Top 20 Ultimate Friendship Songs

Sung by BTS members V and Jimin, this track dives into the memories of their friendship, stretching back to their school days. Reportedly, V always had Jimin’s back, even stepping in to shield him from some of their meaner classmates. He also may have helped him break into the music scene. We love how this song feels like an invitation into their bond, reminding us of those late-night “remember when…” chats with our own besties. It’s the kind of song that makes us want to call our friends right away. Little Mix tapped into a similar theme with “Between Us,” celebrating a friendship that endures even through their hiatus, proving some things are just forever.

Few people enjoy getting caught in the rain—literally or figuratively. While your friends may not always show up with an actual umbrella when you forget yours, they can still offer you shelter from life’s downpours. That’s probably why this song resonnated so deeply with many, becoming the ultimate song of the summer. Even the weather played along, with the summer of 2007 bringing extra rain to the UK, New Zealand, and Romania. RiRi joked that it “definitely helped the song stay [at No. 1] for so long.” It might’ve been “raining more than ever” in some places, but at least we could sing about how we’ll always have each other while huddling under our umbrella-ella-ellas.

This melancholic melody captures the feeling of watching a friend go through tough times and wanting them to know you’re there for them, no matter what. Sometimes, all you can do is let your friend know you care, and that’s enough. The singer also reminds the listener it’s okay to be sad, even in a world that often tells you to “just cheer up.” However, they also want you to know that you don’t have to face that sadness alone when you’ve got good friends willing to listen. It’s not the only time the group has sung about friendship, but this time, they blend their message with a more upbeat tempo.

If “Pals Before Gals” were a song, this would be it. While the lyrics might not be the most delicate, the sentiment behind them is actually pretty sweet. Written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, the track talks about wanting to move past a wild lifestyle and focus on more meaningful relationships. It was a bit of a departure from the band’s usual sound, but it became a hit on US radio, even if Europe was a little slower to warm up to it. In the end, the song taps into something universal: romantic love may come and go, but there’s nothing quite like the bond between two great friends.

If you and your bestie need a song to go all out and dance like no one’s watching, this is it. It starts with the duo throwing a figurative middle finger at toxic faux feminists and quickly turns into a full-on celebration of each other and their friendship. It’s made for girls’ night, with them rapping about being totally independent but always knowing they’ve got a cheerleader in each other. This song perfectly encapsulates the feeling of Saweetie’s whole album. It celebrates “boss, independent, tough” women while empowering all who hear it. You’ll want to add it to your girls’ night playlist—because this is one of the best anthems for women supporting women!

Few heartaches hit as hard as saying goodbye to a friend, and Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth capture that feeling perfectly here. Written for “Furious 7” as a tribute to Paul Walker, who tragically passed in 2013, the song is a total tearjerker—especially once you know the backstory. But even with the sadness, there’s a hopeful undertone. Wiz Khalifa raps about the unbreakable bond between friends, while Puth sings about how, despite the pain, it’s not really goodbye forever. It’s a reminder that no earthly limits can define what someone means to us, and whether it’s goodbye for now or longer, we’ll always keep a part of them close to our hearts.

This electronic dance-funk-punk track is all about looking back on a life filled with fun, good times, and maybe a few questionable decisions. But there’s no regret because those moments, no matter how chaotic, created unforgettable memories and milestones. Even the rough patches feel a bit sweeter when you think about the friends who stuck by you through it all. The song builds to a joyous crescendo, giving a shoutout to those buddies who made every step of the way worth it. Who doesn’t love looking back and feeling nostalgic about the friends who walked every step of life’s journey, both uphill and downhill, by your side?

You probably know this song best as the theme tune to “The Golden Girls.” However, it was actually released several years earlier by Andrew Gold on his album “All This and Heaven Too.” Gold’s version hit No. 25 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and includes a few extra verses worth checking out if you’re only familiar with Cynthia Fee’s cover from the sitcom. Sophia, Dorothy, Blanche, and Rose showed us what true friendship looks like. However, before we ever met them, Gold was already reminding us to always make sure our friends know how much we appreciate them. Why not let them know that there’s no bigger gift than their friendship?

This song, written by Burt Bacharach and Carole Bayer Sager, was originally released by Rod Stewart for the 1982 comedy “Night Shift.” But you’re probably more familiar with the 1985 cover by Dionne Warwick & Friends. This superstar group recorded the song as a charity single for the American Foundation for AIDS Research, a cause close to Warwick’s heart. The song topped the US charts, won a Grammy, and, most importantly, raised over $3 million for the charity. You don’t need to be a Grammy-winning artist to show your friends you’re there for them “In good times, in bad times.” After all, “That’s What Friends Are For.” Just ask Annie and Helen from “Bridesmaids.”

This song might not be one of Carey’s biggest hits, but it’s such a heartfelt tribute to friendship. The lyrics are all about being there for someone no matter what, and Mariah’s emotional vocals really drive that home. Even though she seems to be singing to a romantic partner, the message applies to any solid relationship: being a good companion, a shoulder to lean on, and bringing some light into someone’s life. Leona Lewis’ “Footprints in the Sand” has been compared to this song because it shares the same theme of always having someone’s back. Both are really touching reminders of what friendship is all about.

Can you even think of this song and not picture “Napoleon Dynamite”? There are arguably two different ways you could interpret the lyrics. On one level, it’s about two kids just enjoying their friendship without a care in the world. However, since it came out just a couple of years after band members Jack and Meg White's divorce, it’s easy to see it as reflecting how their relationship was evolving into something new. Either way, it makes you think about your own childhood friends and how those bonds have grown and changed over the years. It’s a great reminder that friendships can shift, but the connection and meaning behind them can still stay strong.

This simple melody lets its emotion do all the talking. It was a bit of a departure from what Chrissie Hynde was known for, but that’s part of its charm. The melody, lyrics, and Hynde’s vocals feel like a warm hug for a friend going through hardship. It even appeared in the pilot of “Dawson’s Creek,” after Dawson tries to reassure Joey that nothing—not even teenage drama—can shake their friendship. While not all critics were on board, the song still broke into the top 20 in several countries. It’s been covered by artists like Shakira, Carrie Underwood, and Girls Aloud as a charity single, spreading its touching message even further.

In 2011, Bruno Mars reminded us what it means to be a friend someone can count on. But a couple of decades earlier, Whitney Houston and CeCe Winans shared that same message in their soulful duet. The two were real-life besties, with Winans reportedly supporting Houston through her struggles with substance use. Their powerful voices perfectly complement each other, and the authenticity of their friendship shines through from the first to the final note. It’s a true testament to what you can face when you have a good friend by your side. This duet became Winans’ biggest chart hit, but it remains even more special as a tribute to her bond with Houston.

Apparently, Paul Simon whipped up this song so quickly that he even took himself by surprise. Yet, he knew he was onto something special. The title supposedly came from a quote by gospel singer Claude Jeter. Simon felt Art Garfunkel’s voice was perfect for the song, so he had him sing it solo, though you can still hear Simon harmonizing toward the end. This choice really highlights the song’s message of being a supportive bridge, helping someone move from troubled times to better ones. Interestingly, their song “The Only Living Boy in New York” supposedly also reflects the duo’s friendship, especially during the time Simon was working on their album “Bridge Over Troubled Water”.

You might know this song better from Carole King’s version—after all, she wrote it. Both she and James Taylor released it in 1971, but it was Taylor’s rendition that topped the Billboard Hot 100 and earned a spot in the Grammy Hall of Fame. No worries, though; King got her recognition, too. While Taylor scored the Grammy for Best Male Pop Vocal, she won Song of the Year. It has this comforting, authentic sound, which makes sense since King said, “The song wrote itself.” According to Taylor, King once told him she was inspired by a line in his song “Fire and Rain.” They’ve even performed the song together on a couple of occasions.

Believe it or not, this was Bill Withers’ only song to hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100. It’s a soulful, heartwarming tune that reminds us we’re not meant to go through life alone. Withers wrote it after moving to LA and missing the familiar faces from home. He kept the lyrics simple, likely to make sure the message was heard loud and clear. Lines like “when you need a hand” and “I’ll share your load,” along with the title itself, drive the point that we’re at our best when we have “Somebody to lean on.” Ben E. King shared a similar sentiment with “Stand By Me” – and what a classic that is!

For “Friends” fans, a great way to tell if someone is your kind of person is to play this song and see what they do. If they clap (the right number, of course), you may have just found your new B.F.F.! Okay, just kidding! Initially, the creators had their eyes on R.E.M’s “Shiny Happy People.” However, when the band declined, they went on to co-write one of the most iconic theme songs ever. It just happened that The Rembrandts were the only band available to record it. The song really gets how that finding your footing life phase is more bearable when your best people are always there for you.

This song was written by Queen’s bass player, John Deacon, for his wife. But like we’ve said before, the best relationships—platonic or otherwise—are built on great companionship. While Deacon’s words may be intended romantically, many of us have friends who feel like they bring sunshine into our lives or they’re the first people we want to see after a bad day. If you ask us, this is a love song for anyone who makes your life that much better just by being in it, no matter the relationship. Want to make sure your friends feel the love? Might we suggest following up with another Queen classic, “Friends Will Be Friends.”

Written for Pixar’s 1995 “Toy Story,” this song basically defines what friendship is all about. It first plays during the film’s opening, as Andy enjoys time with his favorite cowboy, but it also mirrors Woody and Buzz’s adventure and how the road ahead looks less rough when you’ve got a friend walking it with you. The song was such a hit it made its way into all the sequels (so far). It was also nominated for an Oscar and a Golden Globe, although it missed out on both prizes. Still, it’s a winner for Disney and Randy Newman fans alike, thanks to its bopping melody and feel-good message.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“Best Friends” (1997), Missy Elliot feat. Aaliyah
Send This to a Friend to Remind Them That When the Chips Are Down, You’ll Still Be There!

“My Best Friend” (2005), Weezer
An Ode to the Unbreakable Bond Between BFFs

“Ben” (1972), Michael Jackson
An Academy Award-Nominated Song for an Award-Winning Friend

“Oath” (2012), Cher Lloyd feat. Becky G
A Promise to Be There for Life’s Highs and the Lows

“F.U.N. Song,” “SpongeBob SquarePants” (1999-)
“F Is for Friends…”

Do friendship songs get more iconic than this? The lyrics describe a humbling relationship where there’s nothing the singer can’t overcome without a little help from their friends. It’s such a classic that it’s been covered countless times, perhaps most famously by Joe Cocker, who slowed it down while keeping its heart intact. That version even became the theme for “The Wonder Years.” However, we can never quite get enough of the original, with Sgt. Pepper’s Billy Shears, a.k.a. Ringo Starr, on lead vocals. It’s the kind of song that makes you want to grab your friends, throw your arms around them, and sway to that unforgettable rhythm.

Do you and your besties have a song? Share it with us in the comments!