Our Complete List: Relatable Songs About Friendship

Medically reviewed by Karen Foster, LPC
Updated October 14, 2024by BetterHelp Editorial Team

People can turn to music for all sorts of reasons. Often, musicians can put what you’re feeling into words, possibly validating your experience. Additionally, the sound of certain instruments can convey an emotion that you aren't quite able to express on your own. Whatever you're feeling about your friend (or newly ex-friend), there may be a song out there to help you feel less alone.

We’ve put together a comprehensive list of relatable songs that can help—possibly empowering you to move on to the next stage of friendships or a relationship smoothly.

Getty
Having difficulty with an important friendship?

Songs about friendship and memories

Are you experiencing a major life change? You’re not alone—many may be feeling nostalgic or like their friendship with someone is about to change. 

If you’re learning to navigate current friendship with times passed, you might enjoy hearing songs that affirm the universal nature of that experience. Here are some songs that might encompass how it feels to reminisce about a friend:

Wiz Khalifa Featuring Charlie Puth: "See You Again"

Sample lyric: "It's been a long day without you, my friend

And I'll tell you all about it when I see you again

We've come a long way from where we began

Oh, I'll tell you all about it when I see you again."

Avenged Sevenfold: "So Far Away"

Sample lyric: "How do I live without the ones I love?

Time still turns the pages of the book it's burned

Place and time always on my mind

I have so much to say, but you're so far away."

The Beatles: "In My Life"

Sample lyric: "There are places I'll remember

All my life, though some have changed

Some forever, not for better

Some have gone, and some remain

All these places have their moments

With lovers and friends, I still can recall

Some are dead, and some are living

In my life, I've loved them all."

Vitamin C: "Graduation (Friends Forever)"

Sample lyric: "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."

Songs about bad friendships

Some of the best songs about friendship can be those that aren't really about friendship at all—but rather about the way a "friend" did you wrong. These songs can be related to if you’ve experienced relationships with friends you thought would be there for you until the end, but weren’t.

If you’re finding yourself transitioning out of a friendship, you may benefit from emotional release, therapy or support from the songs below. These tunes can be applied to those who are breaking up with a significant other, or for those who might be leaving an old friendship behind. 

Rawpixel

Taylor Swift: "You're Not Sorry"

Sample lyric: "All this time I was wasting

Hoping you would come around

I've been giving out chances every time

And all you do is let me down

And it's taking me this long

Baby but I figured you out

And you're thinking we'll be fine again

But not this time around."

Billy Joel: "The Great Wall Of China"

Sample lyric: "We could've gone all the way to the Great Wall of China

If you only had a little more faith in me

In lieu of diamonds, gold, and platinum

reminders will still shine bright

All the king's men and all the king's horses

Can't put you together the way you used to be

We could have been standing on the Great Wall of China."

Secondhand Serenade: "Goodbye"

Sample lyric: "It's a shame that it had to be this way

It's not enough to say I'm sorry

It's not enough to say I'm sorry

Maybe I'm to blame

Or maybe we're the same

But either way I can't breathe

Either way I can't breathe

All I had to say is goodbye

We're better off this way

We're better off this way

Kate Voegele: "99 Times"

Sample lyric: "For every 99 times

You looked me in the eye,

You looked me in the eye

And swore you weren't lying

Well, I was so blind

I never saw the signs

I'm getting out tonight

And you're not invited.”

Songs celebrating a great friendship

Some may have found people and relationships that they believe will be in their lives forever. Perhaps you graduated high school with these people, or they’re the people who know when something's wrong and they show up at the door with movie rentals and ice cream to make everything better.

Music can be a powerful way to celebrate these friendships. If you’re looking to jam out and get into a headspace of gratitude, these songs can help:

iStock
Having difficulty with an important friendship?

Randy Newman: "You’ve Got A Friend In Me"

Sample lyric: "You got troubles, and I got them too

There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you

We stick together, we can see it through

'Cause you've got a friend in me

Yeah, you've got a friend in me."

Queen: "You're My Best Friend"

Sample lyric: "Ooh you're the best friend that I ever had

I've been with you such a long time

You're my sunshine and I want you to know

That my feelings are true

I really love you

Oh, you're my best friend."

The Rembrandts: "I'll Be There For You" 

Sample lyric: "I'll be there for you

(When the rain starts to pour)

I'll be there for you

(Like I've been there before)

I'll be there for you

('Cause you're there for me too)."

Bill Withers: "Lean On Me"

Sample lyric: "Please swallow your pride

If I have things you need to borrow

For no one can fill those of your needs

That you won't let show

So just call on me brother when you need a hand

We all need somebody to lean on

I just might have a problem that you'd understand

We all need somebody to lean on.”

Ben E. King: "Stand By Me" 

Sample lyric: "If the sky that we look upon

Should tumble and fall

Or the mountains should crumble to the sea

I won't cry, I won't cry, no I won't shed a tear

Just as long as you stand, stand by me.”

How can online therapy support those navigating relationship changes? 

Similar to couples’ therapy or family therapy, friendship therapy has become more popular in recent years and is showing to be beneficial in repairing or improving friendships. Studies have found evidence that suggests that even the best of friendships may decline more than familial relationships, and thus may require extra work to maintain

Online therapy can offer unbiased, convenient support from the comfort of one’s own home. It can also offer an avenue of support for friendship therapy, empowering all members of a relationship to seek a higher level of satisfaction in a safer, more vulnerable way than many in-person environments may allow.

Is online therapy effective? 

Research suggests that online therapy can be an effective option to support relationships, possibly offering many added benefits. For example: A study conducted by Brigham Young University researchers found that technology-based therapy can be as effective as traditional face-to-face therapy, with the potential to be delivered at a lower cost and with more convenience. 

"Rivkah has been absolutely incredible. Very supportive, understanding, and helps me walk through complex issues in a patient manner. I highly recommend her."
— BetterHelp member’s review of their therapist

Takeaway

Friendships, like romantic and familial relationships, can take work to maintain. Listening to music about friendship can be a good way to cope with emotions – whether positive or negative – that come with friendships. Online therapy can also be a helpful resource as well, possibly providing you with the tools and resources you need to successfully manage the ups and downs that can come with friendships. BetterHelp can connect you to an online therapist in your area of need.
Form healthier friendships with support
The information on this page is not intended to be a substitution for diagnosis, treatment, or informed professional advice. You should not take any action or avoid taking any action without consulting with a qualified mental health professional. For more information, please read our terms of use.
Get the support you need from one of our therapistsGet started