What could be better than chilling with your bestie, relaxing, and sipping drinks on a sunny afternoon? Chilling with your bestie while listening to these 18 songs about friendship, of course!
You’ve Got a Friend in Me by Randy Newman
Who better to sing songs about friends than Randy Newman? Besides bringing to mind rootin’ tootin’ cowboys and plastic astronauts (“Toy Story”), this masterpiece captures the genuine warmth and spirit of friendship by driving home the message that you can always count on your bestie!
Where You Lead by Carole King
The TV show “Gilmore Girls” is where the dynamic mother-daughter friendship between Rori and Lorelai Gilmore unfurls, and the theme song “Where You Lead” is like the sonic embodiment of that relationship. Lorelai and Rory are partners in crime, confidantes, and cheerleaders for each other. Remind you of anyone special in your life? Then grab your Lorelai or your Rory and serenade them with “Where You Lead” to remind them that you’d go “to the ends of the earth ’cause, darling…”
Wind Beneath My Wings by Bette Midler
Grab some tissues and ready yourself for a large dose of girl bonding! “Wind Beneath My Wings” is a tribute to those people who hold us up when we are at our lowest. Bette’s lyrics tell the story of admiration, gratitude, and heroism. So, it’s no surprise that this song about friendship is the anthem to the movie “Beaches,” the tearjerker about a lifelong, tumultuous relationship between actress-singer Cecilia Carol “CC” Bloom and now lawyer best friend Hillary Whitney.
Time After Time by Cyndi Lauper
Although the inspiration for this song was originally from romantic love, the messages of unwavering devotion can mean just as much for friendship-love. “If you’re lost, you can look, and you will find me. Time after time.” Lauper wrote the song with musician Rob Hyman when both were going through challenging times. Feeding off each other’s experiences helped shoot it to the number-one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in June of 1984.
Girl by Destiny’s Child
This is the perfect tune to send to your gal pal when she needs a rallying cry. “Girl” is captivating in many ways, but what is most beautiful is that Beyoncé and Michelle Williams wrote it as a plea for their friend Kelly Rowland to escape an abusive relationship.
My Old Friend by Tim McGraw
The fifth single from his album “Live Like You Were Dying” reached its highest spot at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 2004. The lyrics are deep and tell the tale of loss and healing, “My old friend, this song’s for you…To tell the world that you were here.”
Friends in Low Places by Garth Brooks
Garth Brooks is a genius when it comes to songs about friends. When you someday find yourself in a honky-tonk bar, singing along to “Friends in Low Places,” look around–even the bartender will join in.
Good Friend and a Glass of Wine by LeAnn Rimes
Grab a bottle of wine, sit with your friends, and listen to LeAnn Rimes’ song aptly called “Good Friend and a Glass of Wine” because, at the end of the day, it’s relaxing to sit back and catch up with your friend’s life.
That’s What Friends Are For by Dionne Warwick
This song is remarkable not only because it was literally recorded by Dionne & friends–Elton John, Gladys Knight, and Stevie Wonder–but also because it was a charity single for AIDS research and prevention, raising over $3 million for the cause. This shows how powerful some songs about friends can be–they do more than help the people they were written about but cast a wider net of physical and mental support.
Friends by Elton John
Elton’s energy and playfulness create an infectious vibe that makes you want to grab your friends and hit the dance floor – even if it’s just your living room rug. “We’re friends, aren’t we? Haven’t we always been? Me with my crazy ways, and you with your silly grin.”
True Colors by Cyndi Lauper
When Billy Steinberg was laying down “True Colors,” which was originally based on his own mom, it’s hard to say whether he and co-writer Tom Kelly knew it would be a friendship anthem. Cyndi Lauper has even co-created a fund sharing the song’s name that fights homelessness in the LGBTQ+ community.
Thank You for Being a Friend by Andrew Gold
“Thank You for Being a Friend,” a Cynthia Fee cover and the Golden Girls theme song (as well as featured on many others), is a classic song about friends. If you have never seen The Golden Girls, stop whatever you’re doing now and find an episode to stream–you don’t know what you’ve been missing!
Song for a Friend by Jason Mraz
Who do you usually look to for encouragement? Besides cheering you on, this song about friends reminds us of unconditional love. “As long as you got me and I got you… I’ll be your friend, your other brother.”
See You Again by Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth
“See You Again” is a heartfelt dedication to the late “Fast and Furious” actor Paul Walker. Puth was at first reluctant to contribute but was convinced when he felt an emotional pull after remembering his friend Veil Cerullo, who passed from a motorcycle accident in 2012. Wiz Khalifa’s lyrics about family hint that friends are as close as family.
Wannabe by Spice Girls
Like many other songs about friends, this song’s meaning is sometimes confused. You may think this song is about a boyfriend, but it’s really about prioritizing the power and importance of friendship. “If you wannabe my lover, you gotta get with my friends, make it last forever, friendship never ends.”
With a Little Help From My Friends by The Beatles
This Beatles song is just too obvious to pass up. It was co-written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, but you may be surprised to hear why Ringo Starr had to jump in at the last minute and save the day. This is because the first line originally was, “What would you think if I sang out of tune? Would you throw ripe tomatoes at me?” Starr feared that fans would actually throw tomatoes at the band when performing live, so insisted it be changed–you know, for safety’s sake.
Graduation (Friends Forever) by Vitamin C
Who can forget Vitamin C’s tearjerking Graduation (Friends Forever)? This song, a favorite tune after graduation, embodies that separation is inevitable after high school. Still, as Vitamin C sings, “As we go on, we remember all the times we had together. And as our lives change, Come whatever. We will still be friends forever.”
Other Songs About Friends
- No New Friends by DJ Khaled ft. Drake, Rick Ross, and Lil Wayne
- Umbrella by Rihanna ft. Jay-Z
- Find Out Who Your Friends Are by Tracy Lawrence
- You Can’t Make Old Friends by Kenny Rogers feat. Dolly Parton
- Clique by Kanye West, Jay-Z, and Big Sean
- Heroes by David Bowie
- Oath by Cher Lloyd Feat. Becky G
- Friends by The Carters
- Bridge Over Troubled Waters by Simon & Garfunkel
- We Can’t Stop by Miley Cyrus
- Gift of a Friend by Demi Lovato