28 Best Songs for a Heartfelt Tribute Video: The Ultimate Playlist

Planning a tribute video? Finding the best songs for tribute video can feel overwhelming. There’s a sea of music out there, and choosing the perfect soundtrack to honor a loved one or celebrate a significant life event requires careful consideration. This isn't just about picking catchy tunes; it's about selecting songs that resonate deeply with the memories and personality of the person being celebrated. Whether you're looking for upbeat anthems to capture a joyful spirit, soulful ballads to express heartfelt emotion, or something in between, the right music can transform a simple video into a powerful and unforgettable tribute. This curated list offers a diverse selection of songs, categorized to help you find the perfect musical backdrop for your heartfelt project, ensuring your video is both moving and memorable.

28 Best Songs for a Heartfelt Tribute Video: The Ultimate Playlist
SongArtistAlbumListens
1. See You Again Wiz Khalifa
Charlie Puth
Super Hits 6B+
2. I Will Always Love You Whitney Houston The Bodyguard - Original Soundtrack Album 2B+
3. Somewhere Over the Rainbow Israel Kamakawiwo'ole 1B+
4. One Sweet Day Mariah Carey
Boyz II Men
Daydream 329M+
5. Wish You Were Here Pink Floyd Wish You Were Here 251M+
6. My Way Frank Sinatra My Way (Expanded Edition) 214M+
7. You Raise Me Up Josh Groban Closer 175M+

1. See You Again (Super Hits)

Emotional Resonance: "See You Again" possesses a deeply moving quality, perfect for expressing heartfelt remembrance in a tribute video. Its melancholic melody and sincere lyrics resonate with feelings of loss and longing.

Vocal Performance: Charlie Puth's emotive vocals are particularly poignant, conveying a sense of genuine grief and acceptance that enhances the video's emotional impact.

Wide Appeal & Recognition: The song's immense popularity ensures broad relatability, making it an effective choice for a tribute video intended for a wide audience.

See You Again - Wiz Khalifa,Charlie Puth

2. I Will Always Love You (1993)

Emotional Impact: Whitney Houston's powerhouse vocals deliver a raw and deeply moving expression of love and loss, perfectly capturing the bittersweet sentiment often present in tribute videos.

Timeless Quality: The song's enduring popularity and iconic status ensure it resonates with viewers across generations, making it a powerful and universally understood choice.

Visual Potential: Its melancholic melody and evocative lyrics provide ample opportunity for visually stunning montage sequences, enhancing the emotional impact of your tribute.

I Will Always Love You - Whitney Houston

3. Somewhere Over the Rainbow (Israel Kamakawiwo'ole - 1993)

Emotional Impact: Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's ukulele rendition of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" evokes a profound sense of peace and longing, making it incredibly poignant for tribute videos seeking to express heartfelt remembrance.

Sound and Rhythm: The mellow ukulele melody and Kamakawiwo'ole's soothing vocals create a timeless and universally appealing soundscape, perfectly suited for a montage of cherished memories.

Vocal Performance: His uniquely warm and gentle voice adds a layer of intimacy and sincerity, enhancing the emotional resonance of the song and making it particularly moving for tribute purposes.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow - Israel Kamakawiwo'ole

4. One Sweet Day (Mariah Carey ft Boyz II Men - 1995)

Powerhouse Vocals: Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men's soaring vocals create a truly unforgettable and emotionally resonant performance, perfect for a tribute video showcasing vocal talent.

Emotional Depth: The song's heartfelt lyrics about enduring love and loss offer a powerful message of remembrance and tribute, ideal for commemorating a loved one.

Timeless Classic: "One Sweet Day" remains a beloved classic with broad appeal, ensuring your tribute video resonates with a wide audience and evokes a sense of shared nostalgia.

One Sweet Day - Mariah Carey,Boyz II Men

5. Wish You Were Here

Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd

Emotional Resonance: Evokes a powerful sense of longing and loss, perfect for capturing the bittersweet sentiment often present in tribute videos.

Iconic Sound: Pink Floyd's signature sound, with its atmospheric textures and David Gilmour's soaring guitar, creates a timeless and evocative backdrop.

Visual Potential: The song's melancholic beauty lends itself well to visually stunning imagery, making it ideal for creating a poignant and memorable tribute.

Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd

6. My Way (Frank Sinatra)

Vocal Performance: Frank Sinatra's iconic baritone voice delivers a powerful and emotionally resonant performance, perfect for capturing a sense of reflection and remembrance in a tribute video.

Emotional Impact: The song's lyrics speak to a life lived to the fullest, making it ideal for celebrating someone's legacy and achievements, evoking feelings of nostalgia and appreciation.

Timeless Quality: "My Way" transcends generations, ensuring its impact remains powerful and relevant regardless of the tribute video's intended audience, making it a classic choice for commemorating a life well-lived.

My Way - Frank Sinatra

7. You Raise Me Up

Emotional Impact: Josh Groban's soaring vocals and the uplifting melody of "You Raise Me Up" create a deeply moving tribute, perfect for celebrating a life well-lived.

Timeless Quality: The song's message of hope and inspiration transcends generations, making it a resonant choice for a tribute video regardless of the honoree's age or background.

Visuals: Consider incorporating images or video clips that reflect the honoree's life alongside the music; the song's powerful emotion naturally lends itself to evocative visuals.

You Raise Me Up - Josh Groban

8. Tears in Heaven

Emotional Depth: "Tears in Heaven" written by Eric Clapton following the tragic death of his son, is a profoundly moving ballad that resonates deeply with feelings of grief and loss, making it incredibly powerful for a tribute video.

Vocal Performance: Clapton's raw, emotionally charged vocals add a layer of authenticity and vulnerability, perfectly capturing the sentiment of remembrance and sorrow.

Visual Storytelling Potential: The song's somber melody and introspective lyrics provide a beautiful backdrop for incorporating poignant photos or video clips in a tribute video, enhancing its emotional impact.

Tears in Heaven - Eric Clapton

9. Time to Say Goodbye (Andrea Bocelli ft Sarah Brightman - 1996)

Vocal Performance: Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman's soaring vocals create a powerful and moving duet, ideal for evoking a sense of heartfelt remembrance in a tribute video.

Emotional Impact: The song's melancholic yet beautiful melody and lyrics about saying goodbye perfectly capture the bittersweet emotions associated with remembering a loved one.

Visual Potential: The timeless quality of "Time to Say Goodbye" lends itself well to diverse visual imagery, making it a versatile choice for creating a poignant and memorable tribute video.

Time to Say Goodbye - Andrea Bocelli,Sarah Brightman

10. Hallelujah

Hallelujah - Bon Jovi

Power Ballad Anthem: Bon Jovi's "Hallelujah" offers a soaring, anthemic quality perfect for a tribute video, evoking strong emotions and a sense of shared experience.

Emotional Resonance: The song's heartfelt lyrics and Jon Bon Jovi's powerful vocals create a deeply moving experience, ideal for commemorating a loved one or celebrating a significant life event.

Visual Potential: Its iconic sound and emotive storytelling provide ample opportunities for compelling visuals in a tribute video, allowing for creative and personalized interpretations.

Hallelujah - Bon Jovi
  • Go Rest High on That Mountain
    11

    Go Rest High on That Mountain

    Vince Gill

    1995

  • When I Get Where I'm Going
    12

    When I Get Where I'm Going

    Brad Paisley

    2005

  • Angel
    13

    Angel

    Sarah McLachlan

    1997

  • Lay Me Down
    14

    Lay Me Down

    Sam Smith,John Legend

    2013

    In The Lonely Hour (Drowning Shadows Edition)

  • Forever Young
    15

    Forever Young

    Rod Stewart

    1988

  • I Will Remember You
    16

    I Will Remember You

    Sarah McLachlan

    1995

  • Calling All Angels
    17

    Calling All Angels

    Train

    2003

  • Over the Rainbow
    18

    Over the Rainbow

    Eva Cassidy

    1992

  • Knockin' On Heaven's Door
    19

    Knockin' On Heaven's Door

    Bob Dylan

    1973

    Pat Garrett & Billy The Kid (Soundtrack From The Motion Picture)

  • Because You Loved Me
    20

    Because You Loved Me

    Celine Dion

    1996

  • Wind Beneath My Wings
    21

    Wind Beneath My Wings

    Bette Midler

    1988

    Beaches (Original Soundtrack Recording)

  • What A Wonderful World
    22

    What A Wonderful World

    Louis Armstrong

    1967

    What A Wonderful World

  • We'll Meet Again
    23

    We'll Meet Again

    Vera Lynn,Sailors, Soldiers & Airmen of Her Majesty's Forces,Roland Shaw And His Orchestra

    1939

    Silver Memories: Our Vera

  • Slipped Away
    24

    Slipped Away

    Avril Lavigne

    2004

  • Unforgettable
    25

    Unforgettable

    Nat King Cole

    1991

    Unforgettable

  • Save a Place for Me
    26

    Save a Place for Me

    Matthew West

    2008

  • Amazing Grace
    27

    Amazing Grace

    Carrie Underwood

    2007

  • Remember Me
    28

    Remember Me

    Mark Schultz

    2001