[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.

Playlist

[Empathetic & Tear-Jerking] A love song about an unrequited romance
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	HAPPY BIRTHDAYback number		A band popular for its emotionally rich lyrics and vocals.
2	PretenderOfisharu Higedan Dism		A heart-touching love song by Official HIGE DANDism
3	NAOHY		A classic song by HY, the Okinawa-born/OKinawa-originated mixture band
4	dearestKOH+		KOH+’s exquisite love ballad “Saiai”
5	That’s not fair.Ochiai Wataru		A ballad that portrays the pain of unrequited love
6	From the season that feels like it will freezeAimer		Aimer’s dark winter love song
7	lingering scentindoor cats.		The bittersweet ache of memories from a finished love
8	Snow WhiteFlower		A Snow White song that portrays a heartrending love
9	Stop this nightJUJU		JUJU's soulful vocals and heartrending message of love
10	You&MeMiura Daichi		A love ballad by Daichi Miura, an outstandingly skilled dancer
11	Give me a gentle kiss.DREAMS COME TRUE		A classic hit by DREAMS COME TRUE that portrays a bittersweet love.
12	GarnetOku Hanako		Garnet, a transparent song by Hanako Oku that sings of youth
13	A Song Dedicated to the Worst YouYuuri		A heart’s cry tormented by a love that isn’t real
14	WHYKato Miria		Miliyah Kato’s love song “WHY”
15	I just wanted to be loved.shizuku		A piano ballad that comforts a lonely heart
16	Love SongGO!GO!7188		Captivating fans with original music: GG7188's masterpiece
17	Ti AmoEXILE		A song of a woman who loves a man with a girlfriend
18	around two o’clockaiko		The pain of heartbreak, the poignancy of a 2 a.m. phone call
19	balladKetsumeishi		A bittersweet ballad by Ketsumeishi that depicts the emotions of love.
20	When Someone’s Wish Comes TrueUtada Hikaru		A song by Hikaru Utada that sings of the pain of parting and the essence of love
21	366 daysHY		A haunting, heart-wrenching ballad that sings of the pain of heartbreak
22	Supporting Actress Syndromeback number		The painful reality of a hopeless love
23	maybeYOASOBI		A poignant song that depicts the pain of parting and lingering attachments.
24	the absolute worstMarushii		The pain of a betrayed love and the complex emotions that come with it
25	AyaMy Hair is Bad		A poignant song about bittersweet love between adults that resonates with the heart
26	I LOVE YOUkurisu haato		A bittersweet love song, a voice that heals the heart
27	premonitionMy Hair is Bad		A bittersweet longing for someone who already has a partner
28	the depths of the heartrokudenashi		A heartbreaking love ballad by a good-for-nothing
29	Happy Endingback number		Portraying the pain of a broken heart and the poignancy of parting
30	not enoughwacci		A bittersweet breakup song about parting ways with the one you love
31	Until the day I can no longer rememberback number		A heartrending ballad that sings of the pain and sense of loss of a broken heart.
32	A Naked Heartaimyon		A heartwarming song that gently envelops the bittersweetness of love
33	rendezvousshaitoopu		Sheitoupe, popular on social media, depicts the pain of heartbreak.
34	You let me do as I please, and yet…arekunn		Complicated feelings toward someone who only contacts me when it’s convenient for them
35	So it wasn’t me, huh.riria.		Lilia, a popular singer-songwriter on TikTok
36	AitaiKato Miria		Depicting the bittersweet emotions of unrequited love
37	just a littleIgarashi Haru		A song of a wistful love tossed by fate
38	to cry innocently; to weep with a childlike airAKASAKI		A song that resonates with unwavering love and aching sorrow
39	Your happinessUru		A song that depicts Uru’s story of unrequited love
40	CountdownCocco		A story of a ruinous, forbidden love driven by passion
41	A little more, just a bit moreZARD		A heartrending love, the purity of a forbidden feeling
42	codependencyDomura Riu		A song that depicts the pain and loneliness of a mutually dependent relationship
43	You look like an idiot.Saucy Dog		A poignant song that portrays the conflicts of love
44	The strong and fleeting onesCocco		A song about a heartrending love facing the betrayal of a beloved
45	Only HumanK		A song of hope where smiles await beyond sorrow
46	Kasane AiSoala		Soala’s transparent vocals express emotion
47	Love songnatori		A poignant song that depicts the pain of misguided love
48	Bad personsenritsu kannano		A masterpiece that depicts the pain of a forbidden love
49	BLUE TEARSJUDY AND MARY		A poignant winter love song by JUDY AND MARY
50	Don’t Stop LoveKōda Kumi		A bittersweet love born of an affair, and the resolve to fight against society
51	I want to forget.wacci		Wacci’s heartbreak song, a memory that won’t fade and lingers in the heart
52	Blue BenchSasuke		A pure love song portraying the regret and lingering attachment after losing a lover
53	AloneMayo Okamoto		A ballad that comforts the pain of heartbreak
54	dear personShio Reira		Depicting a mismatch in how love is expressed
55	If there’s a “see you”Mirei Touyama		A heartbreak song. A poignant track that sings of gratitude and regret.
56	Through countless nightsCHEMISTRY		A song that poignantly expresses feelings that cannot reach
57	In loveHY		A ballad that portrays a heart accepting heartbreak and growing
58	Cinderella BoySaucy Dog		A love story of dependence, tormented by the other’s lies
59	passing by each otherSoala		A love song that delicately portrays the clumsiness of love
60	existenceTENSONG		A deeply moving song depicting TENSONG's heartbreak
61	What is emotion?This is LAST		A poignant, heart-stirring song that portrays the sorrow of heartbreak and the warmth of affection.
62	petalback number		A heartbreak song layered over cherry blossom petals
63	I became someone else’s girlfriend.wacci		A popular song that depicts complex romantic feelings
64	I didn’t want to know, if it meant losing it.atarayo		The complex emotions of a woman who realizes her lover’s words are lies
65	That’s not fair…arekunn		A song that sings of Are-kun’s bittersweet feelings of love.
66	I can’t bring myself to hate (you/it).ren		A song that expresses emotions wavering between dependence and affection
67	impure loveDomura Riu		A gem of a love song that sings of the pain of love
68	Because it won’t reach / Because it doesn’t reachHirai Ken		The theme song of 50 First Dates, a bittersweet love story