[2025] Unrequited feelings, hearts out of sync… A collection of Western songs about impossible love

If the World Was EndingJP Saxe & Julia Michaels

JP Saxe – If the World Was Ending (Official Video) ft. Julia Michaels

This is a duet by JP Saxe from Canada and Julia Michaels, who is active in the United States.

It tells a bittersweet what-if story: if the world were ending, you’d rush to your ex—even though there’d be no reason to see each other anymore.

Over a gentle piano, their conversational vocals bring out an undying love for each other that tightens your chest.

Released in October 2019 and later included on the EP “Hold It Together,” the song’s message resonated widely, even inspiring a charity project featuring many artists.

If you’re longing for someone you can’t see, you may find your own feelings reflected in this aching love.

Stay With MeSam Smith

Sam Smith – Stay With Me (Official Music Video)

Released in 2014, this song became a worldwide hit.

When I first heard it, I was moved by how powerfully it overflowed with feelings for someone you want to be so close to.

His sweet yet aching vocals further amplify the song’s sense of longing, don’t they? It’s said that Sam Smith, who is gay, simply expressed his own feelings in it.

You can really sense the appeal of a song he sings so carefully and lovingly.

The Heart Wants What It WantsSelena Gomez

Selena Gomez – The Heart Wants What It Wants (Official Video)

It’s a song addressed to her ex, Justin Bieber, as everyone knows.

When something this raw is made public, all you can do is cry, right? And yet, it’s a track overflowing with her charm that, in a way, encourages women going through painful love.

This heartbreaking song, which conveys Selena’s feelings without hiding them, must have left many emotions in the hearts of the women who listened.

Wish You Were HereAvril Lavigne

Avril Lavigne – Wish You Were Here (Official Video)

She wants you to stay by her side, but she doesn’t know how to make you stay.

The lyrics, which convey a girl’s frustrating feelings so directly, are what make this song so appealing.

The lines that keep questioning a past that’s been lost are achingly sorrowful and tighten the chest.

Her expression as she sings—tormented by memories that still linger so deeply—is exquisitely beautiful and fragile.

Big Girls Don’t Cry (Personal)Fergie

Fergie – Big Girls Don’t Cry (Personal) (Official Music Video)

Just from the title, you can feel the strength of a woman overcoming unrequited love, right? It’s a song she released in 2007, and through her voice you can sense her telling herself, “Don’t cry over a painful love,” and trying to become stronger.

Personally, I love the title of this song, and I use it as a kind of spell to overcome difficulties (lol).

To Die ForSam Smith

Sam Smith – To Die For (Official Music Video)

Sam Smith came out as gay in 2014.

Their song “To Die For” portrays an unrequited love from a gay perspective.

It’s true that the number of men who love men is not very large, and chances to meet are limited.

This track is a breakup song that expresses struggles unique to being gay.

Sam Smith’s wistful vocals further highlight the sorrow in the lyrics, and from a musical standpoint, it’s an excellent piece that makes the most of their high notes.

Cry me a riverJustin Timberlake

Justin Timberlake – Cry Me A River (Official Video)

Here’s a song by Justin Timberlake, formerly a member of *’N Sync*.

As you can tell from the tone, it gives off a pretty dark impression.

It seems to be about being cruelly betrayed by someone you devoted yourself to, and you can sense a bit of resentment in it.

If you ever find yourself in a similar situation, why not let this song speak for your feelings and use it as a way to let them out?