Tear-jerking unrequited love songs that will break your heart: timeless classics about unattainable love
Have you ever had a night when your chest tightens with the weight of feelings that can’t reach the one you love? The power of bittersweet unrequited love songs is that they gently speak the words you can’t say.
The more you think about the person you like, the more the ache grows—and even knowing the love won’t come true, you still can’t stop your feelings.
Finding a song that stays close to such a wavering heart can quietly give you a push after the tears.
In this article, we’ll introduce a wealth of gems that portray the pain of unrequited love with unflinching honesty.
We hope you’ll find the one song that resonates perfectly with how you feel right now.
Playlist
| Tear-jerking unrequited love songs that will break your heart: timeless classics about unattainable love | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| show_chart | Title | Playlist | Review |
| 1east | Because I fell in loveaimyon |  play_arrow | Aimyon's ballads empathize with the pain of heartbreak |
| 2east | Ms. Hanako on a high pedestalback number |  play_arrow | Unrequited love song by back number |
| 3east | PretenderOfisharu Higedan Dism |  play_arrow | The earnest feelings of an unrequited love by Official HIGE DANDism |
| 4east | Eine KleineYonezu Kenshi |  play_arrow | Kenshi Yonezu’s heartrending yet warm love song |
| 5east | 366 daysHY |  play_arrow | A poignant ballad by HY that portrays a love that won’t fade even after a breakup |
| 6east | cold; curt; blunt; unfriendlyRADWIMPS |  play_arrow | Introduce RADWIMPS' love songs |
| 7east | Love’s Melody and Rainy SkiesAAA |  play_arrow | A song about unconfessed feelings of love |
| 8east | If I Hadn’t Met You ~Summer Snow Winter Flower~Aimer |  play_arrow | Introduction to Aimer’s Heartrending Love Songs |
| 9east | killer lineThis is LAST |  play_arrow | This is LAST’s heartrending heartbreak song |
| 10east | Mikan HeartC&K |  play_arrow | The wavering emotions of an unrequited love |
| 11east | A Naked Heartaimyon |  play_arrow | Aimer’s romantic ballad song |
| 12east | two peopleaiko |  play_arrow | The bittersweet pain of unrequited love in aiko’s classic song |
| 13east | SparkleIkuta Rira |  play_arrow | A song about overcoming the pain of heartbreak and moving toward the future |
| 14east | One more time,One more chanceYamazaki Masayoshi |  play_arrow | Masayoshi Yamazaki’s bittersweet love song |
| 15east | NAOHY |  play_arrow | A poignant song themed around HY’s unrequited love |
| 16east | A world without youto shiki |  play_arrow | A poignant masterpiece that sings of feelings for a loved one |
| 17east | usmilet |  play_arrow | The conflict between the courage to express one’s feelings and the anxiety that holds one back |
| 18east | The town where you liveShimizu Shota |  play_arrow | A poignant song seeking the shadow of a lost love |
| 19east | My name is Unrequited Loveindigo la End |  play_arrow | A heart-stirring song about a bittersweet unrequited love for someone of the same sex. |
| 20east | MissingKubota Toshinobu |  play_arrow | A classic song that sings of the heartache of unrequited love |
| 21east | ContrastTOMOO |  play_arrow | A love song that portrays the feelings of unrequited love |
| 22east | I became someone else’s girlfriend.wacci |  play_arrow | A popular song that depicts complex romantic feelings |
| 23east | Iorokudenashi |  play_arrow | A poignant song that likens an unrequited love to celestial bodies |
| 24east | PrologueUru |  play_arrow | A poignant ballad that portrays an unattainable love |
| 25east | Dried flowersYuuri |  play_arrow | Yuuri’s signature song that portrays feelings for someone you’ve parted ways with |
| 26east | I want to forget.wacci |  play_arrow | A breakup song I want to forget became a smash hit |
| 27east | Summer SkyFaulieu. |  play_arrow | Expressing youthful love in a wistful rock style |
| 28east | premonitionMy Hair is Bad |  play_arrow | A bittersweet longing for someone who already has a partner |
| 29east | Specter feat. HACHIMIMiNARI |  play_arrow | A Chinese-style singing voice that envelops a girl's faint first love |
| 30east | raspberryMarushii |  play_arrow | A heart-stirring song that portrays the struggle of unrequited love |
| 31east | codependencyDomura Riu |  play_arrow | A song that portrays the loneliness and anguish of an unhealthy love |
| 32east | Mutual loveaiko |  play_arrow | Aiko’s heart-touching song that depicts the feelings of love |
| 33east | When I realized it, I was in unrequited love.Nogizaka 46 |  play_arrow | Nogizaka46’s mature charm and classic songs |
| 34east | Because I like you.Yuika |  play_arrow | High school girl singer’s song “Because I Like You” becomes a huge hit across Asia |
| 35east | I My MocoMinase Inori |  play_arrow | Inori Minase 4th Single |
| 36east | That line is the horizon.kururi |  play_arrow | Quruli’s uniquely one-sided love song |
| 37east | I knew it—I love you.yashiki takajin |  play_arrow | I love Takajin Yashiki — a Kansai hit |
| 38east | Unrequited loveCrystal Kay |  play_arrow | Crystal Kay's unrequited love song |
| 39east | Unrequited LoveUehara Rena |  play_arrow | Rearranging the game’s theme song for the anime adaptation |
| 40east | swallowtail butterflyPorunogurafiti |  play_arrow | Singing of the heartache of unrequited love and the yearning for love |
| 41east | The strong and fleeting onesCocco |  play_arrow | A song about a heartrending love facing the betrayal of a beloved |
| 42east | wrapTENSONG |  play_arrow | A gem-like love song that portrays a heartrending form of love between a man and a woman |
| 43east | You said the moon is beautiful.berry meet |  play_arrow | A song that portrays the winter night sky and the bittersweetness of love |
| 44east | Unrequited lovemiwa |  play_arrow | A ballad that portrays the bittersweetness of unrequited love |
| 45east | SAY YESCHAGE and ASKA |  play_arrow | CHAGE and ASKA's famous unrequited love song |
| 46east | Having someone you likeJY |  play_arrow | A poignant masterpiece about unrequited love—listen for JY’s captivating vocals. |
| 47east | beetle (specifically, a rhinoceros beetle)aiko |  play_arrow | Aiko is a singer of women’s feelings and enjoys strong support. |
| 48east | 1 2 3 ~Love Begins~ikimonogakari |  play_arrow | Introducing popular songs by Ikimono-gakari |
| 49east | More than friends, less than loversmatsumura kanau |  play_arrow | A song by Kanau Matsumura that expresses the feelings of unrequited love |
| 50east | Orange NotebookMomoiro Kurōbā Zetto |  play_arrow | A live favorite performed a cappella all the way through |
| 51east | truekuriipuhaipe |  play_arrow | An unrequited love song enchanted by the sweet singing voice of CreepHyp |
| 52east | Cold fireworksKami ga nokoshita yume o kuu. |  play_arrow | At summer’s end, singing of a frustrating heartbreak |
| 53east | YOU… feat. Izumi Nakasone (HY)Kato Miria |  play_arrow | Hit ballads by Miliyah Kato and HY |
| 54east | 100 Centimeters to YouUeda Yūji |  play_arrow | Saotome Yoshio sings of his love for a woman |
| 55east | Witch HazelMakihara Noriyuki |  play_arrow | A song themed around a summer romance |
| 56east | Just by you being herekome kome CLUB |  play_arrow | Kome Kome Club’s unrequited love song becomes a big hit |
| 57east | love letterEvery Little Thing |  play_arrow | A poignant song about unrequited love by ELT |
| 58east | You look like an idiot.Saucy Dog |  play_arrow | A poignant song that portrays the conflicts of love |
| 59east | youHY |  play_arrow | A moving song that conveys HY’s bittersweet feelings of love |
| 60east | confessionFUNKY MONKEY BABYS |  play_arrow | Recommended unrequited love songs from a man's perspective |
| 61east | single bedSha ran Q |  play_arrow | A song about realizing regret and the importance of love after a breakup |
| 62east | AitaiKato Miria |  play_arrow | A song about the pain of unrequited love |
| 63east | to cry innocently; to weep with a childlike airAKASAKI |  play_arrow | A song that resonates with unwavering love and aching sorrow |
| 64east | More than friends, less than loversAsa |  play_arrow | The emotions ASA’s song paints at the border between love and friendship |
| 65east | BLUE TEARSJUDY AND MARY |  play_arrow | A poignant winter love song by JUDY AND MARY |
| 66east | passing by each otherSoala |  play_arrow | A love song that delicately portrays the clumsiness of love |
| 67east | Kasane AiSoala |  play_arrow | Soala’s transparent vocals express emotion |
| 68east | Your happinessUru |  play_arrow | A song that depicts Uru’s story of unrequited love |
| 69east | I’ve fallen in love.YUTORI-SEDAI |  play_arrow | A bittersweet rock song that portrays an unstoppable love |
| 70east | seesawtuki. |  play_arrow | A bittersweet love song expressed with a seesaw |
| 71east | I’m really sorry.≠ME |  play_arrow | A heartrending love song that portrays the turmoil of unrequited love |
| 72east | That’s not fair…arekunn |  play_arrow | I relate to Are-kun’s heartrending feelings of love. |
| 73east | You let me do as I please, and yet…arekunn |  play_arrow | Are-kun’s bittersweet love song |
| 74east | Act like an adult.suisou gurashi |  play_arrow | Portraying the complex romantic feelings of a woman met on the last train |
| 75east | Say goodbye to the love I clung to.matsuri |  play_arrow | The feelings of a woman trying to move forward and break free from the pain of heartbreak |
| 76east | sparklingmosao. |  play_arrow | A song about Ms. Mosao’s aching love |
| 77east | You’re unfair, you know.riria. |  play_arrow | A winter song that poignantly sings of unrequited love |
| 78east | Love is hard.riria. |  play_arrow | A classic song that poignantly portrays lovers missing each other |
| 79east | the depths of the heartrokudenashi |  play_arrow | A heartbreaking love ballad by a good-for-nothing |
| 80east | waiting in vainrokudenashi |  play_arrow | A Useless Unrequited Love Depiction Song |
| 81east | just a littleIgarashi Haru |  play_arrow | A song that delicately weaves a fated love |
| 82east | Goodbye-byeTomioka Ai |  play_arrow | A delicate song that sings of Ai Tomioka’s pure feelings of love |
| 83east | JealousyTomioka Ai |  play_arrow | A song that portrays the anguish of unrequited love and the landscape of the heart |
| 84east | I want you to tell me you love me.Oku Hanako |  play_arrow | A Song of Unrequited Love’s Pain and Wish |
| 85east | ElegyHirai Ken |  play_arrow | A masterpiece that expresses a woman's romantic feelings through Ken Hirai's singing voice |
| 86east | P.S.Ikuta Rira |  play_arrow | Lila Ikuta expresses unrequited love in the movie tie-in song “P.S.” |
| 87east | I wish I were the one you liked.Te ga kuriimu pan |  play_arrow | A heartfelt cry capturing the pain of unrequited love |
| 88east | Oh, early summer rainSakurazaka46 |  play_arrow | A bittersweet love song with an early-summer rain motif takes first place |
| 89east | dear personShio Reira |  play_arrow | Depicting a mismatch in how love is expressed |
| 90east | flower fortune-tellingShimizu Miisa |  play_arrow | A song that delicately portrays unrequited love with a translucent, clear singing voice |
| 91east | aloeFunatsu Mahiro |  play_arrow | A song that gently embraces the feelings of an ambiguous love |
| 92east | Feeling in loveNishino Kana |  play_arrow | Kana Nishino’s unrequited love song |
| 93east | a good personReina |  play_arrow | A poignant love song of vulnerability and kindness |
| 94east | romantic feelingsB’z |  play_arrow | B'z's unrequited love song 'Koisin' |
| 95east | Sleepless nights are because of you.MISIA |  play_arrow | A song wishing for a dream reunion with a loved one |
| 96east | Future Tense AnswerTRUSTRICK |  play_arrow | TRUSTRICK's first mini album, anime theme song |
| 97east | I want to be lovedYumcha |  | A song that expresses unrequited feelings with a pop sound |
| 98east | fireworksaiko |  play_arrow | A song that likens Aiko’s feelings of love to fireworks |
| 99east | I tried falling in love with you.chay |  play_arrow | Introduction to CHAY’s unrequited love songs |
| 100east | underground mallyuzu |  play_arrow | Yuzu’s indie song |
| 101east | SunKobukuro |  play_arrow | An up-tempo song that expresses feelings for a transfer student |
| 102east | The world calls it love.Sambomasutā |  play_arrow | Sambomaster’s bittersweet unrequited love song |
| 103east | ONE DAYZa Rūzudoggusu |  play_arrow | Loose Dogs love song |
| 104east | Tokimeki Part 1supittsu |  play_arrow | Spitz’s love songs, the sorrow of unrequited love |
| 105east | “Kyun”Kanae |  play_arrow | Kanae's single, the anime ending theme |
| 106east | Time after time ~In the town where flowers dance~Kuraki Mai |  play_arrow | Mai Kuraki's Detective Conan theme songs |
| 107east | My nostalgiaNasu Asako |  play_arrow | Asako Nasu’s major-label debut song |
| 108east | cherry (sweet cherry; cherry fruit)Otsuka Ai |  play_arrow | Cherry-Pop Hits Full of Energy |
| 109east | La La LaDaikoku Maki |  play_arrow | Maki Ohguro, a female rock singer from the 1990s |
| 110east | Baby Sweet Berry LoveOgura Yui |  play_arrow | A love song for a girl who’s doing her best |
| 111east | Falling in LoveKobayashi Akiko |  play_arrow | Akiko Kobayashi’s signature song “Fall in Love” |
| 112east | even ifHirai Ken |  play_arrow | Ken Hirai’s 11th single, 360,000 copies shipped |
| 113east | Fortune Cookie in LoveHirai Ken |  play_arrow | Ken Hirai covers an AKB48 song |
| 114east | In the Middle of a DreamKisugi Takao |  play_arrow | A love song Takao Kisugi wrote for Hiroko Yakushimaru |
| 115east | The Same FeelingTokyo Joshi Ryu |  play_arrow | Hanakappa Ending, Maiden’s Love Song |
| 116east | Tomorrow, when spring comesMatsu Takako |  play_arrow | Takako Matsu’s captivating singing and beautiful tones |
| 117east | A long nightMatsuyama Chiharu |  play_arrow | Chiharu Matsuyama’s unrequited love song |
| 118east | http://www.co.jpHayashibara Megumi |  play_arrow | Megumi Hayashibara love ballad song |
| 119east | Pure Love SongShonan no Kaze |  play_arrow | A bittersweet unrequited love song by Shonan no Kaze |
| 120east | 5 seconds before I fall seriously in loveTakeuchi Mariya |  play_arrow | Mariya Takeuchi self-covers “Maji de Koi Suru 5-Byo Mae.” |
| 121east | lovesicknessMisaki Shinobu |  play_arrow | Ending theme of the PC game “Comic Party” |
| 122east | If…～I wish～Misato Aki |  play_arrow | A poignant, tearful song as a game’s theme song |
| 123east | I want to be your lover.Abe Mao |  play_arrow | Abe Mao’s heartrending unrequited love song |
| 124east | HYSong for… |  play_arrow | A heartbreak song that sings of love’s bittersweet pain, resonating with the heart. |
| 125east | Courage in the Palm of the Handtokimeki aidoringu!!! |  play_arrow | Theme song of a PSP game, written and composed by Ai Kawashima |
| 126east | Lace cardiganSakagami Kaori |  play_arrow | Kaori Sakaue Debut Single Song |
| 127east | Romantic connectionokazaki ritsuko |  | Ritsuko Okazaki’s heartrending, tear-jerking songs |
| 128east | First loveMurashita Kōzō |  play_arrow | Kozo Murashita’s famous song, a heartbreaking tale of unrequited love. |
| 129east | Song of the Eternal NightKami wa saikoro o furanai |  play_arrow | A heartbreak song that portrays the poignant ache of an unforgettable love |
| 130east | I wish and wish, but…8utterfly |  play_arrow | A song that portrays a girl's unrequited love in a genuine, true-to-life way |
| 131east | Unrequited loveAimer |  play_arrow | Aimer’s famous song that portrays the bittersweetness of unrequited love |
| 132east | A person I mustn’t fall in love withCHIHIRO |  play_arrow | The pain and optimism of a love I can’t confess |
| 133east | Someone who isn’t you ~Tejina~DEEP |  play_arrow | A tearful song that likens unrequited love to a magic trick |
| 134east | Thinking of youKEISUKE |  play_arrow | A relatable masterpiece that portrays the struggles of unrequited love |
| 135east | IenaiSoala |  play_arrow | A heart-touching song that sings of a bittersweet love |
| 136east | high skyUMEILO |  play_arrow | A song that sings about a bitter past of unrequited love |
| 137east | I like you, but it seems like you don’t really like me.back number |  play_arrow | A poignant song that expresses the heartbreak of unrequited love. |
| 138east | A triangular lovesaji |  play_arrow | Saji’s aching vocals and feelings of love resonate in the heart. |
| 139east | wishsumika |  play_arrow | A bittersweet love where I step back, a heart that gives up on its feelings |
| 140east | Lavenderthe shes gone |  play_arrow | Sing of the pain of unrequited love and the turmoil of the heart |
| 141east | short-sleevedImai Miki |  play_arrow | An unrequited love, thoughts of family, and anguish |
| 142east | loveOku Hanako |  play_arrow | An emotional song that sings of the pain and lingering attachment of a one-sided love. |
| 143east | unrequited loveOku Hanako |  play_arrow | An unrequited love song about wanting to convey my feelings to the person I like |
| 144east | The person I had a one-sided crush on for a long timeyamazaru |  play_arrow | A love song whose poignant melody seeps into the heart |
| 145east | Unrequited loveHamada Shogo |  play_arrow | The aching sadness of being unable to forget an unattainable love |
| 146east | esperanzaNishino Kana |  play_arrow | The bittersweet pain of unrequited love and the regret over the timing of our meeting |
| 147east | I don’t want to let go.T-BOLAN |  play_arrow | I can’t get over my ex-girlfriend, and even now, every day I still think… |
| 148east | wailing in griefKudō Shizuka |  play_arrow | I can’t stop thinking about the guy who was more than a friend but not quite a boyfriend… |
| 149east | Why not me?Misaka Saki |  play_arrow | An unrequited love song about realizing your romantic feelings for a friend |
| 150east | LiarUeto Aya |  play_arrow | Aya Ueto expresses the bittersweet feelings after a broken heart. |
| 151east | So she’s not your girlfriend, huh?Ueno Yūka |  play_arrow | A heartbreak ballad portraying the final moments of lovers who have decided to part ways |
| 152east | Time-Limited Unrequited LoveNogizaka 46 |  play_arrow | A Nogizaka song that sings about the bittersweet unrequited love of youth |
| 153east | Read the skyDREAMS COME TRUE |  play_arrow | Compare the coupling song “Koigokoro” by DREAMS COME TRUE to the sky |
| 154east | fragileEvery Little Thing |  play_arrow | A bittersweet unrequited love song |
| 155east | I like you.Little Glee Monster |  play_arrow | Little Glee Monster's lively unrequited love song |
| 156east | A Little Love SongMONGOL800 |  play_arrow | A small love song that resonates in the heart. |
| 157east | DESTINYMy Little Lover |  play_arrow | The famous song “DESTINY” by My Little Lover |
| 158east | GuaranaSukima Suichi |  play_arrow | Sukima Switch's bittersweet love song |
| 159east | Peach-Colored Unrequited LoveMatsuura Aya |  play_arrow | Aya Matsuura’s lively debut song |
| 160east | HELLOFukuyama Masaharu |  play_arrow | About Masaharu Fukuyama’s hit song HELLO |