A wonderful classic

Unrequited Love Songs Recommended for High School Students | Love Songs to Listen to While Thinking of Your Crush

Accompanist / Piano Instructoryuri
Accompanist pianist × piano instructor × web writer. I began piano lessons at age four and, inspired by my piano teacher, decided to pursue music. I went on to specialized music programs in high school and university, where I discovered the appeal of accompanying instrumentalists and singers. Currently, alongside teaching piano, I work mainly in my home region of Aichi as an accompanist for flute, voice, choir, and more. Through lessons, my students often introduce me to trending songs, and my hobby is trying anything on the piano—Japanese and Western pop, commercial jingles, and beyond. Since 2021, I’ve also been active as a web writer, covering music and a variety of other genres.
lighterutatane
A person from the melodic hardcore boom generation who loves music, photography, and eating. I’ve been going to live houses for over 20 years. I’m at the age where summer festivals are starting to feel tough physically. I sometimes try shooting live photos and videos for MVs. I’m not great at English, so I often listen to straightforward Japanese rock that hits directly, but if someone recommends something, I’ll listen to anything—Western or Japanese—broadly and casually. I like cooking while listening to music; it’s a nice way to relieve stress.

Introducing the best unrequited love songs for high schoolers!

Many of you who spend most of your day at school probably have someone you like at the same school.

While it’s exciting to see them every day, some of you may also be feeling that bittersweet ache: “We’re too close for me to confess,” or “I ended up liking the same person as my friend.”

The unrequited love songs selected in this article feature real, straightforward lyrics, so those of you in the thick of your youth are sure to love them.

Try finding the song that perfectly matches how you feel right now!

Best Unrequited Love Songs for High Schoolers | Love Songs to Listen to While Thinking of Your Crush (21–30)

lovesicknessAimer

Aimer “Koiwazurai” Studio Live Rehearsal (new albums ‘Sun Dance’ and ‘Penny Rain’ now on sale) FULL

lovesicknessAimer

Koiwazurai by Aimer, which gained popularity as the theme song for AbemaTV’s romance reality show ‘Shirayuki to Ōkami-kun ni wa Damasarenai,’ is a perfect healing track for anyone struggling with love—just listening to it eases the heart.

Her voice is aching and tender, and the lyrics feel like they pierce straight into your heart.

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I adore you, you cutie!SUI

Adorable you are so precious! /sui

I adore you, you cutie!SUI

This is one of sui’s signature songs, depicting the sweet-and-sour feelings of youthful love.

It portrays how feelings for the classmate in the next seat turn the everyday routine that starts with a simple “good morning” into a heart-pounding, special time.

The lyrics vividly capture the rush you feel from a smile, the way you become totally infatuated, and the tender, bittersweet ache of being in love.

Released in August 2020, the track became a major hit among young people—especially on TikTok—and racked up millions of views on YouTube.

It’s a must-listen not only for high schoolers, but also for anyone who wants to reminisce about their own sweet, bittersweet first love.

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HAPPY BIRTHDAYback number

back number - “HAPPY BIRTHDAY” Music Video (Theme song for the TBS Tuesday drama “A Story to Read When You First Fall in Love”)

HAPPY BIRTHDAYback number

When it comes to singing about bittersweet love, back number is practically synonymous with it.

Their song “HAPPY BIRTHDAY” also became the theme song for the romance drama “A Story to Read When You First Fall in Love” starring Kyoko Fukada, and it caused quite a buzz.

Although the vocalist is male, one of the charms of back number’s songs is that the lyrics are relatable to anyone, regardless of whether they’re sung from a male or female perspective.

It’s a one-sided love song steeped in back number’s signature melancholy mood.

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PretenderOfisharu Higedan Dism

Official HIGE DANDism – Pretender [Official Video]

PretenderOfisharu Higedan Dism

Released in May 2019, this song became a smash hit and propelled Official HIGE DANDism into the ranks of popular bands.

You hear it often on TV and on the streets, right? It was also the theme song for both the drama and film of The Confidence Man JP.

Although it’s a song about a bittersweet love—a one-sided crush that won’t come true—what comes across more than the sadness or pain of that unfulfilled love is the pure feeling and poignant emotion behind it.

I’ve listened to it countless times, and it’s a recommended unrequited-love song that really tugs at the heart.

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On nights when I’m too lonely to sleepAimer

Aimer 'On Nights When I’m Too Lonely to Sleep'

On nights when I'm too lonely to sleepAimer

Although their relationship has ended, the lingering feelings of love make Aimer’s “Lonely Nights When I Can’t Sleep” especially heartrending.

Released in 2011 as her second single, it was used as the ending theme for Kansai TV’s music program “Mujack,” among other shows.

The lyrics depict nights spent unable to sleep from loneliness as she keeps remembering you, and just listening to them makes your heart ache.

It’s a sorrowful tragic-love song about an unrequited love for you that will never reach you again.

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It feels like I’m in love.Yuika

It’s like I’m in love / “Yuika” [MV]

It feels like I’m in love.Yuika

Yuika’s debut track delicately captures the bittersweet feeling of unrequited love.

A girl’s pure, earnest emotions seep into your heart alongside the gentle sound of the piano.

Released in February 2024, it was also featured as an insert song on the popular dating show “Koisuru ♥ Shūmatsu Homestay 2024 Winter.” It’s a song that speaks to anyone who has felt the frustration of being unable to convey their feelings to the one they like.

It’s also recommended for those who’ve experienced liking the same person as a friend.

Even if your feelings are suddenly confessed to you, you can’t say them out loud—yet you can’t tell your friend either.

The song expresses those helpless emotions in a straightforward way.

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Because I like you.Yuika

Because I love you. / “Yuika” [MV]

Because I like you.Yuika

Starting in 2020, Yuika began posting videos of herself singing and playing guitar on video platforms and social media, gaining attention as a high school singer-songwriter.

Her song “Suki Dakara,” released on YouTube, became a major hit not only in Japan but also across various Asian regions such as Taiwan and Hong Kong, bringing her widespread recognition.

The lyrics depict a story from the perspectives of two people with unrequited feelings for each other—an arrangement that might seem frustrating to outsiders.

Featuring a gentle ensemble centered on acoustic guitar, it’s a comfortable pop tune especially recommended for teens.

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Hoshino Takashi

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