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Honor and remember them with these songs about grief and loss
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After the death of a loved one, many people turn to music to help them heal and make sense of their loss. Luckily, musicians across genres have released thoughtful and nuanced songs about grief, death, and missing someone who isn’t around anymore, and these songs can often help mourners feel less alone. We’ve done a deep dive into the best options and compiled them all in a list for you. Whether you’re looking for a song to play at a loved one’s funeral or simply looking for a song to help you work through your own feelings, this list is sure to have something that resonates with you.

Songs About the Death of a Loved One

  • “See You Again” by Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth
  • “Marjorie” by Taylor Swift
  • “Supermarket Flowers” by Ed Sheeran
  • “Who Knew” by P!nk
  • “Wake Me Up When September Ends” by Green Day
  • “Candle in the Wind” by Elton John
  • “Heaven” by Beyoncé
1

“See You Again” by Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth

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  1. This pop/rap song was featured on the soundtrack for the movie Furious 7 , and it was written to honor actor Paul Walker, who passed away before the film was released. [1] The heartfelt, poignant lyrics of the song’s chorus really capture the feeling of saying goodbye to someone you love, and they resonate deeply with many mourners.
    • Notable lyric: “It’s been a long day without you, my friend / and I’ll tell you all about it when I see you again.”
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2

“Candle in the Wind” by Elton John

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  1. This song is about honoring someone’s legacy after they’re gone. Songwriter Bernie Taupin originally wrote the pop ballad as a tribute to Marilyn Monroe, but after the passing of Princess Diana, singer Elton John also recorded a second version to honor her. [2] “Candle in the Wind” is a song about losing someone too soon, but it also shares a beautiful message of remembrance and thankfulness that someone existed.
    • Notable lyric: “Your candle burned out long before your legend ever did.”
3

“Tears in Heaven” by Eric Clapton

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  1. “Tears in Heaven” is about the experience of losing a child. Written about the tragic death of musician Eric Clapton’s young son, this folk song is one of the most heart wrenching explorations of grief out there. [3] Though the track is an incredibly sad tearjerker, songs like these can often be strangely comforting when processing the loss of a loved one—they show you you’re not alone, and they put a name to some of the difficult feelings you’re experiencing.
    • Notable lyric: “Beyond the door, / there’s peace, I’m sure / and I know there’ll be no more / tears in heaven.”
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4

“Supermarket Flowers” by Ed Sheeran

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  1. “Supermarket Flowers” is about Ed Sheeran’s late grandmother. Sheeran has explained that he wrote this pop ballad from his mom’s perspective, and he sees it as a tribute to his grandmother. [4] It’s a heartbreaking but beautiful illustration of the experience of losing someone you love that may make mourners feel less alone in their grief.
    • Notable lyric: “A heart that’s broke is a heart that’s been loved.”
5

“Who Knew” by P!nk

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  1. “Who Knew” is a heartbreaking song about losing a loved one. P!nk wrote the 2006 pop-rock song about a very close friend who died of an overdose when they were teenagers. Over the years, the song has taken on many different meanings to P!nk, who now sees it as a tribute to other lost loved ones, like her grandmother and her dog, when she performs it. [5] You may find that this powerful and moving track resonates with your specific situation, too.
    • Notable lyric: “I’ll keep you locked in my head / until we meet again.”
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6

“Wake Me Up When September Ends” by Green Day

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  1. This song is an honest and vulnerable exploration of grief. Lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong wrote the rock track about his father, who passed away when Armstrong was 10 years old. After the funeral, Armstrong went to his room and told his mother, “Wake me up when September ends.” The song captures the unavoidability and persistence of grief, and it can really be a comfort for people who are going through this experience.
    • Notable lyric: “As my memory rests / but never forgets what I lost / wake me up when September ends.”
7

“Marjorie” by Taylor Swift

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  1. Taylor Swift wrote this alternative/indie song in remembrance of her grandmother, Marjorie Finlay, an opera singer who inspired Swift to follow in her footsteps. [6] Filled with heartfelt lyrics, beautiful melodies, and haunting instrumentation, “Marjorie” is a wonderful song to listen to if you’re working through the feelings of losing your grandmother (or another person who was important to you).
    • Notable lyric: “What died didn’t stay dead / you’re alive, you’re alive in my head.”
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8

“i saw you in a dream” by The Japanese House

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  1. This song captures the feeling of longing for someone who’s passed away. Singer Amber Bain wrote the alternative/indie track about someone she knew when she was younger, who ended up passing away. Bain had a dream about this person that left a deep impression on her, so she wrote a song about that experience. [7] There’s an upbeat version of the song, but the more stripped-back, acoustic version that appears on her album Good at Falling is especially haunting and poignant.
    • Notable lyric: “I saw you in a dream, you came to me / you were the sweetest apparition, such a pretty vision.”
9

“Nana” by The 1975

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  1. “Nana” by The 1975 is an honest, vulnerable song about grief. Lead singer Matty Healy wrote this alternative/indie song about the death of his grandmother, and his strong emotion shines through in his moving lyrics and soft vocal performance. [8] “Nana” is beautiful, sad, and comforting all at once, and it’s a great choice if you’re trying to cope with difficult feelings after the loss of a grandparent.
    • Notable lyric: “If I live past seventy-two, I hope I’m half as cool as you.”
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10

“My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion

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  1. This song is about remembering a romantic partner who passed away. Written for the 1997 movie Titanic, the pop ballad “My Heart Will Go On” is inspired by the tragic love story of Jack and Rose. [9] The lyrics are haunting and poignant, and they remind us that our loved ones are never truly gone, even if we can’t see them.
    • Notable lyric: “You are safe in my heart / and my heart will go on and on.”
11

“Knockin' on Heaven’s Door” by Bob Dylan

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  1. “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” is one of the most legendary songs about death out there. The folk/rock track was written for the soundtrack of the movie Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid , and it appeared in a scene featuring the death of a character named Slim Pickens. [10] Though it has a heavy subject matter, the song also offers a strange sort of comfort. It reminds us of the universality and unavoidability of death; in other words, we’re all in it together.
    • Notable lyric: “It’s getting dark, too dark to see / I feel I’m knockin’ on heaven’s door.”
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12

“Angel” by Sarah McLachlan

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  1. This song is about finding peace in the midst of loss. Losing a loved one is always difficult, and sometimes mourners find themselves praying for any sort of comfort they can find in this dark period. Sarah McLachlan’s pop ballad “Angel” is about exactly this, and the song’s honest lyrics and beautiful melody capture the experience perfectly. [11]
    • Notable lyric: “Let me be empty, / oh, and weightless and maybe / I’ll find some peace tonight / in the arms of the angel.”
13

“Landslide" by Fleetwood Mac

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  1. “Landslide” is a classic about the inevitability of change. Though it isn’t necessarily about death or grief, this folk/rock song is a beautiful illustration of the growth and transformation we must undergo when we’re confronted with a major life change. [12] This message can really resonate with someone who’s navigating the loss of a loved one.
    • Notable lyric: “Well I’ve been afraid of changing / ‘cause I’ve built my life around you / but time makes you bolder / even children get older / and I’m getting older too.”
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14

“In My Life” by The Beatles

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  1. “In My Life” is a beautiful song about loss and change. This classic rock track is filled with nostalgia for the way things were, but it’s also filled with a sense of peace and appreciation for the good times shared. It’s an ultimately uplifting song that can bring a lot of comfort to someone who’s experiencing grief .
    • Notable lyric: “Some are dead and some are living / in my life, I’ve loved them all.”
15

“Fix You” by Coldplay

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  1. Chris Martin, the lead singer of Coldplay, reportedly wrote the pop ballad about his experience of supporting his then-wife Gwyneth Paltrow after the loss of her father. [13] The song is filled with choirs and organ sounds reminiscent of a church service, so it’s a great choice if you’re looking for something sweeping and cinematic.
    • Notable lyric: “Lights will guide you home / and ignite your bones / and I will try to fix you.”
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16

“Wind Beneath My Wings” by Bette Midler

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  1. This song is all about showing appreciation for a friend who’s passed. This pop ballad was recorded by several other artists in the 1980s, but Bette Midler’s rendition for the movie Beaches ended up being the most well-known version. Midler’s character sings the song after her best friend passes away, and the combination of her emotional performance and the song’s heartfelt lyrics makes this track a true classic.
    • Notable lyric: “Did you ever know that you’re my hero / and everything I would like to be? / I can fly higher than an eagle / for you are the wind beneath my wings.” [14]
17

“I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston

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  1. “I Will Always Love You” is about love living on even after a separation. It was originally recorded by Dolly Parton, but Whitney Houston’s stunning version for the movie The Bodyguard also became an instant classic when it was released. Although the pop ballad is technically about ending a romantic relationship, this sentiment can still resonate very deeply with someone who is coping with the death of a friend, family member, or significant other.
    • Notable lyric: “I wish you joy and happiness / but above all this, I wish you love / and I will always love you.”
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18

“Hurt” by Johnny Cash

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  1. Johnny Cash’s “Hurt” is actually a cover of the Nine Inch Nails original. The song was first released in 1995 by the rock band Nine Inch Nails, but Cash recorded a stripped-down country version in 2002. Cash, who was 71 at the time, also released a music video that showed footage from the early days of his career, and he passed away shortly after. As a result, Cash’s version of the song is often seen as a vulnerable exploration of the end of a person’s life. [15]
    • Notable lyric: “If I could start again / a million miles away / I would keep myself / I would find a way.”
19

“Bridge Over Troubled Water” by Simon and Garfunkel

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  1. This heartfelt song is about supporting a friend through a tough time. In the lyrics of this folk/rock track , Paul Simon compares the experience of helping someone through a difficult period to being a “bridge over troubled water.” It’s a beautiful sentiment about the importance of friendship in times of tragedy, which will likely resonate with anyone who is leaning on their support network as they navigate their grief.
    • Notable: “Like a bridge over troubled water / I will lay me down.”
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20

“Blackbird” by The Beatles

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  1. This Beatles song is a beloved classic. When writing the classic rock song, Paul McCartney was inspired by the Little Rock Nine, a group of Black students who were central in the fight to desegregate public schools in Arkansas during the Civil Rights Movement. Though “Blackbird” isn’t specifically about the experience of losing a loved one, its thoughtful lyrics and uplifting message can be very comforting in times of grief.
    • Notable lyric: “Blackbird singing in the dead of night / take these broken wings and learn to fly / all your life / you were only waiting for this moment to arise.”
21

“If I Die Young” by The Band Perry

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  1. According to the songwriter Kimberly Perry, who penned the country song when she was just a teenager, it was written as a sort of prayer. She was thinking about everything she hoped to achieve in her life, while also expressing acceptance about the fact that things could end in the blink of an eye. [16] Though the song has heavy themes, it also brings a sense of peace about the unpredictability of life.
    • Notable lyric: “Send me away with the words of a love song.”
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22

“The Night We Met” by Lord Huron

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  1. “The Night We Met” is a nostalgic track about lost love. Though this alternative/indie track is technically about a romantic breakup, the themes of loss and longing for the past can definitely resonate with people who are navigating the death of a loved one .
    • Notable lyric: “I don’t know what I’m supposed to do / haunted by the ghost of you / take me back to the night we met.” [17]
23

“Funeral” by Phoebe Bridgers

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  1. “Funeral” is a deeply vulnerable and introspective song. Bridgers wrote this alternative/indie song about the death of a close friend, and it opens with lyrics about how she will be singing at his funeral the next day. [18] Though “Funeral” is incredibly heavy and sad, it really captures the nuances of grief, which can help mourners feel less alone if they’re going through something similar.
    • Notable lyric: “I’m singin’ at a funeral tomorrow / for a kid a year older than me / and I’ve been talking to his dad, it makes me so sad / when I think too much about it, I can’t breathe.”
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24

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  1. This song is about the universal experience of losing loved ones. Lead singer Ben Gibbard has explained that the indie/folk track is about the fact that we are all going to lose people in life, and that we too will pass away someday. [19] Though this may seem like a very heavy subject matter, the song manages to bring an energy of peace and acceptance about this, and as a result, it can actually be very comforting.
    • Notable lyric: “There’s nothing to cry about, / ‘cause we’ll hold each other soon.”
25

“Bigger Than the Whole Sky” by Taylor Swift

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  1. This song is about losing someone too early. Swift doesn’t explicitly explain the type of loss she’s referring to, but after interpreting the lyrics, many fans have speculated that the synth-pop song could be about miscarriage or the death of a loved one who was gone too soon. [20] Swift’s heartfelt lyrics and beautiful melody offer some brightness in the midst of such a heavy topic, and many people going through these experiences have found comfort in the song .
    • Notable lyric: “Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye / you were bigger than the whole sky / you were more than just a short time.”
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26

“Heaven” by Beyoncé

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  1. “Heaven” explores the experience of finding peace in loss. According to Beyoncé, this pop/R&B track is “about death and finding strength in knowing that someone had an incredible life and that giving you some type of closure.” [21] It’s a powerful and moving sentiment that will likely resonate deeply with anyone going through the loss of a loved one.
    • Notable lyric: “Heaven couldn’t wait for you, / so go on, go home.”
27

“Last Kiss” by Pearl Jam

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  1. This tragic song is about a man whose girlfriend passes away. It was originally recorded by a few different artists in the 1960s, but it didn’t have major commercial success. After finding the song at a record shop in the 1990s, Eddie Vedder, the lead singer of Pearl Jam, ended up recording a rock version with his band. This cover became a surprise hit, likely due to its heartfelt and sincere exploration of grief and longing for someone who has passed away. [22]
    • Notable lyric: “The Lord took her away from me / she’s gone to heaven, so I gotta be good / so I can see my baby when I leave this world.”
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28

“Songbird” by Fleetwood Mac

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  1. Written by band member Christine McVie, the folk song explores the themes of selflessness and unconditional love. [23] Although “Songbird” isn’t necessarily about the death of a loved one, it definitely captures the feeling of loving someone with your whole heart and longing for them to be at peace, which can resonate deeply with someone who’s navigating grief.
    • Notable lyric: “For you, there’ll be no more crying / for you, the sun will be shining.”
29

“I Will Remember You” by Sarah McLachlan

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  1. This Sarah McLachlan song is a moving exploration of remembrance. This adult contemporary song is all about cherishing past memories and finding peace with the fact that someone isn’t there anymore, whether this be because of a breakup or a death. It’s a universal feeling, and because of this, the song can bring comfort in lots of different situations. [24]
    • Notable lyric: “I will remember you / will you remember me? / Don’t let your life pass you by / weep not for the memories.”
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30

“Gone, Gone, Gone” by Phillip Phillips

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  1. “Gone, gone, gone” is about the enduring power of love. In the verses of this pop song , Phillips sings about supporting someone through the tough times and being there for them no matter what, which is a beautiful sentiment for someone who is dealing with grief . [25]
    • Notable lyric: “I’ll love you long after you’re gone, gone, gone.”
31

“Who You’d Be Today” by Kenny Chesney

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  1. This song imagines what someone would be like if they were still alive. Most people who’ve lost a loved one have likely had this exact thought before, so this country track will likely resonate very deeply for them. The lyrics are heartfelt and tragic, but also hopeful, as they suggest that the departed person’s presence is still around.
    • Notable lyric: “Some days the sky’s so blue / I feel like I can talk to you.”
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32

“See You Again” by Carrie Underwood

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  1. “See You Again” is about moving forward after losing someone. Originally written for the movie The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader , the country song expresses the hope that we’ll be able to reunite with loved ones who passed away someday. [26] It conveys a hopeful and comforting message for those who may be struggling to cope with loss.
    • Notable lyric: “I will see you again / this is not where it ends / I will carry you with me / ‘til I see you again.”
33

“Ronan” by Taylor Swift

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  1. “Ronan” is a song about losing a child to cancer. The pop ballad was inspired by 3-year-old Ronan Thompson, who passed away as a result of neuroblastoma in 2011. Swift was an avid follower of Ronan’s mom’s blog, which detailed Ronan’s experience, so she penned the song as a tribute to Ronan after he passed away. This heartbreaking, sincere track may be a source of comfort for those who are in similar situations. [27]
    • Notable lyric: “Come on baby with me, we’re gonna fly away from here / you were my best four years.”
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34

“Slipped Away” by Avril Lavigne

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  1. This heartfelt song is a tribute to Avril Lavigne’s grandfather. Lavigne and her grandfather shared a very close relationship, so she had a difficult time when he passed away during her “Try to Shut Me Up” tour. She wrote this rock track as a tribute to him and their connection. [28]
    • Notable lyric: “The day you slipped away / was the day I found / It won’t be the same.”
35

“Hurt” by Christina Aguilera

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  1. “Hurt” is about the experience of losing a father. Songwriter Linda Perry penned this pop ballad about her own father, who passed away shortly after they had an argument. In the song’s lyrics, Perry expresses her regret that she never got to apologize to her father, and she takes the opportunity to say all the things she would have said if she had a chance. Many people who have lost their father (or another loved one) can likely relate to this sentiment, and this honest, vulnerable song can help them feel less alone.
    • Notable lyric: “There’s nothing I wouldn’t do / to have just one more chance / to look into your eyes / and see you looking back.” [29]
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36

“One More Light” by Linkin Park

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  1. In an interview, band member Mike Shinoda explained that this pop/rock track was inspired by the experience of losing a friend to cancer. He expressed that the song is about the importance of letting people know how much you care in the midst of a traumatic experience. [30]
    • Notable lyric: “Who cares if one more light goes out? / Well, I do.”
37

“Wish You Were Here” by Pink Floyd

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  1. “Wish You Were Here” is about missing someone who isn’t around. Though it isn’t necessarily about the specific experience of losing a loved one, the song’s themes of loss and longing are definitely relevant in this situation, and it’s a great choice for people who are fans of rock music.
    • Notable lyric: “How I wish, how I wish you were here /We’re just two lost souls swimming in a fishbowl, year after year.” [31]
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38

“Ghost” by Justin Bieber

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  1. Justin Bieber’s “Ghost” is about losing someone important to you. Songwriter Jon Bellion has mentioned that he wrote “Ghost” about his grandmother who passed away, and singer Justin Bieber also lost his grandfather around this time, and both of these experiences are thought to be inspirations for the track. This pop song came out during the COVID-19 pandemic, and Bieber has expressed that the song also resonated because social distancing protocols meant that people couldn’t be as close to each other as they’d like. [32]
    • Notable lyric: “If I can’t be close to you / I’ll settle for the ghost of you / I miss you more than life.”
39

“100 Years” by Five for Fighting

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  1. “100 Years” is about the different stages of life. The lyrics include snapshots of what life looks like at different ages, including 15, 22, 33, 45, and 99. [33] This pop ballad is a poignant and thought-provoking track about the passage of time and finding meaning in each unique era you go through.
    • Notable lyric: “There’s never a wish better than this / when you only got a hundred years to live.”
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40

“Somewhere Over the Rainbow” by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole

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  1. Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s version of this classic is hopeful and uplifting. He sings the lyrics to “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” over a beautiful ukulele instrumental, breathing new life into the Wizard of Oz classic. When Kamakawiwo’ole passed away four years later, his producer put out a music video for the track as a sort of tribute to him, and the song has since been a popular choice at memorials and celebrations of life. [34]
    • Notable lyric: “Where trouble melts like lemon drops / high above the chimney tops / that’s where you’ll find me.”
41

“One Sweet Day” by Mariah Carey & Boyz II Men

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  1. Mariah Carey’s “One Sweet Day” is about losing a close friend. After the death of her collaborator David Cole, Carey wrote this contemporary R&B song as a tribute to him. [35] It encompasses all the complicated emotions that come with grief, including regret for things left unsaid, and hope for a reunion someday in the future.
    • Notable lyric: “I know you’re shining down on me from heaven / like so many friends we’ve lost along the way / and I know eventually we’ll be together / one sweet day.”
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42

“Always On My Mind” by Willie Nelson

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  1. “Always On My Mind” is a song about regret and wanting to apologize. Although this country track isn’t specifically about the experience of someone dying, many people who lose loved ones experience regrets about things they didn’t say or things they didn’t make right. As a result, Willie Nelson’s heartfelt, emotional track can provide some comfort and make mourners feel less alone.
    • Notable lyric: “Little things I should have said and done / I just never took the time / but you were always on my mind.” [36]
43

“Tracks of My Tears” by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles

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  1. Many people who have lost a loved one can relate to the experience of putting on a brave face in public while struggling with grief privately, so this R&B/soul track may deeply resonate with people in this situation.
    • Notable lyric: “So take a good look at my face / you’ll see my smile looks out of place.” [37]
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44

“Joanne” by Lady Gaga

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  1. This pop/country song’s title is a reference to Gaga’s late aunt, Joanne Germanotta. Although she never got a chance to meet Joanne , who passed away from lupus at just 19 years old, Lady Gaga cites her aunt as a major inspiration. Joanne was a poet and painter, and her legacy played an important role in Lady Gaga becoming an artist herself. [38]
    • Notable lyric: “Take my hand, stay Joanne / heaven’s not ready for you.”
45

“Not About Angels” by Birdy

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  1. “Not About Angels” is about love and loss. The pop/folk track appeared on the soundtrack for the film The Fault in Our Stars , which tells the story of two teenagers with cancer falling in love. [39] The lyrics explore the feeling of loving someone so deeply that you don’t want to let them go, which is a pretty universal experience for those who are grieving.
    • Notable lyric: “If your heart was full of love, could you give it up?”
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46

“Welcome To The Black Parade” by My Chemical Romance

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  1. This epic rock song is about facing darkness bravely. The lyrics of this rock/pop-punk song follow a fictional character referred to as “The Patient” as he journeys through death and the afterlife. Lead singer Gerard Way has described it as a song about “the triumph of the human spirit over darkness,” which is a pretty empowering and uplifting message for someone who is dealing with grief . [40]
    • Notable lyric: “And though you’re dead and gone, believe me / your memory will carry on.” [41]
47

“I’ll Never Love Again” by Lady Gaga

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  1. “I’ll Never Love Again” is about losing a romantic partner. The heartbreaking pop ballad was featured in the 2018 movie A Star Is Born . It’s a very sad, heavy song that appears in a similarly heavy scene in the film, but it puts a very difficult experience into words. As a result, it may help people who are going through the same thing and remind them that they aren’t alone.
    • Notable lyric: “Don’t want to feel another touch / don’t want to start another life / Don’t want to know another kiss / no other name falling off my lips.” [42]
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48

“I’ll Cover You (Reprise)” from Rent

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  1. “I’ll Cover You” is a heartbreaking song from the musical Rent . The character Collins sings this song after his partner Angel passes away, and the moving, emotional lyrics capture the enduring power of love, even after death. It’s definitely a tearjerker, but it’s also beautiful and uplifting.
    • Notable lyric: “Oh lover, I’ll cover you.” [43]
49

“It’s Quiet Uptown” from Hamilton

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  1. “It’s Quiet Uptown” is about the experience of losing a child. The song is from the musical Hamilton , and it occurs after the death of Eliza and Alexander’s son, Philip. The lyrics explore the unimaginable pain that comes with this type of loss, and the path to healing afterward. It’s a very sad song, but it captures these difficult emotions in a very powerful way, so it may bring comfort to people in this situation.
    • Notable lyric: “If you see him in the street / walking by her side, talking by her side, have pity / they are going through the unimaginable.” [44]
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50

“For Good” from Wicked

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  1. Sung by the characters Elphaba and Glinda, the song is a fan favorite from the second act of the musical Wicked . It explores the deep, meaningful effects of a true friendship. Although the song isn’t necessarily about the real-life experience of losing a loved one to death, its themes definitely resonate in this situation.
    • Notable lyric: “Who can say if I’ve been changed for the better / but because I knew you / I have been changed for good.” [45]

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