Long-distance relationships have produced some brilliant music because distance gives songwriters everything they need.

Longing.

Uncertainty.

Travel.

Phone calls.

Time zones.

Missing somebody.

And the slightly ridiculous things people will do to see each other again.

With PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson’s “Stateside” back in the conversation, here are 25 songs that approach distance from very different directions.

1. PinkPantheress + Zara Larsson – Stateside

A modern starting point.

Rather than describing an established relationship suffering through distance, “Stateside” captures the excitement of being willing to cross borders for a new crush.

2. The Proclaimers – I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)

The least subtle long-distance solution ever written.

Walk there.

3. Plain White T’s – Hey There Delilah

Probably one of the most recognisable long-distance relationship songs of the 2000s.

4. Bruno Mars – Talking to the Moon

Distance becomes almost cosmic here.

A song about desperately trying to reach someone who feels impossibly far away.

5. John Denver – Leaving on a Jet Plane

A classic built around departure.

6. Rihanna – California King Bed

Physical closeness and emotional distance can coexist.

That’s arguably worse than being geographically separated.

7. Snow Patrol – Set the Fire to the Third Bar

A beautiful song about measuring the physical distance between two people.

8. 3 Doors Down – Here Without You

Peak early-2000s longing.

9. Michael Bublé – Home

Sometimes the glamorous life isn’t particularly glamorous when the person you want isn’t there.

10. Journey – Faithfully

Touring musicians know a thing or two about long-distance relationships.

“Faithfully” is one of rock’s definitive songs about that problem.

11. Taylor Swift – Come Back… Be Here

A relationship begins just as geography gets in the way.

12. Ed Sheeran – Photograph

Memory becomes something you can physically carry while somebody is absent.

13. Oleta Adams – Get Here

Plane, train, walking — the method doesn’t matter.

Just arrive.

14. Richard Marx – Right Here Waiting

One of the great power ballads about separation.

15. The Beatles – All My Loving

Written from the perspective of leaving someone but promising continued affection.

16. Jason Mraz – Lucky

A gentler take on loving someone who isn’t always physically present.

17. Avril Lavigne – When You’re Gone

Distance makes ordinary things suddenly feel enormous.

18. Mariah Carey – Whenever You Call

A classic reassurance song: distance doesn’t remove emotional availability.

19. Death Cab for Cutie – Transatlanticism

The Atlantic Ocean becomes a metaphor for emotional separation.

20. Dire Straits – So Far Away

The title does most of the explaining.

21. The Police – So Lonely

Not specifically a travel song, but perfect for the emotional consequences of separation.

22. Carole King – So Far Away

Another song with the same title and a completely different emotional texture.

23. Nickelback – Far Away

A huge mid-2000s rock ballad about time, distance and regret.

24. Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell – Ain’t No Mountain High Enough

The optimistic version.

Distance doesn’t matter.

25. The Cure – Lovesong

Simple, direct devotion that works whether the other person is across the room or across the world.

Why are there so many songs about distance?

Because separation intensifies otherwise ordinary emotions.

Missing someone for one evening is normal.

Missing them for six months changes how you experience every message, goodbye and reunion.

Technology has changed the mechanics.

Letters became phone calls.

Phone calls became FaceTime.

But music about distance keeps working because the underlying feeling hasn’t changed at all.