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SevenPonds / Music to Express Love & Loss / Songs About People Who Have Died

Songs About People Who Have Died

These tribute songs celebrate specific individuals who’ve passed away. They show how music can immortalize memories and keep our loved ones’ spirits alive in our hearts forever.

“See You Again”

By Carrie Underwood

Some songs about death convey the anguish of loss, resonating with sadness and poignant recollections of the one who has…

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"Joanne"

By Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga’s life was deeply influenced by her aunt, Joanne Stefani Germanotta, who died at age 19 from complications of …

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“Prayer”

By Lizzie West

Named Breakout Artist of the Year by AOL and Entertainment Weekly in 2003, Lizzie West is largely unknown today. Yet she…

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“Visiting Hours”

By Ed Sheeran

There are relationships that we have with friends and mentors that we simply don’t want to end, and Ed Sheeran’s “Visiti…

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"Soul Sweet Song"

By Tedeschi Trucks Band

Tedeschi Trucks Band, a musical powerhouse formed by the marriage of blues guitar virtuoso Derek Trucks and soulful voca…

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Album cover of Lou Reed's Magic and Loss

"Cremation (Ashes to Ashes)"

By Lou Reed

Lou Reed’s signature lyrical style – a mixture of stark realism with dreamy symbolism – is why fans consider him as much…

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"Life Goes On"

By Tupac Shakur

On the surface, “Life Goes On” by Tupac Shakur is a gritty ode to the people we lose during a lifetime. But beneath the …

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"Hallelujah"

By Haim

In 2019, Haim, the pop rock band made up of three sisters from California, released the song “Hallelujah.” This acoustic…

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"Long Live the Queen"

By Frank Turner

When British singer-songwriter Frank Turner’s friend Lex succumbed to breast cancer, he penned a beautiful tribute, “Lon…

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“Silver”

By Ric Ocasek

Ocasek wrote “Silver” shortly after the death of his friend and fellow musician, Ben Orr. The duo had co-founded the Car…

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“If Ever”

By Paula Fuga

In “If Ever,” Hawaiian singer Paula Fuga’s throaty vocals and trademark ukulele blend with Jack Johnson’s laid-back styl…

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cover art ill stay with you when you die by nico yaran

"I'll Stay With You When You Die"

By Nico Yaryan

Nico Yaryan is longing on his 2016 debut album “What a Tease.” The whole album is fueled by heartbreak retold nearly ide…

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"What About Heaven"

By Mustafa

The 2021 album “When Smoke Rises,” from 24-year-old poet and singer/songwriter Mustafa, is a collection of songs memoria…

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"Shine on You Crazy Diamond"

By Pink Floyd

There is no better song to remember a loved one by than the masterpiece send-off that is Pink Floyd’s “Shine on You Craz…

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“Vincent”

By Don McLean

On an autumn morning in 1970, singer-songwriter Don McLean was sitting on the porch and reading a biography of Vincent v…

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"Nothing Compares 2 U"

By Prince

Prince wrote the song in 1985 for The Family, a band he was producing at the time. The track failed to top the charts, h…

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“Ocean Breathes Salty”

By Modest Mouse

Modest Mouse, an indie rock band that hails from the Northeast, built their 30-year career on a unique sound combining p…

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"Heaven"

By Beyoncé

In “Heaven,” pop icon Beyoncé employs her powerful vocals in an expression of grief, mourning – and acceptance. In the f…

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Charlie Brown Christmas album eases grief

"A Charlie Brown Christmas"

By Bill Melendez

“A Charlie Brown Christmas” an animated, half-hour special starring the Peanuts gang, first aired on December 9th, 1965….

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Kenny Chesney album Road and the Radio

"Who You'd Be Today"

By Kenny Chesney

“Who You’d Be Today,” a 2005 country song recorded by country music superstar Kenny Chesney, addresses the grief of the …

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"Life Without You"

By Stevie Ray Vaughan

The death of a loved one is a harrowing experience. Sometimes the grief is so overwhelming that it’s difficult to know t…

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Madonna cover art for I'll remember single

"I'll Remember"

By Madonna

Madonna, the iconic singer/songwriter/actress/entrepreneur, has been known for pushing the boundaries of popular music a…

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"The Last Carnival"

By Bruce Springsteen

Bruce Springsteen wrote, “The Last Carnival: A Farewell to Danny” after the death of longtime bandmate Danny Federici. F…

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"Black Gives Way To Blue"

By Alice in Chains

“It’s a really intense song and a really open-hearted song because of Layne and the experience that we all went through,…

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"Empty Chairs at Empty Tables"

By Claude-Michel Schönberg

In the show, one of the characters, Marius, has joined a student revolution to try to improve the quality of life for th…

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The album cover for Chris Cornell's solo record Euphoria Mourning, featuring a close up photo of his face

"Wave Goodbye"

By Chris Cornell

Almost 20 years before his own untimely death, Chris Cornell penned a beautiful tribute to his friend and fellow musicia…

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"If"

By Bread

It’s often difficult to put into words how much you care for someone important in your life. Many of us squander the sma…

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"Footprints in the Sand"

By Leona Lewis

Leona Lewis’ 2007 pop song “Footprints in the Sand” is about more than just a stroll along the beach. The track, which c…

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"Thank You"

By Johnny Reid

When the heart is too full for words, the most sincere expression of love is often a simple offering of thanks. Johnny R…

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"Memphis Skyline"

By Rufus Wainwright

Envy and deep respect are in perfect harmony in Rufus Wainwright’s touching tribute song, “Memphis Skyline.” As a longti…

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"Ode to Billie Joe"

By Bobbie Gentry

“Ode to Billie Joe,” written and performed by Bobbie Gentry, was released in 1967. It received several Grammy nomination…

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"For Good"

By Stephen Schwartz

A few months after I lost a precious friend to suicide, one of my sisters took me to see a touring production of the Bro…

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"Song to Woody"

By Bob Dylan

“Song to Woody” holds the distinction of not only being one of the most memorable tribute songs in the world, but one of…

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Bruce Springsteen's Streets of Philadelphia

“Streets of Philadelphia”



By Bruce Springsteen

In 1993, Bruce Springsteen wrote and performed the hauntingly beautiful song, “Streets of Philadelphia” for the critical…

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"I'll Be Seeing You"

By Billie Holiday

Is there anyone who knows how to belt the blues with more feeling than Billie Holiday? The work of the American jazz ico…

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"Sam Stone"

By John Prine

John Prine has dedicated most of his life to creating and sharing emotional and narrative-driven music. He is acclaimed …

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“Wish You Were Here”

By Pink Floyd

Pink Floyd, one of the greatest rock bands of all time, isn’t just known for their classic melodies and stage presence. …

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"A Candle in The Wind"

By Elton John

Back in 1997, the world watched as Elton John sang and played the piano at the unexpected funeral of the beloved Princes…

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"Fire & Rain"

By James Taylor

Singer/songwriter James Taylor achieved his breakthrough with this at once lovely and apocalyptic tune about love deferr…

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