I'll Be Missing You
I'll Be Missing You is a 1997 number-one hit single recorded by Puff Daddy featuring Faith Evans and 112, in memory of fellow Bad Boy Records artist The Notorious B.I.G., who was murdered on March 9 1997. Released as a single from Puff Daddy & the Family's No Way Out album, "I'll Be Missing You" sampled the melody of The Police's "Every Breath You Take" from 1983. The song had already been completed before permission was granted to use the sample from the 1983 song. As well as these artists, Sting (vocalist from The Police) joined in at the MTV Video Music Awards in 1997.
The single reached number-one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States. There are several different versions of this song. One being an extended version (choir at beginning), another without the choir and an instrumental version.
Little-known rapper Sauce Money (who appeared on some of Jay-Z's early releases) helped Combs write the song's lyrics.
Lyrics
Intro: Puff Daddy
Yeah... this right here (tell me why)
Goes out to everyone that has lost someone That they truly loved (c'mon check it out)
Verse One: Puff Daddy
Seems like yesterday we used to rock the show
I laced the track you locked the flow
So far from hangin on the block for dough
Notorious they got to know that
Life ain't always what it seem to be (uh-uh)
Words can't express what you mean to me
Even though you're gone, we still a team
Through your family, I'll fulfill your dream (that's right)
In the future, can't wait to see
If you'll open up the gates for me
Reminisce some time, the night they took my friend (uh-huh)
Try to black it out, but it plays again
When it's real, feelings hard to conceal
Can't imagine all the pain I feel
Give anything to hear half your breath (half your breath)
I know you still living your life, after death
Chorus: Faith Evans
Every step I take, every move I make
Every single day, every time I pray
I'll be missing you
Thinkin of the day, when you went away
What a life to take, what a bond to break
I'll be missing you
[Puff] I miss you Big
Verse Two: Puff Daddy
It's kinda hard with you not around (yeah)
Know you in heaven smilin down (eheh)
Watchin us while we pray for you
Every day we pray for you
Til the day we meet again
In my heart is where I'll keep you friend
Memories give me the strength I need (uh-huh) to proceed
Strength I need to believe
My thoughts Big I just can't define (can't define)
Wish I coul turn back the hands of time
Us in the six, shop for new clothes and kicks
You and me taking flicks
Makin hits, stages they receive you on
Still can't believe you're gone (can't believe you're gone)
Give anything to hear half your breath (half your breath)
I know you still living you're life, after death
Chorus
[Faith Evans] Somebody tell me why
Interlude: Faith Evans
One black morning
When this life is over
I know
I'll see your face
Outro: 112
Every night I pray, every step I take
Every move I make, every single day
Every night I pray, every step I take
[Puff] Every day that passes
Every move I make, every single day
[Puff] Is a day that I get closer
[Puff] To seeing you again
Every night I pray, every step I take
[Puff] We miss you Big... and we won't stop
Every move I make, every single day
[Puff] Cause we can't stop... that's right
Every night I pray, every step I take
Every move I make, every single day
[Puff] We miss you Big
Chorus 2X with variations
Chorus 1X with interlude 2X over the top to fade
Chart Trajectory
| Hot 100 chart trajectory – I'll Be Missing You | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Week | 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | |
| Chart position | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 15 | 17 | 19 | 23 | 24 | 26 | 30 | 32 | 33 | 35 | 36 | 38 | 40 | |