Classic and popular songs about unrequited love

Love is hard.riria.

riria. / Love Is Difficult. feat. Aru. from Miteinohanashi [Music Video]

This song gently accompanies the start of love, portraying the bittersweet feelings within.

It interweaves the perspective of a girl who struggles because she can’t read the other person’s feelings and a boy who can’t quite express his own, vividly capturing the miscommunications of romance.

Riria’s clear, translucent voice and Aru.’s gentle vocals match exquisitely, resonating deeply with listeners.

Released digitally in November 2023, it sparked a big response, especially on social media.

It’s a must-listen for high school students wrestling with love.

If you listen while thinking of someone you like, you’re sure to find moments you can relate to.

A Premonition of BeginningsKetsumeishi

Ketsumeishi “Premonition of a Beginning”

There are times when we recall feelings we’d forgotten, and this song is exactly that kind of song.

It’s one I want you to listen to when work or studying has gone on for a while and you’ve lost sight of your surroundings.

The piano intro at the beginning is soothing, so I recommend it.

hydrangeaShido

[SID] Hydrangea (PV).

It has a bit of a jazz vibe and a modern feel, so you can listen to it calmly and relaxed.

The bass line moves all over the place, which makes it interesting to focus on that aspect too.

I think it’s singing about the pain of someone you know gradually changing into someone you don’t.

Tokimeki Part 1supittsu

Spitz / Tokimeki Part 1

This is a Spitz song that sings of aching love set to a refreshing melody.

Chosen as the theme song for the film “Mizu wa Umi ni Mukatte Nagareru” (Water Flows Toward the Sea), it depicts the flutter of first love and the candid feelings of young people in love.

Even though it hurts more each time they meet, they want to see each other again—Masamune Kusano’s gentle yet resolute vocals convey those complex emotions.

Included on the album “Himitsu Studio,” released in May 2023, this track is perfect for times when unrequited love shakes your confidence or when you need a boost of courage.

raspberryMarushii

Raspberry

This is a song by Marcy that portrays someone who, while realizing their feelings won’t be returned, still wishes for their unrequited love to come true.

The tug-of-war between wanting to see the person and not wanting to—precisely because they understand how painful one-sided love can be—elicits strong empathy.

Within the refreshing band sound, the sharp tone of the guitar evokes the heartache that grows alongside their deepening affection.

It’s a song that candidly depicts the lack of emotional cohesion: the desire to make unrequited love come true ends up causing suffering, while the wish to be freed from that suffering coexists at the same time.

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wishMarushii

Marcy – Wish (Official Music Video)

A song by Marcy that sings of the bittersweet feelings for someone you’re secretly in love with.

It’s been making waves as the ending theme for the anime “I’m Going to Fall in Love Anyway.” The lyrics, imbued with feelings so strong you’d offer a prayer to God, are sure to resonate with many.

Ukyo Yoshida’s delicate vocals and the warm sound leave a lasting impression, offering comfort to anyone struggling with love.

Released to coincide with the anime’s broadcast starting in January 2025, this track is recommended not only for those with unrequited love but for anyone who holds someone dear.

Give it a listen when you need the courage to take a step forward.

the depths of the heartrokudenashi

Rokudenashi “In the Depths of the Heart” / Rokudenashi – Deep Down [Official Music Video]

A bittersweet love ballad by Rokudenashi that resonates deeply.

It weaves delicate words about the loneliness that comes at dusk and the urgent feelings hidden behind a smile.

While yearning to be loved, the wavering heart that hesitates to face its true feelings seeps in along with gentle piano melodies.

Released in February 2025 as the lead track from the album “Sigh,” this song reaches out to those who, even while carrying wounded, unsettled hearts, try to look ahead with cherished memories held close.