Today's Song You Should Know: 'I Miss My Friend' By Darryl Worley

Generally when I highlight a song of the day it falls into one of two categories: a great track almost no one has heard or a song that is old or obscure enough that most people have forgotten about it. But today's choice is much different.

Country singer Darryl Worley has always been one of my favorites and I will take time in another post to highlight his many musical highlights. But I'm writing about "I Miss My Friend" today for a very different reason. The song was a solid hit when it came out in 2002, topping the Billboard country charts and reaching #28 on the Billboard Top 40. And while it seems to be about the end of a romantic relationship, it's touched people in very different ways in the ensuing 15+ years.

Last night was a tough one for me. An old friend lost his wife of 22 years to COVID-19 and we live in a time when having a public service or celebration of her life just isn't possible. So instead, her husband Don invited some close friends to a Zoom call, where we drank and told mostly funny stories about her life. She was part-Irish and the call was as close to a traditional Irish wake as you can get doing it remotely. There were a lot of laughs and quite a few tears, but when Don ended the call by playing this song, we all lost it. I'll never hear this song again without thinking of her and remembering the joy she brought to Don's life. 

Rest in peace, my dear Sarah.