“Missing Piece” by Vance Joy
Apparently, “Missing Piece” is yet another track which has been inspired by one of the most-harrowing aspects of the coronavirus pandemic, that being loved ones separated due to quarantines, lockdowns and what have you.
But how this piece differs from others we’ve covered in that regard is that sentimentally it concludes on a more positive note. That is to say that yes, the singer is indeed longing for the addressee, who very much reads like a romantic interest. And relatedly, he finds himself reminiscing on joyous days past when they were in fact together.
But simultaneously, he is also well aware that it’s just a matter of time before she “finally make(s) it home”. And when she does, it’s officially on. Basically the addressee’s absence has made the narrator realize even more just how much she means to him. Simply put, the addressee is the “missing piece” which his life is not complete being devoid of.
Moreover he has also learned that time, or presence shall we say, is not something to be taken for granted. And as such, when the love of his life does rematerialize, he’s going to make sure that he “won’t waste a minute” of the opportunity of being with her.
A Love Song
So broken down to its most-basic sentiment, “Missing Piece” is a love song. This is made most evident by the lovey-dovey lyrics of the chorus. Yes, it is premised on a considerable level of discontent the vocalist is enduring. But that is because for the time being he is separated from his significant other.
Vance Joy
Vance Joy is a singer from Australia who has been doing his thing, in a professional capacity, since 2013. The following year he dropped his debut album, “Dream Your Life Away”. The project topped his native ARIA Albums Chart, as did his second full-length, “Nation of Two”.
His first effort also went platinum in the United States and triple-platinum north of the border, though the second album was not as well received.
Accordingly most of the international hits he has dropped thus far, i.e. as of the release date of “Missing Piece” on 19 May 2021, were during the earlier part of the 2010s.
And most notable amongst them was his sophomore single, “Riptide“. “Riptide” went sextuple-platinum in America and has kept him in the spotlight years after its release.
Vance Joy did experience a milder international hit in early 2021 with a track entitled “You”. It appears to be one of only two songs he’s come out with in the last five years that actually charted outside of “Oceania”. But that is likely attributable to the fact that it is an international collaboration itself, with two popular American artists, Marshmello and Benny Blanco.
More Facts about “Missing Piece”
“Missing Piece” is a standalone single that Vance Joy wrote in conjunction with Joel Little. And Vance has explained that the two of them actually authored the piece remotely. They did so via the internet during coronavirus lockdown.
Moreover Joel Little, himself being from nearby New Zealand, also co-produced “Missing Piece”. He did so in conjunction with Edwin White.
This song served an important role on the 20 May 2021 episode of the long-standing medical drama Grey Anatomy. That particular episode is entitled Tradition. It serves as the final in which one of the main cast members, Jesse Williams, will be featured on the program.
And apparently “Missing Piece” will play during a montage as his character, Dr. Jackson Avery, “reflects on his memories” throughout his 11 years on the show. And as far as Vance’s own reaction to the tune being utilized in such a capacity, he said that he’s “stoked” concerning the whole ordeal.
