Unrequited love songs recommended for college students: classic and popular Japanese tracks

Blueberry Nightsmakaroni enpitsu

Macaroni Empitsu 'Blueberry Nights' MV

Blueberry Nights is a song by the four-piece rock band Macaroni Enpitsu that packs pop sensibilities with a tinge of heartbreak.

It captures the kind of spiraling thoughts and emotional loops common in love—especially unrequited love.

Rather than the fluttery excitement of a crush, the lyrics read more like a song about lingering attachment—a slightly dark unrequited love song that conveys a desire to start over and a sense of regret.

It really evokes that feeling of remembering something in the middle of the night and getting stuck in a loop of thoughts—yeah, we’ve all been there.

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utatane

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someone I likeUeno Yūka

Yuka Ueno “Suki na Hito” Music Video

It’s not just something that happens in anime or dramas—some of you might have actually fallen for the same person as a friend, told them you’d support them while hiding your own feelings.

When it’s sprung on you suddenly, it’s understandable to feel unable to confess, yet you also can’t bring yourself to tell your friend or your crush how you feel.

It’s a helpless, brooding emotion, but here it’s expressed with truly straightforward, pure sincerity.

It’s a song that will resonate with anyone who’s had the same experience.

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utatane

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Before I knew it, I had a one-sided crush.Nogizaka 46

When I realized it, I was in unrequited love.

Nogizaka46’s “Kizuitara Kataomoi” is a song about a girl who realizes she’s fallen in love before she even knew it.

Released in 2014, the single reached No.

1 on both the Oricon and Billboard Japan singles charts.

From the first verse to the pre-chorus, the lyrics are packed with the pain of unrequited love, while the chorus shifts to a contrastingly simple and catchy melody.

Since it’s an unrequited love song sung by idols of the same generation, high school students will likely find it relatable.

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Hamada Takuya

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AitaiKato Miria

Miliyah Kato - “Aitai”

There are times when unrequited love makes you feel mentally worn down.

It’s even harder when the person you like already has someone they love or is in a relationship.

That’s when I want you to listen to this song: Miliyah Kato’s “Aitai.” Released in 2009, this track has maintained strong popularity—even being featured on THE FIRST TAKE in 2021.

That shows just how many people have had their hearts moved by it.

Feelings that won’t come true, no matter how strongly you wish—when simply carrying them hurts, try listening to this song.

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Yoimachi Jēn

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Unrequited loveOku Hanako

Oku Hanako – Unrequited Love

The person I like already likes someone else.

If you found that out, what would you do? Singer-songwriter Hanako Oku’s 2005 release “Unrequited Love” is a heartbreaking song that captures the feelings of a woman who just can’t give up, even after learning that the person she loves loves someone else.

You can’t help but relate to the delicate hope that he’ll turn around and notice her someday.

For anyone who’s had the same experience, it might feel like your chest is being squeezed.

It’s an achingly poignant song.

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Yoimachi Jēn

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How many times have I read over the lyrics of LOVE SONG?Sakurazaka46

Sakurazaka46: “How many times have I gone back and reread the lyrics of LOVE SONG?”

When you have a crush, your emotions can really swing up and down, can’t they? This song by Sakurazaka46 is a poignant track that captures the feelings of people in love on sleepless nights.

It sings about the bittersweet emotions of falling in love and the way we can relate to the lyrics of love songs.

It’s included on their 8th single, “What Age Do You Want to Go Back To?” released in February 2024, with lyrics written by Yasushi Akimoto.

It might be perfect for anyone who’s stayed up thinking about someone they like or finds themselves rereading love song lyrics over and over.

It’s also recommended for high school students struggling with matters of the heart.

Goodbye, goodbyeTakenaka Eri

Eri Takenaka “Sayonara Sayonara arranged by Masataka Matsutoya”

There are times when it’s really hard to give up, even after being rejected.

You can even go from being mutually in love back to one-sided feelings.

“Sayonara Sayonara,” released in 2006 by singer-songwriter Eri Takenaka, portrays the feelings of a protagonist who keeps loving wholeheartedly despite being dumped.

The way the partner’s heart drifts away and the protagonist’s memories of happier days come through so vividly that you can’t help but relate.

If you just can’t give up, I think it’s okay to keep loving them until you can finally let go.

In the end, it’s a song that helps you snap out of it a little and face forward.

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Yoimachi Jēn

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