Unrequited love breakup songs in Western music. Recommended masterpieces and popular tracks.

Just A FriendBiz Markie

Biz Markie – Just A Friend (Official Video)

A track released in 1989 by American hip-hop artist Biz Markie.

It was inspired by Freddie Scott’s 1968 track “(You) Got What I Need.” It has been used in many forms of media, including a 2009 Heineken TV commercial.

To Be With YouMr. BIG

Mr. Big – To Be With You 4K Video

A soft rock ballad released in 1991 by the American hard rock band Mr.

Big.

It sings about an unrequited crush on a close friend and was written by lead vocalist Eric Martin when he was 10 years old.

It reached No.

1 on charts around the world.

When I Was Your ManBruno Mars

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

A heart-stirring piano ballad that presses on the chest with bittersweet regret and hope.

Hailing from the United States, Bruno Mars lays bare his heartbreak in this song.

Despite its simple arrangement, his emotionally rich vocals leave a strong impression.

Included on the album “Unorthodox Jukebox,” it was released as a single in January 2013.

It became a worldwide hit, reaching No.

1 on the U.

S.

Billboard chart and achieving 8.

3 million digital sales.

For anyone carrying the pain of a breakup or deep feelings for someone important, this is a song that can be a source of comfort.

Walking After YouFoo Fighters

Foo Fighters – Walking After You (Official HD Video)

A beautiful ballad that delicately expresses the regret and sense of loss after losing a loved one, as well as lingering attachment and the wish for renewal.

Included on Foo Fighters’ August 1997 album “The Colour and the Shape,” the song features Dave Grohl’s gentle vocals, which heighten its melancholic mood.

In 1998, it was also included on the soundtrack of the film “The X-Files: The Movie,” for which a re-recorded version was produced.

It’s a recommended track for anyone who can relate to the pain of heartbreak and the earnest desire to restore a relationship despite it all.

Two GhostsHarry Styles

Harry Styles – Two Ghosts (live in studio)

The poignant ballad woven by British artist Harry Styles delicately portrays a lost love.

Set to a melody infused with country and folk-rock elements, it reflects on memories with a former lover and the changes that followed.

Released in August 2017, the song appears on the album “Harry Styles” and captured the hearts of many fans.

With its distinctive slide guitar, the piece symbolically expresses a relationship that has ended and personal transformation.

It’s a recommended track for those seeking to heal the pain of heartbreak or to reflect on their past selves.

Hold Me While You WaitLewis Capaldi

Lewis Capaldi – Hold Me While You Wait (Interlude Session)

The heart-stirring ballad woven by Scotland’s Lewis Capaldi vividly portrays the pain of heartbreak and the aching hope for reconciliation.

Released in May 2019, the song was included on the album “Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent.” It reached No.

1 on the singles charts in Ireland and Scotland, and climbed to No.

4 on the UK chart.

Capaldi’s powerful vocals brilliantly convey the emotions of a protagonist struggling with the uncertainty of a relationship.

Sensing the end of love yet wanting to cherish the final moments—this song resonates with anyone navigating such complex feelings.

Somebody ElseThe 1975

The 1975 – Somebody Else (Official Video)

A gem of a love song that portrays the end of a passionate romance and the struggle of entering a new relationship.

Released in February 2016 by the British band The 1975, this track delicately expresses lingering attachment and jealousy toward a former lover.

Its sound, reminiscent of 80s synth-pop, and Matty Healy’s emotive vocals strike a deep chord.

Included on the album “I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful yet So Unaware of It,” it was also featured in the film “The Edge of Seventeen.” It’s a perfect choice for soothing the pain of heartbreak or for anyone wrestling with complex romantic feelings.