21 Songs About Being Just Friends but Wanting More

One of the scariest jumps to make is one where you don’t know where you’ll fall – whether in the waters or in sharp rocks. This is how loving a friend secretly and unrequited love feels like.

However, these bottled-up confessions and pain could also bleed ink and use to write poems and turn them into music that listeners will forever treasure.

With that, I offer the 21 best songs you’ll adore:

21. FRIENDS – Anne Marie

Anne Marie released a pop song on her album, “Speak Your Mind,” featuring Marshmellow. The way she spells the song title out reflects how upset she is at a friend who is “more like a brother” after confessing his feelings for her. It’s an upbeat and fierce song that’s hard not to sing along to.

20. Not in that way – Sam Smith

Sam Smith will break your hearts once more. He includes “Not in that way” on his album In the Lonely Hour. He sings about being loved back, but not in the manner he wants to be loved. The slow tempo of this R&B will intensify the ache you will feel in hearing him sing.

19. Just a Friend to You – Meghan Trainor

In this pop song by Meghan Trainor from her 2016 album Thank You, she expresses how it breaks her heart when her friend makes her fall but doesn’t want to see her as more than a friend. With the simple strumming of the ukulele along with Meghan’s sweet voice, it’s a song that’ll soothe and enchant you.

18. New Light – John Mayer

The next one is a soft rock from John Mayer’s Sob Rock album where he talks about how he wishes for the girl he likes to give him a chance and see him “in a new light”.  John wrote and composed this laid-back track that is sure to refresh and capture you.

17. Best Friend – Jason Chen

Jason Chen, a Taiwanese-American singer, sings this pop song from his album Gravity so sweetly that you can’t help but fall in love with him and the song. This heartfelt love song is dedicated to the childhood friend he eventually fell in love with. Several translations into other languages followed its 2011 success.

16. You Belong With Me – Taylor Swift

In her album Fearless, this Taylor Swift song is one of the most well-known tracks. The late 00s saw its worldwide popularity soar. What you’re looking for has been here the whole time,” she tells the man she secretly has feelings for, but he’s in a relationship with a cheerleader. Listening to this will bring on a wave of nostalgia.

15. Crush – David Archuleta

Winning the Teen Choice Award for Choice Music: Love Song award, this R&B track by David Archuleta is part of his album named after himself. The song is about a person who has a crush on someone and is unsure how to tell them. Listening to this song makes me feel the nervousness and excitement that comes with having a crush.

14. Head Over Feet– Alanis Morissette

This folk song was released in 1995 on Alanis Morissette’s album Jagged Little Pill. She sings to her best friend who makes her feel all sorts of the good and beautiful things in life, so she ends up falling head over heels for him. It has an infectious melody and cool vibe that will win you over.

13. Shiver – Coldplay

This indie-rock song’s words and instrumentals will indeed give you the shivers. Coldplay’s Parachute album includes this golden song. Despite his friend never seeing him the way he does, he reassures her that he will always be waiting for her. How can a song become romantic, melancholic, and relaxing all at the same time?

12. How Am I Supposed To Live Without You – Michael Bolton

Next up is a classic song that’s been played and sung all over the world. Michael Bolton released this ballad in his album Soul Provider. It’s a heavily emotional song where he sings the line, “the hope that one day we’d be so much more than friends”. The heartbreak and sadness he feels after being left by the one he loves will reach you as you listen to this immortal song.

11. Just a Friend to You – Meghan Trainor

In this pop song by Meghan Trainor from her 2016 album Thank You, she expresses how it breaks her heart when her friend makes her fall but doesn’t want to see her as more than a friend. With the simple strumming of the ukulele along with Meghan’s sweet voice, it’s a song that’ll soothe and enchant you.

10. Heartbreak Girl – 5 Seconds of Summer

5 Seconds of Summer’s overall performance in this song makes this pop-rock track addicting to listen to. It’s a track from their album 5 Seconds of Summer and is about a female friend he loves and always comforts whenever she and her boyfriend have a fight, but he still ends up being “stuck in the friendzone again and again.” You’ll definitely feel how he wants to take her heartbreak as you listen to this song.

9. Mary’s (Oh, My, My,) – Taylor Swift

There’s something magical about Taylor Swift’s country song “Mary’s (Oh, My, My)” from her self-titled album. It will transport you to the world of two childhood friends who ended up falling in love with each other. This song will always have a soft spot in your heart once you’ve listened to it.

8. I’ve Been Thinking About You- Mariah Carey

Make way for the “Songbird Supreme”, everyone! Mariah Carey is here with her soul song “I’ve Been Thinking About You” from her album Music Box. This soul song of hers is about a young woman who recently realized how much she has loved her lifelong friend and wants their friendship to progress.

7. Can’t Fight This Feeling Anymore – REO Speedwagon

Wheels Are Turnin’ is an album released in 1984 by the rock band REO Speedwagon. Among the tracks here is a slow rock titled Can’t Fight This Feeling Anymore, where a line goes, “what started out as friendship has grown stronger. This magnificent and nostalgic song is truly a gem for many!

6. More Than Friends – Jason Mraz ft. Meghan Trainor

You’re going to adore this pop song by Jason Mraz and Meghan Trainor off of his album Know. It’s a tale of two best friends realizing how real and beautiful their love is for one another. This is a feel-good and light-hearted song you should listen to.

5. Just Friends – Jonas Brothers

Jonas Brothers is a band composed of three brothers who rose to fame in the 2000s after their appearance shows on Disney Channel. Their album titled Jonas Brothers features a pop-rock song titled “Just Friends”. The story is about a guy dreaming about his best friend and how he wants to take the relationship to the next level but is afraid of losing the friendship. The beat and the melody of this song are worth vibing to.

4. Don’t Let Go – En Vogue

“Don’t Let Go,” by the American vocal group En Vogue, is an R&B song from their 1996 album Set it Off. The R&B song is about two friends, one of whom wishes for more than friendship, while the other fears that if they fall in love, their friendship will end. Listening to this song brings back memories of the catchy ’90s music.

3. Friend Zone – Danielle Bradbery

Danielle Bradbery’s “Friend Zone” is the title track of her 2015 album. This sassy pop-rock song encourages a guy to man up and confess his feelings before he ends up being friend-zoned. The fast-paced drumbeats and guitar riff will have you rocking side to side.

2. Falling for U – Peachy! and mxmtoon

TPeachy! and mxmtoon’s Falling for U is the title track of their album release in 2017. The singer sings about being in love with someone but being too afraid to admit it for fear of losing him. You’ll imagine yourself at the beach, gazing out at the calm sea. It’s also a great addition to your chill bedtime playlist.

1. Friends Don’t – Maddie & Taez

I wish you’re still here for our final and amazing entry. It’s Maddie & Taez’s country song which is the lead single for their studio album called The Way it Feels. This stunning song explores the ambiguity surrounding the thin line that separates love and friendship. You will undoubtedly be mesmerized by Maddie and Taez’s voices and the flawless harmony.