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

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.

Playlist

[2025] Unrequited feelings, hearts out of sync… A collection of Western songs about impossible love
	Title	Playlist	One point
1	Love YourselfJustin Bieber		Expressing the pain of heartbreak through a gentle melody
2	Ocean EyesBillie Eilish		Billie Eilish’s uniquely personal breakup song
3	If I Can’t Have YouShawn Mendes		The poignant love song by a popular singer resonates with the heart.
4	Lose You to Love MeSelena Gomez		Selena’s breakup song resonates with the heart.
5	Drivers LicenseOlivia Rodrigo		Olivia draws attention with a bittersweet heartbreak song
6	Wish You The BestLewis Capaldi		An emotionally expressive singer from Scotland
7	We don’t talk any moreCharlie Puth & Selena Gomez		Charlie Puth’s song that started on YouTube
8	Heartbreak AnniversaryGiveon		Givion’s heartbreak song resonates with the heart.
9	I Remember Everything (feat. Kacey Musgraves)Zach Bryan		Zach Bryan’s soul-stirring masterpiece
10	When I Was Your ManBruno Mars		An inspiring masterpiece that sings about the pain of heartbreak
11	All Too WellTaylor Swift		Taylor Swift’s classic song “All Too Well”
12	If I Ain’t Got YouAlicia Keys		Alicia Keys’s classic that sings of the depths of love
13	Closer ft. HalseyThe Chainsmokers		A blockbuster hit that captivates with its heartrending sound
14	When You’re GoneAvril Lavigne		Avril Lavigne’s bittersweet heartbreak song
15	Somebody ElseThe 1975		A song that portrays the pain of heartbreak and a journey of self-discovery
16	I Almost DoTaylor Swift		A country singer’s soul-stirring masterpiece
17	Someone Like YouAdele		Adele’s emotionally rich, heart-piercing song
18	HelloAdele		An inspiring song by addle titled “hello.”
19	It’s Too LateCarole King		A masterpiece that sings of the pain of heartbreak and the resolve to move forward
20	When You’re GoneShawn Mendes		Shawn Mendes’s breakup song
21	Don’t SpeakNo Doubt		The classic song by the ska punk band No Doubt
22	TornNatalie Imbruglia		Natalie Imbruglia’s signature song “Torn”
23	Back To DecemberTaylor Swift		Singing about regretting the breakup and the importance of the love that was lost
24	AloneCéline Dion		A masterpiece: an emotional cover of the original rock song
25	Thinking Out LoudEd Sheeran		Ed Sheeran’s masterpiece, a beautiful melody of love
26	Back To BlackAmy Winehouse		Amy Winehouse portrays the pain of heartbreak
27	Lost (feat. The Kid LAROI)Bailey Zimmerman		A hit song popular on TikTok that sings about the pain of heartbreak
28	Before You GoLewis Capaldi		An inspiring masterpiece that sings about the pain of heartbreak
29	Thinking Of YouKaty Perry		A woman's feelings as she nostalgically reflects on a past love
30	Ex-FactorLauryn Hill		Lauryn Hill’s classic song “Ex-Factor” heals the heart.
31	Dancing on My OwnRobyn		Robin's heartbreak song, a moving masterpiece
32	GrenadeBruno Mars		Bruno Mars's 'Grenade' is a masterpiece.
33	Lose ControlTeddy Swims		A masterpiece that portrays codependent love and inner turmoil
34	I’d Rather Go BlindEtta James		A legendary artist who excelled across multiple genres
35	Kill This LoveBLACKPINK		BLACKPINK’s captivating new song becomes a global smash hit
36	If the World Was EndingJP Saxe & Julia Michaels		The ache of love I remember at the brink of the world’s end
37	Stay With MeSam Smith		A moving song overflowing with feelings for someone important
38	The Heart Wants What It WantsSelena Gomez		A bittersweet love song for my ex, Justin
39	Wish You Were HereAvril Lavigne		A bittersweet girl’s song wishing someone would stay by her side
40	Big Girls Don’t Cry (Personal)Fergie		The strength of a woman overcoming unrequited love
41	To Die ForSam Smith		A classic song that poignantly sings about a gay heartbreak
42	Cry me a riverJustin Timberlake		Justin Timberlake’s betrayal song, a track you can vent your emotions to
43	Out of LoveAlessia Cara		A classic song that sings of the pain of heartbreak and the strength of women
44	UnfaithfulRihanna		The madness and murderous intent lurking in a heartbreak song
45	Call me maybeCarly Rae Jepsen		Romantic pop song recommended by Justin Bieber
46	IrresponsibleKiana Ledé		Singing the pain of unrequited love soulfully
47	If I Let You GoWestlife		A song by an Irish vocal group that disbanded in 2012
48	Distance And TimeAlicia Keys		The poignancy of long-distance love and the strength of its bond
49	StanEminem		Eminem’s song “Stan” was based on a true story.
50	Put a Little Love On MeNiall Horan		Emotion dwells in Niall Horan’s songs
51	Like I’m Gonna Lose You (feat. John Legend)Meghan Trainor		A song that cherishes love and realizes it before losing it
52	Over And Over ft. Tim McGrawNelly		Nelly captivates with emotional lyrics and rap
53	So SickNe-Yo		Ne-Yo’s classic song “So Sick” is the best.
54	You’re BeautifulJames Blunt		A moving song born from real experiences of bittersweet love
55	MissingEvanescence		Evanescence is an emotionally expressive rock band.
56	Every Breath You TakeThe Police		A classic by The Police, a mentally unstable love song
57	Why Does It RainDarin Zanyar		Healing the pain of unrequited love through music
58	DreamerLaufey		Icelandic songstress who sings of love and dreams
59	Consequences (Orchestra)Camila Cabello		Camila Cabello’s bittersweet breakup song
60	Just A Little Bit Of Your HeartAriana Grande		A moving ballad by Ariana Grande
61	Bleeding LoveLeona Lewis		A Love Song with deep, resonant bass that echoes in the heart after a heartbreak
62	Good Luck, Babe!Chappell Roan		Chappell Roan’s emotionally charged new song is making waves
63	Somebody that I used to knowGotye		A heartfelt song about the bittersweet misconnection between a man and a woman.
64	Anything Could HappenEllie Goulding		A classic song that sings of unwavering feelings for a lost love
65	Please Don’t Fall In Love With MeKhalid		Khalid’s new song delicately captures the pain of love.
66	Somebody’s MeEnrique Iglesias		Enrique’s heartrending love song, sung in Spanish
67	Unbreak My HeartToni Braxton		Toni Braxton’s heartbreaking, soul-stirring classic
68	You Were MineDixie Chicks		A song about a woman's divorce and feelings
69	Just A Friend To YouMeghan Trainor		Megan Trainor's soothing song
70	Hands To MyselfSelena Gomez		A song that portrays Selena’s heartrending feelings of love
71	Need Ur LuvCharli XCX		Charli XCX with pop-driven music and a vibrant sense of color
72	Call Out My NameThe Weeknd		Tesfai’s wistful love song
73	DistanceChristina Perri		Jason Mraz's mystical song, with gentle tones
74	We Belong TogetherMariah Carey		Mariah Carey's classic breakup songs
75	Breaking PointLogan Michael		A powerful song that depicts the end of love
76	OceansSeafret		The ephemeral and beautiful feelings of a long-distance love
77	Girl All The Bad Guys WantBowling For Soup		A cute love song that depicts unrequited love
78	The Day You Went AwayM2M		A breakup ballad characterized by high-pitched vocals.
79	My DilemmaSelena Gomez		Selena Gomez’s pop song
80	Every Little Thing She Does Is MagicThe Police		A bittersweet unrequited love song woven on the piano
81	I Don’t Owe You AnythingThe Smiths		Smith's sentimental early classic
82	Lie To Me5 Seconds of Summer		A classic song that portrays love and lies in human relationships
83	I Can’t Make You Love MeBonnie Raitt		Bonnie Raitt’s timeless songs that resonate with the heart
84	All She KnowsBruno Mars		A poignant song by Bruno Mars that resonates with the heart
85	Tiny VesselsDeath Cab for Cutie		A masterpiece album by an alternative rock band
86	White FlagDido		A song about not being able to accept a love that has ended
87	Why Not MeEnrique Iglesias		Enrique’s wistful song resonates with my heart.
88	#1 CrushGarbage		A passionate classic that portrays a mad, obsessive love
89	sitting waiting wishingJack Johnson		A musical tale of friendship and encouragement
90	CryKelly Clarkson		Introduction to Kelly Clarkson’s emotionally charged songs
91	Goodnight GoodnightMaroon 5		Maroon 5’s breakup songs, with raw emotional expression
92	El ScorchoWeezer		Weezer’s unrequited love song is highly popular in Australia.
93	Stone ColdDemi Lovato		A poignant singing voice, a masterpiece reminiscent of Adele
94	Say GoodbyeChris Brown		A heartrending love song, with Chris’s clear, translucent voice
95	end gameCat Burns		Cat Burns's heartbreak song
96	I Don’t Think That I Like HerCharlie Puth		A timeless song that sings of the pain of love and resonates with the heart
97	Car’s OutsideJames Arthur		A classic song that sings of the heartache of a long-distance romance.
98	Happiest YearJaymes Young		A classic song that sings of the pain of heartbreak and the importance of love
99	It’s not fairKenya Grace		Kokone's song that sings of a heartrending summer night
100	Forget MeLewis Capaldi		An inspiring song that sings about the pain of a broken heart
101	StarMitski		Memories of a past love that shine like stars
102	Last NightMorgan Wallen		Morgan Wallen’s heartbreak song
103	SpiteOmar Apollo		A song that sings about the struggles of a long-distance relationship
104	feel like shitTate McRae		A moving song that expresses the pain of parting
105	Last Heartbreak Song (ft. Giveon)Ayra Starr		An inspiring song that sings about the pain of a broken heart
106	Return To SenderElvis Presley		A wistful letter to a lover who will never return
107	NICE GIRLSJaz Karis, Mahalia		A timeless song that pierces the heart, singing of the pain of a broken heart
108	StephenKe$ha		A song filled with anger toward a boy stalker
109	BoomerangPLAIN WHITE T’S		A pop-punk band with a theme of romance
110	She hates mePuddle of Mudd		A love song portraying the struggles of a rock band
111	Can’t Fight This FeelingREO Speed Wagon		A timeless hit that sings of unwavering love, a worldwide sensation
112	Jessie’s GirlRIck Springfield		A smash-hit song about unrequited love
113	just my imaginationThe Temptations		A classic song that sings of a bittersweet love
114	MapsYeah Yeah Yeahs		A classic by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs that sings about the anguish of a long-distance relationship
115	BlackPearl Jam		A famous masterpiece depicting love and loss
116	Sorry That I Loved YouAnthony Neely		Let’s overcome the pain of heartbreak and walk forward with our heads up.
117	Walk On ByBritney Spears		A song to cheer on unrequited love, the courage to gain confidence
118	CrushDavid Archuleta		An introduction to singer David’s upbeat songs
119	Be AlrightDean Lewis		A catchy classic that sings about the pain of heartbreak
120	Say You Love MeJessie Ware		Jessie Ware’s introspective song, keeping emotions inside
121	Losing My ReligionR.E.M.		R.E.M.’s signature song, singing of ruthless love
122	With or Without YouU2		A classic by U2 that sings of the struggles of love
123	A Little Less Sixteen Candles, A Little More “Touch Me”Fall Out Boy		A Fall Out Boy song that portrays complex love
124	Teardrops On My GuitarTaylor Swift		A song that captures the heartache of unrequited love
125	Miss You Like CrazyThe Moffatts		A stirring, empowering track—feel it when you listen
126	ShiverColdplay		Jeff’s melancholic love song of influence
127	Cuz I Love YouLizzo		Lizzo’s signature song, a real and captivating track