Unrequited love songs in Western music recommended for men. World-famous classics and popular hits.

Call Out My NameThe Weeknd

The Weeknd – Call Out My Name (Official Video)

The Weeknd has masterfully fused synth-pop and R&B, captivating fans around the world with his sound.

Among his songs, one I especially recommend to male listeners is Call Out My Name.

Released in 2018, it peaked at No.

4 on the Billboard Hot 100 shortly after its debut, and stands out for its deep emotion, chronicling lingering feelings for his ex-girlfriend Selena Gomez.

The melody is poignant yet elegant, with a gripping power that won’t let go of the listener’s heart.

If you’ve just gone through a breakup or you’re carrying a bittersweet love, you’ll definitely find yourself relating to the lyrics of this track!

DawnsZach Bryan (feat. Maggie Rogers)

Zach Bryan (feat. Maggie Rogers) – Dawns

Released on January 27, 2023 to dazzling acclaim, the collaboration “Dawns” by Zach Bryan and Maggie Rogers stands as a work that symbolizes both the pain of unrequited love and the promise of new beginnings.

The two artists weave a yearning for healing from lost love and its fragments.

In particular, its first reveal on TikTok in November 2022 and the episode of timing the release with the Philadelphia Eagles’ victory are surely unforgettable for fans.

The message of being a casualty of love yet seeking to reclaim strength can resonate deeply with male listeners who spend their days pining for a beloved.

The genuine emotion coursing through the actual lyrics is unmistakable.

It’s a piece that will surely speak to those reflecting on the road that led them here and the path ahead.

LaylaEric Clapton

Eric Clapton – Layla (Live at Royal Albert Hall, 1991) (Orchestral Version)

Eric Clapton, the guitar wizard, unleashed the masterpiece “Layla,” released in 1970 as a cover of a Derek and the Dominos track.

Behind the song lies his ardent longing for Pattie Boyd, the wife of the Beatles’ George Harrison.

The work powerfully expresses the outpouring of forbidden love and the urgent emotions that come with it.

Its lyrics—about loneliness, a thirst for love, and the courage to reach for it—make it a pinnacle of love songs.

For men suffering from unrequited love, there’s much to take from Clapton’s way of channeling his passion into music.

The song’s powerful guitar riff and moving melody continue to resonate deeply with people across generations.

Good ThingSam Smith

Good Thing

Sam Smith’s “Good Thing” is a straightforward song about the emotions that follow a “failed relationship.” Featured on the 2014 album In the Lonely Hour, it portrays the complexities of love’s bittersweet feelings.

The emotional vocals and the narrative arc—from heartbreak to growth—are sure to move many listeners.

Set to a seemingly bright melody, the lyrics express the end of a devoted love and the process of becoming stronger because of it.

Since 2012, Sam Smith has released numerous hits, and this song, themed around unrequited love, is a masterpiece that many men can relate to.

CrushDavid Archuleta

David Archuleta – Crush (Official Video)

David Archuleta, a singer from American Idol who captivated the entire United States.

His debut single “Crush” was released in 2008 and became a major hit, reaching No.

2 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The song portrays the beginning of romantic feelings with lyrics full of excitement and uncertainty, set to a refreshing melody.

The lyrics express wavering emotions, as if asking, “Is this real love?”—capturing the thrill and anxiety of a one-sided crush in a very real way.

“Crush,” which brings back the hot memories of summer 2008, is a work I highly recommend to both men and women, and especially to anyone experiencing an unrequited love!

Waiting In VainBob Marley & The Wailers

Waiting In Vain (1977) – Bob Marley & The Wailers

Quietly singing of the conflict between love and longing in a reggae style, “Waiting in Vain” appears on the 1977 album Exodus.

In this work, Bob Marley deftly portrays the patience of love and its fragile hopes, conveying the pain of waiting by naming a concrete period of three years.

Its sweet, bittersweet melody has resonated with lovers around the world.

With a universal theme that aligns with each listener’s own experiences, it is especially likely to strike a chord with male listeners nursing unrequited love.

Light on its feet yet touching something deep within, this is a song you’ll want to hear on nights when your heart aches with longing.

One Sweet DayBoyz II Men

Mariah Carey, Boyz II Men – One Sweet Day (Official Video)

It’s a love song made possible by the collaboration between Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men.

It achieved a remarkable feat by topping the U.

S.

Billboard chart for 16 consecutive weeks.

It is said to also carry their feelings of mourning for their manager, so it could be considered a song dedicated to someone special.