The most heart-breaking songs about unrequited love
15 February 2024, 08:00
Valentine's Day hasn't gone according to plan? Here's your perfect playlist of tunes for when they're just not into you.
Listen to this article
Loading audio...
-
The Killers - Mr Brightside
Brandon Flowers’ classic tale of wondering what’s going on with the one you fancy. “Now they're going to bed / And my stomach is sick / And it's all in my head.”
The Killers - Mr. Brightside (Official Music Video)
-
Arctic Monkeys - Do I Wanna Know?
Alex Turner hasn't quite plucked up the courage yet, because he's afraid he won't get the answer he wants: "It's just I'm constantly on the cusp of tryin' to kiss you."
Arctic Monkeys - Do I Wanna Know (Radio X Session)
-
Radiohead - Creep
Classic Thom Yorke about not being at the top of the pile when it comes to sex appeal: “I want you to notice / When I'm not around.”
Radiohead - Creep
-
Pearl Jam - Black
Eddie Vedder spills his guts about an early relationship: “I know you'll be a star / In somebody else's sky / But why can't it be mine.”
Pearl Jam ~~ Black ♥
-
R.E.M. - Losing My Religion
Michael Stipe’s lyrics are difficult to fathom at the best of times, but there’s something about this couplet that strikes the old heartstrings: “Oh no, I've said too much / I haven't said enough.”
R.E.M. - Losing My Religion (Official Music Video)
-
The Smiths - Back To The Old House
“And you never knew / How much I really liked you / Because I never even told you / Oh, and I meant to”
Morrissey recalls the object of his obsession.
The Smiths - Back to the Old House
-
Aqualung - Strange And Beautiful
Man down! “I’ve been watching your world from afar / I’ve been trying to be where you are / And I've been secretly falling apart.”
Aqualung - Strange & Beautiful (I'll Put a Spell On You) (Video Version 1)
-
Adele - Chasing Pavements
Ms Adkins gets to the crux of the problem: “If I tell the world / I’ll never say enough / Cause it was not said to you.”
Adele - Chasing Pavements
-
Chris Isaak - Wicked Game
“What a wicked thing to say, you never felt this way. What a wicked thing to do, to make me dream of you. And I don't wanna fall in love.” Chris Isaak spills his guts about a non-starter of a relationship. And then you watch the video and it's supermodel Helena Christensen he's talking about. Damn.
Wicked Game - Single Edit - Official Music Video
-
Pulp - Like A Friend
"Like a film that's so bad, but I gotta stay 'til the end / Let me tell you now, it's lucky for you that we're friends." Jarvis Cocker has the ultimate tale of being "friendzoned".
Pulp - Like A Friend (Video)
-
The Pretenders - Brass In Pocket
"I got have some of your attention, give it to me!" Chrissie Hynde pulls out all the stops to get noticed.
Pretenders - Brass In Pocket (Official Music Video)
-
Massive Attack – Unfinished Sympathy
An absolutely painful plea for love from Shara Nelson: "The curiousness of your potential kiss / Has got my mind and body aching."
Massive Attack - Unfinished Sympathy
