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50 Best Long Distance Relationship Songs (Of All Time)

December 19, 2023
Long distance relationship songs

I’ve curated a collection of the best long distance relationship songs, each one capturing the heartache, hope, and enduring love that characterize such relationships.

This article is a musical embrace for those separated by distance, offering solace and connection through poignant lyrics and melodies.

Table of Contents

Top long distance relationship songs

  • “Long Distance” by Bruno Mars
  • “One Call Away” by Charlie Puth
  • “Talking To The Moon” by Bruno Mars
  • “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever” by Zayn Malik and Taylor Swift
  • “Writing’s On The Wall” by Sam Smith
  • “Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran
  • “Lonely No More” by Rob Thomas
  • “Distance” by Mariah Carey
  • “Everything Has Changed” by Taylor Swift ft. Ed Sheeran
  • “Right Here Waiting” by Richard Marx

1. “Long Distance” by Bruno Mars

For anyone in a long distance relationship, this song hits you right where you need it.

Some say distance can make your love grow stronger. 

But the narrator’s heart is only filled with pain.

That of being far away from the one he loves. 

2. “One Call Away” by Charlie Puth 

Charlie Puth’s “One Call Away” is a heartfelt song about caring for your lover even if you can’t see them all the time.

In a long distance relationship, you may not see your lover as often as you would like. 

But you can assure them that you are always there for them when they need you. 

3. “Talking To The Moon” by Bruno Mars

Bruno Mars’ power ballad is about lost love. 

It’s about the regret, pain, and sadness of losing your sweetheart and longing for their love. 

Listening to the lyrics, the girl in the song meant the world to the guy. 

And the metaphoric element of talking to the moon symbolizes a feeling of hopelessness. 

If only he could talk to the moon, he would pour his emotions out for the whole world to see. 

4. “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever” by Zayn Malik and Taylor Swift

The narrator feels like his world is shattered when his lover walks away.  

He’s hopeless and wishes he could get another chance to be with his sweetheart. 

It is a beautiful power ballad nobody knew they needed.

But it shouldn’t miss from your romantic playlist.

5. “Writing’s On The Wall” by Sam Smith

Writing on the wall signifies an impending action. 

Sam Smith’s song thus foreshadows an imminent breakup. 

He knows the relationship is almost over because the feeling isn’t just right.  

But he wants to get it out of his mind and live in the moment. 

At that point, you want to get high with your loved one and forget about your troubled relationship for a minute. 

6. “Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran

Ed Sheeran’s popular song describes a romantic affair between two individuals. 

Even though he’s unsure of her lover’s affection, the singer assures her that he will always love her at all costs. 

It’s the kind of affirmation you need from a loved one. 

And even more so in a long distance relationship. 

7. “Lonely No More” by Rob Thomas

Thomas knows the pain of heartbreak and is not ready to take it anymore. 

He sings about starting afresh after his latest heartbreak. 

The song would be great for two lovers separated by circumstances. 

8. “Distance” by Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey feels the pain of being in a long distance relationship.

And in this song, she gets one over the skeptics who doubted her relationship. 

The track’s message is to keep your relationship alive despite obstacles. 

Listen to Carey’s lyrics if you want something to remind you why you got into the relationship in the first place. 

9. “Everything Has Changed” by Taylor Swift ft. Ed Sheeran 

Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran combined to give us one of the best hits about falling in love. 

It is the moment you fall in love, and suddenly, it changes your perspective on life. 

And the feeling deepens, you realize that not even distance can separate two individuals who complement one another. 

10. “Right Here Waiting” by Richard Marx 

Richard Marx wanted something unique for his wife.

So, he wrote a beautiful love letter to her in his 1989 pop song. 

They weren’t married by then, and the singer hadn’t seen his wife for quite some time. 

“Oceans apart, day after day/And I slowly go insane.”

You only need the first line to see the pain in the singer’s heart.

11. “Home” by Michael Buble

Michael Buble’s “Home” is a delightful hit that oozes the pain of homesickness. 

Buble was inspired to write this song by his lonely tours around the world.  

He’s missing his fiancée and is unsure if he can take it anymore.

The song has beautiful lyrics and describes what many people go through in ldrs. 

12. “Calling You” by Blue October 

Have you ever been so in love with someone it changes your perception of the world?

You can’t do without your darling when you are madly in love. 

And this song evokes the power of unconditional love. 

It’s the perfect track to play on repeat if you miss your lover. 

13. “See You Again” by Carrie Underwood 

Distance should never break a relationship founded on true love. 

And this Carrie Underwood song is about hoping to see a loved one again. 

You can always cherish all the beautiful memories you shared, even if you are separated by distance. 

14. “So Far Away” by Carole King 

Carole King can’t hide the frustration of staying away from a special someone. 

She laments at the physical distance separating them.

Her music career means she will always be on the road, deepening her loneliness. 

It is another masterpiece from the singer, perfectly revealing what many people go through in long distance relationships. 

“So far away/Doesn’t anybody stay in one place anymore?” 

15. “Half a Heart” by One Direction 

One Direction’s song talks about the singer’s deep love for the addressee and how heartbroken he is when they can’t be together. 

The half-heart is metaphoric, showing how incomplete he is when his lover isn’t around. 

16. “The One That Got Away” by Katy Perry 

Katy Perry affirms that love is a gift and you never know what you have till it’s gone. 

The narration goes back to the singer’s first love in high school. 

She remembers all the memories and the intense love they shared. 

But it wasn’t meant to be, as the singer laments about the lost love. 

It’s too late to revive the relationship. 

So, she’d rather hold onto the beautiful memories forever. 

17. “If You’re Gone” by Matchbox Twenty 

There are no long distance relationships without insecurities.

And this gorgeous ballad is about a man begging his lover to come back. 

He’s scared of losing her every time she leaves. 

But he’s unsure if he can continue living without her. 

18. “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston 

“I Will Always Love You” will always go down as one of the greatest love songs

It is a classic breakup song that everybody talks about. 

Even though they are separating, the singer asserts that her feelings for him will never change. 

Breakups can be painful. 

But Whitney Houston shows us a new way to do it without needless drama.  

19. “Breathe” by Faith Hill 

Faith Hill’s song is about that one person that completes your world. 

Being in his arms takes your troubles away. 

He doesn’t have to say anything.

Because his breath alone takes you to a new world. 

20. “A Thousand Miles” by Vanessa Carlton 

“A Thousand Miles” is the perfect long distance relationship song. 

It’s about the pain and anxiety of missing your loved one. 

You miss them so much but can’t be there physically. 

21. “Distance” by Christina Perri ft. Jason Mraz 

“Distance” is a mid-tempo ballad about “loving someone at the wrong time in your life.” 

It sums up what everybody thinks long distance relationships are all about. 

The message is that your love will always shine even if you are miles apart. 

It is one of the best songs to dedicate to your lover. 

22. “Goodbye My Lover” by James Blunt 

The most heartbreaking part of a long distance relationship is the goodbyes.

James Blunt can’t get over the pain of losing a loved one in this song. 

It is more about the relationship you let slip away and the regret that comes with it. 

The lyrics will make sense if you’ve heard your heart broken. 

23. “From Where You Are” by Lifehouse 

“From Where You Are” is the perfect tribute to a long distance lover. 

The American rock band members dedicated it to the many teens who had lost their lives in fatal accidents. 

“So far away from where you are/These miles have torn us apart/And I miss you, yeah I miss you.” 

24. “I Will Wait” by Mumford & Sons 

The first song from the British folk rock band’s ‘Babel’ album shows their struggles with a long distance relationship.

The narrator acknowledges the challenges of maintaining their relationship because he’s always on the road. 

It is the perfect song to listen to when you think about your lover. 

25. “You’re All I Have” by Snow Patrol 

This song is about loving someone and making them the center of your world. 

Finding your soul mate makes you want to be with them forever.

And this sums up the emotions of a long distance relationship as your love grows stronger every day.

26. “When You’re Gone” by Avril Lavigne 

When you can’t stop thinking about your loved one and wish they could be there for you, this is the song to listen to. 

It is about missing someone you care deeply about. 

That would bring sadness, hopelessness, and desperation. 

But the pop princess has the perfect tune to relieve the emotions. 

27. “Here Without You” by 3 Doors Down 

The lyrics in “Here Without You” resonate with anyone in a long distance relationship. 

The emotional song is about staying away from someone you love and missing them so much. 

The lyrics were inspired by Brad Arnold’s ex-wife, capturing the loneliness that followed their breakup. 

28. “Many The Miles” by Sara Bareilles 

The up-tempo song covers many topics. 

At one point, Sara Bareilles is singing about her youthful life and how she’s yet to explore the world. 

But the next moment, the lyrics talk about finding love when you are miles apart. 

There’s no right or wrong way to live your life. 

And Sara Bareilles encourages us to find the right balance and make every moment count. 

29. “Wish You Were Here” by Avril Lavigne

Missing a loved one hurts.

Sometimes, you feel desperate and wish they were there to intensify intimate moments. 

That’s the clear message in Avril Lavigne’s emotional pop rock. 

30. “Already Home” by A Great Big World 

We’ve all felt it. 

The pain of being away from our loved ones. 

At that point, you long to see them again, just one more time.  

“Already Home” is one of the few uplifting songs about long distance relationships. 

The American musical duo couldn’t hide the pain of missing their loved ones. 

So, they penned down an emotional tune to describe their emotions. 

True love knows no boundaries. 

And the song’s message is that they are always there with their loved ones, even if distance separates them.

31. “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell

“Cause, baby, there ain’t no mountain high enough/Ain’t no valley low enough/Ain’t no river wide enough/To keep me from getting to you, babe.” 

Those lyrics will be familiar to many people. 

This song means that no obstacle will ever stand in your way if you truly love someone. 

Isn’t that the wholehearted affirmation everyone needs to hear in a long distance relationship? 

32. “Faithfully” by Journey 

Journey’s “Faithfully” song is about the power of undying love. 

The lyrics tell the tale of a man on the road who can’t take his lover off his mind. 

It describes everything we expect from two hearts tied together by undying love for each other. 

33. “Love Me As You Do” by Ellie Goulding 

The narrator is trapped in the addressee’s small world because of how he makes her feel. 

She’s in love with him, and his touch alone makes her crazy. 

She can’t explain the intense feeling and writes a song to express her emotions. 

34. “Dusk Till Dawn” by Zayn ft. Sia

Relationships built on pure love withstand any obstacle. 

And the lyrics of this song are pretty clear. 

The two lovers in the song have vowed to be there for one another no matter what happens. 

35. “Vanilla Twilight” by Owl City 

This song is about missing a loved one.

Adams Young recalls meeting a charming girl in high school who later moved away. 

Sadly, they lost touch, and he couldn’t take her off his mind. 

The lyrics are just as beautiful as the girl in the music video. 

And you have all the reason to dedicate it to your long distance lover. 

“The stars lean down to kiss you/And I lie awake I miss you/Pour me a heavy dose of atmosphere.” 

36. “All Of Me” by John Legend 

John Legend’s “All Of Me” is the epitome of true love. 

The 2013 hit is one of the greatest love songs ever and made John one of the most loved artists in music history. 

The weight of the song is in the singer’s magical voice.

And if you want something to spice up your relationship, this is the one. 

37. “Hello” by Adele 

Adele’s 2015 hit reflects on the singer’s past life. 

It’s about reconnecting with your former self and can be used to describe just about any situation. 

As a long distance relationship song, the touching lyrics and the sad video would be enough to evoke emotions. 

38. “Distant Lover” by Marvin Gaye

Marvin Gaye sings about his distant lover in his 1973 soul music song of a similar name. 

It makes sense to anyone wishing to be in their lover’s arms instead of alone in a lonely place. 

39. “I’m Already There” by Lonestar 

Long distance relationships are worse if they involve an entire family. 

And that’s what the American music group is singing about in their 2001 country song. 

The lyrics were inspired by McDonald’s real-life experiences, always spending much of his time away from his family. 

He consoles himself that even though he may not be there physically, he is always with them mentally. 

40. “Come Back… Be Here” by Taylor Swift 

This song is about Taylor Swift falling for a guy but unsure if the relationship will work. 

Why?

Because of the distance between them. 

The addressee is always traveling, traveling, and traveling, but the singer wants to be with them. 

41. “All Of The Stars” by Ed Sheeran 

It seems Ed Sheeran has a beautiful song for just about any situation.

And in his 2014 hit, the English singer expresses the emotions of two love birds separated by distance. 

Like any Ed Sheeran’s romantic anthem, the lyrics are beautiful. 

And his soothing voice alone will make you want to play it on repeat.

42. “Carolina” by PARMALEE

Carolina is one of the best long distance songs that you should play on repeat when you feel lonely. 

It is a simple love song about a man missing his girl. 

You will find solace in the beautiful lyrics when you miss your lover. 

43. “Long Distance” by Brandy 

A few artists have outlined the theme of long distance relationships quite as good as Brandy. 

She concedes that it’s almost impossible to take your lover off your mind, no matter what anybody thinks. 

It’s the quintessential song for long distance relationships with quite relatable lyrics. 

“There’s only so many songs that I can sing to pass the time/And I’m running out of things to get you off my mind (oh whoa).” 

44. “Distance And Time” by Alicia Keys

Alicia Keys dedicated a sweet song to all lovers separated by distance.

But make sure you don’t shed a tear because the lyrics are emotional. 

The song is for lovers who can’t be together for whatever reason. 

True love glows everywhere. 

And not even distance and time should stop your love from shining.

45. “Kiss Me Through The Phone” by Soulja Boy 

If you can’t be with your lover, at least give them a call. 

This song is about missing your lover and reaching them via phone. 

In this case, Soulja crazily falls for a lady he can’t be with. 

So, he’d rather call her to kiss her on the phone. 

46. “Say You Won’t Let Go” by James Arthur 

“Say You Won’t Let Go” is a sensational hit by James Arthur about true love. 

It looks like Arthur has finally found the right one and hopes they can stay together forever.

The song tells the love story that everybody wants to hear. 

The moving lyrics would be great to spice up your long distance relationship. 

The song was so good it peaked at #1 on the UK singles chart.

47. “Stay With Me” by Sam Smith 

Sam Smith doesn’t play around when compiling romantic lyrics for his lover. 

And that’s evident in his 2014 soul music song. 

The track is about persisting with love even if the odds don’t favor you. 

It is one of the best songs about fighting for your love even when you are miles apart. 

48. “Nothings Gonna Change My Love For You” by Glenn Medeiros

Lovebirds need constant assurance that nothing will change their love, no matter how hard it gets.

And that’s the Hawaiian singer’s promise to his lover in his 1987 soul music song. 

“If I had to live my life without you near me/The days would all be empty/The nights would seem so long/With you I see forever oh so clearly.” 

49. “You And I” by One Direction 

One Direction’s “You And I” describes the power of love.

It talks about the unbreakable bond between two lovers.

They don’t care about what people want to say because they have love in their hearts. 

It is the type of assurance everyone needs in a long distance relationship. 

50. “See You Again” by Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth 

Everybody has sung the last song on our list. 

It fits almost any context, from graduations to funerals and long distance relationships. 

The song, originally a tribute to Paul Walker, describes the pain of losing a loved one. 

It could be a lover, a parent, a sibling, or a spouse. 

But the song’s message is that you can’t erase the beautiful memories shared with a loved one. 

I promise you Charlie Puth’s lyrics in the song are emotional. 

Best Long Distance Relationship Songs – Final Thoughts 

Long distance relationships are tricky to navigate. 

They require commitment from both parties to make the relationship work.

And that always means compromising where necessary and maximizing every opportunity. 

The 50 songs above capture every emotion around long distance relationships. 

And we hope they will help you create a killer playlist to spice up your love life. 

When you can’t speak anymore but want to express affection to your partner, pick ldr songs that suit the mood. 

Similar Articles:

Songs About Love at First Sight

Sad Love Songs

Songs About Falling in Love

Will Fenton

Will, the founder of MIDDER, is a multifaceted individual with a deep passion for music and personal finance. As a self-proclaimed music and personal finance geek, he has a keen eye for futuristic technologies, especially those that empower creators and the public.

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