If You're Gone

Album: Mad Season (2000)
Charted: 50 5
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Lead singer Rob Thomas wrote this as a "love letter" to his future wife, Marisol. She was having second thoughts about starting a relationship with a musician. "When I first met her, it was just a lot, me being on the road, me having a son, her going to college and not knowing if she wanted to date a guy that lived this kind of life," he explained in an interview with Forbes. "So I went and wrote 'If You're Gone,' which was kind of a song to get her back. And I'm not sure if the song worked, but I don't think it hurt." >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Emily - Louisville, KY
  • "If You're Gone" broke the record for the slowest climb to #1 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart when it moved to top in its 42nd week on the chart.

    It kept the record for over 23 years until Benson Boone's "Beautiful Things" rose to the top of the survey dated March 29, 2025.
  • The band performed this on VH1 Storytellers in 2001.

Comments: 5

  • Hope from Nythis song is helping me a ton as an adult. My best friend randomly stop talking to me. No fight nothing. It breaks my soul & cant stop thinking about it but its helpful to have my feelings written out
  • India Nelson from Cavalier, North DakotaI just lov. I worked at the International Border and cleared alit of musical ge this song, the lyrics intrigue me. I don't remember this song the year it was released. Our son Chris was in the Marine Corp which was harder on us than on him and our other son Michael was still reeling from the murder of his Aunt several years earlier. When they started to settle down we did. Still enjoy your music
  • Scott from Brisbane, AustraliaThis is my favorite Matchbox Twenty song.
  • Martin from Fresno, CaIt is a reminder to put your family first no matter what your career is.
  • J.r. from Crowville, WaHeard this song in college. I played it a lot when I broke up with my then girlfriend. I really have mixed emotions whenever this song comes on.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many Songs

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many SongsSong Writing

For songwriters, Johnny represents the American man. He has been angry, cool, magic, a rebel and, of course, marching home.

Producer Ron Nevison

Producer Ron NevisonSong Writing

Ron Nevison explains in very clear terms the Quadrophenia concept and how Heart staged their resurgence after being dropped by their record company.

Rosanne Cash

Rosanne CashSongwriter Interviews

Rosanne talks about the journey that inspired her songs on her album The River & the Thread, including a stop at the Tallahatchie Bridge.

James Bond Theme Songs

James Bond Theme SongsMusic Quiz

How well do you know the 007 theme songs?

Loreena McKennitt

Loreena McKennittSongwriter Interviews

The Celtic music maker Loreena McKennitt on finding musical inspiration, the "New Age" label, and working on the movie Tinker Bell.

Amy Lee of Evanescence

Amy Lee of EvanescenceSongwriter Interviews

The Evanescence frontwoman on the songs that have shifted meaning and her foray into kids' music.