Unrequited Love Songs in Western Music: Ranking [2025]

A Thousand MilesVanessa Carlton22rank/position

Vanessa Carlton – A Thousand Miles

A love song about unrequited feelings by Vanessa Carlton, where invigorating, soaring vocals meld with an acoustic sound to create a grand, cinematic world.

Renowned as a beautiful melodic tune, it stands out prominently even amid today’s pop scene.

When I Was Your ManBruno Mars23rank/position

Bruno Mars – When I Was Your Man (Official Music Video)

It’s a poignant male love ballad by Bruno Mars.

A simple, piano-led melody is complemented by his soaring vocals, heightening the sense of melancholy.

With rich emotion, it sings of a man’s regret—wishing he had done those things for her back when he was her man.

Love On TopBeyoncé24rank/position

Beyoncé – Love On Top (Official Video)

This unrequited-love song by Beyoncé is widely used and loved in the club scene as an R&B masterpiece, where magnificent, smooth production meets stunning, fierce vocals.

The track exudes an outstanding presence with its universally resonant melody line.

You Are Not AloneMichael Jackson25rank/position

Michael Jackson – You Are Not Alone (Official Video)

This is an unrequited love song by Michael Jackson—the King of Pop, brother of Janet Jackson and a member of the Jackson 5 who produced many timeless hits.

Its beautiful worldview invites listeners into another dimension, making it a highly accomplished work.

Marry MeJason Derulo26rank/position

Jason Derulo – Marry Me [Official HD Music Video]

It’s an unrequited-love song by Jason Derulo, whose hard-edged persona stands out and draws support from both pop vocals and hip-hop lines.

Moody yet danceable, it’s been elevated into a stylish, emotionally stirring piece.

Always Been YouJessie Murph27rank/position

Jessie Murph – Always Been You (Official Video)

Singer-songwriter Jessie Murph has drawn attention through her posts on TikTok and broadened her popularity with a genre-blurring musical style.

The piece she released in November 2021 is an unrequited love song that captures the bittersweet yet tender feelings of the moment you realize, “It’s always been you,” and finally recognize your true emotions.

Many listeners may relate to the delicate shift in the heart when you become aware of special feelings for someone you had thought of as just a friend.

From husky low tones to soaring, emotional highs, her versatile vocals beautifully convey the protagonist’s complex inner state.

The song became her first entry on the Billboard Hot 100 and was later included on her mixtape “drowning.” It just might gently accompany anyone torn between friendship and romantic feelings.

New RulesDua Lipa28rank/position

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.