[To Those in Love] Relatable Love Songs to Listen to When You’re Crushing Hard

AloneMayo Okamoto

Mayo Okamoto — alone

A gently woven ballad that carries hidden feelings along with a piano melody.

Released by Mayo Okamoto in November 1996, this song portrays the heartrending emotions of a woman whose boyfriend is taken by her close friend.

Though she puts on a brave face and smiles for those around her, she continues to carry loneliness in her heart.

The pain she feels upon glimpsing the couple by chance on a station platform, and her yearning not for sympathy but for true love, are expressed with delicate nuance.

This piece is a long-cherished ballad she had nurtured since before her debut.

It’s a song that quietly stays by the side of anyone trying to look forward while bearing the pain of heartbreak.

I wish I were the one you liked.Te ga kuriimu pan

I wish I were the one you love / Hands Like Cream Bread (Wishing I’m her / tegacreampan) [Official Music Video]

A heart-stirring ballad by Tegami Cream Pan, where earnest feelings and a bittersweet mood are woven together through a clear, transparent vocal.

It gently portrays a woman who carries deep feelings for someone important yet struggles to express them.

Featuring an evocative piano melody, the song was released in April 2023.

Showcasing her delicate expressive power to the fullest, this piece speaks on behalf of girls in love.

It’s a must-listen for those who keep their feelings for a crush to themselves or find it hard to be honest about their emotions toward someone dear.

Can I try saying “I love you”?Matsushita Kohei

Kohei Matsushita – Is It Okay If I Say I Love You? (Music Video)

I want to summon the courage to say “I love you”! This gentle love song by Kohei Matsushita captures that feeling with warmth.

The lyrics by Takahito Uchisawa of androp blend seamlessly with Matsushita’s tender vocals, letting straight-from-the-heart emotions resonate deeply.

Released in November 2024, this song is one we especially hope will reach those who feel shy and can’t put their feelings into words, or who struggle to express their love to someone important.

Its wish to stay together, no matter how time passes, will quietly stay by your side.

Oh, early summer rainSakurazaka46

Sakurazaka46 'Samidare yo'

A poignant love song by Sakurazaka46 that portrays feelings of love through the motif of early-summer rain.

Released in April 2022 as their fourth single, it received a tremendous response, topping the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.

Like rain that never stops, the swelling emotions are expressed through delicate vocals and choreography, gently embracing unspoken love and the struggles it brings.

It is a warm track that waits for the arrival of spring, resonating with those in the midst of unrequited love or unable to convey their feelings.

dear personShio Reira

Leila Shio / Ito Shii Hito [Official Music Video]

This song focuses on the different readings of the kanji for “love,” portraying the misalignments in how love is expressed and received.

Released in August 2024 as the lead track of the 1st EP “No one,” it also drew attention for being featured as background music on ABEMA’s dating show “He and the Little Wolf-chan Won’t Deceive You.” If you’ve ever struggled with the weight of the word “love” or felt unsure about how to interpret someone’s feelings, you’ll find it impossible not to relate.

You can really feel the kindness of someone trying to accept their partner’s clumsy way of showing love.

flower fortune-tellingShimizu Miisa

MIISA Shimizu – Hanauarai (Flower Fortune-telling)

This is an unrequited love song that delicately portrays fleeting feelings with a clear, translucent vocal.

Released in April 2025 as the opening theme for the drama “Kiri-o Fan Club,” the track features Miisha Shimizu’s expressive vocals, beautifully harmonizing with the poignant melody line.

The sound arrangement, infused with elements of funk music, also leaves a strong impression.

It’s a song that stays close to the pains and anxieties of love, so give it a listen when you’re dealing with those feelings.

This is loveMirei Touyama

Mirei Touyama “This is love”

An emotional love song that conveys feelings of love straight and true.

The lyrics carefully depict the real emotions of a relationship—moments of miscommunication and anxiety—evoking both poignancy and warmth at the same time.

Layered over a sound that fuses R&B and pop, Mirei Toyama’s expressive vocals create a moving finish that resonates with the heart.

Chosen as the theme song for a popular romance drama, it makes the most touching scenes even more memorable.

Give it a listen when you want to reaffirm your feelings for your partner or someone special.