Whether you've been together ten days or ten years, separation and long distance love are always hard. I've found that when your heart is aching for the one you love that's far away, the best thing to do is listen to someone else sing about the same thing. So, put on your headphones, crank up the volume and listen to these great songs about long distance love!
"And yes, you're in my head. But that doesn't make you here."
The Arcade Fire has been one of my favorite songs for a long time but this is the song that hooked me. The slow guitar in the beginning, the simplicity of the voices, the amazing lyrics, all of it melds together to form the perfect anthem for love that's far, far away. It really just makes you want to get in your car and drive as many miles as you need to to get to the one you love.
The song "Cars and Telephones" by the Arcade Fire is an excellent example of a long-distance love song. It was released on the band's debut album, Funeral, in 2004, and it has since become a fan favorite. The song features a slow guitar melody and simple vocals that perfectly capture the longing and distance of a long-distance relationship. The lyrics of the song also perfectly capture the emotions of being apart from the one you love, with lines like "And yes, you're in my head. But that doesn't make you here."
The Arcade Fire is a Canadian indie rock band that has become one of the most successful and beloved bands of the decade. They have released five studio albums, with Funeral being their most popular release. The band has won numerous awards, including the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 2011 for their album The Suburbs.
"I'll be doing my best. I'll see you soon, in a telescope lens."
Everyone knows the power of Chris Martin's slightly nasally yet deliciously beautiful voice. This song is about more than just long distance love, it's about the other person losing faith in you. And at some point, you'll have to go back and give it right back to them. It's another wonderfully crafted piece.
"It's so many miles and so long since I've met you. Don't even know what I'll find when I get to you, But suddenly now, I know where I belong, It's many hundred miles and it won't be long."
It's haunting and lovely, those are the only two words I can use to describe this song. Ben Gibbard and Feist both have such unique voices that blend so perfectly. It covers that feeling of insecurity that long distance love can bring so well. It kind of makes me want to hop on a train for fifty-five hours and just listen to this song on repeat until I get to my destination.
"I need you so much closer."
You can't put it more simply than that. Death Cab For Cutie has a way of hiding meanings in lyrics but here, you get it. It's simple, it's beautiful and it covers your number one desire when the person you're with lives so far away. You just need them closer. That's all.
"I find the map and draw a straight line, over rivers, farms, and state lines. The distance from A to where you'd B, it's only finger-lengths that I see."
It starts so simply. Voices, piano, the occasional guitar and it just builds up. It's peaks and falls in the most gorgeous ways and the lyrics are just so touching. It's like a fist around your heart. It really gets the loneliness, the pain of seeing other people that are happy, the inability to really see the distance for what it is. But most of all, you can really tell that the couple just really wants to be where they belong, in their lover's arms.
"Tie it down, Wait it out, Hope our memories hold."
This is the only song that has even touched on the fact that sometimes distance can pull you apart more than just physically. He's hoping that even though they're leading separate lives she remembers that they're together and in love. Hopefully the memories hold and they can stay together. It's perfect.
"And what we are is a perfect match, and 3,000 miles could never come between us. We always have the stars to wish upon from where I'm at."
This song gives everyone in a long distance relationship hope. All the person in this song is thinking about is how much they miss the other person and how much the distance doesn't change anything. It's so... honest and sweet that you almost forget how far away the couple is from each other. 3,000 miles is almost one end of the United States to the other. That's quite a lot of space.
"I drive all night just to see your face, The way you touch, the way you taste. Even if, only for a day, cos' I'll come back to you someday."
Ah Bryan Greenberg, he's a double whammy singer and actor and boy oh boy if he said he would drive all night to see my face, I think I might faint. He's got a way of making you think that no matter what happens he'll go back to the girl he left. No matter what changes, he's got faith that everything will be the same. And that ladies is what everyone in a long distance relationship wants to hear.
"And there goes my life passing by with every departing flight. And its been so hard, so much time so far apart."
Dallas Green has a voice that just captures you and shoves you into a world of his emotions. You can just hear the sadness and longing when he sings. And isn't that what long distance love is a whole lot of shared sadness and longing to be with that person? Dallas Green gets major kudos for knowing exactly how to tug those heart strings that are already stretched to your significant other.
"Don't you worry about the distance I'm right there. If you get lonely, give this song another listen, close your eyes listen to my voice, it's my disguise I'm by your side."
Hey There Delilah is filled with lyrics like these that will warm your heart. This song is full of enchanting, romantic imagery. No matter how "old" the song gets, I never tire of it. If you're in a long distance relationship, Hey There Delilah is sure to provide you with comfort; it's about a couple who live on opposite sides of the US, but still love each other dearly.
"But all the miles that separate disappear now when I'm dreaming of your face."
If you can't sleep because that special someone is currently miles away, this is the song to sing you to sleep. Even though you're separated physically, you can still dream of your partner, just like the boys in 3 Doors Down. This song is a perfect balance of sweet and soulful!
"How far do I have to go to get to you? Many the miles"
This song will help you feel less alone in your frustration. Try as you might, you can't always be 100% happy with your long distance relationship, right? But even though sometimes you might feel lonely without your significant other right by your side, you always know love is just around the corner! Your love will bring you up out of your slump soon enough!
In "Many the Miles," Sara Bareilles beautifully captures the ache and yearning that comes with geographic separation. It's a melody that reaches out like an audio hug, enveloping you with soothing lyrics and reminding you that you're not alone in this journey. The miles may seem endless, but her voice carries the promise that endurance and persistence in love will eventually bridge any distance. As she sings, you're encouraged to remember that every mile traveled is a step closer to reuniting with your cherished one. Just hearing her affirmations will brighten your spirits, making the wait a little more bearable.
"I just wanna kiss you, but I can't right now so baby kiss me thru the phone."
Soulja Boy's long distance song has a more upbeat feel to it, so if you're feeling down this song might be the one to improve your mood! It's about someone who wants to be with the one he loves, but he can't so he asks her to kiss her through the phone. It's such a sweet concept that's sure to bring a smile to your face!
"Been far away for far too long, I keep dreaming you'll be with me and you'll never go."
This is another bittersweet ballad about long distance love. When your relationship is on it's last leg, this is the song to share with your special someone. Nickelback's song describes a couple who has been separated for far too long, but the singer is unwilling to give up. They need each other's love to survive; it's truly a beautiful concept and song!
"All I have is this picture in a frame that I hold close to see your face everyday."
Bruno croons about the pain of a long distance relationship in this gorgeous song. You'll be able to relate to this song if you're the one who had to move away. You want to come back home every day, and wonder if your partner can hear you crying. But all that you can cling to is that you'll come home one day, and see their bright and smiling face and everything will return to normal in time!
Well ladies, hopefully these long distance love songs have made you realize that although it's hard, sometimes absence does make the heart grow fonder. So take this time to listen to some great tunes and renew your faith that everything really will be alright. Any stories to share to help some of your fellow distancees? Any advice to give? Let me know down below!
This article was written in collaboration with editor Sabrina Yates.