Story Mode
Best Unrequited Love Songs by Male Singers
#1 · youtube
Bill Withers – Use Me (1972)
A funk-soul classic about being so infatuated with someone who doesn't truly love or respect you that you willingly allow them to take advantage of you just for a crumb of affection.
#2 · youtube
Bob Marley & The Wailers – Waiting in Vain (1977)
A smooth reggae classic where Marley sings about holding out hope for a woman who keeps him at arm's length, capturing the exhaustion of waiting on a lukewarm response.
#3 · youtube
Bruno Mars – Grenade (2010)
A dramatic pop hit about extreme, one-sided devotion where Mars would catch a grenade or step in front of a train for someone who wouldn't do the same for him.
#4 · youtube
Derek and the Dominos / Eric Clapton – Layla (1970)
Driven by Clapton's agonizing real-life love for Pattie Boyd, who was married to his close friend George Harrison at the time. A masterpiece of desperate, unfulfilled passion.
#5 · youtube
Drake – Marvins Room (2011)
An intoxicated late-night phone call to an ex-lover who has moved on with someone else, depicting denial, possessiveness, and the pain of unreciprocated feelings.
#6 · youtube
James Blunt – You're Beautiful (2005)
Written after Blunt spotted his ex-girlfriend on the London Underground with her new partner, capturing the fleeting, painful realization that they will never be together.
#7 · youtube
Radiohead – Creep (1992)
Thom Yorke's breakdown of self-loathing and inadequacy, inspired by an instance where he followed a woman he was infatuated with, feeling completely out of her league.
#8 · youtube
Rick Springfield – Jessie's Girl (1981)
Written about a real woman Springfield lusted after during a class, who was dating his friend Gary ('Jessie'). A peak '80s anthem of envy and unfulfilled longing.
#9 · youtube
Roy Orbison – Crying (1961)
The king of tragic, operatic heartbreak bumps into an ex-crush or former lover, instantly falling apart because his feelings are still overwhelmingly one-sided and unreturned.
#10 · youtube
Sam Smith – Stay With Me (2014)
Captures the deep loneliness following a casual hookup, praying for emotional intimacy and love from someone who only wanted physical closeness.
#11 · youtube
Shawn Mendes – Treat You Better (2016)
The classic modern 'friend zone' anthem about watching someone you love stay in an unappreciative or toxic relationship with someone else while you wait on the sidelines.
#12 · youtube
Stevie Wonder – My Cherie Amour (1969)
Originally written as 'Oh My Marcia' about a high school crush, Stevie sings about a woman he admires from afar who passes him by every day without giving him a second thought.
#13 · youtube
The Association – Cherish (1966)
Written about wanting to confess deep feelings to someone while knowing they won't feel the same way. A quintessential '60s sunshine-pop ballad exploring the fear of rejection and suppressing love to keep closeness.
#14 · youtube
The Police – Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic (1981)
Despite its upbeat tempo, Sting describes being completely paralyzed by his feelings, unable to even speak to the girl he adores from afar.
#15 · youtube
The Temptations – Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me) (1971)
Sung by Eddie Kendricks from the perspective of a man living out a sweet, romantic relationship with a woman in his mind—only to pull back the curtain and reveal she doesn't even know he exists.