Losing a loved one is an incredibly painful experience, and in the journey of grief, music can offer profound comfort and understanding. If you’ve been navigating the difficult terrain of bereavement, you might find solace in a curated playlist of songs that speak directly to the heart of loss. This playlist, born from personal grief and a search for musical expression, explores Songs About Death that capture the complex emotions of this universal experience. If you are grieving, we hope these songs offer you some comfort and a sense of connection.
Visiting Hours – Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran’s “Visiting Hours” poignantly articulates a universal desire experienced in grief: the longing to visit and connect with those we have lost. The lyric, “I will close the door but I will open up my heart, and everyone I love will know exactly who you are,” encapsulates the yearning to keep the memory of a loved one alive. Before experiencing loss firsthand, the depth of this sentiment might be missed. Sheeran, a master songwriter, perfectly captures the ache for just one more visit, a simple wish to reconnect with those who are no longer physically present. The simple phrase “Come over anytime, I’ll be here,” once a comforting promise, now echoes with the pain of its impossibility. This song speaks to the heart of grief, the desire to transcend the boundaries of death and time to be with our loved ones again.
Joanne – Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga’s “Joanne” is a deeply personal tribute to her late aunt, Joanne Germanotta, who passed away due to complications from lupus. “Heaven’s not ready for you; every part of my aching heart needs you more than the angels do,” these lyrics resonate with the feeling of premature loss and the selfish desire to keep loved ones here with us. While Gaga never met Joanne, her aunt’s memory profoundly influenced her life and music. Writing this song became a way for Gaga to process her father’s grief over losing his sister. Although inspired by a specific family story, Gaga intended “Joanne” to resonate universally with anyone who has experienced loss. It wasn’t until personal bereavement that the song’s emotional weight truly landed. In moments of grief, particularly during quiet, reflective times, the opening lines hit with immense force. The feeling of being unprepared, of not being ready to let go, is a raw and relatable aspect of grieving that “Joanne” captures with sensitivity.
Marjorie – Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift’s “Marjorie,” from her Evermore album, is a touching homage to her grandmother, Marjorie Finlay. The lyrics, “Should have kept every grocery store receipt, cause every scrap of you would be taken from me,” beautifully express the desire to hold onto every fragment of a loved one’s memory. “Marjorie” celebrates the wisdom and guidance passed down through generations, immortalizing her grandmother’s advice: “never be so kind you forget to be clever, never be so clever you forget to be kind”/ “never be so polite you forget your power, never wield such power you forget to be polite.” The song poignantly conveys the longing to have known her grandmother even better, a sentiment that deeply resonates with the experience of grief. Often, after a loss, we discover new facets of our loved ones, leading to a poignant regret for not having explored those depths further. The line about keeping even the smallest mementos, like grocery receipts, speaks to the urge to preserve every tangible link to the departed. This desire to hold onto physical reminders becomes intensely strong in grief. Keeping objects that belonged to the deceased, like a fleece, a pin, a model plane, or bonsai trees, offers a tangible connection and a sense of continued presence. While the concept of grief stages may be debated, the tangible comfort derived from these small objects is undeniable.
Slipped Away – Avril Lavigne
Avril Lavigne’s “Slipped Away” is a raw and honest expression of grief’s pain. The lyrics, “I miss you. I miss you so bad. I don’t forget you. Oh, it’s so sad. I hope you can hear me, I remember it clearly. The day you slipped away was the day I found it won’t be the same,” encapsulate the core feelings of loss with stark simplicity. From her album Let Go, “Slipped Away” is a tribute to Lavigne’s grandfather and the regret of not saying goodbye due to being on tour at the time of his death. The power of this song lies in its directness. It avoids complex metaphors and grand pronouncements, instead focusing on the pure, unadulterated pain and longing that accompany grief. While the line “I never got to kiss you goodbye on the hand…” might not universally apply, the overwhelming emotional landscape of the song is deeply relatable. The song powerfully conveys the life-altering nature of loss. The moment of saying goodbye marks a definitive shift, a point of no return. The world changes irrevocably, even as mundane routines continue. The juxtaposition of profound internal change with the continuation of everyday actions creates a surreal and disorienting experience, perfectly captured in “Slipped Away.”
Monsters – James Blunt
James Blunt’s “Monsters” is a deeply moving song that confronts parental mortality. The lyrics, “No need to forgive, no need to forget, I know your mistakes and you know mine. And while you’re sleeping, I’ll try to make you proud, so Daddy, won’t you just close your eyes. Don’t be afraid, it’s my turn to chase the monsters away,” resonate with the complex emotions surrounding a parent’s illness and impending death. Blunt wrote “Monsters” as a tribute to his father, Charles, who was diagnosed with late-stage kidney disease. The song poignantly captures the shift in roles as children face their parents’ vulnerability and mortality. The song’s emotional impact is particularly potent for those who have confronted a parent’s health crisis. The fear of loss, the helplessness, and the surge of love and protectiveness are all palpable in “Monsters.” Experiencing a parent’s serious illness throws mortality into sharp relief, forcing a confrontation with the inevitable. Since losing a parent, the song’s power intensifies. The farewell letter style of the lyrics becomes even more poignant. The lines “I know your mistakes and you know mine” highlight the profound acceptance and unconditional love that transcends all else in moments of goodbye. In facing loss, trivialities fade away, and the focus sharpens on connection, forgiveness, and the simple desire to offer comfort and reassurance.
Sidelines – Phoebe Bridgers
Phoebe Bridgers’ “Sidelines,” while not explicitly about grief, evokes the emotional landscape of early bereavement. The lyrics, “Watching the world from the sidelines, had nothing to lose, till you came into my life, gave me something to lose,” capture the feeling of detachment from the world and the profound sense of vulnerability that loss introduces. Featured in the TV adaptation of Conversations With Friends, “Sidelines” became intertwined with a period of personal grief. Although the show itself might not be universally acclaimed, its themes of relationships and emotional complexities resonated deeply during a time of heightened sensitivity. The lyrics take on new meaning in the context of bereavement. The feeling of observing life from a distance, of being unable to fully engage while consumed by grief, is powerfully conveyed. “Sidelines” also touches upon the stark realization of life’s fragility and brevity that often accompanies loss. Grief can bring a sharpened awareness of what truly matters and a poignant understanding of what we stand to lose.
Home to You – Sigrid
Sigrid’s “Home to You” embodies comfort and refuge in times of distress. The lyrics, “When I don’t know what to say, when I don’t know what to do, would it be okay if I came home to you?” express the deep need for solace and safe haven that grief amplifies. This song carries personal significance, linked to the loss of a cherished friend to pancreatic cancer. Hearing “Home to You” shortly after his death, and then again at his funeral, created a powerful emotional connection. It became a poignant reminder of happy memories and a comforting permission to grieve. Since experiencing further bereavement, the song’s meaning has deepened. “Home to You” now resonates not only with the memory of a childhood friend but also with the longing for the comforting presence of a parent. The feeling of unconditional welcome, of “Come over anytime, I’ll be here,” associated with a loved one, becomes intensely poignant in their absence. The image of an empty armchair, once a symbol of steadfast presence, now serves as a stark reminder of loss and the yearning for the comfort of “home.”
Ronan (Taylor’s Version) – Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift’s “Ronan” is a heart-wrenching masterpiece dedicated to the loss of a child. The lyrics, “Flowers pile up in the worst way, no one knows what to say,” capture the isolating and bewildering aspects of grief experienced by those surrounding the bereaved. “Ronan” tells the story of three-year-old Ronan Thompson, who died from neuroblastoma in 2011. Swift wrote the song using excerpts from his mother, Maya’s blog, which documented his illness and journey. The song, featured on Red (Taylor’s Version), is a powerful testament to a mother’s grief and a child’s lost potential. Certain lines in “Ronan” resonate deeply with the broader experience of grief. The image of well-intentioned but ultimately inadequate condolences, “flowers pile up in the worst way, no one knows what to say,” reflects the common feeling of isolation in grief. The line “what if I’m standing in your closet trying to talk to you” speaks to the yearning for continued connection and the ways we seek to maintain a relationship with the departed, even in their physical absence. These seemingly small acts, like talking to bonsai trees, are expressions of enduring love and the human need to find ways to keep the connection alive.
Bigger Than the Whole Sky – Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift’s “Bigger Than the Whole Sky,” from her Midnights (3am Edition) album, is an unexpected and emotionally devastating exploration of loss. The lyrics, “Did some force take you because I didn’t pray? Every single thing to come has turned into ashes, cause it’s all over, it’s not meant to be, so I’ll say words I don’t believe,” delve into the questions, regrets, and disbelief that often accompany grief. While fan interpretations suggest the song may be about pregnancy loss, its themes of profound loss and the feeling of time being insufficient resonate universally. “Bigger Than the Whole Sky” captures the raw ache of wishing for more time, of realizing the irreplaceable nature of what has been lost. The song evokes the immediate and visceral reaction to loss, the way grief can overwhelm and leave one questioning everything. The feeling of wanting more time, of wishing for just one more moment, is a common thread in the grieving process, and Swift articulates this with poignant vulnerability, often prompting tears and a deep emotional release.
Blackbird – The Beatles
The Beatles’ “Blackbird” offers a message of hope and resilience within grief. The lyrics, “Take these broken wings and learn to fly,” speak to the process of healing and finding strength after loss. Discovering a loved one’s deep appreciation for The Beatles after their death can create a profound and bittersweet connection. “Blackbird,” along with “In My Life,” chosen for a funeral, became intensely meaningful. While many Beatles songs now evoke memories, “Blackbird,” in particular, with its opening chords, triggers a deep emotional response. The song, though not explicitly about death, becomes intertwined with grief, forever linked to the memory of loss and the slow, difficult journey towards healing. “Blackbird” offers a sense of hope amidst sorrow, suggesting that even with “broken wings,” it is possible to “learn to fly” again, to find a way forward through grief.
This grief playlist, featuring songs about death and loss, offers a spectrum of emotions and experiences related to bereavement. Music can be a powerful companion in grief, providing solace, understanding, and a sense of shared experience. You can listen to the full Grief Playlist over on Spotify. What songs have helped you through times of grief and loss? Share your experiences in the comments below.
