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

Me too,YUTORI-SEDAI

YUTORI-SEDAI – Me Too, [Official Music Video] (Theme Song for the Drama “I’m Being Toyed With by a Younger Virgin Guy”)

A ballad that poignantly portrays an unrequited love, set to the aching timbre of a piano.

Upon learning that their crush is dating a close friend, the protagonist carefully weaves their feelings as they have no choice but to give up while keeping their emotions hidden.

The more they think about the person they love, the more the pain intensifies—an experience many share as a bittersweet memory that lingers in the heart.

Included on YUTORI-SEDAI’s major first EP “blanket,” released in April 2025, this song was also chosen as the ending theme for MBS’s Drama Tokku series “I’m Being Toyed With by a Younger Virgin.” It’s a track that gently accompanies the hearts of those in one-sided love, where simply thinking of someone makes your chest tighten.

fragileEvery Little Thing

Every Little Thing / fragile

This song is Every Little Thing’s 17th single, released in 2001, and it became a major hit.

Many people say that just hearing the intro brings them to tears.

A lot of listeners likely relate to the lyrics—hurting someone you love and falling into self-loathing, getting wounded by a simple word and growing awkward, and wanting with all your heart to convey your bittersweet feelings.

Secret SecretPerfume

[Official Music Video] Perfume “Secret Secret”

This is a song included on the album “GAME,” released in 2008.

The music video is said to depict the eight years since their debut, and keeping that in mind makes it quite moving to watch.

Rather than unrequited love, the song conveys a cheerful mood that feels like the beginning of romance.

It’s a song that expresses a shining moment in time.

Please Stay With MeYUI

YUI　『Please Stay With Me-short ver.-』

This song was released in 2010 and is also well known as an insert song for Fuji TV’s Monday 9 p.m.

drama “Natsu no Koi wa Nijiiro ni Kagayaku.” Her softly whispered vocals sound deeply forlorn.

The lyrics poignantly express the feeling of being unable to move, not knowing what to do.

It may resonate with those whose hearts ache from unrequited love.

butterflyKōda Kumi

Kumi Koda / Butterfly

It’s Koda Kumi’s signature work and her 16th single, released in 2005.

It’s an up-tempo song about a confident, forward-looking woman who wants to win over someone who hasn’t noticed her yet by polishing herself and shining brighter.

If you’re losing confidence or thinking of giving up, this might be the song to listen to and give it another try.

profile (side view of a face)aiko

aiko - “Profile” music video

It’s a track from her 22nd single, released in 2007.

While most of her songs are about love—and many of those are about unrequited love—this one stands out with lyrics so direct that the feelings come through as they are, striking straight at the heart.

It isn’t a ballad; its medium tempo and powerful vocals further accentuate the lyrics.

Your Love feat KREVAMiura Daichi

Daichi Miura / Your Love feat. KREVA - Music Video - from “BEST” (On Sale 2018/3/7)

He was active as the lead vocalist of Folder in 1997, but paused his activities during the voice change that everyone goes through when growing from a child to an adult, and finally resumed his career in 2005 as a solo artist under his real name.

This track features KREVA in a friendship-based collaboration.

The video, which expresses feelings of a heart filled with unrequited love for a girl, is packed with highlights beyond the vocals, including dance work and KREVA’s rap section.