A song of forbidden love. A heartrending, sorrowful love song.
A forbidden love you can’t tell anyone about.
If you’re reading this article, perhaps you’re experiencing a similar kind of love.
If so, there are probably many painful moments.
I’ve gathered some songs I want you to hear.
They capture the pain of falling for someone who already has a lover or partner and feeling lost, or knowing it won’t come true yet being unable to give up.
When things are tough, try finding one song that stays close to your feelings.
Like when someone listens to you, it might make your heart feel just a little lighter.
- [An Adulterous Love] A love song about a secret affair you can't tell anyone about
- [Adultery Song] A forbidden song about an affair that sings of an impossible love
- A classic song about a forbidden love
- A song of forbidden love. A love song about feelings that can't be stopped.
- [Unattainable Love] A love song about two people who feel the same way but can’t be together
- [Cheating Song] A forbidden love that crossed the line — infidelity song
- "A Love Song I Can't Tell Anyone" — a love song you can relate to when times are tough
- [Empathetic & Tear-Jerking] A love song about an unrequited romance
- A tear-jerking love song. A love song that stays close to a hurting heart.
- “I Want to See You”: A love song that makes you cry when you listen to it while you can’t meet
- [Unrequited Love] Heart-wrenching Love Songs | A Roundup of Tear-Inducing Crush and Breakup Tracks
- Tear-jerking unrequited love songs that will break your heart: timeless classics about unattainable love
- [2026] Japanese love ballads of tragic romance: classic masterpieces of sad love songs
A forbidden love song. A heartrending, sorrowful love ballad (71–80)
I didn’t want to know, if it meant losing it.atarayo
A song where aching sadness and faint hope intersect.
Carried by Atarayo’s vocals, it gently portrays the feelings of those tormented by unrequited love.
Even after learning the truth of a lie, the growing fear of losing the one you love is striking.
Released in January 2022 as an advance single from the album “In the Polar Night, the Moon Remains Silent,” this piece was born from a collaboration with the “Junwaidan” project, drawing on an episode selected from over 10,000 submissions.
It’s a song that stands beside anyone who wants to look forward while carrying the pain of heartbreak—recommended for moments when you want to face the complex emotions deep within your heart.
Like a loversamezame
Samezame’s “Like Lovers” is a ballad that evokes unrequited and forbidden love.
The protagonist of the song surely couldn’t suppress her feelings for him, even knowing she wouldn’t be loved in return.
Though it’s not stated outright and the ending wraps up neatly, it sounds like a dig at the person important to him—almost as if saying, “He loved me this much.”
Tell me you love me, even if it’s a lie.suisou gurashi
A poignant song that captures the frustration of a forbidden love.
Suisougurashi’s music portrays the feelings of people living lives as if confined to an aquarium in small urban apartments.
The lyrics delicately depict the inner conflict of a woman who missed the last train, leaving a strong impression that resonates deeply with listeners.
Released in January 2021, the track vividly illustrates the complexities of modern romance.
It’s recommended for anyone who feels the bittersweet tension of love or struggles to be honest with their own feelings.
A song of forbidden love. A heartrending, sorrowful love song (81–90)
MissingKubota Toshinobu
The more you love, the more a bittersweet ache sprouts in your heart.
This song by Toshinobu Kubota, a singer-songwriter renowned for his powerful vocals, was included on his debut album “SHAKE IT PARADISE,” released in 1986.
It’s a popular track that has been covered by numerous famous musicians.
Kubota’s voice seeps gently into the depths of your chest—it’s irresistible.
It conveys the song’s message all the more profoundly.
AitaiKato Miria
When it comes to timeless songs you want to listen to when you’re going through heartbreak, you can’t leave out “Aitai.” It’s a track from Miliyah Kato’s 2009 album “Ring,” and it was used as an insert song in the 2010 film “Akunin” (Villain).
Many women have likely been moved to tears by the lyrics, which earnestly express a woman’s single-minded devotion.
“Even if you’re not kind to me, even if you have someone else, I still love you…”—that kind of sorrow tightens your chest.
It’s a highly recommended song for those times when you want to cry your heart out because you can’t see the person you love.
Nevertheless, I want to do it.Hirai Ken
“Soredemoshitai” is a song by Ken Hirai that humorously portrays a forbidden relationship between a man and a woman.
In real life, even if you have a crush or someone you like, relationships aren’t something you can just forcefully seize.
But this song is different.
It sings of a very greedy woman who tries to steal a man away, yet refuses to stop loving him—depicting a strong woman with a tenacious, never-give-up spirit.
In the chorus, she practically screams out her frustration, which, interestingly, comes across as almost masculine—making it a fascinating song.
LOVE (I want to hold you)sawada kenji
Julie’s bittersweet, grown-up love song.
From the very beginning, you can tell he’s dying to hold his lover tight.
A cheating song told from a man’s perspective is unusual.
It seems the woman has a family, while the man is single.
Even though she loves him, there’s someone who loves her even more, and that makes him incredibly lonely.
Since it would be bad if her affair were exposed, the man ultimately decides to step back.
