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In instances of loss, phrases typically fail to seize our painful expertise. Nonetheless, music can transcend this limitation.
All through historical past, songs have been used as a way of expressing the advanced feelings caused by grief. On this article, we’re sharing a group of songs about grief to replicate on our expertise of loss.
Every monitor supplies a special perspective on how folks grieve, their views of life within the absence of a liked one, and the way they discover therapeutic after a loss.
We provide this assortment as a way of solace. Might it join you with others who’ve skilled grief and located hope and luxury by music.
1. Dancing within the Sky, Dani and Lizzy
“‘Trigger right here on Earth it looks like all the things good is lacking because you left. And right here on Earth all the things’s totally different. There’s an vacancy.”
This music was written as a tribute to one in every of Lizzy’s buddies. It’s concerning the ache and vacancy felt once you lose a buddy.
2. Tears in Heaven, Eric Clapton
“Would you realize my identify if I noticed you in heaven? Would you be the identical if I noticed you in heaven?”
This music is a lament for the tragedy that befell Eric Clapton’s younger son, who handed away when he was solely 4 years previous.
In it, Eric Clapton expresses his grief at not having the ability to be together with his son once more. He wonders if the bond he shared with him will stay the identical when it’s time to fulfill once more in heaven.
3. There You’ll Be, Religion Hill
“In my goals, I am going to all the time see you soar above the sky. In my coronary heart, there’ll all the time be a spot for you for all my life. I am going to maintain part of you with me. And in all places I’m, there you may be…”
This music is a couple of promise to a departed liked one which their reminiscence can be treasured. It additionally serves as a reminder for the residing to maintain their liked one’s reminiscence near their hearts.
4. Final Kiss, Pearl Jam
“Oh, the place oh the place can my child be? The Lord took her away from me. She’s gone to heaven, so I acquired to be good so I can see my child once I go away this world.”
This music is a canopy of Frank Wilson and The Cavaliers’ music with the identical title.
In it, a person grieves for his beloved. He recollects the fateful evening when a date led to a deadly automobile accident the place his liked one handed away.
The man has lived with that painful reminiscence of witnessing his liked one go. All he can do now’s look ahead to the time after they’ll be collectively once more.
5. In opposition to All Odds, Phil Collins
“So check out me now. There’s simply an empty area. And there is nothing left right here to remind me. Simply the reminiscence of your face.”
On this music, a grieving man mourns for a liked one, deeply feeling their absence from his life.
Though he has reminiscences of the instances they spent collectively, these aren’t sufficient to beat his sorrow.
6. Hearth and Rain, James Taylor
“I’ve seen fireplace and I’ve seen rain. I’ve seen sunny days that I believed would by no means finish. I’ve seen lonely instances once I couldn’t discover a buddy. However I all the time thought that I would see you once more.”
Remorse comes when somebody we love is taken away so immediately and we don’t get the possibility to say our correct goodbye.
On this music, the narrator expresses his disappointment on the suddenness of his buddy’s passing.
7. Your Lengthy Journey, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss
“Oh, my darling, my darling, my coronary heart breaks as you’re taking your lengthy journey.”
Grief comes as lovers bid farewell to one another. One among them is dying and the opposite is confronted with the truth that they’ll be alone when their liked one lastly goes.
8. King of Sorrow, Sade
“The DJ’s playin’ the identical music. I’ve a lot to do. I’ve to hold on. I’m wondering if this grief will ever let me go. I really feel like I’m the King of Sorrow, yeah. The King of Sorrow.”
This music is a bitter reminder that, although you grieve, life goes on for the remainder of the world.
There are nonetheless payments to pay and chores to take care of. You do what you possibly can to outlive, although grief cripples you and you’re feeling you possibly can’t go on.
9. A Lengthy December, Counting Crows
“A protracted December and there is purpose to consider perhaps this yr can be higher than the final. I am unable to keep in mind the very last thing that you just mentioned as you had been leaving. Now the times go by so quick.”
This music is about somebody grieving for a buddy who handed away one December day. Though time has handed, the sorrow from the loss continues.
10. Once I Look to the Sky, Practice
“And as I float alongside this ocean, I can really feel you want a notion that will not appear to let me go. ‘Trigger once I look to the sky one thing tells me you are right here with me and also you make all the things alright. And once I really feel like I am misplaced, one thing tells me you are right here with me and I can all the time discover my manner when you’re right here.”
One of many methods this music could possibly be interpreted is that an individual who has misplaced someone near them feels that their liked one remains to be with them.
They maintain the reminiscence near their coronary heart, offering solace in turbulent instances.
11. Tracks of My Tears, Aretha Franklin
“So take an excellent have a look at my face. You may see that my smile appears misplaced. And if you happen to look nearer, it is simple to hint the tracks of my tears.”
On this music, a girl grieves over a damaged relationship. She appears to have all of it collectively, however upon nearer inspection, traces of her grief are seen on her face.
12. Repair You, Coldplay
“And the tears come streaming down your face. If you lose one thing you possibly can’t exchange. If you love somebody, nevertheless it goes to waste. Might it’s worse?”
The demise of a liked one isn’t the one supply of grief.
We endure by many losses all through our lives, and in every event we grieve. On this music, totally different sorts of loss are talked about, every one bringing disappointment.
13. Speaking to the Moon, Bruno Mars
“At evening, when the celebs gentle up my room, I sit on my own. Speaking to the moon. Attempting to get to you in hopes you are on the opposite facet speaking to me too. Or am I a idiot who sits alone speaking to the moon?”
After we’re grieving, we regularly seek for methods to attach with the one we’ve misplaced.
Typically, our actions could appear irrational to others. However like on this music, the place the narrator talks to the moon to really feel near the particular person they love, it’s only a manner to deal with grief.
14. In Loving Reminiscence, Alter Bridge
“I carry the issues that remind me of you, in loving reminiscence of the one which was so true. You had been as type as you would be. And although you are gone, you continue to imply the world to me.”
On this music, an individual very near the narrator has handed away. The narrator expresses his love and gratitude for this particular person.
He holds their reminiscence near his coronary heart, considering that nobody compares to them.
15. Heaven Was Needing a Hero, Jo Dee Messina
“I assume Heaven was needing a hero, someone identical to you. Courageous sufficient to face up for what you consider and observe it by. When I attempt to make it make sense in my thoughts, the one conclusion I come to Is that Heaven was needing a hero such as you.”
When a liked one passes away, we regularly search for a approach to make sense of their absence from our lives. This is without doubt one of the methods we take care of grief.
On this music, the narrator believes that the rationale their liked one handed away is as a result of heaven wanted them extra. This makes it simpler for the narrator to deal with the grief of dropping a liked one.
16. Nonetheless Right here, Natasha Bedingfield
“You are still right here with me on a regular basis. You are still right here. Once I shut my eyes, I nonetheless see you. I nonetheless really feel you.”
On this music, somebody very near the narrator is gone from her life. This particular person all the time noticed the most effective within the narrator. Oftentimes, we grieve deeply for a misplaced liked one due to how a lot constructive impression they made in our lives.
17. See the Solar, Dido
“And also you in all probability do not wish to hear tomorrow’s one other day. Nicely I promise you you may see the solar once more. And also you’re asking me why ache’s the one approach to happiness. And I promise you you may see the solar once more.”
This music affords consolation and assurance, reminding us that, although we’re grieving and the ache appears insufferable now, it does get higher in time.
It’s telling us that we are going to ultimately study to stay with the grief.
18. Gone Too Quickly, Michael Jackson
“Like a sundown dying with the rising of the moon. Gone too quickly.”
This music is about one’s grief over the departure of an individual who left them too quickly. When an adolescent is taken from us, we are likely to assume that they may nonetheless have finished a lot for the world.
19. One Extra Day, Diamond Rio
“Final evening I had a loopy dream. A want was granted only for me. It could possibly be for something. I did not ask for cash or a mansion in Malibu. I merely wished for yet another day with you.”
On this music, an individual shares a beautiful dream he had, the place he acquired to spend yet another day with somebody he loves.
Grief could cause folks to battle with transferring on and discovering peace after a liked one has handed away. On this music, the dream the narrator had might be a manner his thoughts copes together with his loss.
20. Wave Goodbye, Chris Cornell
“Each hurtful factor you ever mentioned is ringing in your ear once you miss someone. And each factor of magnificence that you just see solely brings a tear once you miss someone. If you miss someone, you inform your self all the things can be alright. Attempt to get up sturdy and courageous when all you wish to do is lay down and die.”
Grief can manifest as totally different feelings: anger, disappointment, concern, remorse, and guilt. Typically, these heavy feelings are additionally punctuated by moments of happiness as you recall joyful reminiscences a couple of liked one who has handed away.
And all these feelings are legitimate expressions of grief.
This music is concerning the welling up of various feelings triggered by the loss and related grief.
21. If Heaven (Wasn’t So Far Away), Rhett Atkins
“If heaven wasn’t so distant, I would pack up the children and go for the day. Introduce them to their grandpa, watch ’em chuckle on the manner he talks.”
This music is a couple of grandson lacking his departed grandfather. The bond of affection they shared remained sturdy by the years.
Now that the grandson is a household man himself, he needs that his youngsters had identified his grandfather, who was a constructive affect in his life.
This music is a reminder that, irrespective of what number of years have handed since a liked one died, you’ll all the time miss them and need you would share with them the way you’ve been doing in life.
22. Chasing Shadows, Alex Warren
“Oh, I am working after one thing making an attempt to catch your ghost. Holding onto photos and the scent of your garments. Really feel you slippin’ by my fingers. And I do know I am going to by no means attain you.”
When folks grieve, they generally lengthy for something acquainted—reminiscent of a sure scent or a selected place—that they affiliate with a liked one who’s gone.
On this music, the narrator holds on to the reminiscence of a departed liked one by photos and the scent of their garments.
23. How Can I Assist You Say Goodbye?, Patty Loveless
“And she or he mentioned how can I enable you to to say goodbye? It is okay to harm and it is okay to cry. Come, let me maintain you and I’ll strive. How can I enable you to to say goodbye?”
Some of the devastating experiences folks undergo is the demise of a dad or mum. On this music, a mom helps her daughter deal with grief at totally different phases of her life.
From the daughter’s expertise of claiming goodbye to her first finest buddy to going by a divorce, the mom has all the time been there.
Now, because the mom lays on her deathbed, she hopes that she’s taught her daughter properly within the artwork of goodbyes.
24. Radios in Heaven, Plain White T’s
“Nicely, have they got radios in heaven? I hope they do ‘trigger they’re taking part in my music on the radio and I am singing it to you.”
On this music, the narrator has somebody in his life who handed away earlier than he might change into successful.
Now that he’s well-known, the narrator simply desires to share his happiness with and present his like to this particular person. He needs that there have been radios in heaven so the liked one who handed away might not less than hear the narrator’s music being performed.
25. I Grieve, Peter Gabriel
“I grieve for you. You permit me. So onerous to maneuver on. Nonetheless loving what’s gone. They are saying life carries on, carries on and on and on and on.”
Grief might be paralyzing. It could actually take years to recuperate.
On this music, an individual expresses how he feels so alone and may’t muster the need to maneuver on after a liked one’s passing.
26. Even in Dying, Evanescence
“I’ll keep without end right here with you, my love. The softly spoken phrases you gave me, even in demise our love goes on.”
This music’s haunting melody underscores a hopeful message conveyed to those that are grieving. It reassures listeners that the love between two folks endures past demise.
27. Save a Place for Me, Matthew West
“Do not be mad if I cry. It simply hurts so unhealthy generally. ‘Trigger on a regular basis it is sinking in and I’ve to say goodbye another time.”
After we recall the reminiscence of a departed liked one, it might probably typically convey us to tears. That’s completely regular!
This music encourages listeners to by no means lose hope that they’ll in the future be reunited with the folks they love. It emphasizes the concept love endures even in demise.
28. To The place You Are, Josh Groban
“Fly me as much as the place you’re past the distant star. I want upon tonight to see you smile. If just for some time to know you are there. A breath away’s not far to the place you’re.”
Grief is a common emotion. It’s regular to wish to be with somebody who’s not bodily current in your life. On this heartfelt music, the narrator expresses a longing to be reunited with a liked one who handed away.
29. You Stated You’d Develop Outdated With Me, Michael Schulte
“One final phrase, one final second to ask you why you left me right here behind. You mentioned you’d develop previous with me.”
This music has an accusatory tone that belies the grief the narrator feels over the demise of somebody expensive to him.
Anger, loneliness, and disappointment mingle as a result of the narrator feels the one who handed away broke a promise—that they might develop previous with him.
30. Chilly, Jeff Williams ft. Casey Lee Williams
“Now it is chilly with out you right here. It is like winter lasts all yr. However your star’s nonetheless within the sky so I will not say goodbye. I haven’t got to say goodbye.”
On this music, an individual grieves the lack of somebody they thought-about their mentor, hero, and buddy. They’re nonetheless in a state of denial, which is one stage of grief. They haven’t but accepted that their buddy is gone.
31. Inform Me I Was Dreaming, Travis Tritt
“Inform me I used to be dreamin’, that you just did not go away me right here to cry. You did not say you do not love me anymore. It was simply my creativeness tellin’ lies. Inform me that you just did not say goodbye.”
Dr. Elizabeth Kübler-Ross launched the idea of the 5 Levels of Grief. The primary stage is denial. On this music, we hear from a narrator who’s in a state of denial about their liked one’s demise.
He nonetheless has to undergo anger, bargaining, and melancholy earlier than he can settle for the truth that his liked one is basically gone.
32. Slipped Away, Avril Lavigne
“The day you slipped away was the day I discovered it will not be the identical.”
This music was devoted to Avril Lavigne’s grandfather. The singer was on tour when her grandfather handed away.
It’s concerning the suddenness of demise, and about lacking our family members who’ve handed away, realizing that life gained’t be the identical now that they’re gone.
33. The Hardest Half, Coldplay
“And the toughest half was letting go, not collaborating. You actually broke my coronary heart, oh. And I attempted to sing, however I could not consider something. And that was the toughest half, oh, oh.”
Grief immobilizes us. This music describes the paralyzing ache that sinks in once we consider these family members who’re not a part of our lives.
34. Grocery store Flowers, Ed Sheeran
“Oh, I am in items, it is tearing me up, however I do know a coronary heart that is broke is a coronary heart that is been liked.”
The nice reminiscences we’ve got of somebody who handed away can maintain us by the grieving interval.
On this music, a son does some clearing up after having buried his mom. He breaks down due to his grief.
Nonetheless, he thinks that he’ll be all proper, since he is aware of how a lot his mom liked him.
35. Right here With out You, 3 Doorways Down
“I am right here with out you, child, however you are still on my lonely thoughts. I take into consideration you, child, and I dream about you on a regular basis. I am right here with out you, child, however you are still with me in my goals. And tonight, it is solely you and me.”
This music is a reminder that grief doesn’t actually ever go away. The reminiscence of a liked one who’s not a part of your life could cause ache, particularly in moments once you thought you’d lastly be okay.
Ultimate Ideas on Songs About Grief
There you will have it—a group of songs about grief that specific the all-too human expertise of loss.
We hope that the songs featured right here can present consolation, a way of connection to those that are additionally grieving, and a approach to peace.
Might you be healed of your sorrow and ache. Might you discover the power to maneuver ahead, with the attractive reminiscences of your beloved to maintain you.
Lastly, if you’re on the lookout for extra collections of songs about particular subjects, be at liberty to take a look at the next posts:
