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.
- [Mutual Crush Song] Stuck before confession, not quite lovers!? A love song capturing wavering emotions
- A song about friendship between men and women. A collection of friendship songs celebrating irreplaceable bonds.
- Songs that depict a teasing, suggestive attitude | Love songs to listen to when you're in unrequited love or a painful relationship
- [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 Depicting Ambiguous Relationships (31–40)
two peopleaiko
This is a song by aiko that captures the hazy, conflicted feelings in love.
The poignant lyrics contrast strikingly with the up-tempo melody.
It portrays a strong attraction to the other person while also expressing anxiety about falling too deep and a sense of self-protection, brilliantly conveying the complexity of romance.
Released in March 2008, it reached No.
3 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.
Six years later, in 2014, it was used in a Hoyu commercial, drawing renewed attention.
It’s a recommended track for those struggling with love or having trouble sorting out their feelings.
That’s not fair.Ochiai Wataru
A song that weaves a bittersweet love into delicate words.
From the perspective of a woman suffering from unrequited love, it portrays complex emotions.
She’s drawn to his kindness, yet faces the reality that they can’t be in an official relationship.
Each time he says goodbye, she screams in pain in her heart, even as she sees him off with a smile, sinking into self-loathing—an ache that pierces the listener.
Wataru Ochiai released this track digitally in May 2021, gaining attention in the indie scene.
It’s a song that offers empathy and comfort to those struggling with a relationship that’s more than friends but not quite lovers.
aloeFunatsu Mahiro
This is a song by Masato Funatsu, woven with delicate words and melody, slated for release in January 2025.
It tenderly sings of the frustrating emotions born from a relationship that’s more than friends but not quite lovers—hearts so close, yet unable to draw nearer—wrapped in a gentle vocal delivery.
Also selected as the ending theme for the drama “Alice-san’s Irori Hearth,” the track harmonizes beautifully with the show’s warm portrayal of human relationships.
Love takes many forms, and this song resonates with listeners who find their hearts wavering in ambiguous relationships, offering comfort and empathy to many.
Just friends.TETORA
TETORA’s “More Than Friends” depicts the feelings of not being able to be honest precisely because your friends are so important to you.
It’s included on the 2020 album “me me.” While the lyrics can be read as showing feelings shifting from friendship to romance, friendship can sometimes grow into a bond and relationship equal to—or even greater than—romance.
You want to sincerely express your gratitude to such a precious friend, but you just can’t… In those moments, let this song give you strength to convey your everyday thanks and honest feelings.
FriendKetsumeishi
This is a song about love for friends.
You can feel the straightforward emotion of cherishing your friends.
It’s a song that lifts you up when you’re feeling down.
Friends are indispensable in life, so this song that conveys love for friends really resonated with me.
More Than Friends, Not Quite Lovers: A Collection of Love Songs Portraying Delicate Relationships (41–50)
I want to be your lover.Chōkyūmei
Some of you might be feeling antsy because you have a crush but can’t seem to get closer to the person you like.
If that’s you, I really recommend listening to “I Want to Be Your Lover.” This song frankly portrays the feelings of someone in love.
By gently repeating the title phrase in an ultra-high register, it expresses that ineffable, heart-fluttering emotion.
The jazz-tinged sound also adds a pop brightness, making it a great pick-me-up when you need a boost!
I want to be your boyfriend.Cody Rī (Ri)
Here’s a pop number that sings of sweet young love.
It’s a track by Cody・Lee (Li), released in November 2024.
Positioned as the concluding chapter to the album “Last First Love,” this song features catchy melodies and a breezy rhythm, with lyrics that reflect unwavering devotion.
Blending elements of indie pop and rock while retaining the accessibility of J‑POP, it’s a polished piece that’s sure to lift your romantic mood.
Be sure to give it a listen.