[Empathetic & Tear-Jerking] A love song about an unrequited romance
Even when you know it’s a hopeless love and your feelings won’t be returned, you still can’t stop your heart—it’s just impossible, isn’t it?
Your head says it might be no good, but your heart won’t follow so easily, and your feelings only grow stronger.
For you who feel this way, here are love songs that sing of the aching emotions of unrequited love—songs I want you to hear.
Some are from a woman’s perspective, some from a man’s, but whichever you listen to, your chest will surely tighten, and you may find yourself relating as if the song were about you.
Soothe the feelings you can’t tell anyone by listening to tracks from those in the same situation.
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[Empathy & Tearjerker] Love Songs About Unrequited Love (21–30)
Happy Endingback number
Produced in November 2016 as the theme song for the film “My Tomorrow, Your Yesterday,” this piece portrays the poignant feelings of a woman who has decided to part ways.
Though her love remains, she suffers because she must leave the person she cares for.
Inside, the pain makes her want to cry, yet she puts on a brave face and pretends to be fine with a smile.
These complex emotions are expressed with delicate nuance.
Written and composed by Iyori Shimizu and co-arranged with Takeshi Kobayashi, the song reached No.
3 on the Oricon weekly chart and was certified Double Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of Japan.
It is a song that deeply resonates with those who, despite the pain of heartbreak, are trying to move forward, and with anyone who has experienced parting from someone dear.
not enoughwacci
This is a heartbreak song overflowing with poignancy, capturing the emotional turmoil of trying to sever lingering feelings for an ex.
Featured on wacci’s 2019 album Empathy, the track stands out for its lyrics written from a woman’s perspective.
Though she still has feelings, the protagonist’s struggle to choose a clean break in order to move forward is deeply affecting.
Positioned as a side story to “Betsu no Hito no Kanojo ni Natta yo,” a one-take recording was also released in 2020.
It’s a must-listen for anyone who’s gone from mutual love to one-sided, or who wants to move on but can’t quite bring themselves to do it.
[Empathy & Tearjerker] Love Songs About Unrequited Love (31–40)
Until the day I can no longer rememberback number
A poignant ballad by back number that quietly sings of lingering feelings and a sense of loss for a former lover.
Released in October 2011 as their third single, the song is also included on the album “Superstar,” which came out the same month.
The lyrics portray the emptiness of days that keep going even after losing the most important person in the world, and the deep bond in which the two formed halves of each other.
Fear of memories of the other fading intertwines with the resignation that they will eventually be forgotten, and the realization that the time spent with the person was part of oneself wells up with aching tenderness.
A song that offers comfort to anyone who has lost someone dear.
A Naked Heartaimyon
When you’re going through days where love just doesn’t work out, it can feel like you’re the only one being left behind.
The 10th single, released in June 2020, is a warm ballad that gently embraces those bittersweet feelings.
Chosen as the theme song for the drama “My Housekeeper Mr.
Nagisa,” it resonated with many hearts.
Its simple arrangement, centered on piano and pianica, softly wraps unadorned, true-to-life emotions.
It tenderly portrays the feeling of wanting to fall in love again even after repeated heartbreaks, making it a song you’ll want to hear especially if you’ve grown timid about love.
Aimyon’s warm vocals will quietly give you a nudge toward tomorrow.
rendezvousshaitoopu
The rock band Shytone, which rose to prominence after a viral hit on social media, released a signature track in April 2023 that sings of a man’s searing emotions after a breakup.
Unable to accept parting from someone he loved deeply, he longs for an impossible reunion; the loneliness of his lover’s traces fading from everyday life is expressed through vocalist So Sasaki’s superb word choices—so moving you might be brought to tears.
The song is also known for surpassing 100 million total streams in November 2023 and is included on the album “Hors d’œuvre.” Why not entrust your heart to its somehow comforting melody that stirs up those bittersweet feelings?
You let me do as I please, and yet…arekunn
A song that resonates with the anger toward someone who only reaches out when it suits them, and the aching feeling of not being able to forget them.
In contrast to its melodic, gentle sound, the lyrics are striking for their candid, down-to-earth emotions.
Released in September 2020 and gaining buzz mainly on social media, the track is also included on Are-kun’s album “Breath.” It features the soft timbre of an acoustic guitar and an emotionally rich arrangement.
If you’re struggling with a romantic relationship, sensing your partner’s feelings drifting away but not wanting to admit it, or have been hurt by someone’s misleading behavior, you’ll likely find this deeply relatable.
So it wasn’t me, huh.riria.
Singer-songwriter Riria gained popularity after posting self-accompanied performance videos on TikTok and YouTube.
Known for love songs from every perspective, her 2021 release “Watachi Janakattan Da Ne” (“So It Wasn’t Me”) expresses the bittersweet feelings toward someone who sends mixed signals.
Many listeners will relate to the lyrics that capture the frustration of staying in a more-than-friends, less-than-lovers relationship that never quite comes together.
Paired with her conversational vocal style, it’s a breakup song that closely mirrors the emotions of young people.
Give it a listen—it’s frequently used in TikTok videos themed around poignant love stories.
