Ones we can depend on: 25 songs about friendships

“Best Friend” was released as Brandy’s third single from her self-titled debut album. Sometimes a best friend could also be a sibling, which in Brandy's case is her brother Ray J. In the song, Brandy mentions how a best friend is someone she can always count on and look to for support, and she'll reciprocate those same things.  

For viewers who have watched any of the films in the Toy Story franchise, they know Randy Newman’s “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” very well. His stance on being a good friend is evident throughout the entire song, but especially in the second verse as he sings, “You’ve got troubles, and I’ve got ‘em too / There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you / We stick together and we see it through / Cause you’ve got a friend in me.”

Beyoncé and Jay-Z team up on their song “Friends” as they give props to the true buddies that have always supported them. They differentiate how they have ride-or-die crews, while some people may have fake friends around them. More importantly, Jay and Bey state how real friends are so close to them, that they've become more like family. 

“Anytime You Need a Friend” was the final single from Mariah Carey’s third album Music Box. On the faith-inspired track, Carey is joined by a choir as she reflects on how people can never be lonely because they’ll always have a friend in God.

50 Cent wears his heart on his sleeve on his single “Best Friend.” He’s unsure if his friend is currently dating someone else, but he’s hoping that is not the case because he wants to become something more. On the hook, he says, “If I was your best friend / I want you around all the time / Girl I’ll be your best friend / I promise you’ll be mine.”

Destiny’s Child tell somewhat of a two-part story on their single “Girl.” Part of the song is about a girl dealing with the ups and downs of love, while the other part is about her friends being honest with her and being there for her as she tries to figure out the relationship.

Vitamin C’s biggest hit to date is her 2000 single “Graduation (Friends Forever)." As the singer reminisces on the good times in school while transitioning into adulthood, she reflects on how life brings about many changes, but true friendship will always stand the test of time. 

Dionne Warwick teamed up with Elton John, Stevie Wonder, and Gladys Knight on their hit song “That’s What Friends Are For.” When it was released in 1985, it became a charity single for AIDS awareness and prevention. On the hook, they sing, “Keep smiling, keep shining / Knowing you can always count on me for sure / That’s what friends are for.”

When Kanye West released his Good Music compilation album Cruel Summer in 2012, one of the standout singles was “Clique.” He teamed with Big Sean and Jay-Z as they trade verses about having a solid crew by their side and how no other friend squad can compete. 

Sometimes people just need to spend quality time with their friends while sipping on the finest libations. Leanne Rimes knows the feeling all too well in her single “Good Friend and a Glass of Wine." If a person feels like they need to destress after a long week, there’s nothing like fine wine and good conversation to help ease it. 

On TLC’s “What About Your Friends,” the group reflects on their success, but is then questioning how they may be treated by friends. They realize that true friends who were there before the success should definitely be there through thick and thin. 

People have often said that whoever one marries, they should make sure their partner is also their best friend. Queen bass player John Deacon wrote the band's hit single “You’re My Best Friend” as a love ode to his wife. People who marry their best friends always have someone there for support, comfort, love, and happiness. 

DJ Khaled is notorious for his all-star collaborations and one of his standout singles is “No New Friends.” He teamed up with Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, and Drake about staying down with his day-one crew. On the track, they feel they don’t need to make any new friendships since their current circle is all they need. 

BTS’ “Friends” tells the story of reflecting on memories between members V and Jimin. The group reminisces on everything from school uniforms to going to the movies and showcases how their friendship has blossomed over time.

Saweetie joined forces with Doja Cat on their single “Best Friend.” The song is all about highlighting a friend’s traits, from their success to their personality, and ultimately having each other's backs. 

Amy Winehouse thinks of comradery in a different light on her song “Just Friends." She tells the story of being with a man who is in a committed relationship with someone else. While she wants to keep things a bit platonic, it seems to turn out differently. 

Kanye West’s “Real Friends” shows a different introspective on friendships. He reflects how his lifestyle has caused him to neglect relationships with friends and family. He knows that some of his friendships led to fallouts and realizes that people who he was once close with probably used him for his fame.

There's no doubt that the sitcom Friends was one of the most popular TV shows of the '90s and early 2000s. Even for people who never watched an episode, many people were still familiar with the show's theme song, "I'll Be There For You." Performed by The Rembrandts, the track was a number one hit on the Billboard Adult Top 40 chart. 

When Musiq Soulchild released his 2000 single "Just Friends (Sunny),” he became an artist to watch within the new-soul movement. The track is all about Musiq showing his interest in a potential partner, but he doesn’t want to pressure her. He knows that any good relationship will require genuinely getting to know each other and being friends. 

In 2007, Ledisi released her third album, Lost & Found, which featured the album cut “Best Friend.” The feel-good track tells the story of a woman who’s been best friends with a guy since their teenage years, and she’s realizing how much she’s genuinely in love with him. She fantasizes that one day they’ll be more than friends and hopes the feeling is mutual.

Pretenders’ 1994 track “I’ll Stand By You” highlights how people should be comforting and faithful to people that mean the most to them. Even if other people are against them, “I’ll Stand By You” ensures you always have your friends’ back when they need it.

People always need a friend that they know they can call on. Bruno Mars reflects on this sentiment on his song “Count On Me.” On the hook, he sings, “I can count on you like 4, 3, 2  / And you’ll be there / Cause that’s what friends are supposed to do.”

Taylor Swift’s 2019 track “It’s Nice To Have A Friend” tells the story of childhood friends who grow up and marry each other. The song helps detail the love timeline from a school bell ringing in the first verse, to a church bell ringing in the third verse.

Bill Withers’ hit song “Lean On Me” is one of the most iconic songs about friendships. The track finds Withers letting his friends know he’s always there for them if they need help or to pick them up when they're down. On the bridge, he sings, “Just call on me brother, when you need a hand / We all need somebody to lean on.”

“Count On Me” is a duet between Whitney Houston and CeCe Winans that describes the traits of true friendship. People need others to help them get through life’s trials, and those types of friendships can stand the test of time. It starts with the hook as they sing, “Count on me through thick and thin / A friendship that will never end / When you are weak, I will be strong / Helping you to carry on.”