They say that you never forget your first love. And while that may be true, sometimes it’s better to move on. Songs about the one who got away can be both heartbreaking and empowering. They remind us of what we had, what we lost, and what might have been.
But they also remind us that we’re not alone in our pain and that eventually, we will find our way back to normal life. It’s hard when someone who was once a big part of your life suddenly isn’t in it anymore.
Whether you parted ways on bad terms or simply drifted apart, the pain of losing them can be tough to cope with. If you’re looking for songs about the one who got away, we’ve got you covered.
From country classics to modern pop ballads, these tunes will help you express those complicated emotions and maybe even make peace with what happened.
| Nr | Song | Artist | About |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baby | Clean Bandit & Marina & Luis Fonsi | Learn More |
| 2 | Back To December | Taylor Swift | Learn More |
| 3 | Do You | Ne-Yo | Learn More |
| 4 | Don’t Forget About Us | Mariah Carey | Learn More |
| 5 | Ghost | Justin Bieber | Learn More |
| 6 | Happier | Ed Sheeran | Learn More |
| 7 | I Miss You | Incubus | Learn More |
| 8 | I Never Told You | Colbie Caillat | Learn More |
| 9 | I Will Always Love You | Whitney Houston | Learn More |
| 10 | Marvin’s Room | Drake | Learn More |
| 11 | Moonlight | Ali Gatie | Learn More |
| 12 | Outta My System | Bow Wow | Learn More |
| 13 | Part Of The List | Ne-Yo | Learn More |
| 14 | I Threw It All Away | Bob Dylan & Johnny Cash | Learn More |
| 15 | Right Now | Akon | Learn More |
| 16 | Should’ve Kissed You | Chris Brown | Learn More |
| 17 | So Far Away | Carole King | Learn More |
| 18 | Someone Like You | Adele | Learn More |
| 19 | The One That Got Away | Katy Perry | Learn More |
| 20 | When I Was Your Man | Bruno Mars | Learn More |
| 21 | Wish You Were Here | Avril Lavigne | Learn More |
Songs About The One Who Got Away
These songs about the one who got away are just a few of the many that have been written over the years. They remind us of the pain of lost love, but they also remind us that we’re not alone in our sorrow.
In time, we will heal and we will find happiness again. Below is a list of songs about the one who got away.
1. Baby – Clean Bandit & Marina & Luis Fonsi
“Baby” is a song by the British group Clean Bandit. The song peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart and became the group’s second top-ten single in the United States.
The song features vocals from the English singer Jess Glynne and was written by the band members Jack Patterson, Grace Chatto, and Neil Amin-Smith, along with the song’s producer SteveMac.
“Baby” is a synth-pop song with elements of tropical house. The lyrics deal with the sorrow of losing the one who got away. The song received positive reviews from music critics, who praised its production and Glynne’s vocal performance.
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2. Back To December – Taylor Swift
Back To December is a song by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. The song was written by Swift and produced by Nathan Chapman. It was released on 2010, in the United States by Big Machine Records.
Back To December is a pop ballad with influences from country music. Swift has said the song is about “regret” and “being sorry”, and made it an apology to someone she previously dated. Lyrically, the song goes from the perspective of the person who lost the person that they now love, apologizing for everything.
3. Do You – Ne-Yo
Ne-Yo’s 2006 single “Do You” is a heartbreak song about the one who got away. The lyrics tell the story of a relationship that ended because the narrator wasn’t ready for commitment.
However, the narrator still thinks about the person they let go of and wonders if they made the right decision. Although the lyrics are sad, the production gives the song an upbeat feel that makes it easy to dance to.
The song helped to cement NeYo’s status as one of R&B’s leading artists, and its popularity has endured over the years.
4. Don’t Forget About Us – Mariah Carey
Don’t Forget About Us is a song by Mariah Carey from her 2005 album, The Emancipation of Mimi. The song is about the one who got away, and how the singer regrets not being able to make the relationship work.
The song is a bittersweet reminder of what could have been, and its catchy melodies and heartfelt lyrics continue to resonate with listeners today.
5. Ghost – Justin Bieber
Justin Bieber’s “Ghost” is a haunting ballad about the one who got away. The song starts with a simple piano melody before the beat kicks in and Bieber’s smooth vocals take center stage.
The lyrics are full of heartache and regret, as Bieber reflects on a lost love. He sings about how he misses her more than life, and how he still thinks about her every day.
“Ghost” is a beautiful and emotive song that will resonate with anyone who has ever loved and lost.
6. Happier – Ed Sheeran
“Happier” is a song by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. The song is about the one who got away. The lyrics talk about how the person is happier with someone else and how the speaker is happy for them but still misses them.
The song is about the one who got away. Everything reminds the speaker of the person he lost and he still wishes things had worked out differently. Overall, “Happier” is a sad but beautiful song.
7. I Miss You – Incubus
“I Miss You” is a song by the American rock band, Incubus. “I Miss You” is a haunting and emotive song that speaks to the universal experience of missing someone special.
Though it may be painful, sometimes thinking about the one who got away can help us appreciate the happy memories we shared.
8. I Never Told You – Colbie Caillat
I Never Told You by Colbie Caillat is a heart-wrenching ballad about the one who got away. The song starts with the protagonist reflecting on all the things she never told her former lover, including how much he meant to her.
She regrets not telling him how she felt, and she wonders if he ever knew. As the song progresses, the protagonist realizes that she is still in love with him and that she will never forget him.
“I Never Told You” is a beautiful song about the pain of unrequited love and the regret of lost opportunity.
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9. I Will Always Love You – Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” is a classic ballad about the pain of losing the one you love. The song was originally written and recorded by country music artist Dolly Parton, but Houston’s version is the one that truly captured the hearts of listeners around the world.
While the lyrics are simple, they are incredibly effective in conveying the deep emotions of love and loss.
10. Marvin’s Room – Drake
Drake’s “Marvin’s Room” is a hauntingly beautiful song about the one who got away. The lyrics are about a girl that he once had a relationship with, but now she’s with another man.
Marvin’s Room is a song about longing for what could have been. The song has an incredibly catchy chorus, and the production is top-notch.
11. Moonlight – Ali Gatie
“Moonlight” by Ali Gatie is a song about the one who got away. The song begins with the narrator looking back on a lost love, and wondering what could have been. However, the narrator also recognizes that the love was not meant to be and that the relationship was doomed from the start.
“Moonlight” by Ali Gatie is a sad song about trying to move on from a lost love. The song will resonate with anyone who has ever been through this situation.
12. Outta My System – Bow Wow
Bow Wow’s 2006 song, “Outta My System,” is another song about the one who got away. The song is about him struggling to move on from a past relationship, and constantly thinking about her.
Even though he goes out with other girls, all he thinks about is her. Bow Wow addresses the importance of moving on and letting go in order to find happiness.
“Outta My System” is an honest and introspective look at the rapper’s personal life, and it provides listeners with a rare glimpse into the mind of a famous hip-hop star.
13. Part Of The List – Ne-Yo
Ne-Yo’s “Part Of The List” is a heart-wrenching ballad about a girl that got away. The lyrics tell the story of a relationship that ended before it had a chance to reach its full potential. Day and night, asleep or awake, all he’s thinking about is her.
Ne-Yo’s soaring vocals convey the pain and regret of the situation, while the production creates a sense of nostalgia for what could have been. The result is a powerful and moving song that will resonate with anyone who has ever experienced unrequited love.
14. I Threw It All Away – Bob Dylan & Johnny Cash
“I Threw It All Away” is a song by Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash, part of Dylan’s album “Nashville Skyline” (1969). The song is about a lover that got away. It talks about how he once had mountains in the palm of his hand, and that he never knew what he had until he threw it all away.
The singer regrets the mistakes he has done and at the end of the song gives a message to the listener: “So if you find someone that gives you all of her love / Take it to your heart, don’t let it stray”.
15. Right Now – Akon
Right Now by Akon is a song about the regrets of a man who let the love of his life get away. The song reflects on the mistakes that were made which lead to the breakup, and the singer expresses the desire to make up with her.
The lyrics are simple but powerful, and it makes anyone sing along because the song is so catchy. Right Now is a classic Akon song that will always be remembered.
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16. Should’ve Kissed You – Chris Brown
Chris Brown’s “Should’ve Kissed You” is a song about a lost love. The song starts with Brown singing about how he missed his chance to kiss the girl and how he’s now regretting it.
The lyrics are simple but effective, the video gives a nostalgic feel. “Should’ve Kissed You” is a heart-wrenching song that captures the feeling of loss and regret.
17. So Far Away – Carole King
Carole King’s “So Far Away” is a heart-wrenching ballad about the pain of losing the one you love. The song reflects on a past relationship that ended abruptly, and the singer is left regretting and wishing to get another chance.
King’s emotive vocal performance conveys the sense of longing and regret that comes with losing someone you once loved. The lyrics are simple yet effective, and the chorus perfectly captures the feeling of being lonely and lost.
“So Far Away” is a beautiful and poignant reminder that sometimes the one who got away is the one we never stop thinking about.
18. Someone Like You – Adele
Adele’s “Someone Like You” is a heartbreaking love song that speaks to the ache we all feel after losing a lover. Even though the pain of losing someone you love will lessen with time, this song serves as a reminder that they will forever be etched into your heart.
The song “Someone Like You” is a touching ode to the memories of a loved one who cannot be replaced. Adele’s ability to connect with her audience on a personal level helps this song portray the enduring love that persists long after someone special is gone and cannot be replaced.
19. The One That Got Away – Katy Perry
“The One That Got Away” is a song recorded by Katy Perry for her album, Teenage Dream (2010). It is a power ballad with a synth-pop sound. The lyrics talk about a relationship that ended and the regret the singer feels.
She regrets what ended up happening, saying that in another life, she would be his girl and keep all the promises made. The song is a reminder that even the most perfect relationships can sometimes end in tragedy, and that sometimes the hardest thing to do is let go.
“The One That Got Away” received positive reviews from music critics, who praised its composition and storytelling.
20. When I Was Your Man – Bruno Mars
One of the most popular songs of all time, “When I Was Your Man” is performed by Bruno Mars. One of the emotional singer’s most profound musical meditations on love and loss, this heartbreaking song has become a modern classic by addressing the regret and desire that often accompany a failed relationship.
Sadness and longing permeate the song’s lyrics as Mars laments the missed opportunities he and his ex-lover both share. This moving tune, which explores the eternal nature of love and the catastrophic results of making errors in relationships, can make the strongest people cry.
21. Wish You Were Here – Avril Lavigne
Avril Lavigne’s song “Wish You Were Here” is a song about the one who got away. The lyrics tell the story of a relationship that ended too soon, and the pain of regret that comes with it.
Avril Lavigne rightfully put it: “All those crazy things we did / Didn’t think about it, just went with it /You’re always there, you’re everywhere / But right now, I wish you were here.”
The song’s emotional intensity is heightened by Lavigne’s powerful vocal performance, which conveys the deep sense of loss and longing that the character feels.
Last Words
It’s human nature to long for what we can’t have. This seems to be especially true when it comes to relationships. Songs about the one who got away are a testament to this enduring love and longing. These tunes often tell a story of unrequited love or a relationship that ended prematurely.
They tap into our emotions, making us feel both sad and happy at the same time. Many of these songs became popular because they express something universal about the human experience.
The best thing about these songs is that they offer hope. They remind us that even though we may have lost the one who got away, there’s still a chance for us to find love again.
