[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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- [Adultery Song] A forbidden song about an affair that sings of an impossible love
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- Unrequited love songs that strike a man's heart. Love songs from a male perspective that really hit home.
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- Songs About Age-Gap Love: A Curated Selection of Exquisite Love Songs
[Empathy & Tearjerker] Love Songs About Unrequited Love (21–30)
the depths of the heartrokudenashi
A bittersweet love ballad by Rokudenashi that resonates deeply.
It weaves delicate words about the loneliness that comes at dusk and the urgent feelings hidden behind a smile.
While yearning to be loved, the wavering heart that hesitates to face its true feelings seeps in along with gentle piano melodies.
Released in February 2025 as the lead track from the album “Sigh,” this song reaches out to those who, even while carrying wounded, unsettled hearts, try to look ahead with cherished memories held close.
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.
[Empathy & Tearjerker] Love Songs About Unrequited Love (31–40)
AitaiKato Miria
It’s a heartrending love song about longing for someone who’s looking at somebody else.
Included on the acclaimed 2009 album “Ring,” this fan favorite became a hit with over 700,000 downloads despite not being released as a single.
It also adds deep resonance to the film “Villain” as an in-film track.
Even if I’m not your number one, even if I know I’ll get hurt, it has to be you… That desperate cry from the heart tightens the listener’s chest.
When you fall for someone, reason can’t do a thing about it.
If you’re suffering from an unrequited love, this is a song that will surely stay close to your heart.
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.
just a littleIgarashi Haru
A song whose heartrending, soul-stirring vocals move every listener.
With delicate wording, it weaves a poignant love swayed by the whims of fate—encounters that come at the wrong time.
Haru Igarashi is a singer-songwriter with the unusual background of being a former police officer.
Released in March 2024, this work has drawn major attention, topping the Billboard JAPAN Heatseekers Songs chart for two consecutive weeks.
The line about pretending to like what the other person likes just to stay by their side is so earnest it tightens the chest.
Cinderella BoySaucy Dog
This song is included on Saucy Dog’s mini-album “Lazy Sunday,” which weaves a heart-wrenching love story that tightens the chest.
It portrays a bittersweet, inescapable dependence, even while suffering the agony of being torn apart by the other person’s lies.
Coupled with a melodious rock sound and written from a female perspective, it leaves a lingering aftertaste where sorrow and affection intermingle.
Released in August 2021, it also drew attention for its animation-style music video by Miku Masuda.
In 2022, the band appeared on Music Station.
It’s a recommended track for those struggling with complex feelings toward someone they love or seeking empathy in the subtleties of human relationships.