Classic and popular songs about unrequited love

Unrequited loveSUPER BEAVER

Unrequited love

A gem of a love song that portrays the bittersweet unrequited love almost everyone experiences at least once.

In this work by SUPER BEAVER, the emotional band sound seems to directly embody the world of the lyrics.

It’s featured as an insert song in NHK General’s late-night drama “Vanilla na Mainichi,” beautifully aligning with the show’s atmosphere.

Shibuya Ryota’s deeply expressive vocals are truly moving.

It’s a song that stays close to the hearts of those currently facing their feelings for someone.

You look like an idiot.Saucy Dog

Saucy Dog “Like a Fool.” Music Video (Theme song for ABEMA’s “You Can’t Fool Me, Mr. Wolf”)

It carefully portrays the delicate feelings of a woman who can’t express herself well: while harboring the desire to know the other person more and to have them all to herself, and feeling love for them, she’s already fed up, believing there’s nothing more she can do.

Chosen as the theme song for ABEMA’s dating reality show “Don’t Be Fooled by Me and Mr.

Wolf,” the track was released digitally in August 2024, and is memorable for its emotional band sound and Shinya Ishihara’s vocals.

It’s a perfect song for those who can’t grasp how the person they like truly feels and are struggling with inner conflict.

Recommended for anyone who can relate to the sorrow of loving someone yet being unable to move forward.

Kasane AiSoala

Soala – Kasaneai [Official Music Video]

Soala’s translucent vocals gently embrace the feelings that pass each other by and the wish to reunite, delicately expressing subtle emotions.

Released in January 2025 as a track on the EP “Bluem,” the song is distinguished by its piano-centered, gentle sound and memorable melodic lines.

The music video—featuring model Ryoka Orita and actor Yusei Ito—has also garnered attention, spreading waves of empathy across social media.

It’s a song I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone who carries a “what if”—wondering how things might have been if you’d met in a different way.

ContrastTOMOO

TOMOO – Contrast [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO]

A gem of a love song that exquisitely interweaves longing for someone with a tender ache.

The feelings TOMOO weaves—wavering between the joy and loneliness of love—gently embrace emotions anyone can relate to.

That bittersweet yearning of having someone right before your eyes yet being unable to close the distance between your hearts.

The pure emotion that slips out despite putting on a brave face.

Carefully giving voice to the heart of someone in unrequited love, this song has been airing since January 2024 as the ending theme for cour 2 of the anime Blue Box.

It’s a track we especially recommend to those who are in the midst of a romance, with their loved one nearby yet unable to be fully honest about their feelings.

CHE.R.RYYUI

CHE.R.RY – YUI (Full)

This pop tune, packed with sweet-and-sour feelings of first love, vividly paints a timeless page of youth.

Expressing the emotions of unrequited love through delicate exchanges via cell phone messages, the song captivates with YUI’s clear, translucent vocals and acoustic sound.

Released in March 2007, it became a memorable track as a commercial jingle.

It was also included on the album CAN’T BUY MY LOVE and selected as the ending theme for the TV anime ReLIFE: Final Arc.

It’s a refreshing, encouraging song perfect for the season when spring arrives—one that anyone harboring feelings of love can relate to.

I like you.YUTORI-SEDAI

[Official Music Video] YUTORI-SEDAI – I Like You (Suki)

A bittersweet love song by YUTORI-SEDAI packed with the flutter and ache of unrequited love.

Changing your nails or makeup, trying a new hair color… You can’t help but root for someone doing everything they can to get their crush to notice them.

Released in February 2023, this track became a huge hit on TikTok.

Haven’t you experienced something like this yourself? Before you work up the courage to confess, why not listen to this song and get yourself in the mood?

I’ve fallen in love.YUTORI-SEDAI

YUTORI-SEDAI – I Fell in Love [Official Music Video]

A heartrending song that portrays an unstoppable longing, even while knowing you shouldn’t move forward.

It’s a rock track YUTORI-SEDAI delivers in July 2024.

With a sense of urgency like a racing heartbeat, it captures the emotional sway of not being able to suppress your feelings, even as you worry you might just be getting played.

The song was selected as the 50th anniversary commercial track for Aeon Topvalu, and the music video features Rio Kitano, a TikTok sensation.

It’s sure to resonate with anyone who can’t stop thinking about that special someone.