Everyone makes mistakes, and sometimes we walk away from someone for the wrong reasons. Songwriters use their heartache to help write powerful lyrics about failed relationships, and some songwriters take it a step further and write songs about coming back. Here are some of the best songs about coming back.
“Back in My Arms Again” by Supremes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7p1J39qc3g
Song Year: 1965
This song describes a woman who is so happy to be back together with her lover that she ignores the advice of her friends. Her friends think that she should leave him for good.
Diana Ross calls out two band members pushing her to leave her man. She feels it is not their place because they lost their boyfriends.
“Working My Way Back To You” by The Four Seasons
Song Year: 1966
Franki Valli, The Four Seasons lead singer, admits that he has cheated on his girlfriend and enjoyed her pain. He knows he will have to work hard to get her back to him.
He vows he will do whatever it takes to win her trust and her love once again.
“I Want You Back” by The Jackson 5
Song Year: 1969
Michael Jackson, the lead singer, sings about his girlfriend walking away because he wasn’t paying her enough attention. It took her leaving to make him realize how much he wanted her. The singer begs for her to come back to him.
When this song was released, Michael Jackson was only eleven years old. Some fans found it difficult to accept a love song from a child, and most came to understand it as a song about a schoolyard crush.
“You Are the Sunshine of My Life” by Stevie Wonder
Song Year: 1973
Stevie Wonder wrote this song about his wife, Syreeta Wright. They were married in 1970. He writes about his never-ending love and how he will always be there for her. Ironically, the couple divorced shortly after this song was released. This poignant song exemplifies how a couple can return to a time of true love.
“Together Again” by Emmylou Harris
Song Year: 1975
Buck Owens originally released this song in 1964, and it reached the charts, but Owens was uncomfortable singing the serious love song and retired it from his repertoire.
Emmylou Harris recorded her original version in 1975. The sad melody contradicts the lyrics, which talk about a couple coming back together. The song makes you feel the pain of losing someone and the excitement of a reunion.
“Love of My Life” by Queen
Song Year: 1975
Freddie Mercury sings about Mary Austin in this powerful ballad. She was the absolute love of his life. Freddie and Mary lived together throughout the 1970s, and Freddie loved her but could not remain faithful. The song begs her to forgive him and return his love.
He wants her to return but admits that he will love her forever, even if she refuses. Freddie’s devotion to Mary and their relationship is apparent to fans.
“Baby Come Back” by Player
Song Year: 1977
The group, Player, is known for this particular song. It was written by Beckett and Crowley, who co-founded Player, and they both suffered through breakups and poured their frustration and anguish into the lyrics.
The writers admit they have made mistakes but beg their partners to return.
“Reunited” by Peaches and Herb
Song Year: 1978
Peaches and Herb tell a fantastic story of reconciliation in this song. They start by detailing the heartache that a man has been suffering since his partner left. The song goes on to celebrate the fact that the partner is coming back. The joy is overwhelming, and the singer knows no better partner for him.
“Always on My Mind” by Willie Nelson
Song Year: 1982
Willie Nelson admits to everything he didn’t do for his love but reminds her that he was always thinking about her. He says he will try to do all the little things if she comes back to him.
The singer explains that he didn’t know what he had until it was gone. Unfortunately, this is how many people realize what they have.
“In Your Eyes” by Peter Gabriel
Song Year: 1986
Gabriel states that this song can have two interpretations, and it can be about a love relationship or the relationship between a person and their God. The song explains that even though relationships become so overwhelming that people must leave, they can always come back.
The singer tells us how he can see reality in his partner’s eyes, and he can also see the world through her eyes.
“Open Arms” by Journey
Song Year: 1982
Journey’s emotional song is the story of a separated couple who found their way back to each other. Once they are back together, they realize how much they genuinely love each other and belong together.
The song describes the loneliness of being apart and how exciting it is to come back together. The singer promises to do his best to respect their new love.
“Come Back To Me” by Janet Jackson
Song Year: 1990
This powerful ballad describes a lover who wants her lover to come back. They come across an old letter that brings all their feelings to the surface. They have waited for their lover’s return, thinking about all the little things they have missed.
“Nothing Compares 2 U” by Sinead O’Connor
Song Year: 1990
Sinead O’Connor describes missing an ex-lover. She realizes that she has not been able to get over him. She also mentions missing her late mother. The idea is that certain people who come into our lives are irreplaceable, and we want them to return and be a part of our lives again.
“I Want Us Back” by Craig Morgan
Song Year: 2000
Craig Morgan describes his loneliness throughout this song. He is confused about why they are no longer together. He wants her to come back, and he wants to fight for what they had. The singer yearns for the happiness he felt when he had her love.
“Not a Day Goes By” by Lonestar
Song Year: 2001
Songwriters Maribeth Derry and Steve Diamond tell a tale of loss and mourning through their lyrics. They describe how difficult it is to lose someone you love. It can be a breakup or someone passing away. Grief is fundamental; all you want is for that person to return.
“Austin” by Blake Shelton
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bb1DTsxBOfE
Song Year: 2001
Listeners will automatically think about second chances when they hear this song. A man waits for his girlfriend for a year, leaving messages on his answering machine telling her he still loves her. She finally calls and hears his message. She couldn’t believe that he had waited a year for her to come back.
She realizes that leaving was a mistake. This feel-good song has a happy ending that will put a smile on everyone’s face.
“I Surrender” by Celine Dion
Song Year: 2002
The person in this song is deeply in love and will give up everything to be with their partner. They describe yearning for the chance to experience everything life offers, and they want their lover to come back so they can start all over.
They describe wanting to feel alive again.
“The Scientist” by Coldplay
Song Year: 2002
Chris Martin wrote about a scientist so involved in his work that he didn’t pay enough attention to his girlfriend. Once he realizes his mistake, he wants them to return to the beginning so they can start fresh.
The video for this song is famous because it was recorded in reverse action. Chris Martin had to learn to sing the song backward, which took him weeks.
“Come a Little Closer” by Dierks Bentley
Song Year: 2005
Dierks Bentley and his producer wrote this song as a plea for forgiveness. The song describes coming back together as a couple on every level; Bentley sings about every type of intimacy between a man and a woman, physical, emotional, and sexual.
Bentley croons about reconnecting with your lover by sharing everything about yourself and opening yourself up to what is possible.
“Don’t Forget About Us” by Mariah Carey
Song Year: 2005
Mariah sings about a great relationship that didn’t work out. She wants people to know that sometimes it’s challenging to get over your first love, and it’s better to accept the loss and move on to different experiences.
Lovers might be unable to return to those first exciting moments of true love, but it is possible to find different kinds of love.
“Come Back To Me” by Vanessa Hudgens
Song Year: 2006
Everyone has made mistakes in their love lives at one point or another. This song describes a woman who has given up on a relationship with her boyfriend but now realizes she has made a terrible mistake. She tries to pretend that it doesn’t bother her, but it does.
She is begging her boyfriend to return to her and forgive her for the pain she has caused. She wants to try and make things work.
“I Won’t Give Up” by Jason Mraz
Song Year: 2012
Mraz wrote this song from the heart. His song lyrics help him interpret the way he interacts with the world. The song can be interpreted as a promise that he will never walk away from a good relationship. He alludes to the fact that people should always come back and fight for what they believe in.
Mraz’s acoustic ballad promises his partner that he will never give up on their love. He understands that she may need some time away, but he will patiently wait until she returns.
Mraz professes that no matter how much his partner hurts him, he will never stop caring.
“Change My Mind” by One Direction
Song Year: 2012
It can become complicated when you develop romantic feelings for a close friend. This song describes a young man who has decided to leave if they are going to be only friends. He wants her to ask him to come back much more than a friend.
This slow ballad shows just how confused the young man is. He is unsure about his friend’s feelings and doesn’t know what to do. Ultimately, he leaves it in her hands and lets her decide. He knows he wants to come back but not as a friend.
“Come Back… Be Here” by Taylor Swift
Song Year: 2012
Taylor Swift is famous for writing about her ex-boyfriends in her songs. Speculation is rampant about who the ex-boyfriend is in this song. Regardless of the name, the idea is the same; sometimes, great relationships don’t work out because of uncontrollable factors.
The singer wants her boyfriend to come back, but he cannot because of work or travel obligations. Long-distance relationships take a lot of work to maintain, and it is especially hard at the beginning when everything is fresh and exciting.
“Get Back” by Demi Lovato
Song Year: 2008
Lovato wanted to release an upbeat song about getting back together with an ex-boyfriend instead of writing sad lyrics meant to hurt him. She sings about wanting to go back to fighting the way they used to.
She misses how they were and wants to return to the old feelings.
“Two More Lonely People” by Miley Cyrus
Song Year: 2013
Miley’s upbeat breakup song will have you tapping your toe and hoping that her boyfriend comes back. She points out that if he walks away, then they will be two more lonely people. She wants him to fight harder for their relationship, and sometimes, it is too easy to walk away.
“Reunited” by Toni Braxton and Babyface
Song Year: 2014
Toni Braxton and Babyface sing about the harsh reality of divorce and wanting to be reunited with their spouse. This is one of the most popular songs about being back together. They explain that there is nothing more vital than them as a couple when they are reunited.
This song describes a divorced couple who wants to go back and learn to love each other again.
“Feels Like Home” by Martha Marlow
Song Year: 2014
Martha Marlow describes being in her lover’s arms as coming back home. There is nothing as safe and reassuring as being back home, and her relationship gives her that feeling. She has waited a lifetime for a lover’s touch to bring her peace and stability.
“Lover Come Back” by City and Colour
Song Year: 2015
Dallas Green, the Canadian songwriter, writes about his struggles with romantic relationships. He recognizes that he is responsible but optimistic about second chances.
The video for this song tells a different story, and it shows an African-American ballet dancer dancing through several historical sites relevant to his freedom. You can also interpret the song as the dancer overcoming his past to achieve a great victory.
“Hello” by Adele
Song Year: 2015
This incredibly poignant ballad is about a woman who thinks about the past and realizes that she must find closure to move on. She wants her lover to come back so they can figure out what went wrong. What could they have done differently?
She is reaching out, but her lover seems to be avoiding her. Perhaps he doesn’t feel the need to go back.
“I’ll Come Running Back To You” by Boys II Men
Song Year: 2017
Boys II Men are not afraid to admit that they have mistakenly mistreated their lover. This song describes their suffering and how they would love to be back in their former lover’s world. They beg for forgiveness and promise to do much better if given a second chance.
“Never Really Over” by Katy Perry
Song Year: 2020
Throughout this song, Katy Perry sings that once you have loved someone, they will always be a part of you. She mentions how difficult it can be to go through a breakup, and weakness and vulnerability can cause you to do things that you wouldn’t normally do.
Emotions are hard to control, and she describes how easy it would be to resume a relationship if her former lover were to come back again.
“Coming Back” by James Blake
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3Xx_vF5n3s
Song Year: 2021
James Blake sings about how sorry he is to his lover. The song lyrics are a conversation between partners after a big fight. Blake is sorry for the things he has said and wants to come back and make amends.
His partner is cautious when it comes to accepting his apology. She wants to know if he genuinely loves her, and she feels that he may see his fantasies as reality.
Top Songs About Coming Back, Final Thoughts
Our favorite songs usually echo how we are feeling. Come back songs are popular because everyone has loved and lost for one reason or another. We can all relate to these songs. The situation might not be straightforward, but at least listeners know that they are not alone regarding unrequited love.