20 songs about being alone and lonely

In 2006, Amy Winehouse released her critically-acclaimed sophomore album Back to Black to rave reviews. In addition to her hit songs like “Rehab” and “Tears Dry on Their Own,” a standout album cut is “Wake Up Alone.” Produced by Mark Ronson, Winehouse uses the song to describe her desire for a partner, but she’s trying to keep busy so she doesn’t have to think about him as much. 

Singer-songwriter Eric Carmen released “All By Myself” in 1975, but Celine Dion took the cover to another level when she released her rendition in 1996. On the track, Dion describes how she’s ready to be in a committed relationship. As she sings in the first verse, “When I was young / I never needed anyone / And making love was just for fun / Those days are gone.” The song became one of Dion’s biggest hit songs and a top-five hit on the Billboard Hot 100. 

In 1999, Backstreet Boys released their highly-anticipated album Millennium, which featured the hit single “Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely.” On the track, the group details the feelings of heartbreak after a failed relationship. As they sing on the hook, “Show me the meaning of being lonely / Is this the feeling I need to walk with? / Tell me why I can’t be there where you are / There’s something missing in my heart.” 

One of Al Green’s most recognizable songs came in 1971 with his hit single “Tired of Being Alone.” On the track, Green describes dealing with a failed relationship and he’s ready to rekindle what they had because he doesn’t want to be alone anymore. His stance is evident on the bridge as he sings, “Yeah baby / Tired of being alone here by myself, now / I tell ya, I’m tired baby / I’m tired of being wrapped up late at night / In my dreams, nobody but you baby.” 

In 2004, Akon released his debut album Trouble, which featured the hit single “Lonely.” Using a sample of Bobby Vinton’s 1965 song “Mr. Lonely,” Akon uses the track to detail how his girlfriend broke up with him after he didn’t treat her so right, and now he’s alone. As he sings in the fourth verse, “Never thought I’d be alone / I didn’t think you’d be gone this long / I just want you to call my phone / So stop playing girl, and come on home.” 

“4 Seasons of Loneliness” was the lead single from Boyz II Men’s fourth album Evolution. Written and produced by the dynamic duo of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, the track describes a man dealing with the aftermath of a failed relationship and how each season reminds him of being alone while he reminisces about his ex-partner. “4 Seasons of Loneliness” became a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. 

On the Justin Bieber and Benny Blanco single “Lonely,” they highlight the price that celebrities pay for fame. While it may seem like they have it all together with money, sometimes they have people who only call them when they want something, and it can feel like a lonely life. As Bieber sings on the hook, “What if you had it all / But nobody to call? / Maybe then you’d know me / ‘Cause I’ve had everything / But no one’s listening / And that’s just f—king lonely.”

In 1997, Janet Jackson released her sixth album The Velvet Rope to rave reviews. Teaming up with frequent collaborators Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis throughout the album, one of the fan-favorite singles is “I Get Lonely.” On the track, Jackson describes her desire to be loved by a special person and not just anyone. She makes it very clear on the hook singing, “I get so lonely, can’t let just anybody hold me / You are the one that lives in me, my dear / I want no one but you.” 

Britney Spears teamed up with producer and songwriter Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins on her 2001 track “Lonely.” On the track, Spears comes to the realization that she doesn’t want to keep going back-and-forth with her ex-partner and she’s better off being by herself. As she sings on the hook, “Let’s just face it / Better off alone and I won’t turn back / You thought that I would be lonely / I don’t wanna let you back in.” 

“911/Mr. Lonely” is a two-part single on Tyler, the Creator’s fourth studio album Flower Boy. On “Mr. Lonely,” Tyler describes how people who may be extroverted in public might actually be pretty lonely at times. As he says on the track, “They say the loudest in the room is weak / That’s what they assume, I disagree / I say the loudest in the room / Is probably the loneliest in the room.” 

On Alina Baraz’s 2021 track “Alone With You,” she emphasizes the importance of being a partner’s safe space. She realizes that if her partner has a bad day, they can spend some time together with the hope that she can help ease his mind. 

Two years after releasing their debut album The Kids Are Alright, Chloe x Halle returned with their sophomore album Ungodly Hour. One of the standout tracks is “Lonely,” produced by Scott Storch, which focuses on how important it is to be okay with being alone. As they sing on the hook, “I know sometimes, you feel alone / I know some nights you wait by your phone / I know you wish you had somebody to hold / It don’t have to be lonely to be alone.” 

Pop singer Dua Lipa came onto the scene in 2017 when she released her self-titled debut album. On the album’s deluxe edition, she added five more songs, including her collaboration with Martin Garrix on “Scared To Be Lonely.” On the track, Lipa details how a relationship is now going sour and it seems like the two are only staying together because of their mutual fear of being alone. 

Five years after releasing his epic, best-selling album Thriller, Michael Jackson returned with his seventh album Bad. The album garnered 10 singles including “Leave Me Alone” which was produced by frequent collaborator Quincy Jones. Jackson used the track to respond to rumors and negative criticisms of him by tabloids and the mainstream press. 

Daley and Marsha Ambrosius are a match made in musical heaven on their 2012 collaboration “Alone Together.” Their smooth and velvety voices blend perfectly together as they highlight how much they want to spend some alone time with a lover. As they sing on the hook, “And you’re the desert sand, I’ll be your water / And you’re the perfect plan I never thought of / I don’t wanna do this on my own / And you shouldn’t have to be alone / I would rather be alone together.” 

In 2020, musician Jacob Collier released his fourth album Djesse Vol. 3, which was led by the single “Time Alone With You.” Teaming up with soulful singer Daniel Caesar, the two use the track to describe how romantic it can be to spend time with a lover. As they sing on the track, “You wanna be my partner / Well, baby, please believe me / Loving me ain’t easy / Imma need some time with you / You gon’ need some time with me.” 

“Are You Lonesome Tonight?” has been recorded by several artists over the years, but one of the most successful renditions came in 1960 by Elvis Presley. The song debuted as a top-40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, but soon peaked at No. 1 after its release. 

In 2023, Kim Petras released her debut album Feed the Beast, which featured the Nicki Minaj-assisted single “Alone.” Using a sample of Alice Deejay’s 1999 track “Better Off Alone,” the song highlights how Petras wants to spend some alone time with a potential lover. As she sings on the hook, “I’ve been trying to give to you all night / What’s it gonna take to get you all alone? / I just want you here by my side / I don’t wanna be here, baby, on my own.” 

In 2002, hip-hop duo Field Mob released their hit song “Sick of Being Lonely.” Produced by Jazze Pha, the duo uses the track to describe how people may sometimes neglect their partners and deal with the consequences of that. There are times when they might hang out too late at night, and their partners get fed up with it. A woman takes the lead on the hook singing, “I’m so sick of being lonely / Every night while my man goes out with his homies / i wanna know how it feels to be loved, be loved.” 

In 2001, Ricky Martin and Christina Aguilera teamed up on their hit single “Nobody Wants to Be Lonely.” On the track, Martin and Aguilera stress the importance of being with a partner and how people should always feel loved in their life. The song became a top-20 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.