More Than Friends, Not Quite Lovers: A Collection of Love Songs About That Delicate In-Between
“We’re closer than just ordinary friends, but we’re not lovers either…” Have you ever experienced that in-between relationship—more than friends, less than lovers?
If you both care for each other but just haven’t expressed your feelings yet, it might be a happy relationship.
But sometimes it can also be an unhealthy situation that just drags on without direction.
In this article, we’ll introduce a collection of songs that capture the complexity of that more-than-friends, not-quite-lovers dynamic.
You’re sure to find stories that mirror your own experiences and songs that resonate and move your heart.
Be sure to read the lyrics and listen while taking in each song’s story.
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- A song about friendship between men and women. A collection of friendship songs celebrating irreplaceable bonds.
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- [Love Songs] Say Goodbye to Uncertain Feelings! Love Songs to Listen to When You’re Not Sure If You Like Someone
- [Unattainable Love] A love song about two people who feel the same way but can’t be together
- [To Those in Love] Relatable Love Songs to Listen to When You’re Crushing Hard
- Bittersweet love songs to listen to when the person you like already has a girlfriend or boyfriend
- [Unrequited Love] Heart-wrenching Love Songs | A Roundup of Tear-Inducing Crush and Breakup Tracks
- Songs About Age-Gap Love: A Curated Selection of Exquisite Love Songs
- [Empathetic & Tear-Jerking] A love song about an unrequited romance
- A love song that sings about messy, muddled feelings
- [For You in Love] A Love Song Perfect for Unrequited Feelings
- An empathy song to listen to when you’re hurting and feel like a 'convenient woman'
More Than Friends, Not Quite Lovers: A Collection of Love Songs About Delicate Relationships (1–10)
I…atarayo
Released on January 8, 2024, Atarayo’s “Boku wa…” is a song that brings delicate mutual-crush emotions to the surface.
Through the perspective of Ichikawa, the protagonist of the anime “The Dangers in My Heart,” it sings of the dilemma of feelings that are mutual yet a distance that can’t be closed.
Hitomi’s vocals convey the aching emotions with both strength and delicacy.
The hesitation, the heart’s urgent pounding—these align with the band’s identity of “feeding on sadness” and are expressed brilliantly.
It’s sure to strike a chord with many who feel the mysterious, floating sensation of being mutually in love.
I hope I can be your lover.NEW!Kaneyori Masaru
Kaneyori Masaru is a girls’ band that resonates with relatable, true-to-life lyrics capturing everyday moments.
This work of theirs is a love song that straightforwardly conveys the swelling feelings for someone you like and the frustrating inability to take that one last step.
Even when you know it might be a love that won’t come true, the aching wish to share a future with them tightens the hearts of anyone nursing a crush.
It’s included on the mini-album “To Us Who Won’t Live Yesterday,” released in January 2025, and was also chosen as the theme song for the film “Yoyogi Johnny’s Melancholy After School.” Riding on a driving band sound, Chitose Mina’s emotionally rich vocals ring out in this track.
Let this message gently give a push to a heart that’s grown timid about love.
cold; curt; blunt; unfriendlyRADWIMPS
Sokkenai depicts a relationship between a man and a woman who are more than friends but not quite lovers.
It’s a track included on the rock band RADWIMPS’ 2018 album ANTI ANTI GENERATION.
Many listeners may relate to the lyrics about being unable to be honest precisely because you like someone, and lacking the courage to confess your feelings.
You can really feel the nervous excitement of two people before they start dating.
Set to a slow-paced melody, the song conjures images of a man and a woman gradually closing the distance between them.
More Than Friends, Not Quite Lovers: A Collection of Love Songs About Delicate Relationships (11–20)
sense of distanceHakoniiwa Ririi
Hakoniwa Lily’s “Kyori-kan” is a song about that close-yet-distant, distant-yet-close relationship before two people start dating.
Hakoniwa Lily, who also serves as a guest vocalist for the creator collective HoneyWorks, released this single in 2022.
It was also chosen as the ending theme for the anime “Aharen-san wa Hakarenai.” The lyrics capture the happiness of everyday life spent with someone you adore, and the thrill of being mistaken for a couple—and feeling secretly delighted about it.
By the end, the distance between them drops to zero and their feelings connect, making it an irresistibly happy number.
Stay by my side.Yuika
This song portrays a special bond—romance that grows naturally from friendship.
Released by Yuika in October 2021, it was chosen as the theme song for the TikTok short film “Natsu, Futari” (“Summer, Us Two”).
With lyrics that paint universally relatable scenes, it captured the hearts of many listeners.
Its gentle melody and clear, transparent vocals create a warm atmosphere that feels close to the listener.
It’s a recommended track for moments when you want to reflect on a cherished relationship or reminisce about your youthful days.
Feeling in loveNishino Kana
A love song by Kana Nishino that portrays the struggles of two people who are more than friends but not quite lovers.
The secret feelings harbored for a longtime best friend are expressed with heartrending delicacy.
Even when the mind has given up, the heart can’t help but hold onto a faint hope—an emotion anyone who’s experienced unrequited love can relate to.
Featured on the album “with LOVE,” this track was released in November 2014 and captured the hearts of many listeners.
It’s a must-listen for anyone wavering between friendship and romance.
L and RNEW!ME:I
This love song delicately portrays wavering feelings by comparing the left and right earphone channels to the distance between two people.
It captures a sweet-and-sour emotion that makes your heartbeat quicken, even while sharing the same music.
The track was selected as the opening theme for Season 2 of the TV anime “Anyway, I’ll End Up Falling in Love,” which began airing in January 2026.
Sung by ME:I, this piece offers a warmly poignant melody that gently permeates the heart, setting it apart from their usual energetic dance numbers.
It’s perfect for anyone who, because they’re as close as childhood friends, finds it hard to be honest and feels a frustrating tenderness.
This Valentine’s Day, let this song give you the courage to share your feelings with someone special.