Unrequited love songs recommended for women in their 40s: classic and popular Japanese tracks

MissingKubota Toshinobu

Toshinobu Kubota – Missing [Official Video Short ver.]

It has the vibe of a slightly heavy unrequited love.

It’s a song full of that heartbreaking atmosphere where you keep thinking about someone, yet your feelings never reach them.

The way you dwell on that person until it hurts slowly seeps into your heart through the melody and Toshinobu Kubota’s voice.

Listening to OliviaAnri

Anri / Listening to Olivia [Official Video]

An eternal classic written and composed by Ami Ozaki.

It’s a song about a mature love that ends not because they grew to dislike each other, but due to certain circumstances.

Evoking the image of a grown woman quietly shedding tears while thinking of her partner, it’s a poignant piece perfectly suited to Anri’s feminine voice.

SquallMatsumoto Eiko

Squall Eiko Matsumoto

“Squall” is Eiko Matsumoto’s second single, released in 1999.

The song was written and composed by Masaharu Fukuyama, who also recorded his own self-cover.

However, since the lyrics are sung from a woman’s perspective, Matsumoto’s version allows for deeper emotional resonance.

Longing, poignancy, and strength of heartShinohara Ryoko with t.komuro

Ryoko Shinohara with Tetsuya Komuro 'Longing, Heartache, and Strength' OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO

Ryoko Shinohara’s classic song “Itoshisa to Setsunasa to Kokorozuyosa to.” Since it was composed by Tetsuya Komuro, you can feel that distinctive Komuro sound throughout the track.

For men in their 40s, it likely stands out as the theme song for the legendary game Street Fighter.

The song features expansive, soaring vocals, but the overall range—mid2B to hiD—isn’t particularly wide, so it’s surprisingly easy to sing.

There’s no use of falsetto, and the melody is fairly simple, so as long as you set the key appropriately, you should be able to sing it without issue.

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unrequited loveOku Hanako

Oku Hanako – Unrequited Love

Kataomoi (Unrequited Love) is a song included on Hanako Oku’s indie best album vol.best, released in 2005.

It’s about wanting to stay in love even if it’s only as friends, while still hoping that someday those feelings might come true.

It’s a song I’d recommend to anyone struggling with romantic feelings for a friend.

I love you more than anyone.Furuchi Toko

Toko Furuuchi - Even Though I Love You More Than Anyone

“Dare Yori Suki na no ni” is Toko Furuuchi’s seventh single, released in 1996.

No matter what the person you have a crush on does, you’re overwhelmed with heartache, anxiety, and sadness.

You can’t let yourself be happy because, on that very edge, you’re painfully aware he isn’t yours alone.

I think the lyrics are highly relatable.

Make me believeBENI

Make Me Believe – BENI Bitter & Sweet Release Tour FINAL

“Shinjisasete” is a song included on BENI’s 2009 album “Bitter & Sweet.” It’s about meeting someone when you’re worn out after a painful breakup with a previous partner.

You’re so afraid of losing them that you can’t confess your feelings, and the relationship just goes on like that.

As we become adults, the desire to avoid getting hurt grows stronger, and it gets harder to take that first step.

It’s a song I can really relate to.