Unrequited Love Songs in Western Music: Ranking [2025]

I Dont’t Want To Miss A ThingAerosmith92rank/position

Aerosmith – I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing (Official HD Video)

It’s a timeless classic, and I think many people can relate to it.

You can feel the feelings directed toward a loved one.

Wanting to see everything about the other person, not wanting to take your eyes off them even for a moment—there’s nothing happier than being loved that much.

It’s a wonderful masterpiece, like a story.

Better NowPost Malone93rank/position

Post Malone – Better Now (Official Video)

This is a song by American artist Post Malone about the lingering feelings for a former lover.

Even while putting on a brave face and saying “I’m fine without you,” the heart can’t help but keep thinking of that person—many of us have probably felt that way.

Despite its upbeat melody, the lyrics lay bare a painfully straightforward longing that tightens the chest.

An unforgettable love can be agonizing, but the experience of loving someone that deeply will surely help you grow.

Listen to “Better Now,” accept your feelings just once, and take your next step forward.

Right Here WaitingRichard Marx94rank/position

Richard Marx – Right Here Waiting (Official Music Video)

“Right Here Waiting” is a ballad by Richard Marx and is included on his album “Repeat Offender.” The song reached the prestigious No.

1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 and became a major hit, charting in the United States and other countries.

IrisGoo Goo Dolls95rank/position

Goo Goo Dolls – Iris [Official Music Video] [4K Remaster]

A love song about wanting to confess a hidden feeling while simultaneously fearing the consequences.

It was released in 1998 by the American alternative rock band Goo Goo Dolls.

The song was used in the film City of Angels and has been covered by artists such as Ronan Keating.

drivers licenseOlivia Rodrigo96rank/position

Olivia Rodrigo – drivers license (Official Video)

Olivia Rodrigo is an American singer-songwriter born in 2003, and her debut single “drivers license,” released in January 2021, became a worldwide hit right out of the gate.

It’s a piano-based ballad distinguished by its emotionally stirring lyrics.

The song portrays the pain of unrequited love and a journey of self-discovery, and its lyricism resonated with many young people.

It’s especially recommended for women struggling with their first love, or for moments when you want to immerse yourself in bittersweet memories of romance.

Rodrigo’s vocals are both powerful and delicate, capturing subtle shades of feeling, making this the perfect track for spending a long, cold night alone.

HeroEnrique Iglesias97rank/position

Enrique Iglesias – Hero

This is a song by Enrique Iglesias, a singer from Spain famous as a Latin singer.

His laid-back, sweet vibe and vocal style as a Latin artist are perfect for a romantic ballad.

It was his first album in English, and the love song reached No.

1 on the UK charts.

You’re sure to be captivated by his sweet, heartrending voice.

DelicateTaylor Swift98rank/position

Taylor Swift – Delicate

Taylor Swift, an American singer-songwriter leading the contemporary music scene, released “Delicate” in 2017 through her album Reputation, delicately portraying the vulnerability of love and the impact a public image can have on a new relationship.

The song captures, in a distinctive musical style, the pressure that public scrutiny places on romance and the accompanying anxiety and tension.

Inspired by Taylor’s personal experiences, the lyrics especially resonate with women experiencing unrequited love, as if giving voice to their feelings.

With its delicate sound and piercing lyrics, it’s an emotional track that cheers on anyone in love.

Recommended for moments when you’re harboring secret feelings yet want to take a hopeful step forward.