Unrequited Love in Western Music: A Collection of Heart-wrenching Classics [2026]

You Belong With MeTaylor Swift

Taylor Swift – You Belong With Me

A song written by Taylor Swift and Liz Rose.

The music video was filmed at a high school in Hendersonville, Tennessee.

The track reached the top five on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Country Songs charts.

Call Me MaybeCarly Rae Jepsen

Carly Rae Jepsen – Call Me Maybe

It’s a love song that captures the fluttering feeling of falling in love at first sight with the boy of destiny.

The lyrics are cute, portraying a girl who gives him her phone number and waits, saying, “Call me.” In Japan, it became a craze after Rola collaborated on the track.

I Don’t Think That I Like HerCharlie Puth

Charlie Puth – I Don’t Think That I Like Her (Official Audio)

“I Don’t Think That I Like Her,” sung by Charlie Puth from the United States, portrays the complex emotions of becoming hesitant about new love due to being hurt in past relationships.

Despite its up-tempo melody, the lyrics express a bittersweet feeling of sealing off one’s emotions with the thought, “Maybe I don’t like her anymore.” Out of fear of being hurt the same way again, he holds back and keeps some distance.

However, if you suppress your current feelings because of past pain, you’ll likely regret it.

Like this song suggests, perhaps the best thing is to accept your wavering heart just as it is.

New RulesDua Lipa

Dua Lipa – New Rules (Official Music Video)

Released in 2017, “New Rules” is a song by British female singer Dua Lipa.

It portrays a woman who, falling harder and harder for an unrequited love, tries to stop her feelings by setting new personal rules.

The lyrics capture the pain and heartache of one-sided love.

Women experiencing unrequited feelings or struggling in love will likely relate to it.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Hito Sui

Report a problem

You Da OneRihanna

Rihanna – You Da One

It’s a love song that will appeal to people who like hip-hop and uptempo music.

It vividly captures the world of a girl who’s just fallen in love and can’t think about anything but him.

The music video is also made to be enjoyable both to watch and listen to.

One ThingOne Direction

One Direction – One Thing

The handsome boys from the UK sing just for lovestruck girls about your unique charm—the “One Thing” no one else has.

Its irresistibly replayable, happy melody and sweet lyrics tickle the hearts of those with a crush.

wish you were gayBillie Eilish

Billie Eilish – wish you were gay (Audio)

This song is about Billie Eilish singing to a man she has an unrequited crush on, saying, “If only he were gay, I could give up.” Ironically, after releasing the song, she said on Instagram Live that he really was gay.

In the second verse, there’s a clever trick where the numbers gradually decrease from 12 to 6.

It’s a track that powerfully conveys the heartbreak of unrequited love.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

HATSUMI

Report a problem