Missing Piece Explained

Missing Piece
Cover:Vance Joy - Missing Piece.png
Type:single
Artist:Vance Joy
Album:In Our Own Sweet Time
Released:21 May 2021
Genre:Indie folk
Length:3:37
Label:Liberation
Producer:Little
Prev Title:You
Prev Year:2021
Next Title:Don’t Fade
Next Year:2022

"Missing Piece" is a song by Australian singer-songwriter Vance Joy, released on 21 May 2021 through Liberation Music as the lead single from Joy's third studio album, In Our Own Sweet Time.

Describing the song as about "being separated from someone you love", Joy promoted the song with various merchandise. "Missing Piece" made its television debut in the seventeenth season of American medical drama Grey's Anatomy.

At the 2021 ARIA Music Awards, the song won Best Video for Annelise Hickey's directed video; "Missing Piece" was also nominated for Song of the Year, Best Pop Release and Best Independent Release; Vance Joy was nominated for Best Artist.[1] [2]

At the APRA Music Awards of 2022, the song was nominated for Most Performed Australian Work and Most Performed Alternative Work[3]

At the AIR Awards of 2022, the song was nominated for Independent Song of the Year.[4]

Background

Upon release, Joy said: "'Missing Piece' is a song about being separated from someone you love. It can be tough but when what you have is good you know that these separations are just small stuff; you're both holding the line. It's about the stillness you find when you are together."[5]

Marketing

Joy promoted the single with merchandise including an embroidered blue jumper and a white t-shirt featuring the running woman shown on the cover art.[6] [7]

Critical reception

Ellise Shafer from Variety said "'Missing Piece' is a tried-and-true love song, centered on the feeling of finally finding — as the title suggests — your missing puzzle piece.[8]

Joe Vitagliano from American Songwriter called the song "a heartfelt indie-folk anthem" saying "From its sentimental lyrics to its anthemic melodies, the single feels like a perfect match for a variety of meaningful life moments."[9]

In other media

On 20 May 2021, it was announced that "Missing Piece" would debut in the seventeenth season of American medical drama Grey's Anatomy.[8]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2021)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[10] 14
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[11] 13
Switzerland Airplay (Schweizer Hitparade)[12] 12

Year-end charts

Chart (2021)! scope="col"
Position
Australia (ARIA)[13] 43
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[14] 46
US Rock Airplay (Billboard)[15] 26
Chart (2022)! scope="col"
Position
Australia (ARIA)[16] 57

Release history

Region! scope="col"
DateFormatLabel
Various21 May 2021Atlantic[17]
United States1 June 2021Alternative radio[18]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: ARIA Awards nominees revealed: Amy Shark & Genesis Owusu lead the charge . . 20 October 2021 . 24 October 2021 . Kelly, Vivienne . https://web.archive.org/web/20211020000045/https://themusicnetwork.com/2021-aria-awards-nominees/ . 20 October 2021 . live.
  2. Web site: Genesis Owusu, The Kid Laroi, Spacey Jane, RÜFÜS DU SOL big winners at the 2021 ARIA Awards in partnership with YouTube Music . Australian Recording Industry Association . 24 November 2021 . 24 November 2021 .
  3. Web site: Nominees Revealed for 2022 APRA Music Awards. The Industry Observer. 7 April 2022. 9 April 2022.
  4. Web site: Nominees Announced For AIR Independent Music Awards 2022. musicfeeds. 1 June 2022. 1 June 2022.
  5. Web site: Vance Joy releases first new music in three years. Noise11. 20 May 2021. 25 May 2021.
  6. Web site: Missing Piece Embroidered Jumper . Vance Joy Merch . 17 June 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210615110909/https://www.vancejoymerch.com/missing-piece-embroidered-jumper/ . 15 June 2021 . live.
  7. Web site: Running Girl T-Shirt . Vance Joy Merch . 17 June 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210615110911/https://www.vancejoymerch.com/running-girl-tshirt/ . 15 June 2021 . live.
  8. Web site: Vance Joy lovingly longs for the "Missing Piece" on first new solo single in over three years. Variety. 20 May 2021. 21 May 2021. Shafer, Ellise.
  9. Web site: Vance Joy lovingly longs for the "Missing Piece" on first new solo single in over three years. American Songwriter. 20 May 2021. 21 May 2021. Vitagliano, Joe.
  10. Web site: ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart. Australian Recording Industry Association. 26 July 2021. 23 July 2021.
  11. Web site: NZ Hot Singles Chart. Recorded Music NZ. 31 May 2021. 28 May 2021.
  12. Web site: Schweizer Airplay Charts - hitparade.ch . hitparade.ch . 4 April 2022.
  13. Web site: ARIA Top 100 Singles for 2021. Australian Recording Industry Association. 11 January 2022.
  14. Hot Rock & Alternative Songs – Year-End 2021. Billboard. 4 December 2021.
  15. Rock Airplay Songs – Year-End 2021. Billboard. 4 December 2021.
  16. Web site: ARIA Top 100 Singles Chart for 2022. Australian Recording Industry Association. 4 January 2023.
  17. Web site: Missing Piece - Single by Vance Joy on Apple Music. Apple Music. 31 May 2021.
  18. Web site: Future Releases on Alternative Radio Stations, Independent Artist Song Releases . AllAccess . 31 May 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210531144131/https://www.allaccess.com/alternative/future-releases/ . 31 May 2021 . dead.