Forbidden Love: A Collection of Classic Western Songs About Infidelity [2026]
Western songs about infidelity that distill uncontrollable emotions and aching melancholy.
The masterpieces that deftly portray the desire and guilt hidden in forbidden love—and the deep regret that follows—shake our hearts like a life drama in itself.
A secret romance you can tell no one about, the bittersweet ache of drowning in an illicit relationship, and the deep scars that remain in the end.
This time, we’ve selected classic Western tracks on the theme of adultery from a wide range of genres.
Along with the meanings of the lyrics and the feelings embedded in the music, we’ll introduce a collection of songs that resonate with the heart.
- Cheating songs in Western music. The world’s forbidden love and infidelity songs.
- [Adultery Song] A forbidden song about an affair that sings of an impossible love
- [Cheating Song] A forbidden love that crossed the line — infidelity song
- An empathy song to listen to when you’re hurting and feel like a 'convenient woman'
- Unattainable Love: A Heartbreaking Love Song About Falling for a Married Person
- [Unattainable Love] A love song about two people who feel the same way but can’t be together
- [Songs About Loving Yet Parting] Love songs for those who want to overcome heartbreak
- [2026] Unfulfilled Feelings, Hearts Missing Each Other… A Collection of Western Songs About Unrequited Love
- [2026] A roundup of classic and popular Western songs about jealousy
- A classic song about a forbidden love
- [Unrequited Love] Heart-wrenching Love Songs | A Roundup of Tear-Inducing Crush and Breakup Tracks
- A love song for grown-ups. A romantic tune to listen to at night.
- [An Adulterous Love] A love song about a secret affair you can't tell anyone about
Forbidden Love: A Collection of Classic Western Songs About Infidelity [2026] (31–40)
It’s Not Right But It’s OkayWhitney Houston
When it comes to Whitney’s infidelity songs, the famous one is “Saving All My Love for You,” about falling in love with a married man.
But this one is the opposite: a wife who’s learned of her husband’s cheating tells him to pack his things and get out.
Whitney’s vocals feel like a rallying cry to women everywhere.
Norwegian WoodThe Beatles
The first pop song to use the sitar, a stringed instrument originating in North India.
It was released by The Beatles in 1965.
One of John Lennon’s early compositions, the sitar is played by George Harrison.
The song has been covered by José Feliciano, Herbie Hancock, and Buddy Rich.
Secret LoversAtlantic Starr
If you think of a classic adultery song from the ’80s, this might be the one.
It’s a single cut from their 1985 album “As the Band Turns.” They also have the huge hit “Always,” which reached No.
1 on the Billboard charts, but that one’s a standard wedding song—so it’s kind of amusing, isn’t it?
Apologize ft. OneRepublicTimbaland
If you’ve ever made an irreversible mistake and been told “it’s too late to apologize,” you’ll probably feel a deep connection to this song.
In the face of shattered trust, any words ring hollow.
That kind of hopeless situation is unbearably painful.
Produced by American hitmaker Timbaland and fused with OneRepublic’s plaintive vocals, this track tightens its grip on the listener’s heart.
Released in September 2007 from the album Shock Value, it reached number one in the charts of 16 countries and was also featured in the TV drama Cold Case.
When you realize you won’t be forgiven, all you can do may be to fully sink into that sense of powerlessness.
RunawayKanye West
Kanye West, the renowned American hip-hop musician, needs no introduction.
His impact on later generations of musicians is immense, and many people acknowledge his influence.
“Runaway” is a song in which he lays bare the helpless heart of a man.
With its negative, introspective lyrics steeped in self-loathing—and even disgust toward his own infidelity and cheating—it’s quite a provocative piece.
In a sense, it’s a track that could be called manly, packed with complex emotions.
