Lovely love song

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

music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and have been contributing to music magazines and web media for over 15 years. Although Western music is my main field, I always strive to stay curious with the motto, “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in a band, where I was a bassist responsible for songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve performed on include bass, guitar, and piano. I resumed piano lessons after turning 40 and have been continuing ever since!

Musicians who are attuned to the complex movements of emotion we experience in life often share their own experiences with listeners in the form of songs.

It’s not uncommon to find lyrics that describe almost the exact same experience you’ve had—so much so that it hurts to relate.

This time, we’ve picked songs that portray unrequited love and the unresolved feelings that follow a breakup, compiling them across eras and genres—from the latest hits to timeless classics.

Many of these tracks express sadness in a straightforward way, so try listening while reflecting on your own feelings.

[2025] Unrequited feelings, hearts at cross purposes… A roundup of Western songs about unfulfilled love (41–50)

Put a Little Love On MeNiall Horan

Niall Horan – Put A Little Love On Me (Official Video)

Put a Little Love On MeNiall Horan

Put a Little Love On Me is a song by Niall Horan, a member of the popular idol group One Direction.

He may not have the same vocal prowess as Harry Styles or Louis Tomlinson, but he has a rich expressiveness that more than makes up for it.

In this track as well, his expressive power truly shines.

The melody beautifully captures the ache of unrequited love, and Niall Horan’s heartfelt vocals leave a strong impression.

Be sure to check it out.

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[2025] Feelings That Don’t Reach, Hearts at Cross Purposes… A Collection of Unrequited Love Songs in Western Music (51–60)

Like I’m Gonna Lose You (feat. John Legend)Meghan Trainor

Meghan Trainor – Like I’m Gonna Lose You (Official Video) ft. John Legend

Like I'm Gonna Lose You (feat. John Legend)Meghan Trainor

Megan Trainor’s classic “Like I’m Gonna Lose You (feat.

John Legend).” It’s a piece with a melody that grippingly tightens your chest.

The warmth of John Legend’s voice and the poignancy of Meghan Trainor’s vocals match beautifully.

Pay attention to the emotional melody that pierces the heart, as if expressing love just as it is.

The song carries a somewhat unusual message—imagining the sad situation of “losing the one you love,” essentially a bad ending.

Precisely because we don’t want it to turn out that way, the song urges us to cherish each day with the person we love.

Don’t realize it after you’ve lost them—realize it before you do! That’s the important message embedded here.

It’s not exactly a breakup song, but I chose it this time as a bit of an outlier.

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Over And Over ft. Tim McGrawNelly

Nelly – Over And Over (Official Music Video) ft. Tim McGraw

Over And Over ft. Tim McGrawNelly

Nelly, a veteran US hip-hop rapper.

Though he has a thug image, he excels at emotional lyrics.

He’s one of the artists who established a sing-rap style.

His track “Over and Over ft.

Tim McGraw” really highlights that approach.

It portrays the raw feelings of a man whose love didn’t come to fruition.

You can enjoy the youthful Nelly’s vocals and rap here—definitely worth checking out!

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So SickNe-Yo

Ne-Yo – So Sick (Official Music Video)

So SickNe-Yo

Ne-Yo’s hit song “So Sick.” It’s super famous, so I’m sure many of you know it.

It’s a fairly orthodox R&B track, but with no unnecessary sections, it’s extremely easy to listen to.

It’s a song that really embodies the characteristics of 2000s R&B.

The lyrics, which depict the raw feelings of a heartbroken man, are also a highlight.

You know how some songs have melodies that don’t match the lyrics? This one matches perfectly—the lyrics and melody fit so well that there’s no sense of dissonance, making it a very pleasant listen.

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You’re BeautifulJames Blunt

James Blunt – You’re Beautiful (Official Music Video) [4K]

You're BeautifulJames Blunt

Released as a single from the album in 2005, it became a massive hit.

In Japan, it was used everywhere—from a TV drama theme song to a major car manufacturer’s commercial—spreading its name widely.

It even reached No.

1 on the U.

S.

Billboard Hot 100.

The song is said to have been born from a real experience of seeing an ex-girlfriend with another man at a subway station.

Its beautiful melody heightens the sense of melancholy, and James Blunt’s dry vocals make it all the more tear-inducing.

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MissingEvanescence

Evanescence – Missing (music video)

MissingEvanescence

Evanescence is a Grammy Award–winning American rock band.

This song is included on their first live album, “Anywhere but Home.” It sings of envy toward love, loneliness, and frustration, and is sometimes said to be a song that confronts listeners with reality.

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Every Breath You TakeThe Police

The Police – Every Breath You Take (Official Music Video)

Every Breath You TakeThe Police

Here’s a song from The Police—the band that took the era by storm with Sting and the still-energetic rhythm section of Stewart Copeland and company.

The track itself remains consistently understated, and the lyrics, in today’s terms, paint a protagonist with a somewhat “mentally fragile” vibe.

Combined with the musical tone, it carries a slightly eerie feeling, yet at the same time you can sense an honest tenderness.

Wouldn’t you say it’s that kind of song?

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