Tear-jerking unrequited love songs that will break your heart: timeless classics about unattainable love

Love’s Melody and Rainy SkiesNEW!AAA

AAA / “Love Sound and Rainy Sky” Music Video

It’s a song that entrusts a frustrating, delicate love—too afraid of breaking to say even a single “I like you”—to the early autumn rainy sky.

Released as a single by AAA in September 2013 and also included on the album Eighth Wonder, it’s known for winning an Excellence Award at the 55th Japan Record Awards.

The members’ richly expressive vocals overlap, stirring a poignant ache in the chest.

When you’re troubled by that more-than-friends, not-quite-lovers distance, or on nights when caring so much makes you grow timid, listening might let the tears you’ve been holding back finally spill—and leave your heart feeling a little lighter.

Ms. Hanako on a high pedestalNEW!back number

Back Number – Hanako-san on a High Pedestal

When summer rolls around, this is the unrequited-love anthem you can’t help but crave.

The three-piece band back number released the single “Takane no Hanako-san” in June 2013.

Also included on the album “Love Story,” the song, true to its title, portrays the ache of longing for someone out of reach.

The protagonist imagines, all on his own, the kind of boyfriend she’d date—someone nothing like himself—and sinks into gloom, clinging to hopes of a chance reunion; his flailing is both endearing and heartbreaking.

In 2019 it was featured in a “Tanrei Green Label” commercial, drawing attention when Iyori Shimizu performed a stripped-down rendition.

Despite its breezy melody, the lyrics clutch at your heart.

It’s a song that quietly stays by your side on nights when you’re burning with an impossible love.

Because I fell in loveNEW!aimyon

Aimyon “Because I Fell in Love” Studio Recording Scene

After a love ends, there are times when it feels like a gaping hole has opened in your heart, aren’t there? Only after losing it do you realize how precious it was, and your chest tightens with the ache of knowing you can’t go back.

On nights filled with that helpless feeling, the ballad included on Aimyon’s album “Momentary Sixth Sense” gently stays by your side.

Released in February 2019, the album features a simple sound centered on acoustic guitar.

It also drew attention as the campaign song for “LINE Xmas 2019.” In fact, this track was recorded in a single take in the studio.

That’s why you can truly feel the trembling breaths and the wavering of emotions.

If you listen alone in a quiet room, lost in memories, time that had stood still might begin to move again.

PretenderNEW!Ofisharu Higedan Dism

Official HIGE DANDism – Pretender [Official Video]

A gem from Official HIGE DANDism that tightens your chest from the very first piano notes.

Released in May 2019, it captured many hearts as the theme song for the film “The Confidence Man JP.” Even while knowing the love won’t come true, the painful emotion of still caring for the other person comes through vividly.

Realizing you’re not worthy of them and dreaming of meeting again in a different fate carries a helpless, aching sadness.

Instead of confessing love, all you can do is praise their beauty—this frustrating sense of distance is portrayed through Satoshi Fujihara’s emotional vocals.

If you’re holding feelings you can’t erase no matter how you try to give up, this song will surely stay gently by your side.

366 daysNEW!HY

HY – 366 Days (Official Music Video)

There may be many people suffering from lingering feelings of love that won’t fade even after a breakup.

This is a poignant ballad by HY, a band from Okinawa, known for being written by Izumi Nakasone based on her own experiences.

It vividly portrays the depth of love so strong you remember your ex’s scent and gestures, and the turmoil of an unattainable love—piercing straight to the heart.

The track was included on the album “HeartY,” released in April 2008.

At the time, it was used as the theme song for the film and drama Akai Ito, and became a major talking point.

It continues to be cherished, even serving as the theme song for a drama starting in April 2024.

On nights when your heart aches from an unfulfilled love, or when you just need a good cry, please give it a listen.

cold; curt; blunt; unfriendlyNEW!RADWIMPS

RADWIMPS – Aloof [Official Music Video]

A RADWIMPS song that delicately and realistically portrays the pain of love, filled with the frustration of an ambiguous sense of distance.

The lyrics trace the emotional ups and downs caused by the other person’s elusive attitude, and yet the irresistible pull you feel, with Yojiro Noda’s woven words and the piano’s melody resonating beautifully to tighten your chest.

Released in December 2018 on their seventh major album, ANTI ANTI GENERATION, this track was chosen as the theme song for ABEMA’s dating reality show Who Is the Wolf?.

The music video featuring Nana Komatsu and Fuju Kamio also became a major talking point.

It’s a bittersweet yet warm love song that makes you want to sink quietly into it on nights troubled by love.

Eine KleineNEW!Yonezu Kenshi

Kenshi Yonezu – Eine Kleine

There are nights when, the more dearly you care for someone, the more you’re seized by a bittersweet ache that makes you even doubt where you belong.

This song from Kenshi Yonezu’s album YANKEE gently stays by the side of a wavering heart like that.

The sorrow that sits right next to the joy of meeting, and the secrets you want to tell but end up hiding.

Even while holding contradictory feelings, the earnest wish to simply stay connected with the other person is sure to bring you to tears.

Included on the album YANKEE released in April 2014, this track also became widely loved as a Tokyo Metro commercial song.

Its music video, illustrated by Yonezu himself, drew attention as well, and its bittersweet yet warm worldview has resonated with many.

It’s a song especially for those who lack confidence and feel timid in love, or for those who keep an unfulfilled longing tucked away in their hearts.

It will affirm even that pain as something beautiful.