”Missing You” by Diana Ross

Of all of the premature deaths in music, Marvin Gaye’s was perhaps the most shocking. Not only was he murdered at gunpoint, but the killer was his own father. At just 44 years old, Gaye left his mark on the R&B world, only to have his life brutally taken away before he had the chance to enjoy the fruits of his efforts.

Less than a year after his death, Gaye’s good friend and labelmate Diana Ross penned one of the most powerful tributes from one artist to another. They both had a deep respect and appreciation for one another’s talents, creating an album together in 1973. Her song to him, written months after his death, is a reminder of how painful losing someone suddenly can be for those who survive.

Ross is nearly inconsolable in this song, trying to sort through the memories she had of her friend, while asking why he had to be ripped away from her so violently. She sings,

“There was so much you gave me

To my heart
To my soul
There was so much of your dreams
That were never told
You had so much hope
For a brighter day
Why were you my flower
Plucked away”

She goes from a friend memorializing the things about Gaye that made her love him, while also questioning why she has to experience this immense loss. This is a theme that plagues many people who have lost loved ones, especially in violent ways.

Here, there is no long, drawn out illness. There is no saying goodbye. There is no knowledge that her friend’s death was peaceful in the end. She is forced to say goodbye on her own, knowing that his final moments were filled with shock, pain and confusion.

This is a hard fact to swallow for anyone who cares about their loved ones. The last thing we want is to know that they were ever hurt. Yet Ross’ song manages to navigate this with grace and dignity.

Read the full lyrics for “Missing You” here, and watch the video below.