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

A Thousand MilesVanessa Carlton

Vanessa Carlton – A Thousand Miles

Starting with an unforgettable piano riff, this song beautifully captures the bittersweet ache of unrequited love.

The more you long to see someone precious, the more the distance seems to grow—that feeling really resonates.

Released in 2002, the track became a massive hit as the lead single from Vanessa Carlton’s debut album, Be Not Nobody.

It was nominated for a Grammy and has become a beloved classic worldwide.

When you’re thinking of a lover far away, listening to this song will surely give you courage.

It’s a piece that will stay close to your heart.

Teenage DirtbagWheatus

Wheatus – Teenage Dirtbag (Clean)

It’s an unrequited love song told from the perspective of a teenage protagonist with a nerdy, outsider vibe.

In the lyrics of this track, released in 2000 by the American rock band Wheatus, his feelings for the girl he’s into are expressed with striking directness—something many listeners can’t help but relate to.

It also drew attention when the hugely popular UK group One Direction covered it and performed it live.

SurrenderBilly Talent

Billy Talent – Surrender (Official Music Video)

Billy Talent is a Canadian rock band formed in 1993.

This song is a single released from their triple-platinum album, Billy Talent II.

It sings about the unrequited love of a devoted man who is nothing more than a friend to her.

it’s oh so quietBjörk

Björk – It’s Oh So Quiet

It’s a remake of Betty Hutton’s 1948 song written by Hans Lang and Bert Reisfeld.

The original title is “Blow a Fuse.” The song became Björk’s biggest hit in the UK.

The music video was directed by Spike Jonze and was inspired by musicals from the 1940s to the 1960s.

Best FriendJason Chen

Best Friend – Jason Chen (Official Music Video)

It’s a one-sided love song from a guy’s perspective about realizing he’s fallen for his childhood friend.

It focuses on the complicated feelings that come from not wanting to ruin the friendship while also wanting to confess his feelings, and I really hope you’ll listen with that in mind.

Just So You KnowJesse McCartney

Just So You Know

This song is about uncontrollable, uncontainable feelings when you fall for someone you shouldn’t.

In the music video, Jesse falls in love with his friend’s girlfriend—he struggles and suffers, yet finds himself increasingly drawn to her, which is heartbreakingly poignant.

Take This LongingLeonard Cohen

Leonard Cohen – ‘Take This Longing’

A song that expresses Leonard Cohen’s merciless love for Nico—the Velvet Underground singer and actress he first met in New York.

It is included on his fourth album, New Skin for the Old Ceremony, released in 1974.