20 R&b Songs About Loving Someone You Can’t Be With

Explore a list of 20 soulful R&B songs that beautifully capture the bittersweet feeling of loving someone you can't be with. From heart-wrenching ballads to upbeat anthems, these tracks will resonate with anyone who has experienced the pain of unrequited

Un-break My Heart by Toni Braxton

One of the most iconic R&B songs about loving someone you can't be with is 'Un-break My Heart' by Toni Braxton. The song was released in 1996 and became a massive hit, earning Braxton a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. The lyrics of the song express the pain and longing of wanting to be with someone who is no longer in your life. The emotional delivery of Braxton's vocals combined with the haunting melody make this song a classic in the R&B genre. 'Un-break My Heart' remains a favorite among fans and continues to be a powerful reminder of the complexities of love and heartbreak.

I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston

Whitney Houston's iconic ballad 'I Will Always Love You' is a perfect fit for a list of R&B songs about loving someone you can't be with. Originally written and recorded by Dolly Parton in 1973, Houston's rendition from the soundtrack of the film 'The Bodyguard' became a massive hit in 1992. The song showcases Houston's powerful vocals and emotional delivery, making it a timeless classic that resonates with anyone who has experienced the pain of loving someone from afar. With heartfelt lyrics like 'And I will always love you, I will always love you', this song perfectly captures the bittersweet feeling of holding onto love even when it's not meant to be. 'I Will Always Love You' remains one of Whitney Houston's most beloved songs and a staple in the R&B genre.

We Belong Together by Mariah Carey

'We Belong Together' by Mariah Carey is a classic R&B song that perfectly captures the pain of loving someone you can't be with. The song was released in 2005 as part of Mariah's album 'The Emancipation of Mimi' and quickly became a massive hit, topping the charts and earning Mariah several awards. The lyrics speak to the longing and heartache of losing a love that was once so strong. Mariah's powerful vocals and emotional delivery make this song a standout in the R&B genre when it comes to songs about unrequited love.

Irreplaceable by Beyoncé

'Irreplaceable' by Beyoncé is a popular R&B song that perfectly fits the theme of loving someone you can't be with. The song, released in 2006, tells the story of a woman who discovers her partner's infidelity and confidently tells him that he is easily replaceable. Beyoncé's powerful vocals and empowering lyrics make this song a favorite among fans of R&B music. The catchy chorus and sassy attitude displayed in the song have made it a timeless classic in the genre.

If I Ain't Got You by Alicia Keys

'If I Ain't Got You' by Alicia Keys is a soulful R&B ballad that perfectly captures the feeling of loving someone you can't be with. The song, released in 2003, became a massive hit and is considered one of Alicia Keys' signature songs. The heartfelt lyrics express the idea that material possessions mean nothing if you don't have the person you love by your side. It's a powerful reminder of the importance of love and connection in our lives, even when circumstances keep us apart. Alicia Keys' soulful vocals and emotional delivery make this song a classic in the R&B genre, resonating with listeners who have experienced the pain of loving someone they can't be with.

Ex-Factor by Lauryn Hill

One of the most iconic R&B songs about loving someone you can't be with is 'Ex-Factor' by Lauryn Hill. The song, released in 1998, is a heartfelt ballad that captures the pain and longing of a failed relationship. Lauryn Hill's soulful vocals and raw emotion make this track a standout in her discography. The lyrics speak to the complexities of love and heartbreak, making it a relatable anthem for anyone who has experienced unrequited love. 'Ex-Factor' remains a timeless classic that continues to resonate with listeners around the world.

Someone Like You by Adele

Someone Like You by Adele is a powerful R&B ballad that perfectly captures the feeling of loving someone you can't be with. The song was released in 2011 as part of Adele's album '21' and quickly became a massive hit, topping the charts in multiple countries. The emotional lyrics and Adele's soulful vocals make this song a standout in the R&B genre. Adele has mentioned in interviews that the song was inspired by a past relationship that didn't work out, adding to the raw emotion conveyed in the lyrics. 'Someone Like You' is a perfect addition to any playlist of R&B songs about unrequited love.

Back to December by Taylor Swift

Although 'Back to December' by Taylor Swift is not an R&B song, it still captures the theme of loving someone you can't be with. The song was released in 2010 as a single from Swift's third studio album, 'Speak Now.' It tells the story of regret and longing for a lost love, with lyrics that express the desire to go back in time and make things right. The emotional depth of the song resonates with anyone who has experienced heartbreak and wishes they could turn back the clock. Despite not being classified as R&B, 'Back to December' is a powerful ballad that showcases Swift's songwriting talent and emotional vulnerability.

I Can't Make You Love Me by Bonnie Raitt

'I Can't Make You Love Me' by Bonnie Raitt is a classic R&B song that perfectly captures the feeling of loving someone who doesn't feel the same way. The song was originally written by Mike Reid and Allen Shamblin, but it was Bonnie Raitt's soulful rendition that made it a timeless hit. The lyrics are heart-wrenching and honest, expressing the pain of knowing that no matter how much you love someone, you can't force them to love you back. Bonnie Raitt's emotive vocals and the haunting melody make this song a standout in the R&B genre. It's a powerful reminder that sometimes love isn't enough to make a relationship work, and that letting go is sometimes the best option for both parties involved.

Say Something by A Great Big World ft. Christina Aguilera

One of the most heartbreaking songs about loving someone you can't be with is 'Say Something' by A Great Big World ft. Christina Aguilera. The emotional ballad captures the pain and longing of wanting to be with someone who is no longer in love with you. The haunting melody and powerful vocals of Christina Aguilera make this song a standout in the R&B genre. 'Say Something' received critical acclaim and commercial success, reaching the top of the charts in multiple countries. The music video, which features the artists performing in a stark, empty room, perfectly complements the raw emotion of the song. Overall, 'Say Something' is a powerful reminder of the complexities of love and relationships.

Bleeding Love by Leona Lewis

Leona Lewis' hit song 'Bleeding Love' is a perfect addition to the list of R&B songs about loving someone you can't be with. The emotional lyrics of the song capture the pain and longing of being in love with someone who is out of reach. 'Bleeding Love' was released in 2007 as the lead single from Lewis' debut album 'Spirit' and quickly became a worldwide success. The song topped the charts in multiple countries and earned Lewis a Grammy nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. With its powerful vocals and heartfelt lyrics, 'Bleeding Love' continues to resonate with listeners who have experienced the agony of unrequited love.

Stay With Me by Sam Smith

Stay With Me by Sam Smith is a heartfelt R&B song about longing for someone you can't be with. The emotional lyrics and soulful vocals of Sam Smith perfectly capture the pain of unrequited love. The song was a massive hit, winning multiple awards and topping the charts around the world. Sam Smith's raw and vulnerable performance in Stay With Me resonated with listeners, making it a timeless classic in the R&B genre. The song's universal theme of yearning for a love that is out of reach makes it a standout in a genre filled with songs about love and heartbreak.

Un-thinkable (I'm Ready) by Alicia Keys

'Un-thinkable (I'm Ready)' by Alicia Keys is a perfect addition to the list of R&B songs about loving someone you can't be with. The song explores the complexities of forbidden love and the internal struggle of wanting someone you know you shouldn't. Alicia Keys' soulful vocals paired with the haunting melody create a powerful and emotional listening experience. The song was a commercial success, reaching the top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. 'Un-thinkable (I'm Ready)' showcases Alicia Keys' talent for blending raw emotion with catchy melodies, making it a standout track in the R&B genre.

Halo by Beyoncé

One of the most popular R&B songs about loving someone you can't be with is 'Halo' by Beyoncé. The song was released in 2008 as a single from her album 'I Am... Sasha Fierce'. 'Halo' is a powerful ballad that showcases Beyoncé's vocal range and emotional depth. The lyrics speak to the feeling of being in love with someone who is out of reach, but still holding onto hope and admiration. The song was a commercial success, reaching the top five on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. 'Halo' has become a fan favorite and is often performed by Beyoncé at her concerts. The emotional intensity of the song resonates with listeners who have experienced unrequited love or longing for someone they can't be with.

I Hate U, I Love U by Gnash ft. Olivia O'Brien

'I Hate U, I Love U' by Gnash ft. Olivia O'Brien is a perfect fit for a list of R&B songs about loving someone you can't be with. The emotional lyrics of the song capture the conflicting feelings of love and hate that can come with a complicated relationship. Gnash's raw and vulnerable delivery, combined with Olivia O'Brien's haunting vocals, make this song a standout in the genre. The track has resonated with listeners around the world, reaching the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It's a powerful reminder that love isn't always easy, and sometimes it's the people we can't be with who leave the biggest impact on our hearts.

The Heart Wants What It Wants by Selena Gomez

Selena Gomez's hit song 'The Heart Wants What It Wants' perfectly captures the feeling of loving someone you can't be with. The emotional lyrics and haunting melody make it a standout R&B song about unrequited love. The song was released in 2014 as a single from Gomez's compilation album 'For You'. It received critical acclaim for its raw honesty and vulnerability. The music video for the song also garnered attention for its powerful portrayal of heartbreak. Overall, 'The Heart Wants What It Wants' is a timeless R&B ballad that resonates with anyone who has ever loved someone they couldn't have.

Love on the Brain by Rihanna

One of the songs that perfectly captures the feeling of loving someone you can't be with is 'Love on the Brain' by Rihanna. This R&B ballad showcases Rihanna's powerful vocals as she sings about being addicted to a toxic love that she knows she should let go of. The song's haunting melody and heartfelt lyrics make it a standout track on Rihanna's album 'Anti.' 'Love on the Brain' has been praised by critics and fans alike for its emotional depth and raw honesty. It's a perfect example of how R&B music can convey the complexities of love and relationships, even when they are not always easy or ideal.

When I Was Your Man by Bruno Mars

When I Was Your Man by Bruno Mars is a heartfelt R&B song that delves into the regret and longing one feels after losing a great love. The lyrics express the singer's remorse for not treating his partner better when he had the chance, and now he is left alone reflecting on what could have been. The song's emotional vocals and piano-driven melody make it a standout track in the R&B genre, resonating with listeners who have experienced similar feelings of lost love. Bruno Mars' soulful delivery and raw vulnerability in this song have made it a favorite among fans and critics alike, solidifying his status as a top R&B artist in the music industry.

Impossible by Shontelle

Shontelle's hit song 'Impossible' perfectly fits the theme of loving someone you can't be with. The emotional ballad talks about the heartache of being in love with someone who is out of reach. The song was released in 2010 and became a commercial success, reaching the top 10 in multiple countries. Shontelle's powerful vocals and heartfelt lyrics resonate with listeners who have experienced the pain of unrequited love. 'Impossible' is a standout track in the R&B genre that captures the bittersweet feeling of loving someone you can't have.

All I Ask by Adele

One of the songs that perfectly fits the theme of loving someone you can't be with is 'All I Ask' by Adele. This emotional ballad showcases Adele's powerful vocals as she sings about longing for someone she can't have. The lyrics are filled with raw emotion and vulnerability, making it a standout track on her album '25'. 'All I Ask' was co-written by Adele along with Bruno Mars and other collaborators, adding to its depth and authenticity. The song has resonated with many listeners who have experienced unrequited love or the pain of being unable to be with someone they truly care about. Adele's heartfelt delivery and the soulful melody make 'All I Ask' a timeless R&B classic about the complexities of love and longing.

Popnable /Popnable Media