Unrequited Love Songs in Western Music: Ranking [2026]

A Thousand MilesVanessa Carlton22rank/position

Vanessa Carlton – A Thousand Miles

A love song about unrequited feelings by Vanessa Carlton, where invigorating, soaring vocals meld with an acoustic sound to create a grand, cinematic world.

Renowned as a beautiful melodic tune, it stands out prominently even amid today’s pop scene.

Always Been YouJessie Murph23rank/position

Jessie Murph – Always Been You (Official Video)

Singer-songwriter Jessie Murph has drawn attention through her posts on TikTok and broadened her popularity with a genre-blurring musical style.

The piece she released in November 2021 is an unrequited love song that captures the bittersweet yet tender feelings of the moment you realize, “It’s always been you,” and finally recognize your true emotions.

Many listeners may relate to the delicate shift in the heart when you become aware of special feelings for someone you had thought of as just a friend.

From husky low tones to soaring, emotional highs, her versatile vocals beautifully convey the protagonist’s complex inner state.

The song became her first entry on the Billboard Hot 100 and was later included on her mixtape “drowning.” It just might gently accompany anyone torn between friendship and romantic feelings.

Someone Like YouAdele24rank/position

Adele – Someone Like You (Official Music Video)

Doesn’t everyone think Adele is a dignified woman in her forties? As of 2017, she’s still in her twenties.

It’s true that her lyrics have a certain maternal quality and convey a strong sense of warmth.

Why is it that, even though they’re breakup songs, we end up feeling encouraged? Her songs are filled with a powerful vitality.

Love On TopBeyoncé25rank/position

Beyoncé – Love On Top (Official Video)

This unrequited-love song by Beyoncé is widely used and loved in the club scene as an R&B masterpiece, where magnificent, smooth production meets stunning, fierce vocals.

The track exudes an outstanding presence with its universally resonant melody line.

New RulesDua Lipa26rank/position

Dua Lipa – New Rules (Official Music Video)

Released in 2017, “New Rules” is a song by British female singer Dua Lipa.

It portrays a woman who, falling harder and harder for an unrequited love, tries to stop her feelings by setting new personal rules.

The lyrics capture the pain and heartache of one-sided love.

Women experiencing unrequited feelings or struggling in love will likely relate to it.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Hito Sui

Report a problem

What do you mean?Justin Bieber27rank/position

Justin Bieber – What Do You Mean?

Justin, who got a little carried away with his flirtations, returns a changed man in this bittersweet electronic track.

Its cool progression really makes you ponder what “What do you mean?” truly means.

His deep talent and clear vocals are especially popular with younger listeners.

Seeing how enthusiastically he appears in commercials, it seems he might have a fondness for Japan.

Fix YouColdplay28rank/position

Coldplay – Fix You (Official Video)

This is an unrequited love song by Coldplay that crafts a mystical worldview through sound design that, while rooted in rock, skillfully incorporates accessible pop sensibilities.

With its dazzling melody tinged with melancholy, it has become a beloved classic worldwide.