Unrequited Love Songs in Western Music: A Collection of Heartbreaking Classics [2025]

I Can’t Make You Love MeBonnie Raitt

I Can’t Make You Love Me (Live)

Titled with the heartrending phrase “I Can’t Make You Love Me,” this song is one of American singer Bonnie Raitt’s signature tracks.

It conveys the sorrow of unrequited love—being able to be with the man she loves, yet unable to make him love her in return.

A staple on lists of timeless international classics, it has been widely covered by many artists.

Sylvias MotherDr. Hook & The Medicine Show

Dr hook and the medicine show – sylvias mother

A song written by Shel Silverstein.

It features the sincere, sorrowful vocals of Dennis Locorriere, who was 20 years old at the time.

Released as a single in 1972, it became a hit in the United States, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Australia, and elsewhere.

FallingKeri Noble

Keri Noble – Falling (Cover) by Gabriel and Kiana Valenciano

A song by Keri Noble that delicately captures the ache of unrequited love.

The protagonist’s complex feelings after falling in love gently resonate through her clear vocals and the sound of the piano.

Featured on the album “Fearless,” released in March 2004, this piece vividly portrays the uncertainty and fragility of romance.

You can’t help but relate to a protagonist who should be confident, yet is shaken by love.

Perfect for those experiencing a crush or wanting to sink into the bittersweetness of love.

Listening to this song might just give your own heart the courage it needs.

Fix YouColdplay

Coldplay – Fix You (Official Video)

A fine pop-rock piece by Coldplay, where a moving melody and soothing sound blend beautifully.

The lyrics stand by those lost in the dark and extend a warm light to anyone in despair, illuminating the listener’s heart.

Released in May 2005, this song was issued as the second single from the band’s album X&Y.

It’s perfect for times of hardship, heartbreak, or anxiety.

It gives you the strength to move forward while holding onto a faint, bittersweet feeling, making it a great recommendation for anyone struggling with unrequited love or looking to regain their spirits.

Yoü And ILady Gaga

Lady Gaga – Yoü And I

As a heartrendingly beautiful breakup song, it has captured the hearts of many.

Showcasing Lady Gaga’s rich emotional expression, this work is a grand ballad that lingers on a past love.

The lyrics, sung over a beautiful melodic line, will give courage and a sense of kinship to those nursing unrequited feelings.

Released in July 2011, the track was issued as a single from the album “Born This Way.” The passion and melancholy felt throughout the song speak to the frustrations of love that everyone experiences, and its evocative lyrics are sure to enchant many listeners.

BlackPearl Jam

Black

This is “Black,” an unrequited-love song by Pearl Jam, a rock band from Seattle, USA.

Active since 1990, they are considered one of the most enduringly popular rock bands in America.

“Black” is a track from their debut album and became one of Pearl Jam’s signature hits.

It is hailed as one of the greatest ballads of all time.

Almost LoverA Fine Frenzy

Almost Lover

Titled with a phrase meaning “less than lovers,” this song is an unrequited-love track by the American singer-songwriter A Fine Frenzy, included on her debut album One Cell in the Sea.

True to its name, it’s a poignant ballad; its lyrics about parting with a man she had thought of as a lover are achingly resonant.

It’s a song you’ll want to listen to when someone you can’t forget comes to mind.