[2026] Unfulfilled Feelings, Hearts Missing Each Other… A Collection of Western Songs About Unrequited Love
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.
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- Unrequited Love in Western Music: A Collection of Heart-wrenching Classics [2026]
- [Lingering Feelings Songs] A curated selection of heartbreaking love songs and uplifting romance tracks
- Foreign breakup songs with great lyrics. Beautiful, memorable messages that stay with you.
- [Empathetic & Tear-Jerking] A love song about an unrequited romance
- Unrequited love breakup songs from Western music. World-famous classics and popular hits.
- [Songs of Infidelity] A collection of forbidden love songs about unattainable romance
- A classic song about a forbidden love
- Unrequited Love Songs in Western Music: Ranking [2026]
- Ranking of Western Love Songs [2026]
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[2026] Unrequited Feelings, Hearts at Cross Purposes… A Collection of Western Songs About Unattainable Love (31–40)
The Heart Wants What It WantsSelena Gomez
It’s a song addressed to her ex, Justin Bieber, as everyone knows.
When something this raw is made public, all you can do is cry, right? And yet, it’s a track overflowing with her charm that, in a way, encourages women going through painful love.
This heartbreaking song, which conveys Selena’s feelings without hiding them, must have left many emotions in the hearts of the women who listened.
Wish You Were HereAvril Lavigne
She wants you to stay by her side, but she doesn’t know how to make you stay.
The lyrics, which convey a girl’s frustrating feelings so directly, are what make this song so appealing.
The lines that keep questioning a past that’s been lost are achingly sorrowful and tighten the chest.
Her expression as she sings—tormented by memories that still linger so deeply—is exquisitely beautiful and fragile.
Big Girls Don’t Cry (Personal)Fergie
Just from the title, you can feel the strength of a woman overcoming unrequited love, right? It’s a song she released in 2007, and through her voice you can sense her telling herself, “Don’t cry over a painful love,” and trying to become stronger.
Personally, I love the title of this song, and I use it as a kind of spell to overcome difficulties (lol).
To Die ForSam Smith
Sam Smith came out as gay in 2014.
Their song “To Die For” portrays an unrequited love from a gay perspective.
It’s true that the number of men who love men is not very large, and chances to meet are limited.
This track is a breakup song that expresses struggles unique to being gay.
Sam Smith’s wistful vocals further highlight the sorrow in the lyrics, and from a musical standpoint, it’s an excellent piece that makes the most of their high notes.
Put a Little Love On MeNiall Horan
Put a Little Love On Me is a song by Niall Horan, a member of the popular idol group One Direction.
He may not have the same vocal prowess as Harry Styles or Louis Tomlinson, but he has a rich expressiveness that more than makes up for it.
In this track as well, his expressive power truly shines.
The melody beautifully captures the ache of unrequited love, and Niall Horan’s heartfelt vocals leave a strong impression.
Be sure to check it out.
[2026] Unrequited Feelings, Hearts Missing Each Other… A Selection of Unattainable Love Songs in Western Music (41–50)
Cry me a riverJustin Timberlake
Here’s a song by Justin Timberlake, formerly a member of *’N Sync*.
As you can tell from the tone, it gives off a pretty dark impression.
It seems to be about being cruelly betrayed by someone you devoted yourself to, and you can sense a bit of resentment in it.
If you ever find yourself in a similar situation, why not let this song speak for your feelings and use it as a way to let them out?
UnfaithfulRihanna
For those looking for a slightly deranged breakup song, I recommend “Unfaithful.” The lyrics are basically an orthodox breakup song, but the chorus ends with the chilling line, “I don’t want to be a murderer.” It portrays the feelings of a woman who catches the person she loves with another woman—raw and terrifying, right? (lol) The melody is also heavy, matching the lyrics perfectly.