[Empathetic & Tear-Jerking] A love song about an unrequited romance
Even when you know it’s a hopeless love and your feelings won’t be returned, you still can’t stop your heart—it’s just impossible, isn’t it?
Your head says it might be no good, but your heart won’t follow so easily, and your feelings only grow stronger.
For you who feel this way, here are love songs that sing of the aching emotions of unrequited love—songs I want you to hear.
Some are from a woman’s perspective, some from a man’s, but whichever you listen to, your chest will surely tighten, and you may find yourself relating as if the song were about you.
Soothe the feelings you can’t tell anyone by listening to tracks from those in the same situation.
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- “I Want to See You”: A love song that makes you cry when you listen to it while you can’t meet
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- [For when you want to cry] A ballad love song. A heartbreaking love song.
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- A heart-wrenching story that tightens the chest! A Showa-era unrequited love song
- [Songs About Loving Yet Parting] Love songs for those who want to overcome heartbreak
[Empathy & Tearjerker] Love Songs About Unrequited Love (31–40)
I want to forget.wacci
A delicate breakup song by wacci that begins with the scent of cigarettes triggering the way once-happy times dissipate like smoke.
Despite the overwhelming desire to “forget,” the voice of the other person and the memory of their kiss refuse to fade, lingering in the heart—expressed through a heartrending, beautiful melody.
Released in July 2024 as the third installment of wacci’s three-part love song project, the track was distributed digitally and became a smash hit.
It’s a highly relatable work that resonates with those who still have lingering feelings about past relationships or struggle to let go of an ex.
I didn’t want to know, if it meant losing it.beautiful night
This piece delicately portrays the turmoil of a woman who realizes that every “word” from the lover she’s supposed to be in love with is a flimsy lie.
She wants to believe but can’t; she doesn’t want to lose them, yet being together only makes it hurt more.
These tangled emotions resonate alongside Atarayo’s urbane sound.
Released in January 2022 and included on their first album, “In the Polar Night, the Moon Remains Silent,” the song emerged from a collaboration with Junwaidan.
It’s a highly relatable track that offers solace to those exhausted by the effort of trusting a partner, and to those who had no choice but to part ways with someone they love.
just a littleHaru Igarashi
A song whose heartrending, soul-stirring vocals move every listener.
With delicate wording, it weaves a poignant love swayed by the whims of fate—encounters that come at the wrong time.
Haru Igarashi is a singer-songwriter with the unusual background of being a former police officer.
Released in March 2024, this work has drawn major attention, topping the Billboard JAPAN Heatseekers Songs chart for two consecutive weeks.
The line about pretending to like what the other person likes just to stay by their side is so earnest it tightens the chest.
to cry innocently; to weep with a childlike airAKASAKI
This song resonates with the heart through its tenderness that tries to embrace a pure soul holding back tears, and the bittersweet ache of feelings that aren’t returned.
AKASAKI’s delicate portrayal of emotion and straightforward expression of love are deeply moving.
Released as a single in January 2025, it became a hot topic after being selected as Kiss FM KOBE’s recommended Japanese track for the month.
The intertwining of the desire to protect someone and the loneliness of unfulfilled devotion evokes empathy as an emotion many have experienced.
It’s a song that gently stays by the side of anyone striving to move forward while carrying feelings for someone dear.
Blue BenchSasuke
It’s a pure love song wrapped in a sense of longing.
Set on a nostalgic bench after the lover is gone, it delicately portrays the emotions of looking back on an unrequited love.
Regret over not being able to convey one’s feelings and lingering attachment to a love that will never return resonate through the delicate vocals and melody.
Released independently in 2003, the song sold out all 500 copies immediately, despite being available only at a single store in the artist’s hometown of Ōmiya.
When you think back to “that moment” when you couldn’t be honest with a beloved partner, this song will be there to embrace your heart.
[Empathy & Tearjerker] Love Songs About Unrequited Love (41–50)
So it wasn’t me, huh.Lilia.
Singer-songwriter Riria gained popularity after posting self-accompanied performance videos on TikTok and YouTube.
Known for love songs from every perspective, her 2021 release “Watachi Janakattan Da Ne” (“So It Wasn’t Me”) expresses the bittersweet feelings toward someone who sends mixed signals.
Many listeners will relate to the lyrics that capture the frustration of staying in a more-than-friends, less-than-lovers relationship that never quite comes together.
Paired with her conversational vocal style, it’s a breakup song that closely mirrors the emotions of young people.
Give it a listen—it’s frequently used in TikTok videos themed around poignant love stories.
Don't Stop LoveKumi Koda
A medium-tempo ballad by Kumi Koda portraying the forbidden love of an affair.
It beautifully expresses the conflict and sorrow of a man and woman who, despite their pure affection, live a love that cannot be allowed.
Released in September 2011, the song drew attention as the theme for the film “Second Virgin” and was also performed at that year’s NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
Included on the albums “JAPONESQUE” and “WINTER of LOVE,” it has become one of Koda’s signature songs.
It is sure to resonate deeply with anyone who relates to the loneliness of not being able to be with the one you love and the earnest desire to go on loving despite the gaze of society.