Lovely love song

[2026] Unfulfilled Feelings, Hearts Missing Each Other… A Collection of Western Songs About Unrequited Love

music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and for over 18 years I’ve contributed to music magazines, disc guide books, mooks, and web media. As a writer my main field is Western music, but as a listener for over 35 years, I always try to keep my curiosity alive with the motto “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in bands, where I was a bassist who handled songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve played include bass, guitar, and piano. I began studying English in my mid-40s and continue to do so today.

Musicians who are attuned to the complex movements of emotion we experience in life often share their own experiences with listeners in the form of songs.

It’s not uncommon to find lyrics that describe almost the exact same experience you’ve had—so much so that it hurts to relate.

This time, we’ve picked songs that portray unrequited love and the unresolved feelings that follow a breakup, compiling them across eras and genres—from the latest hits to timeless classics.

Many of these tracks express sadness in a straightforward way, so try listening while reflecting on your own feelings.

[2026] Unrequited feelings, hearts passing by... A roundup of Western songs about unfulfilled love (21–30)

Thinking Out LoudEd Sheeran

Ed Sheeran – Thinking Out Loud (Official Music Video)

Thinking Out LoudEd Sheeran

It’s a classic by Ed Sheeran released in 2014.

No matter how many times you listen, it’s truly a beautiful song.

He also shows off his dancing in the music video, and apparently practiced five hours a day for three weeks.

Maybe thanks to that effort, it became a hot topic and has been played over 2 billion times.

He’s a genius at singing about heartbreaking love, but there isn’t a song more romantic than this, is there?

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Yoshizaki Keiko

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When You’re GoneShawn Mendes

Shawn Mendes – When You’re Gone

When You're GoneShawn Mendes

Shawn Mendes, a Canadian artist, is known for pop songs that delicately capture the movements of the heart.

His track “When You’re Gone,” released on March 31, 2022, is inspired by personal experiences.

Created after his breakup with Camila Cabello, the song portrays complex emotions such as loneliness and longing.

Its theme delves into the emotional shifts that come with parting from a loved one, expressing the pain of confronting lost love and the void it leaves behind.

It’s a song many can relate to—especially those who have felt the same way—and one we hope they’ll listen to.

By exploring deep, inner feelings, this track helps soothe heartbreak and gives listeners the courage to move forward.

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Thinking Of YouKaty Perry

Katy Perry – Thinking Of You (Official)

Thinking Of YouKaty Perry

A power ballad from 2009 by American singer Katy Perry that blends elements of pop, soft rock, and country music.

The song portrays a woman who questions her relationship with her current boyfriend while nostalgically longing for a past lover.

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I’d Rather Go BlindEtta James

I’d Rather Go Blind

I’d Rather Go BlindEtta James

Etta James, born in 1938 in Los Angeles, California, was a legendary artist who excelled across a wide range of genres, including jazz, blues, soul, and pop.

Her signature song, “I’d Rather Go Blind,” released in 1967, is a classic of blues and soul.

The song symbolically expresses a love so strong it would rather not see, and the fear of losing that love.

James’s powerful vocals and emotional delivery resonate deeply with listeners.

For those suffering from heartbreak or the pain of unrequited love, it is a song that echoes in the depths of the heart every time you listen.

Through Etta James’s voice, allow yourself to feel deeply the pain of heartbreak and the aching longing for the one you love.

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GrenadeBruno Mars

Bruno Mars – Grenade (Official Music Video)

GrenadeBruno Mars

Bruno Mars is highly acclaimed even in Europe, where the level of music is exceptionally high.

“Grenade” is one of the works that showcased his talent to the world.

Bruno Mars’s vocals feature shouts spanning from the mid to high range, and this song’s melody is crafted to highlight that vocal character.

Pay attention to the melody and lyrics that convey both power and heartache.

The chorus melody is insanely cool—give it a listen!

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