Of all the themes explored through music, long lost love is by far the most popular one. Whether it’s a passionate and irrational love that originated spontaneously from an adventure, or a fairytale romance that ended tragically because of different factors, our feelings for someone else translate perfectly into the art of music.
These are just a few of the many great songs that you can dedicate to your long-lost love. I hope you find the perfect one to express your feelings.
Adele – “When We Were Young”
This song is the perfect example of Adele’s musical talent for taking about former lovers. Her style is perfect for those moments when we think about what could have been, or why it had to end like that. Adele’s songs can sometimes bring you down to tears, but they also give us hope, telling us there is someone out there waiting for us. If Adele has touched your heart, you’re going to like the following songs about lost love.
Blink 182 – “I Miss You”
Blink-182’s “I Miss You” is one of the most iconic pop-punk songs of all time. The song is a catchy and bittersweet anthem about missing a lost love, and it features some of the band’s most memorable lyrics, such as “I miss you, I miss you / Where are you, and I hear you / Voice of treason now I have you all figured out.”
Charlie Puth – “We Don’t Talk Anymore”
Charlie Puth’s song is on this list because it’s dedicated to a lost love who has moved on and is now with someone else. His inner conflict is very relatable for anyone who still has feelings for an ex. Sometimes, it takes time to learn to let go of that person who we once shared intimate moments, secrets, and love with. He sings ¨I just heard you found the one you’ve been looking … I wish I would have known that wasn’t me, cuz even after all this time I still wonder, why I can’t move on just the way you did so easily?¨ You can sense his frustration because the feeling of seeing the person you love being with someone new is not only painful, but also devastating. He then reminisces about their past love, and holds on to the hope that she will one day come back to him.
Avril Lavigne – “Wish You Were Here”
Avril Lavigne’s “Wish You Were Here” is a heartfelt and emotional song about longing for a lost love. The lyrics of “Wish You Were Here” are both relatable and poignant. Lavigne sings about the pain of missing someone you love, and the longing to have them back in your life. The song’s chorus is particularly powerful, with Lavigne repeatedly singing “I wish you were here.”
Lady Antebellum – “Need You Now”
The lyrics of “Need You Now” are about the pain of regret and longing for a lost love. The song’s chorus is particularly powerful, with the singers repeatedly singing “I need you now.”
Lady Gaga – “Million Reasons”
In her documentary, Five Foot Two, Lady Gaga talks about her past relationships and the challenges she had to overcome, like her illness, in order to stay strong. Gaga associates her break ups to difficult moments of her life, like when she and her former fiancé called off their wedding. “Million Reasons” is the perfect example of a song about a past relationship that could have lasted longer, but not enough commitment or will was put into it. She sings “I’ve got a hundred million reasons to walk away but baby I just need one good one to stay,” telling us that despite the frustration in their relationship, there was still a possibility, a window, to save it, but there are things that not even love can fix.
Toni Braxton – “Un-Break My Heart”
Toni Braxton’s “Un-Break My Heart” is a soul-stirring ballad. The lyrics of “Un-Break My Heart” are about the pain of heartbreak and the longing for reconciliation. Braxton’s powerful vocals convey the raw emotion of the lyrics perfectly, and the song’s timeless melody makes it a truly unforgettable listening experience.
Michael Bublé – “Home”
Michael Bublé’s “Home” is a beautiful and moving ballad that was released in 2005 as the lead single from his fourth studio album, It’s Time. The song was written by Bublé, along with co-writers Alan Chang and Amy Foster-Gillies. The lyrics of “Home” are about the longing for a loved one who is far away. The song’s chorus is particularly powerful.
Kelly Clarckson – “Since U Been Gone”
Kelly Clarkson’s “Since U Been Gone” is a pop-rock song that was released in 2004 as the lead single from her second studio album, Breakaway. The song was written and produced by Max Martin and Lukasz “Dr. Luke” Gottwald, and it quickly became a massive hit, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States and winning two Grammy Awards, including Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.
Gavin DeGraw – “Not Over You”
Gavin DeGraw’s “Not Over You” is a soulful pop-rock song that was released in 2004 as the lead single from his debut studio album, Chariot. “Not Over You” is a well-crafted and emotionally resonant song that has resonated with listeners for years. It is a song about heartbreak, but it is also a song about hope and the possibility of moving on. The song’s catchy melody and DeGraw’s powerful vocals make it a truly unforgettable listening experience.
Pink Floyd – “Wish You Were Here”
Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here” is a haunting and atmospheric song that was released in 1975. “Wish You Were Here” is a must-listen for any fan of Pink Floyd or anyone who has ever experienced loss. It is a song that is sure to stay with you long after you hear it.
The reason why there are so many songs about past loves is because during our solitary and lonely moments, we tend to remember those times that brought us joy. However, we fail to remember that love is still out there, waiting for us to go get it. In Adele’s “Someone Like You,” for instance, she talks about a broken heart that cries about losing a relationship that she couldn’t stay away from or resist. It reminds us that we make our decisions based on moments, and that sometimes the best solution for a complicated relationship is to break up. If those hearts get back together, it’s because it’s meant to be – if not, it’s because life has other plans for us.
