Missing You (Ingrid Michaelson song)
Synth-pop song inspired by a Stranger Things love triangle.
"Missing You" is a track by American singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson, featured on her 2019 album *Stranger Songs*. It came out as the album’s first single on May 10, 2019, through Cabin 24 Records. Michaelson co-wrote the song with Jesse Thomas and Sam de Jong, who also handled production. Musically, it’s a synth-pop piece with a driving beat that draws heavily from 1980s sounds, and its lyrics center on a love triangle where the main character longs for someone else while in a relationship. Every song on *Stranger Songs* was sparked by moments or ideas from the TV show *Stranger Things*. Michaelson based “Missing You” on the romantic triangle involving characters Nancy Wheeler, Jonathan Byers, and Steve Harrington. Even with that specific inspiration, she wrote the lyrics to work for a broader audience beyond the show’s context. Critics generally liked the song, highlighting its production, words, and nods to *Stranger Things*. A lyric video with a Pac-Man theme came first, followed by a music video directed by Daniel Carberry on July 10, 2019, where Michaelson performs surrounded by dancers. She also put out an animated video drawn by comic artist Kevin Wada, featuring a main character whose gender is left ambiguous. To promote the song, Michaelson performed it live on *Live with Kelly and Ryan* and *Today*, as well as during her Dramatic Tour. Michaelson, Thomas, and de Jong wrote “Missing You,” with de Jong producing. The album *Stranger Songs* is a concept record inspired by the sci-fi series *Stranger Things*, which Michaelson is a fan of. Each track started from a scene or theme in the show before being fleshed out into full songs. Michaelson found comfort in the show’s nostalgic feel, which reminded her of her own childhood. She wrote the song from the viewpoint of Nancy Wheeler (played by Natalia Dyer), who is caught in a love triangle with her crush Jonathan Byers (Charlie Heaton) and her boyfriend Steve Harrington (Joe Keery). Michaelson wove in specific references she thought fans would catch if they knew what to look for. In a May 2019 Instagram post, she said the idea of “being with one person, but knowing you should be with somebody else” is something many people can relate to. The song dropped as the lead single on May 10, 2019, via Cabin 24 Records.
Quick Facts
- Artist
- Ingrid Michaelson
- Album
- Stranger Songs
- Released
- 2019-05-10
- Genre
- Synth-pop
- Label
- Cabin 24
- Writer
- Ingrid Michaelson / Jesse Thomas / Sam de Jong
- Producer
- De Jong
- Prev Title
- All I Want for Christmas Is You
- Prev Year
- 2018
- Next Title
- Jealous
- Next Year
- 2019
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
All tracks on Stranger Songs were inspired by scenes and themes from the television series Stranger Things, with Michaelson basing "Missing You" on the love triangle between the characters Nancy Wheeler, Jonathan Byers, and Steve Harrington. Despite this specific inspiration, Michaelson wrote the lyrics to be open to universal interpretations beyond the context of the series. The song was written from the perspective of Nancy Wheeler, and Michaelson incorporated specific references that fans could recognize if they "know to look for them." In an Instagram post, Michaelson said the song's concept of "being with one person, but knowing you should be with somebody else" is widely relatable.
"Missing You" is a synth-pop and dance song drawing inspiration from 1980s music, featuring a "grainy bassline." It is two minutes and fifty-four seconds in duration. The song builds slowly towards an explosive chorus. Lyrically, it explores the universal theme of missing someone, with the protagonist missing her partner regardless of whether they are together or apart. The song received generally positive reviews from music critics, who praised its production, lyrics, and Stranger Things references. By June 2019, it had exceeded one million streams on Spotify, and on August 10, 2019, it peaked at number 21 on the US Adult Top 40 charts.
Reader's Guide
"Missing You" represents a notable intersection of pop music and television fandom, as Ingrid Michaelson crafted a concept album entirely inspired by Stranger Things. The song's success on the Adult Top 40 chart and its streaming numbers demonstrate its commercial appeal beyond the show's fanbase. Critics highlighted how the song balances specific references to the series with universal themes of longing and romantic tension, allowing it to resonate with listeners unfamiliar with Stranger Things. The song's production, heavily influenced by 1980s synth-pop, aligns with the show's nostalgic aesthetic while maintaining Michaelson's signature style. The release of multiple music videos—including a Pac-Man themed lyric video, a live-action one-take video, and an animated video with a gender-ambiguous protagonist—showcases the song's versatility and the artist's commitment to visual storytelling. "Missing You" stands as a key example of how a television-inspired concept can yield a commercially viable and critically well-received pop single.
Did You Know?
- The song was inspired by the love triangle between Stranger Things characters Nancy Wheeler, Jonathan Byers, and Steve Harrington.
- The lyric video for the song was inspired by the video game Pac-Man.
- The official music video was filmed entirely in one take.
- An animated music video for the song featured a gender-ambiguous protagonist, a deliberate choice to open the song to everyone's experience and sexuality.
More in Characters & Cast
Elsewhere in Stranger Things
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