[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.

Playlist

[Heartbreak Songs] A selection of poignant love songs that pierce the heart of those with unrequited love
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	PretenderOfisharu Higedan Dism		Depicting the feelings of being unable to give up on unrequited love
2	Happy Endingback number		A poignant song by back number that portrays the turmoil of a breakup
3	Only I liked it.suisou gurashi		A Heartbreak Song from Life in a Fish Tank
4	wrapTENSONG		The End of Unrequited Love and an Unforgettable Feeling
5	You look like an idiot.Saucy Dog		A poignant song that portrays the conflicts of love
6	HeartacheONE OK ROCK		Ballads by ONE OK ROCK are popular.
7	Why not me?Misaka Saki		A song that sings of the aching feelings that grow from friendship into love
8	366 daysHY		HY's classic song about the pain of heartbreak
9	I’ve fallen in love.YUTORI-SEDAI		A bittersweet rock song that portrays an unstoppable love
10	Tulipindigo la End		A song that expresses the pain of heartbreak through the language of flowers
11	OverMr.Children		Mr.Children’s heartbreak songs pierce the heart
12	phantom / illusion / vision / fantasyMy Hair is Bad		A heartfelt song that portrays the pain of heartbreak
13	I won’t fall in love anymore.Makihara Noriyuki		Noriyuki Makihara’s classic that portrays the pain of heartbreak
14	wishsumika		sumika's heartrending heartbreak song
15	I want to be your lover.Abe Mao		A song by Mao Abe about her high school crush
16	Everyday Revolutionneguse.		Neguse’s breakup song depicts the depth of emotion.
17	I like you, but it seems you don’t really like me.back number		Unrequited love song by back number
18	Because I fell in loveaimyon		A song about the feelings of love after unrequited love has ended
19	Love’s Melody and Rainy SkiesAAA		AAA's love songs resonate with young women
20	I forget you, who are so quiet, in October.atarayo		Introduction to a song that portrays the pain of heartbreak
21	Swelling FeelingsCHiCO with HoneyWorks		A song that portrays the feelings of struggling with romantic feelings for a friend
22	calm (of the sea), lull; Nagi (a Japanese given name)Marushii		Marcy’s heartbreak ballad. The strength to move forward while cherishing the memories.
23	Until we meet againHirai Dai		A ballad that depicts parting and reunion
24	But,Takase Tōya & Ren		A song that delicately portrays the pain of heartbreak and lingering attachment
25	You at your worstHamano Haruki		The complex emotions of a woman trying to recover from heartbreak
26	I want you to tell me you love me.Oku Hanako		An earnest longing to hear words of love from the other person
27	Soap Flowermurasaki ima		Expressing the ache of absence with flowers made of soap
28	Cinderella GrayYonezu Kenshi		The Dark Side of Cinderella and the Agony of Love
29	SparkleIkuta Rira		A song depicting a protagonist who grows through unrequited love
30	Goodbye-byeTomioka Ai		A delicate song that sings of Ai Tomioka’s pure feelings of love
31	breakup songOkazaki Taiiku		A song that portrays the pain of heartbreak and a forward-looking attitude
32	Someone who isn’t you ~Tejina~DEEP		A tearful song that likens unrequited love to a magic trick
33	HAPPY BIRTHDAYback number		back number's heartbreak songs
34	Happinessback number		Introduction to back number's heartbreak songs
35	makeupMy Hair is Bad		The pain of being half-heartedly accepted in a one-sided crush
36	I don’t want to see you; I want to see you.Ueno Yūka		Express the bittersweet emotions of heartbreak through a piano ballad
37	two peopleaiko		A song that captures the hazy, uneasy feeling of unrequited love
38	After a broken heartCHIHIRO		A song that candidly expresses the feelings right after a breakup
39	fireworks (launched into the sky)DAOKO × Yonezu Kenshi		Teenage Unrequited Love and Summer Memories
40	I loved (it/you)erica		A love song about moving forward after recovering from heartbreak
41	So it wasn’t me, huh.riria.		Lilia’s heartbreak song
42	You and the slopesSHISHAMO		SHISHAMO’s heartbreak song “You and the Slopes”
43	Even if you went and became somebody’s damn girlfriendtensai bando		A genius band expresses a bittersweet feeling
44	You let me do as I please, and yet…arekunn		The pain of love tossed around by a teasing attitude
45	The end of lovemafumafu		An unrequited love that can’t confess at the summer festival
46	A love with you from nine steps apartSHIROSE from WHITE JAM		A bittersweet love song about an age-gap relationship
47	Cats and Allergieskinoko teikoku		Cats and allergies are an unrequited love song
48	I love you. ~100 Regrets~Sonar Pocket		Sonapoke’s love song expresses an unforgettable love
49	spring breezeflumpool		A spring parting brings back memories of heartbreak
50	First LoveUtada Hikaru		A love ballad overflowing with talent by Hikaru Utada
51	Say goodbye to the love I clung to.matsuri		The feelings of a woman trying to move forward and break free from the pain of heartbreak
52	swallowtail butterflyPorunogurafiti		The Appeal of Porno Graffitti’s Breakup Song “Agehachō”
53	Callchanmina		Chanmina heartbreak song, feelings of putting on a brave face
54	PrologueUru		Uru’s love song—the prologue is heartbreaking.
55	SoulmateYuika		A song that sings of memories, farewells, and gratitude
56	I just had a love sadder than anyone else’s.Flower		A breakup song that sings of the sorrow of being cheated on
57	NAOHY		Introduction to HY’s heartbreak songs
58	Ms. Hanako on a high pedestalback number		Unrequited love song by back number
59	AitaiKato Miria		Miliyah Kato’s unrequited love song
60	someone I likeUeno Yūka		Heartbreak from falling for the same person as a friend
61	Just… I miss youEXILE		A masterpiece by EXILE that expresses a heartrending love
62	Because it’s important…kerakera		Kera Kera’s indie unrequited-love song
63	RESETCHIHIRO		A longing to reset an unattainable love
64	Unrequited loveHamada Shogo		The aching sadness of being unable to forget an unattainable love
65	Unrequited lovemiwa		A mature new song by miwa themed around unrequited love
66	MPRINCESS PRINCESS		A classic breakup ballad bursting with freshness
67	My name is Unrequited Loveindigo la End		Indigo la End’s unrequited love support song
68	Best Friend’s GirlSandaime Jē Sōru Burazāzu fromu Eguzairu Toraibu		Singing about unrequited love for my best friend's girlfriend
69	let gom-flo loves YOSHIKA		A ballad that supports the heartbreak of unrequited love
70	Love SongGO!GO!7188		A heartbreak ballad by GO!GO!7188
71	I want to forget.wacci		A love song by wacci that sings about the pain of heartbreak
72	SuddenlyEXILE ATSUSHI		ATSUSHI expresses the sorrow of a broken heart through his solo activities
73	I miss you so much and want to see you.Nishino Kana		Kana Nishino songs you can relate to when heartbroken
74	wailing in griefKudō Shizuka		Shizuka Kudo’s smash-hit heartbreak song
75	You have no idea how much I like you.Gō Hiromi		A famous song by Hiromi Go that expresses the pain of unrequited love
76	Unrequited loveShibata Jun		A ballad that expresses the bittersweet feelings of unrequited love
77	A world without youto shiki		A poignant masterpiece that sings of feelings for a loved one
78	You were happy, right?Te ga kuriimu pan		A ballad that portrays the struggle of a heartbroken woman who can’t let go
79	Until the day I can no longer rememberback number		Expressions of heartbreak songs by back number
80	I love you more than anyone.Furuchi Toko		Tokiko Furuuchi’s heart-wrenching love song
81	even ifHirai Ken		The appeal of Ken Hirai’s classic song “even if”
82	Even if I become someone’s girlfriendUNFAIR RULE		A rock number that portrays lingering feelings of love and a brave front
83	I’ll wait.amin		Amin’s classic song “Matsu wa” unrequited love
84	aloneMayo Okamoto		Mayo Okamoto’s heartbreak song brings tears
85	First loveTowa		A soothing song that gently embraces heartbreak
86	monologueOmoinotake		The difficulty of communication and a sense of loss
87	Song of the Eternal NightKami wa saikoro o furanai		A heartbreak song that portrays the poignant ache of an unforgettable love
88	not enoughwacci		A bittersweet breakup song about parting ways with the one you love
89	The town where you liveShimizu Shota		A poignant song seeking the shadow of a lost love
90	First loveNakajima Mika		A love song that expresses the strength to move on from heartbreak
91	catDISH//		Thoughts on the layered farewells to a cat
92	I wonder if I’d still say it’s too late.Saucy Dog		Saucy Dog’s songs about heartbreak and lingering feelings
93	dear personShio Reira		Depicting a mismatch in how love is expressed
94	Unrequited loveOku Hanako		Even unrequited, just being together makes me happy.
95	I need to talk to you.Adachi Kana		Kana Adachi’s unrequited-love heartbreak song
96	deep redMy Hair is Bad		A rock song that portrays the pain and joy of love
97	SAYONARADREAMS COME TRUE		A powerful DREAMS COME TRUE song about parting
98	distanceEri Takenaka		Eri Takenaka’s heartrending love song
99	Snow WhiteFlower		A heartbreak love ballad
100	loveOku Hanako		Okuni Hanako’s love song that depicts the heartache of unrequited love
101	petalback number		A heartbreak song layered over cherry blossom petals
102	Sakura Lovemosao.		A bittersweet love song of cherry blossom season
103	just a littleIgarashi Haru		A song of a wistful love tossed by fate
104	FragranceMahiru		A woman’s aching feelings as the scent of a perfume reminds her of a former lover
105	missing youTomioka Ai		A heartfelt pop ballad that confronts the pain of heartbreak
106	I became someone else’s girlfriend.wacci		A popular song that depicts complex romantic feelings
107	The Little MermaidFujita Maiko		The aching loneliness of unrequited love and a self-sacrificing heart
108	I don’t like it.yangusukinii		The heartrending feelings of a woman who can’t forget a past love
109	Love even your melancholyKoresawa		The strength to accept negative emotions and move forward
110	Regretsumika		sumika’s heartbreak song
111	Bad personsenritsu kannano		A bittersweet unrequited love song depicting the turmoil and regret of a forbidden romance
112	for a whilerikon densetsu		A ballad that depicts the pain of heartbreak
113	to cry innocently; to weep with a childlike airAKASAKI		A song that resonates with unwavering love and aching sorrow
114	The strong and fleeting onesCocco		A song about a heartrending love facing the betrayal of a beloved
115	In loveHY		A bittersweet love song that embraces heartbreak as a cherished memory
116	BLUE TEARSJUDY AND MARY		A poignant winter love song by JUDY AND MARY
117	Only HumanK		A song of hope where smiles await beyond sorrow
118	contact lens caseSaucy Dog		Gently tucking away the pain of heartbreak in my heart
119	Kasane AiSoala		Soala’s transparent vocals express emotion
120	Your happinessUru		A song that depicts Uru’s story of unrequited love
121	you are my cursenyamura		A song that portrays an obsession where love turns into hatred
122	Act like an adult.suisou gurashi		A bittersweet song portraying the romantic struggles of a woman you meet on the last train
123	the first strong spring windnishina		Nishina's spring love song
124	sparklingmosao.		Mosawo love song relatable SNS
125	To you who didn’t choose meKoresawa		A song that powerfully expresses the complex emotions of heartbreak
126	Goodbye, my loverKoresawa		A love ballad that delicately depicts the pain of heartbreak
127	the depths of the heartrokudenashi		A heartbreaking love ballad by a good-for-nothing
128	So she’s not your girlfriend, huh?Ueno Yūka		A heartbreak ballad portraying the final moments of lovers who have decided to part ways
129	habit of laughingIgarashi Haru		A heartfelt song that portrays the pain of an unforgettable love
130	motion sickness from proximitywanuka		A song that delicately portrays a sweet and heartrending love
131	ElegyHirai Ken		A masterpiece that expresses a woman's romantic feelings through Ken Hirai's singing voice
132	If there’s a “see you”Mirei Touyama		A heartbreak song. A poignant track that sings of gratitude and regret.
133	Don’t appear.rikon densetsu		A bittersweet love song where lingering attachment and resolve intersect
134	a good personReina		A poignant love song of vulnerability and kindness
135	Blue BenchSasuke		A pure love song portraying the regret and lingering attachment after losing a lover
136	ConclusionSenchimirimentaru		A poignant ballad that weaves memories with a loved one into music