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 Portraying Delicate Relationships (41–50)
The End of Summeraibii karaa
A soft, fluttering impatience that makes your heart dance.
That sweet world is exactly where IVY to FRAISE’s “Natsu no Owari” leads you.
収録された2018年のミニアルバム『弾けた恋、解けた魔法』で、この曲はちょうど花火の光が消えかける直前の、ぼんやりとした夜空のようだ。
It gently nestles up to the listener’s heart, delicately sketching the thrill and bittersweetness of mutual yet unspoken crushes.
With over 3 million plays, this track invites you to savor the subtle shifts of emotion and the scenes of summer.
Why not revisit those fresh, youthful feelings on a summer night?
More Than Friends, Not Quite Lovers: A Collection of Love Songs Depicting Subtle Relationships (51–60)
boyfriendaiko
“Boyfriend” is the biggest hit by aiko, who sings many love songs.
With her cute vocals, the lyrics celebrating a just-begun relationship are absolutely adorable.
It’s a fresh, youthful love song recommended for junior high and high school couples.
I’ve been in love with you for a long time.kepura
A sweet singing voice where kindness and bittersweetness resonate, paired with lyrics portraying a secret crush on a friend, leaves a strong impression! With sound production by Kepla and lyrics and composition by vocalist Ritsuki Yanagisawa, this is a refreshing love song.
The ache of being unable to put hidden feelings into words and the inner conflict of not being able to get any closer to the other person are sure to make anyone who’s experienced unrequited love nod in recognition.
Released on December 25, 2024, this work is a much-anticipated follow-up to the album “Days of Youth.” Recommended for those troubled by a more-than-friends, less-than-lovers relationship or those who can’t bring themselves to confess their feelings.
First lovematsumura kanau
This is a song by Kanau Matsumura that’s packed with the sweet-and-sour feelings and frustrations of thinking about someone you like—the full spectrum of first love.
Released in June 2025, it’s a track that could be called the essence of his artistry.
The growing feelings for someone you can only meet in your dreams, the bittersweet longing that makes you take the long way home—listeners may find these emotions overlap with their own experiences.
When you like someone but can’t see them, even small things can make you anxious.
This gentle voice might softly stay by the side of that wavering heart.
Senpai, I’m in love.Inoue Yuu
A heart-fluttering number by Yu Inoue that fully showcases the freedom of a singer-songwriter.
The lyrics have a unique setup: she falls for a junior who keeps calling her “Senpai, Senpai,” always looking up to her.
It’s a slightly thrilling love song about falling for someone younger and turning those feelings for a junior into motivation at work.
Wouldn’t it be nice to be admired by a junior like that?
More than lovers, less than love (TV Size)＝LOVE
A song by =LOVE produced by Rino Sashihara.
Chosen as the opening theme for a TV anime, the track is included on their 18th single slated for release in February 2025.
This song, which depicts complex feelings of love, features a pop, catchy melody.
Its lyrics align with the anime’s world, expressing the protagonists’ delicate relationships.
Members Kiara Saito, Hitomi Takamatsu, and Iori Noguchi are also set to appear as voice actors in the anime.
It’s a recommended track for anyone who’s experiencing the frustrations of love!
Thunder Sakura feat. 9Lana, SAKURAmotiMAISONdes
MAISONdes’s collaboration with 9Lana and SAKURAmoti, “Raioh” (Thunder Cherry Blossoms), is a song that evokes a clumsy yet earnest mutual crush.
As the ending theme for the anime Urusei Yatsura, it captured listeners’ hearts.
While both know their feelings are mutual, they still can’t take that first step—an emotion rendered with aching beauty.
Vivid seasonal imagery is layered with cherry blossoms blooming in the dark night, elevating the story of a love that’s more than fleeting.
Time keeps moving forward and can’t be defied, yet there’s a wish for it not to end just yet.
It’s a track that gives a gentle push to anyone timid in love.