Everyone suffers through loss. Grief is inevitable. It’s easy to feel completely alone while experiencing this heavy emotion. But regardless of how you feel, you are not alone in your feelings and in your loss. While mourning the death of my mom, I created a playlist of songs to remind me that other people are going through the same trials. These artists express their grief beautifully in their lyrics. The following songs helped me climb some of the biggest mountains of grief, and I hope they can help you as well.

Marjorie by Taylor Swift

In Marjorie, Swift sings about lessons learned from her late grandmother. She also expresses how it feels like her grandmother is still there, even if physically she isn’t around.

“If I didn’t know better I’d think you were still around. What died didn’t stay dead. You’re alive in my head”

Soon You’ll Get Better by Taylor Swift

Swift wrote Soon You’ll Get Better about her mom, Andrea (Mama) Finley Swift, who was unfortunately diagnosed with cancer a few years ago. She expresses feelings of fear and doubt, the biggest fear being losing her mom.

“Who am I supposed to talk to? What am I supposed to do if there’s no you?”

Scars in Heaven by Casting Crowns

Scars in Heaven is all about wishing we’d spent more time with those we lost, but understanding that they’re happier and healthier in Heaven then they could ever be on Earth.

“If I had only known the last time would be the last time…What I’d give for one more day with you”

“Now you’re standing in the sun. You’ve fought your fight and your race is run. The pain is all a million miles away”

Legend by Twenty One Pilots

This song, written by the band’s lead singer, Tyler Joseph, is about his loving grandfather, Robert Joseph, who passed on during the song-writing process. He shows how you can mourn their pain before they’re gone, and brings up how he wishes his daughter could know his grandpa.

“I’m sorry I did not visit. I didn’t know how to take it when you’re eyes do not know me like I know you”

Supermarket Flowers by Ed Sheeran

Sheeran wrote Supermarket Flowers about the loss of his grandmother, but through his mother’s perspective. He accentuates the thoughts of missing someone, remembering their love, and rejoicing that they’re in a better place.

“I’m in pieces. It’s tearing me up, but I know a life that’s loved is a life that’s been lived”

Visiting Hours by Ed Sheeran

In Visiting Hours Sheeran grieves over the death of his friend and mentor, Michael Gudinski. He wonders what advice he’d give as he goes through new experiences, and expresses the yearning to see Gudinski once more and tell him all about his new daughter.

“I wish that Heaven had visiting hours, so I could just swing by and ask for your advice. What would you do in my situation?”

Crying For Me (Wayman’s Song) by Toby Keith

Recorded as a tribute for friend, Oklahoman Wayman Tisdale, Keith writes that he’s not sad for his friend who is now in heaven, but rather for himself, who can no longer see ‘Wayman’.

“Play it sweet in Heaven, ’cause that’s right where you want to be. I’m not crying ’cause I feel so sorry for you, I’m crying for me.”

Oak Trees by Daniel Nunnelee

TikToker, Daniel Nunnelee, wrote this song as a way to tell those close to him how they should react if he were to die. He wants them to celebrate him and move forward, enjoying their lives rather than crying over him.

“Don’t cry about me, because I know where I’ll be.”

I’ll Never Be Ready by Veridia 

Deena Jakoub wrote this while “preparing” for her father’s death, knowing a death like that will hurt no matter the amount of preparation. She knew it was coming soon, but didn’t want to accept it.

“Even if I knew when and I saw the signs. Even if you told me it would be all right. Even if I had the power to watch the clock wind down I won’t…I’ll never be ready to say goodbye.”

Heaven’s Not Too Far by We Three

Originally heard on America’s Got Talent, this sibling trio sings in the perspective of their mother as she said her goodbyes to them after a long battle with cancer.

“I know my babies they will be fine, ’cause they can talk to me anytime. Heaven’s not too far away.”

It’s Quiet Uptown by Lin Manuel Miranda 

Performed in Act 2 of Broadway musical Hamilton, Alexander and Eliza Hamilton just lost their son, Philip, and are now trying to nurse their relationship back to health. Alexander recognizes that nothing will fill the void that losing Philip created, but together they can continue his legacy and honor his life.

“If I could spare his life. If I could trade his life for mine he’d be standing here right now, and you would smile, and that would be enough.”

“I don’t pretend to know the challenges we’re facing. I know there’s no replacing what we’ve lost and you need time.”

I’ll Keep On (Feat. Jeremiah Carlson) by NF 

Finally, I wanted to add a song of hope. I’ll Keep On is about losing everything, including yourself, and feeling so drained, but deciding it would be better to keep going rather than to give up. He looks to God for strength and moves forward, letting go of his pain and baggage he’d been holding on to.

“These hands are tired. This heart is tired. This soul is tired, but I’ll keep on.”

Spotify Playlist Link: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6JU6DRx5czEDN45MClJqXl?si=7c1_MMW8Q4KPG-fp8bEO1Q