[2025] Western music songs that cheer on unrequited love: A roundup of classic tracks that speak to your feelings

HeatherNEW!Conan Gray

Conan Gray – Heather

Conan Gray, an internet celebrity immensely popular with Gen Z.

This song, one of his signature tracks, is a deeply heartbreaking unrequited-love anthem about being unable to suppress your feelings even while knowing the person you like already has someone they’re into.

Jealous of the “perfect girl” who has every quality you don’t, yet irresistibly drawn to her at the same time.

.

.

Those painfully honest emotions are sung over the gentle sound of an acoustic guitar.

Included on the album Kid Krow, released in March 2020, it reached No.

46 on the U.

S.

charts.

It’s a masterpiece that keeps you company on nights when thinking about the one you love sends you spiraling into self-loathing.

Always Been YouNEW!Jessie Murph

Jessie Murph – Always Been You (Official Video)

Singer-songwriter Jessie Murph has drawn attention through her posts on TikTok and broadened her popularity with a genre-blurring musical style.

The piece she released in November 2021 is an unrequited love song that captures the bittersweet yet tender feelings of the moment you realize, “It’s always been you,” and finally recognize your true emotions.

Many listeners may relate to the delicate shift in the heart when you become aware of special feelings for someone you had thought of as just a friend.

From husky low tones to soaring, emotional highs, her versatile vocals beautifully convey the protagonist’s complex inner state.

The song became her first entry on the Billboard Hot 100 and was later included on her mixtape “drowning.” It just might gently accompany anyone torn between friendship and romantic feelings.

FeelingsNEW!John Newman

John Newman – Feelings

This song by John Newman carries the influence of 1960s Black music.

He’s known for his soulful, powerful vocals, and his expressive delivery makes the most of that strength.

Released in March 2019, the track is crafted as an electropop dance tune.

Its exhilarating sound feels like a direct expression of the uncontrollable emotions of unrequited love.

The straightforward lyrics about growing feelings, paired with Newman’s emotionally charged vocals, leave a strong impression.

When you can’t bring yourself to confess your feelings to someone you like, this energetic song will surely give you a push.

You Don’t Know My NameNEW!Alicia Keys

Alicia Keys – You Don’t Know My Name (Official HD Video)

Alicia Keys is a singer-songwriter who represents the R&B scene of the 2000s.

This piece from her early-career classic, The Diary of Alicia Keys, is known as a masterpiece that beautifully captures the bittersweetness of unrequited love.

The song tells the story of a protagonist working at a café, who can’t bring herself to speak to the customer she likes—a tender, aching crush.

In her head she imagines the perfect conversation, yet in reality she can’t even say her name.

That frustrating situation is portrayed over a warm, ’70s soul-inspired sound crafted by Kanye West.

Upon its release in November 2003, the song gained enormous popularity, spending eight weeks at No.

1 on the U.

S.

R&B chart.

It’s a gentle companion for anyone who finds themselves tongue-tied in front of someone they like.

Run Away With MeNEW!Carly Rae Jepsen

Carly Rae Jepsen – Run Away With Me

That striking saxophone tone that rings out from the intro feels like it’s expressing a racing heartbeat! It’s a celebrated song by Canadian singer-songwriter Carly Rae Jepsen about the impulses of unrequited love.

The theme is a heartfelt wish to run away somewhere with the person you like, just as you are.

Glittering synth-pop textures and a driving beat capture both the frustration and the exhilaration of love at the same time.

The track is included on the acclaimed 2015 album E•MO•TION, and Jepsen herself reportedly wanted it to be the lead single because of its high level of polish.

If you listen to it on a night when you can’t bring yourself to confess your feelings, it’s sure to keep you company at heart.

DiveNEW!Ed Sheeran

Ed Sheeran – Dive [Official Audio]

Ed Sheeran, a singer-songwriter who is hugely popular in Japan as well.

He’s known for numerous love songs, and this time we’re introducing a passionate track that resonates with the heart of unrequited love.

The song’s lyrics are striking for the way they seem to question your resolve before you truly take the plunge into love.

Because you care so much, you become timid, unable to help but seek reassurance about the other person’s feelings—such earnest emotion is sung here.

This track is included on the acclaimed 2017 album ÷, which won a Grammy, and was reportedly created in collaboration with top songwriters.

When you can’t quite take that final step, his powerful vocals will surely give you a push.

The melody is catchy too, so I think you’ll like it!

One ThingNEW!One Direction

One Direction – One Thing

One Direction, the boy band that enjoyed worldwide popularity in the 2010s, is a familiar group in Japan as well.

Although they are currently on hiatus, the many masterpieces they left behind continue to be loved.

Among their works, a pop tune from their debut album Up All Night powerfully sings about the impulse of unrequited love.

It sets a straightforward, heartfelt longing—being crazy about you and aching for “that one thing”—to sparkling guitar sounds and a fast-paced, exhilarating melody.

Released on CD in the UK in February 2012, the track also ranked high on the charts.

When your feelings for someone become unstoppable, listening to it will give you the courage to affirm those emotions with strength.