Unrequited love breakup songs in Western music. Recommended masterpieces and popular tracks.

Wait For YouElliott Yamin

Elliott Yamin – Wait For You

This is one of Elliott’s signature songs, a big hit in Japan as well.

It’s a track about a mature, unrequited love—still loving her and thinking about her even after the breakup.

The lyric “I’m waiting for you” and his beautiful, tear-inducing vocals make you want to listen again and again.

Thinking Of YouKaty Perry

Katy Perry – Thinking Of You (Official)

This is a love ballad by Katie, who usually has a lot of upbeat, pop-tinged songs.

Even while she’s with her current boyfriend, she can’t help but suddenly remember her ex, making it hard to move forward—it’s a song about a girl still hung up on a past love.

Her beautiful voice and unwavering feelings are sure to bring you to tears.

StephenKe$ha

Ke$ha – Stephen (Official Video)

A song by Kesha that portrays the aching feelings of unrequited love.

Every listen stirs the heart—a captivating track.

It’s distinctly early Kesha, marked by the striking fusion of accordion tones and electropop.

Included on her debut album Animal, it was released in 2010.

The lyrics capture complex emotions—longing for someone out of reach, obsession, and self-loathing.

Recommended for those currently in unrequited love or wanting to revisit a past romance.

It might also be the perfect song for basking in the bittersweet memories of youth.

Leaving My Love BehindLewis Capaldi

Lewis Capaldi – Leaving My Love Behind (Lyric Video)

This is an unrequited love song by Scottish singer-songwriter Lewis Capaldi.

The lyrics convey the feelings of a man who senses a change in her heart and tries to confirm whether she still loves him.

It’s a love song that makes you realize how difficult it can be to put feelings into words and confirm each other’s emotions in a relationship.

Lewis Capaldi’s heartrending vocals really pierce the heart, don’t they?

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Leave Your LoverSam Smith

Sam Smith – Leave Your Lover (Official Video)

When it comes to songs about heartbreaking unrequited love, this is the one! The person I like already has a girlfriend, but I want them to break up and come to me.

It’s a sad yet beautiful song that captures those overflowing feelings that probably won’t come true, and it’s one you’ll want to listen to over and over again.

Now You’re Not HereSwing Out Sister

Swing Out Sister – Now youre not here No Scrub LIVE

I think everyone has felt, after breaking up with someone they deeply love, that they want to quickly forget their feelings for that person.

I really like lyrics that seem to speak on behalf of people with those feelings.

I think it’s a song that many girls can relate to.

GirlThe Beatles

Girl (Remastered 2009)

The Beatles’ lyrics grow deeper with each album.

This song from their mid-period album Rubber Soul tells its story in a narrative style, letting you sink into a simple, picture-book-like world.

Throughout, it’s achingly poignant and filled with wistful melancholy, yet it’s a highly polished track that never loses its charm no matter how many times you listen.