losing someone you love. They span decades and genres, but they share one thing: the ability to make you feel less alone in the hardest moments.

Highlights From the Playlist

“Tears in Heaven” – Eric Clapton

Written after the death of Eric Clapton‘s four-year-old son Conor, this is one of the most raw and honest songs about grief ever recorded. The tenderness in his voice makes it almost unbearable to listen to — which is exactly why it endures.

“The Night Will Always Win” – Manchester Orchestra

A lesser-known gem that captures the specific feeling of grief at night — when it’s quiet and you can’t outrun your thoughts. Quietly devastating.

“If I Die Young” – The Band Perry

Written from the perspective of someone imagining their own early death, this country ballad resonates deeply with anyone who has lost someone too soon. The imagery is poetic and the melody is heartbreaking in the best way.

“Supermarket Flowers” – Ed Sheeran

Written about the death of his grandmother, Ed Sheeran describes clearing her hospital room with an intimacy that hits differently from any grand statement about grief. The small details — the supermarket flowers, the Bible by the bed — are what makes it so real.

“Gone Too Soon” – Michael Jackson

Originally written as a tribute to Ryan White, the teenager who became a symbol of AIDS awareness, this spare and gentle ballad works as a tribute to anyone taken too early. Michael Jackson‘s vocal restraint makes it all the more powerful.

“See You Again” – Carrie Underwood

A faith-filled country ballad about the belief that death isn’t the end — just a goodbye until you meet again. It offers comfort without being saccharine, and Carrie Underwood‘s voice gives it real emotional weight.

“Death With Dignity” – Sufjan Stevens

The opening track from Stevens’ album Carrie & Lowell, written after his mother’s death. The album is widely considered one of the most honest explorations of grief in modern music. This song sets the tone — fragile, searching, and achingly beautiful.

Songs About Missing Someone Who Is Gone

Not all grief is immediate. Sometimes it’s the quiet ache of missing someone years later — a birthday, an anniversary, a song that comes on the radio. These tracks capture that feeling.

• “I Will Remember You” – Sarah McLachlan — A promise to keep someone’s memory alive
• “The Night We Met” – Lord Huron — A haunting wish to go back to before the loss
• “Dancing in the Sky” – Dani and Lizzy — A gentle, faith-forward song that imagines a loved one at peace
• “You Should Be Here” – Cole Swindell — Written about his late father, it captures all the moments grief ambushes you when you least expect it

Full Playlist: Songs About Losing Someone You Love

1. Tears in Heaven – Eric Clapton
2. Supermarket Flowers – Ed Sheeran
3. If I Die Young – The Band Perry
4. Gone Too Soon – Michael Jackson
5. See You Again – Carrie Underwood
6. Death With Dignity – Sufjan Stevens
7. I Will Remember You – Sarah McLachlan
8. The Night We Met – Lord Huron
9. Dancing in the Sky – Dani and Lizzy
10. You Should Be Here – Cole Swindell
11. The Night Will Always Win – Manchester Orchestra
12. Wish You Were Here – Pink Floyd
13. Hurt – Johnny Cash
14. Blackbird – The Beatles
15. Slipping Through My Fingers – ABBA
16. Please Don’t Say You Love Me – Gabrielle Aplin
17. Forever Young – Alphaville
18. Wake Me Up When September Ends – Green Day
19. How to Save a Life – The Fray
20. Run – Snow Patrol

Spotify Playlist

Check out this playlist from Spotify user alyssa:

This site is dedicated to playlist themes! Have we missed a song that should be included in this playlist? Comment below to share it!