Unrequited Love Songs in Western Music: Ranking [2025]

Teardrops On My GuitarTaylor Swift43rank/position

Taylor Swift – Teardrops On My Guitar

A love song about a teenager’s unrequited crush.

It’s a country-pop track released when Taylor Swift was 17, and it became a hit in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and other countries.

The music video features Tyler Hilton, also known for his role in the TV drama One Tree Hill.

To Be With YouMr. BIG44rank/position

Mr. Big – To Be With You 4K Video

This is Mr.

BIG’s signature song, released in 1991, that topped the U.

S.

charts for four consecutive weeks.

It’s about a man confessing his long-held feelings after the woman he loves experiences heartbreak.

The song overflows with the gentleness of a man toward the woman he cares for—a one-sided love song that makes both men and women swoon.

You Don’t Know My NameAlicia Keys45rank/position

Alicia Keys – You Don’t Know My Name (Official HD Video)

Alicia Keys is a singer-songwriter who represents the R&B scene of the 2000s.

This piece from her early-career classic, The Diary of Alicia Keys, is known as a masterpiece that beautifully captures the bittersweetness of unrequited love.

The song tells the story of a protagonist working at a café, who can’t bring herself to speak to the customer she likes—a tender, aching crush.

In her head she imagines the perfect conversation, yet in reality she can’t even say her name.

That frustrating situation is portrayed over a warm, ’70s soul-inspired sound crafted by Kanye West.

Upon its release in November 2003, the song gained enormous popularity, spending eight weeks at No.

1 on the U.

S.

R&B chart.

It’s a gentle companion for anyone who finds themselves tongue-tied in front of someone they like.

Heartbeat SongKelly Clarkson46rank/position

Kelly Clarkson – Heartbeat Song

This adorable song, bursting with the feeling of your excitement steadily rising when you fall for someone, makes you think that having a crush can be fun just by listening to it.

Since it’s sung by Kelly Clarkson, who often portrays strong women, it also reveals a cute side—like “I fell in love and now I’m not my usual self”—which makes you feel even more positive about romance.

Anything Could HappenEllie Goulding47rank/position

Ellie Goulding – Anything Could Happen (Official Video)

A synth-pop track released in 2012 by British singer-songwriter Ellie Goulding.

It became a hit around the world and reached No.

1 on the U.

S.

charts.

The music video was filmed in Malibu, California.

GoneNSYNC48rank/position

*NSYNC – Gone (Official HD Video)

A track released in 2001 by the American boy band NSYNC.

It was produced by Justin Timberlake and Wade J.

Robson.

The track became a hit worldwide, reached No.

7 on the U.

S.

charts, and was nominated for a Grammy Award.

ShiverColdplay49rank/position

Coldplay – Shiver (Official Video)

Coldplay is a hugely popular rock band from the UK.

One of their charms is the clear, soaring vocals of lead singer Chris Martin, and this song—featured on their 2000 debut album Parachutes, which marked the first step in their breakthrough—also has an atmosphere that blends a unique languor with gentleness.

The bittersweet lyrics about “never being seen no matter how long I wait” match his voice perfectly.