Opening Act: Missing U by Robyn
As stated by Robyn herself on the 360 remix, she has in fact been killin shit since 1994. Robyn is no stranger to the music industry and is a multifaceted talent. From songwriting to producing to DJing, Robyn knows what sounds good and how to make a hit. Think Dancing On My Own, for example; in my opinion, a pop classic. Robyn is regarded as a pop icon by other pop artists themselves, re: the Charli XCX remix feature on the song of the summer for 2024.
‘Missing U’ is the opening track off of Robyn’s album, Honey. Perhaps part of what makes this song so powerful as an intro is that it leads off Robyn’s eighth studio album. Yes, you read that correctly, eighth. Not only does Robyn’s quality of music hold up for eight albums, but ‘Missing U’ is arguably one of her all time best tracks. To have a peak song on an album that far into her career is not just impressive, it’s virtually unheard of.
‘Missing U’ has that rare trait of being a song that stands alone just as strongly as it does within the fabric of the album. Let’s dive deeper into why:
Lyrically: Don’t be fooled by the shining synths and upbeat nature of the song; the lyrics of ‘Missing U’ are crushing. Are they the most complex lyrics in the world? No, and that is the beauty of them. Robyn is clearly stating what the issue at hand is, how it makes her feel, and how dire things really are. The listener doesn’t need to jump through hoops to relate to Robyn, and it’s hard to believe that such a choice was anything but intentional.
The chorus itself is a masterpiece, with Robyn crying out that “There’s this empty space you left behind/Now you’re not here with me.” It is clear that not only is Robyn missing this person, but she is incomplete without them, furthering that sense of loss. One lyric in particular is a direct reference to loss. The seemingly innocuous “And going places we went/Remember to forget,” is a reference to DJ Christian Falk, who passed away in 2015. The two collaborated for the first time on a song called “Remember.”
The bridge and outro are interwoven so perfectly in terms of lyrics. The lyrics that become slowed and measured in the outro get introduced in the bridge, with Robyn repeating “This part of you, this clock that stopped/This residue, it's all I've got.” A subtle “I miss you” floats in the background, tying in the track name and hammering the overwhelming sense of desire home. This transforms into the outro, where Robyn says that “I keep thinking you're still right beside me.” This carries the story out fully to its end, with Robyn switching between talking about the empty space left behind and the love she received still impacting her. This cycling of emotions is so raw, so real, and exists so beautifully here. She boldly ends the track by declaring, “All the love you gave, it still defines me.”
I think that last line is what really brings the track home for me lyrically speaking. So often people are resistant to actually admit the effect that someone’s love had, and still has, on them. Here, Robyn is defying that. She not only rebukes the idea that you need to forget the love someone gave to move on, she admits that it is still a core part of who she is and will be. Sure, it’s great when you have a song that makes you feel so over something. And sure, it’s great to have love songs. Robyn has created this pedestal upon which the listener can place the more difficult parts of love and healing, and honor them in their own right.
Sonically: Remember those shining synths I mentioned? Let’s circle back to those. The sonic elements of the song appear to contrast so starkly with the lyrics, yet, it is a contrast that enhances the track. They create the sense of complexity and nuance that comes along with grieving the loss of someone who is very much alive, but no longer present.
The synths are what open this opening track, and they immediately draw you into a pop dreamscape. A single hit of a drum makes the track feel grand just 15 seconds in. The percussion comes in and hides behind the synths, but remains constant. Its presence is comparable to a heartbeat, and you can feel it throughout the entire track. Robyn’s vocals are wildly impressive here. Gentle yet desperate, full of sorrow yet powerful.
And then, the bridge. It leaves you clutching your chest, aching along with Robyn. The instrumental becomes slightly more muted, and the lyrics slow, preparing you for the outro. Once you get there, you’re at a crossroads between dancing and creaming and maybe shedding a tear. The instrumental feels like it’s traveling around you, as Robyn closes out the song. Then, the instrumental trails off, bright and magical, working effortlessly into the next track.
Pop music often gets a bad rap, and gets criticized for solely being made for mass appeal. ‘Missing U’ by Robyn is the perfect answer to such criticism. It shows the depth and vulnerability that a pop track and album can have, all while still making you move. There’s a reason why Robyn has lasted so long in the industry, and has come to be an icon of gay pop (Jojo Siwa eat your heart out). ‘Missing U’ is certainly a part of that reason.
A special thank you is in order to my friend Cassidy for showing me this track, I will forever appreciate it.
