Have you ever experienced the heartache of loving someone you can’t have?
You’re not alone.
It’s a common theme in music, with many songs capturing the joy and agony of unrequited love.
From Adele’s “Someone Like You” to U2’s “With or Without You”, there are many songs that can relate to the emotions you’re feeling.
In this article, we’ll explore 15 of the best songs about loving someone you can’t have.
From Johnny Cash’s “Hurt” to The Cure’s “Lovesong”, we’ll analyze the lyrics, style, and message of each song to explore how they capture the pain and beauty of loving someone you can’t have.
Enjoy our list of the best songs about Loving Someone You Can’t Have.
1. “Someone Like You” by Adele
Adele’s heartbreaking ballad “Someone Like You” is all about loving someone you can never have.
It’s sure to tug at your heartstrings!
With its hauntingly beautiful melody and lyrics that will make your heart ache, this song is a powerful reminder of the pain of unrequited love.
Adele’s simple yet powerful vocal delivery conveys the sadness and longing of the narrator.
It makes “Someone Like You” a timeless classic for anyone who has ever loved someone they could not have.
2. “Love The Way You Lie” by Eminem ft. Rihanna
Feelin’ the pain of bein’ in vain, “Love The Way You Lie” by Eminem ft. Rihanna captures the essence of unrequited love.
It tells a story of a passionate yet destructive relationship, where the lovers are aware of the problems but can’t find a way to escape.
The lyrics reflect the duality of love and hate, with the protagonists both wanting and hating each other in the same breath.
Eminem’s intense rap verses blend with Rihanna’s melodic chorus to create a powerful, anthemic song that resonates with anyone who has ever loved someone they can’t have.
3. “My Love” by Paul McCartney & Wings
Immerse yourself in the poignant world of unrequited love through the melody of “My Love” by Paul McCartney & Wings.
This song delves deep into the realm of heartbreak, leaving an indelible mark on the listener’s emotions.
With haunting lyrics that encapsulate the anguish of loving someone who remains beyond reach, Paul McCartney paints a vivid portrait of pain and yearning.
The very essence of longing permeates the song’s rhythm, mirroring his heartfelt sentiment as he grapples with the impossibility of his desire.
4. “You Were Meant For Me” by Jewel
Discover the bittersweet beauty of unrequited love with Jewel’s “You Were Meant For Me”.
The song is a heartfelt exploration of the pain that comes from loving someone who doesn’t love you back.
Jewel’s raw emotion and beautiful lyrics capture the sadness of the situation, while still conveying a sense of hope and longing.
Her vocals are strong and passionate, conveying the heartache of the situation while still having a sense of resilience.
The song is a powerful reminder of the power of unrequited love and its ability to leave us feeling both broken and hopeful.
5. “Love Will Tear Us Apart” by Joy Division
Feel the sorrow of a love that’s on the brink of destruction with Joy Division’s “Love Will Tear Us Apart”.
This iconic track speaks to the pain of loving someone you can’t have, with its haunting vocals and driving post-punk beat.
Its lyrics are a powerful meditation on the fragility of love and the inevitability of its ultimate defeat.
Capturing the despair of unfulfilled love, it’s a timeless reminder that no matter how hard you try, some things just can’t be.
6. “The Scientist” by Coldplay
Take a journey through heartbreak and regret as Coldplay’s “The Scientist” unravels a story of lost love.
The song recounts the story of a man who longs for someone he can never have.
The lyrics are full of sorrow and desperation as the protagonist begs for a chance to undo what’s been done.
The music builds up to a powerful crescendo that captures the emotion of unrequited love.
Despite the pain, the beautiful melody and heartfelt lyrics make this song a timeless classic for anyone who’s ever loved someone they can’t have.
7. “Torn” by Natalie Imbruglia
Transitioning from Coldplay’s heartbreaking ballad to Natalie Imbruglia’s “Torn”, listeners are drawn to the classic pop-rock sound.
You can feel the longing in Imbruglia’s emotive voice as she sings her plea for understanding and acceptance.
The chorus is a powerful reminder of the fragility of love and the aching of unrequited love.
You can’t help but be moved by the song’s evocative lyrics, offering a poignant reflection of loving without being loved in return.
8. “Nothing Compares 2 U” by Sinéad O’Connor
Sinéad O’Connor’s “Nothing Compares 2 U” is a heartbreaking reminder of the deep pain of loss.
Its lyrics paint a vivid picture of unrequited love, as O’Connor’s soulful voice conveys feelings of longing and despair.
The song’s title reflects the sense of emptiness and incompleteness that comes with loving someone you can’t have.
Its melancholy melody and O’Connor’s tender delivery make it a timeless ode to the power of unfulfilled love.
9. “All By Myself” by Eric Carmen
Eric Carmen’s “All By Myself” is an anthem of heartache and loneliness.
It captures the feelings of desolation and despair that come with being alone.
The song paints a vivid picture of the helplessness of loving someone you can’t have and having to accept solitude.
Its lyrics are achingly raw, and the melody is a wistful reminder of all that could have been.
The song serves as a powerful reminder that loving someone you can’t have can take a tremendous emotional toll.
10. “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” is a dreamy, haunting song that captures the magical feeling of hope amid despair.
It’s a classic song of unrequited love, conveying the heartache of loving someone you can’t have.
With its mellow harmonies and wistful lyrics, “Dreams” speaks to the bittersweetness of a love that is unfulfilled.
The vocal delivery captures the emotion of the song perfectly, making it a timeless classic about the pain of loving someone who doesn’t love you back.
11. “The One That Got Away” by Katy Perry
Katy Perry’s “The One That Got Away” is an emotional ballad about lost love and unfulfilled dreams.
The song speaks of a relationship that was never meant to be and the lingering regret that follows.
Perry’s heartfelt lyrics capture the bittersweet feeling of lost love and its lingering pain.
The melody is haunting, yet hopeful, mirroring the hope of a new start.
Perry’s vocals are passionate and full of emotion as she laments her lost love.
The song is a reminder of the pain of loving someone you can’t have and the hope for a better future.
12. “Hurt” by Johnny Cash
Feel the raw emotion of Johnny Cash’s “Hurt” as he sings of heartache and pain.
He expresses the sorrow of unrequited love in a unique way that really resonates with the listener.
Cash’s vocals are tinged with desperation and the lyrics are full of despair.
There’s a sense of tragedy in the song, as he contemplates the lost love and the things that could have been.
His voice is powerful and emotive, conveying the ache of loving someone you can’t have.
13. “Lovesong” by The Cure
With its mix of melancholy and hope, “Lovesong” by The Cure is a classic that has resonated with audiences for decades.
Reminiscent of a love letter, the song gives voice to longing for someone that may never be yours.
The lyrics, aching with sadness, are juxtaposed with a gentle and optimistic melody, creating an emotional rollercoaster.
Though it’s a heart-wrenching ballad, it offers solace to those in similar situations.
It’s a beautiful reminder that sometimes love can be enough.
14. “With or Without You” by U2
Moving on from The Cure’s classic “Lovesong”, U2’s “With or Without You” captures the heartache of unrequited love in a powerful way.
Singing of a tortured desire, the song’s lyrics convey the pain of wanting someone you can’t have.
The upbeat guitar and drums contrast the haunting lyrics, emphasizing the emotional complexity of loving someone without the hope of a return.
15. “I Can’t Make You Love Me” by Bonnie Raitt
Accepting a lost love is never easy, and Bonnie Raitt’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me” poignantly captures that struggle.
It’s an aching ballad of regret and longing, with Raitt’s husky vocals and bluesy guitar solo lamenting the fact that she can’t make someone love her, no matter how hard she tries.
It’s a heartbreaking song that speaks to anyone who has ever loved someone they cannot have.
Songs About Loving Someone You Can’t Have – Final Thoughts
It’s hard to love someone you can’t have, but sometimes it’s unavoidable.
The songs listed above help us to remember that we aren’t alone in our feelings and that it’s okay to feel heartache.
Whether it’s Adele’s “Someone Like You” or Joy Division’s “Love Will Tear Us Apart”, these 15 tunes help us to understand our emotions and cope with the pain.
Ultimately, they remind us that we will get through this and find the strength to move on.
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