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.

By Radio X

@RadioX

1. 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)

2. 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)

3. 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

4. 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 ♥

5. 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)

6. 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

7. 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)

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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)

11. 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)

12. 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