Unrequited love songs hit a bit differently. Is anything more crushing than wanting someone who doesn't want you back? We've all been there — lying in bed, staring at the ceiling, and playing one-sided love songs on repeat. It's a special kind of agony, isn't it?
Maybe you seek out songs about loving someone you can’t have or break-up songs to help you move past an unwanted split. Or maybe there’s some other extenuating circumstance keeping you from telling your crush you think they’re a cutie. Whatever it is, while everyone feels unrequited love in their own way, that doesn’t mean it isn’t intense. In fact, it may be one of the few things we have directly in common with our favorite musicians. You may not be friends with Taylor Swift IRL, but chances are she’s helped you through a breakup or two with her catchy beats and heart-punching lyrics in her many songs about forbidden love. Why write your own songs about loving someone you can’t have when there are thousands of people out there already doing it?
Playing songs about rejection can definitely make you feel less alone — and you'll find these anthems in every genre, from bubbly pop to gritty rock. In fact, songs about loving someone you can’t have should be its own genre, don’t you think?
We rounded up our favorite songs about unrequited love to add to your Love Hurts/Love Stinks playlist. They're perfect listening material to get you — or a friend — through this tough time. Play them loud and let it all out.
1. “You're Losing Me,” by Taylor Swift
2. “Good Thing,” by Sam Smith
3. “Weightless,” by Arlo Parks
4. “Dawns,” by Zach Bryan
5. “Emily I’m Sorry,” by Boygenius
6. “All I Want,” by Olivia Rodrigo
7. “I Love You,” by Billie Eilish
8. “Midnight Rain,” by Taylor Swift
9. “Jaded,” by Miley Cyrus
10. “I’m a Mess,” by Avril Lavigne
11. “Loser,” by Charlie Puth
12. “Daylight,” by Harry Styles
13. “So Good,” by Halsey
14. “When I’m Alone,” by Post Malone
15. “Is There Someone Else?,” by The Weeknd
16. “Me, Myself & I,” by 5 Seconds of Summer
17. “I’d Lie,” by Taylor Swift
18. “Kids Are Born Stars,” by Lauv
19. “All For You,” by Cian Ducrot
20. “TV,” by Billie Eilish
21. "You Belong With Me," by Taylor Swift
22. "If," by Janet Jackson
23. "Stephen," by Kesha
24. "Little Bit (Remix)," by Drake ft. Lykke Li
25. "Memphis," by Justin Bieber
26. "I Can't Make You Love Me," by Bonnie Raitt
27. "It Takes A Muscle," by M.I.A.
28. "Heartless," by Kanye West
29. "Bad Religion," by Frank Ocean.
30. "Need Ur Luv," by Charli XCX
31. "Crush," by Mandy Moore
32. "Just a Friend," by Biz Markie
33. "So Into You," by Tamia
34. "Adore," by Cashmere Cat ft. Ariana Grande
35. "I Hate Myself for Loving You," by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
36. "Wicked Game," by Chris Isaak
37. "Foolish Games,” by Jewel
38. "Lovefool," by The Cardigans
39. "Make You Feel My Love," by Adele
40. "Jar of Hearts," by Christina Perri
41. "Losing My Religion," by R.E.M.
42. "Habits (Stay High)," by Tove Lo
43. "Leave Your Lover," by Sam Smith
44. "Over My Head," by Fleetwood Mac
45. "Creep," by Radiohead
46. "Almost Lover," by A Fine Frenzy
47. "Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover," by Sophie B. Hawkins
48. "The Heart Wants What it Wants," by Selena Gomez
49. "You're Beautiful," by James Blunt
50. "Jessie's Girl," by Rick Springfield
51. "A Thousand Years," by Christina Perri
52. "Black," by Pearl Jam
53. "I'm Not That Girl," by Idina Menzel
54. "Without Me," by Halsey
55. "Everything You Want," by Vertical Horizon
56. "Dancing on My Own," by Robyn
57. "Put You in a Song," by Keith Urban
58. "Can't Keep on Loving You," by Elliott Yamin
59. "Shiver," by Coldplay
60. "Liability," by Lorde
61. "Damn Good Friends," by Elle Varner
62. "Baby," by Justin Bieber featuring Ludacris
63. "Surrender," by Billy Talent
64. "Are You Happy Now," by Michelle Branch
65. "Tiny Vessels," by Death Cab for Cutie
66. "You Don't Know Me," by Ray Charles
67. "Teardrops on My Guitar," by Taylor Swift
68. "Not Your Cinderella," by Payton Rae
69. "No Idea," by Big Time Rush
70. "Waiting in Vain," by Bob Marley
71. "Layla," by Eric Clapton
72. "Notice Me," by Alli Simpson
73. "Let It Go," by James Bay
74. "I Don't Know How to Tell You This," by Faith Ling
75. "Tell Him," by Celine Dion featuring Barbara Streisand
76. "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart," by Al Green
77. "Have You Ever," by Brandy
78. "Dreaming with a Broken Heart," by John Mayer
79. "How Do I Get There," by Deana Carter
80. "Not Over You," by Gavin DeGraw
81. "Could've Been," by H.E.R. featuring Bryson Tiller
82. "Chasing Pavements," by Adele
83. "Not In That Way," by Sam Smith
84. "You Don't Know How Lucky You Are," by Keaton Henson
85. "Can I Be Him," by James Arthur
86. "All to Myself," by Marianas Trench
87. "Bleeding Love," by Leona Lewis
88. "When I Was Your Man," by Bruno Mars
89. "Better Now," by Post Malone
90. "I Won't Give Up," by Jason Mraz
91. "I Think I'm Still in Love with You," by Joyce Manor
92. "Black Cloud," by Morrisey
93. "Love Stinks," by The J. Geils Band
94. "Just A Friend To You," by Meghan Trainor
95. "Unrequited Love," by Yuna
96. "You Are Not Alone," by Michael Jackson
97. "Waiting Outside the Lines," by Greyson Chance
98. "Nothin' on You," by B.O.B. featuring Bruno Mars
99. "The Girl of My Best Friend," by Elvis Presley
100. "Every Little Thing She Does is Magic," by The Police
101. "A Little Less Sixteen Candles, A Little More 'Touch Me,'" by Fall Out Boy
102. "Warm Blood," by Carly Rae Jepsen
103. "Closer Than You Might Believe," by Alanis Morissette
104. "Anything Could Happen," by Ellie Goulding
105. "Brass in Pocket," by The Pretenders
106. "Two Out of Three Ain't Bad," by Meat Loaf
107. "Like a Friend," by Pulp
108. "Tears," by Clean Bandit featuring Louisa Johnson
109. "Self Esteem," by The Offspring
110. "Just My Imagination," by The Temptations
111. "Oh So Quiet," by Björk
Want to listen to these songs about unrequited love now? Just press play on our Spotify playlist and settle in. When you're in the thick of lovelorn feelings, these songs will make you feel (a little) less alone.
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