43 Songs About Missing Someone You Love & Want Back

“Wish You Were Here” by Incubus

Song year: 2001

When we’re missing someone dearly, we often find ourselves alone.

You might find yourself going for walks to clear your head and think about what’s going on.

Of course, the ruminating doesn’t stop when you’re thinking about what you could’ve done differently, what you would have said and so on.

That’s one interpretation for “Wish You Were Here”, at least.

There are many other ways to interpret the song.

Either way, if you’re missing someone, have a listen to this number.

“Miss You Much” by Janet Jackson

Song year: 1989

You don’t know whether you’re in love.

But you still miss that special someone every time you’re not around them.

You can’t stop thinking about them and can’t wait to be around them.

And, you would do anything to get them back.

“Miss You Much” by Janet Jackson wants to tell the world:

“So I’ll tell ya baby I’ll tell your mama/I’ll tell your friends/I’ll tell anyone who’s heart can comprehend/Sent it in a letter baby tell you on the phone/I’m not the kinda girl who likes to be alone/I miss ya much I really miss you much.”

“When I Need You” by Rod Stewart

Song year: 1996

When there are miles separating you from the one you love.

When you can’t be there for them right now but want to be.

That’s when to listen to “When I Need You” by Rod Stewart.

Close your eyes and be with your significant other.

“When I need you/I just close my eyes and I’m with you/And all that I so want to give you baby/It’s only a heart beat away.”

“Come Back… Be Here” by Taylor Swift

Song year: 2012

That moment you realize when you’ve let go of someone you shouldn’t have.

You end up missing them almost immediately but then you realize it’s too late.

You realize you should have done things differently – maybe even gone with them.

“Come Back… Be Here” by Taylor Swift couldn’t have said it better:

“You said it in a simple way/4AM, the second day/How strange that I don’t know you at all/Stumbled through the long goodbye/One last kiss, then catch your flight/Right when I was just about to fall.”

“Thinking Bout You” by Ariana Grande

Song year: 2016

That special someone that leaves you thinking endlessly about them.

You can’t turn off your thoughts and you just keep ruminating.

You miss them badly and you can’t turn it off.

“Oh, I don’t have you here with me/But at least I have the memory/I tried to make it through the night/But I can’t control my mind.”

“Stand Up And Run” by Billy Talent

Song year: 2012

“Stand Up And Run” by Billy Talent is a song about breaking up with someone you love and wanting them to come back.

This is another one of those “hit and run” situations where you don’t know what just hit you and it leaves you feeling disoriented.

These words ring out loudly:

“After all these years of being apart/Don’t let reason try to tear us apart/If the compass strikes then follow your heart/And I hope it leads you right back into my arms.”

“I’ve Been Thinking About You” by Londonbeat

Song year: 1990

This early 90s dance hit is more than just a catchy song.

The theme of the song revolves around the cascade of emotions you feel when you’re in love with someone.

As the relationship evolved from a friendship to something more, the narrator finds himself confused:

“We must have been stone crazy/When we thought we were just friends/’Cause I miss you baby/And I’ve got those feelings again.”

Sometimes you just can’t stop those feelings from welling up.

“Miss You More” by Katy Perry

Song year: 2017

The people you fall in love with aren’t always the best fit for you.

But there is no logic to love, and you can still end up missing them.

And, as this song points to, you can miss someone more than you love them.

You keep asking yourself what could’ve been, and you wonder if your ex feels the same.

“I saw a balloon floating away/I thought, did someone let go or did they lose it?/So strange you know all my secrets/Please keep them safe/And darling, you know that I’ll do the same (you know that I’ll do the same).”

“I Miss You” by Blink 182

Song year: 2003

The band members of Blink 182 didn’t discuss the meaning of the song as they were writing it.

But they’re basic explanation of the song is that it’s about a guy who wants a girl who he thinks would never be interested in him.

Interesting how you could also interpret this song as missing someone who’s already passed.

Either way, the sentiment of “I Miss You” isn’t lost, even if it’s just missing someone that you don’t have a chance with.

“In Loving Memory” by Alter Bridge

Song year: 2004

“In Loving Memory” by Alter Bridge is about losing someone you love.

Saying “goodbye” isn’t easy but if you’re ready to say it, this is a good song to listen to.

“Thanks for all you’ve done/I’ve missed you for so long/I can’t believe you’re gone and/You still live in me/I feel you in the wind/You guide me constantly.”

“Reminds Me Of You” by Van Morrison

Song year: 1999

Breaking up can be gut-wrenching.

The pain can be so intense that you’re not even sure what to do.

And, you begin to see all the mistakes you made.

These lyrics say it simply:

“I miss you so much, I can’t stand it/Seems like my heart, is breaking in two/My head says no but my soul demands it/Everything I do, reminds me of you.”