[Heartbreak Songs] A selection of poignant love songs that pierce the heart of those with unrequited love
A bittersweet crush that makes your chest tighten.
But have you ever had a moment when you suddenly realized that your feelings would never come true?
Like when the person you like asks you for love advice and your heartbreak is sealed, or when you and a friend fall for the same person and you can’t bring yourself to confess—things like that.
Unrequited love can end for many reasons besides confessing and being rejected.
In this article, we’ve gathered “unrequited love heartbreak songs” for those who can’t forget the one they love and feel pangs of regret whenever they remember.
May you find a song that gently stays by your aching heart.
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[Heartbreak Songs] A selection of bittersweet love songs that pierce the heart of the unrequited (91–100)
I wonder if I’d still say it’s too late.Saucy Dog
This song by the three-piece band Saucy Dog can be heard either as a man’s heartbreak after being dumped or as lingering regrets after doing the dumping.
The feelings of noticing how an ex changes, wondering about the person they’re dating now, and secretly hoping you might get back together are emotions anyone who’s experienced heartbreak has probably felt.
If trying your hardest to forget only makes your mind even more consumed by that person, then, like in this song, maybe letting yourself fully soak in those lingering feelings could be what helps you finally take the next step.
dear personShio Reira
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.
Unrequited loveOku Hanako
Even if the other person’s feelings aren’t directed toward me, I’m happy just to be by their side.
That emotion comes through in Hanako Oku’s “Kataomoi” (“Unrequited Love”).
The song is included on the album “vol.best,” released in 2005 during her indie days.
Sung with self-accompaniment on a digital-sounding piano, Oku’s voice carries a tender yet heartrending atmosphere, and the lyrics—devotedly thinking of someone despite an unattainable love—evoke the image of a strong woman.
It’s a song I especially want those currently in unrequited love to hear.
I need to talk to you.Adachi Kana
This song, “Hanashi ga Aru” (“I Need to Talk to You”), is both an unrequited-love song and a heartbreak song.
Released by Kana Adachi in 2019, it was used as the ending theme for AbemaTV’s “Kyou, Suki ni Narimashita” (“Today, I Fell in Love”).
The lyrics express a bittersweet crush and feelings that are hard to put into words.
There may be more people than you’d expect who, like in this song, parted ways without ever confessing in the end.
If you listen to it after a breakup, you’ll surely relate and feel your chest tighten.
deep redMy Hair is Bad
A signature song by My Hair is Bad packed with the pain and joy of love.
From depictions of intimate moments to the sorrow of parting, the candid lyrics pierce the heart.
The emotional rock sound pairs perfectly with vocalist Tomomi Shiiki’s husky voice.
Since its release in July 2015, it has captivated fans and never let go.
Perfect for those carrying the pain of heartbreak or struggling with complicated relationships.
Listening to this song might give you the courage to face your own feelings.
SAYONARADREAMS COME TRUE
It’s a song about parting that also conveys the powerful vibe characteristic of DREAMS COME TRUE.
The strongly resonant rhythm and sense of groove are striking, evoking an unbreakable spirit that endures even with lingering regret.
The lyrics, which seem to depict heartbreak at the end of a love triangle, are also memorable, and they convey a strong will to let go—to bow in congratulations to someone who has succeeded while carrying one’s own pain.
It’s a track with a sorrowful strength that stirs the heart to shake off lingering feelings.
distanceEri Takenaka
This is a bittersweet love song by singer-songwriter Eri Takenaka.
Centered on acoustic guitar, the gentle, airy sound is further accentuated by the violin that joins partway through, heightening the song’s poignant atmosphere.
The lyrics convey regret over growing distant without being able to express one’s feelings, depicting a tender portrait of looking back on memories as emotions overflow.
It’s a track that communicates the aching sensation of feelings only growing stronger the more you try to forget.