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

Why not transform your bittersweet feelings through the power of great music? The emotions of a secret crush have become countless timeless classics in Western music, passed down through the years.

Hearts leap at a casual gesture, or ache from missed connections.

Artists around the world have captured the universal joys and sorrows of unrequited love in beautiful melodies.

In this article, we introduce a selection of exquisite Western songs whose touching lyrics and melodies resonate deeply.

Whether your heart is fluttering with a new romance, or you still find yourself holding on after a breakup, you’re sure to find a song that gently embraces your unrequited feelings.

Playlist

Unrequited Love Songs in Western Music: A Collection of Heartbreaking Classics [2025]
	Title	Playlist	One point
1	You Belong With MeTaylor Swift		A hit song written and composed by Taylor
2	I Don’t Think That I Like HerCharlie Puth		The fear and inner conflict of a love that doesn’t want to be hurt
3	Call Me MaybeCarly Rae Jepsen		A love song gains popularity through a collaboration with Laura
4	You Da OneRihanna		A song of a girl burning with love
5	GrenadeBruno Mars		The pain and purity of devoted love
6	Do I Wanna Know?Arctic Monkeys		I want to know how they feel, but I'm torn and afraid.
7	Just a Friend to YouMeghan Trainor		A wistful unrequited love song about wanting to be more than friends
8	One ThingOne Direction		A love song by a British idol
9	wish you were gayBillie Eilish		The secret behind the unrequited-love lyrics of Billie Eilish
10	Always Been YouJessie Murph		A classic song that sings of the bittersweet feelings of unrequited love
11	New RulesDua Lipa		New rules for overcoming the pain of unrequited love
12	IrresponsibleKiana Ledé		Singing the pain of unrequited love soulfully
13	Call Out My NameThe Weeknd		Poignant feelings of unbreakable longing and lingering attachment
14	GorgeousTaylor Swift		A song that sings about the thrill of unrequited love and complex emotions
15	Bad ReligionFrank Ocean		The suffering and sanctity of unrequited love
16	FeelingsJohn Newman		The bittersweet feelings of an unrequited love I can’t stop
17	FallingforyouThe 1975		The bittersweet feelings of unrequited love and the struggles of romance
18	Old NewsMitch James		A poignant song that sings of the lingering pain of a memorable farewell
19	Better NowPost Malone		A song by Post Malone that sings of heartbreak’s pain and growth
20	WeightlessArlo Parks		The pain of unrequited love and the importance of self-respect
21	Baby IAriana Grande		I get so nervous around the person I like that I can’t get any words out.
22	LiabilityLorde		A beautiful piano ballad that sings of loneliness
23	BoyfriendJustin Bieber		Songs whose lyrics about unrequited love from a male perspective are relatable
24	RiskGracie Abrams		The impulse of unrequited love that dares the risks of romance
25	Ocean EyesBillie Eilish		Billie Eilish’s love song with ocean eyes
26	Let Me Love You (Until You Learn To Love Yourself)Ne-Yo		A song that conveys true love to a wounded woman
27	Love You Like A Love SongSelena Gomez		Selena’s new song has a catchy chorus and is popular.
28	I’m a MessBebe Rexha		Bebe Rexha's captivating vocals and lyrics
29	Chasing PavementsAdele		An early song by Adele that sings of the pain of love and of determination.
30	Notice MeAlli Simpson		A breakup song filled with hope and positivity
31	With YouChris Brown		Chris Brown’s bittersweet love song
32	You’re BeautifulJames Blunt		A love song with the memorable chorus line, “You are beautiful.”
33	I’m Into YouJennifer Lopez ft. Lil Wayne		Sexy singing voice and captivating dance video
34	ShiverColdplay		Coldplay’s captivating music and lyrics
35	Don’t Let It Break Your HeartLouis Tomlinson		Louis Tomlinson's encouraging song
36	GirlfriendAvril Lavigne		A song that cheers on a boy troubled by love
37	Want U BackCher Lloyd		A relatable song about feelings for an ex-boyfriend
38	CrushDavid Archuleta		A classic youth anthem that sings of the pain of unrequited love
39	CreepRadiohead		The appeal of Radiohead’s signature song “Creep”
40	Thinking Of YouKaty Perry		A poignant ballad that sings of heartbreak’s pain and lingering attachment
41	Beautiful People Beautiful Problems ft. Stevie NicksLana Del Rey		The melancholic chanteuse appeal of Lana Del Rey
42	Nothin’ On YouB.o.B feat. Bruno Mars		You're the best! I'm moved by your wonderful song.
43	B-e-a-utifulMegan Nicole		The loneliness and wishes of a maiden yearning for love
44	P.S. I Hope You’re Happy ft. blink-182The Chainsmokers		A bittersweet unrequited love song of lingering feelings for an ex-girlfriend and quiet support
45	StoreCarly Rae Jepsen		A song with poignant lyrics about unrequited love
46	Marry MeJason Derulo		A song that portrays the encounter with one’s destined person and the resulting emotion
47	Leave Your LoverSam Smith		A classic song that sings of the bittersweet feelings of unrequited love
48	Love On TopBeyoncé		A supreme song that sings of the emotions of love
49	Leaving My Love BehindLewis Capaldi		A bittersweet love song where two people confirm their feelings for each other
50	I Wish You Loved MeTynisha Keli		A heartfelt cry of the heart, singing of a painful unrequited love
51	Without YouNilson		A heartrending farewell song, emotions that resonate in the heart
52	Pretty EyesAlex Goot		Charmed by gentle vocals and pure lyrics
53	Need Ur LuvCharli XCX		Track(s) included on Charli XCX’s “Sucker”
54	LaylaDerek and the Dominos		Clapton’s love song to George’s wife
55	Invisible TouchGenesis		A Prince-influenced track that hit No. 1 in the U.S.
56	Two Out Of Three Ain’t BadMeat Loaf		Express the elusive nature of love through two characteristics
57	You Are Not AloneMichael Jackson		R&B ballad 'Loneliness and Love' becomes a worldwide hit
58	90 Days ft. WrabelP!nk		A poignant love song in pink by an R&B singer
59	Back To The Old HouseThe Smiths		A legendary rock band’s classic that sings of the pain of heartbreak
60	Too MuchCarly Rae Jepsen		An explanation of a song that expresses the poignant feelings of unrequited love
61	My Cherie AmourStevie Wonder		Stevie Wonder’s early love songs
62	I Want You to Want MeCheap Trick		Cheap Trick’s hit song “I Want You to Want Me”
63	Anything Could HappenEllie Goulding		Popular singles, international hit songs
64	UnconditionallyKaty Perry		A heartwarming classic that sings of unconditional love
65	EmotionsMariah Carey		A love song hitting the high notes, brimming with bubbly excitement
66	According To YouOrianthi		From his disappointment to an encouraging new encounter
67	Losing My ReligionR.E.M.		The lyrics of hit songs are open to diverse interpretations.
68	CeciliaSimon&Garfunkel		The feelings of a man who cannot accept a broken heart
69	Now You’re Gone ft. Zara LarssonTom Walker		Tom Walker’s music that sings about the pain of heartbreak
70	First Dateblink-182		A rock song that sings about the fresh feelings of a date
71	ScientistColdplay		A poignant, heart-touching song by Coldplay—moving.
72	DiaryBread		The bittersweet feelings of a boy who falls in love with another girl
73	Somebody To LoveOneRepublic		A Grammy-nominated band sings about the heartbreak of lost love.
74	What A Fool BelievesThe Doobie Brothers		Duet song “What a Fool Believes”
75	Walk On ByDionne Warwick		A classic song, covered by many artists.
76	All Out Of LoveAir Supply		Air Supply, the classic band that sings about the pain of heartbreak
77	So Into YouAtlanta Rhythm Section		Hit songs by a Southern rock band
78	I Can’t Make You Love MeBonnie Raitt		Bonnie Raitt’s classic that sings of the pain of unrequited love
79	Sylvias MotherDr. Hook & The Medicine Show		A masterpiece overflowing with sorrow, a worldwide hit
80	FallingKeri Noble		A poignant song that sings of love’s uncertainty
81	Fix YouColdplay		Coldplay’s healing masterpiece, the strength to move forward
82	Yoü And ILady Gaga		A beautiful heartbreak song captures the heart
83	BlackPearl Jam		A classic song that sings of the pain of a sad heartbreak
84	Almost LoverA Fine Frenzy		A poignant unrequited love song, a farewell song that resonates in the heart
85	Make You Feel My LoveAdele		A poignant ballad that conveys the moving power of love.
86	You sent me flyingAmy Winehouse		A heart-stirring song that captures the pain of heartbreak
87	Strange And BeautifulAqualung		A classic song that sings of the heartache of unrequited love and a wish for magic
88	I think about youAustin & Ally		A song that portrays the bittersweet feelings of unrequited love.
89	U Make Me WannaBlue		A bittersweet teenage crush, a classic song by Blue
90	PerfumeBritney Spears		A Spears masterpiece that portrays the pain of love
91	When I Was Your ManBruno Mars		A soul-stirring song that sings of regret and the pain of heartbreak
92	Baby I Love UChe’Nelle		Che’Nelle’s Japanese love-support song
93	A Thousand YearsChristina Perri		A bittersweet unrequited-love anthem that transcends time
94	Pretty brown eyesCody Simpson		A song about unrequited love, Cody’s one-sided crush song.
95	Because You Loved MeCéline Dion		A moving masterpiece filled with love and gratitude
96	Again I go unnoticedDashboard Confessional		An emotional song that sings about the pain of heartbreak
97	Stepping StoneDuffy		A debut song that sings about feelings for a man
98	Watching You Watch HimEric Hutchinson		A heart-touching song that sings of the bittersweetness of unrequited love
99	IfJanet Jackson		A song of longing for a man I met at a club
100	Think I’m Still In Love With YouJoyce Manor		A bittersweet love song by a punk band
101	Love At First SightKYLIE MINOGUE		A dance-pop track that portrays the feeling of love at first sight
102	StephenKe$ha		Kesha’s iconic song that portrays a heartrending unrequited love
103	Knock KnockLenka		A bittersweet unrequited love song, a timeless classic that heals the heart
104	Little BitLykke Li ft. Drake		An album track of tragic love that sings about unrequited feelings
105	It Takes a MuscleM.I.A.		A synth-pop song covered by M.I.A.
106	When I Look At YouMiley Cyrus		A song in which the power of love gives hope to life
107	Sexy LoveNe-Yo		Ne-Yo’s classic that portrays the feelings of love
108	Deer in the headlightsOwl City		A classic song that sings of the bittersweet feelings of love at first sight.
109	True Love ft. Lily AllenP!nk		A classic song that sings of a woman's wistful love
110	Back TogetherRobin Thicke ft. Nicki Minaj		A pop song about unrequited love for an ex-girlfriend
111	I Could Be The OneStacie Orrico		An up-tempo unrequited love cheer song
112	CherishThe Association		A smash hit from the 1960s, covered by numerous artists
113	A Thousand MilesVanessa Carlton		A timeless song about a bittersweet unrequited love that resonates with the heart
114	Teenage DirtbagWheatus		Unrequited love rock song by an otaku protagonist
115	SurrenderBilly Talent		A Canadian rock band sings about love
116	it’s oh so quietBjörk		Remake of Björk’s smash hit and its music video
117	Best FriendJason Chen		Depicting a complex unrequited love for a childhood friend
118	Just So You KnowJesse McCartney		Depicting the pain of unrequited love and bittersweet feelings
119	Take This LongingLeonard Cohen		Leonard Cohen’s Love for Nico
120	Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl)Looking Glass		A band of Rutgers University graduates releases a smash hit
121	Find U Again ft. Camila CabelloMark Ronson		A bittersweet unrequited love song by Gen Hoshino in collaboration with a DJ
122	Dancing On My OwnRobyn		Robyn’s classic hit, a pop song that depicts romance.
123	just my imaginationThe Temptations		A song that sings of the bittersweet feelings of a man with unrequited love.
124	Everything You WantVertical Horizon		The signature song of a rock band that sings of merciless love
125	Wait For YouElliott Yamin		A classic song that sings of Elliott’s heartrending love
126	Mr. BrightsideThe Killers		Jealousy and emotions of a man drowning in love
127	I don’t want to let you goWeezer		Weezer’s sad love song, included on Raditude.