RAG MusicFriendship Songs
A lovely friendship song

A collection of classic songs about friends: friendship songs for children

Once children enter kindergarten or nursery school—or even before that—they make close friends, don’t they?

Friends who spend time together from a young age will likely become lifelong best friends.

In this article, we introduce friendship songs you’ll want to listen to with your children.

We’ve gathered songs that depict friendship from among children’s songs, anime theme songs, and trending J-pop that are popular with kids.

Take this opportunity to listen and sing along together and have fun!

Friendship songs for kids: A collection of classic tracks themed around friends (11–20)

smileikimonogakari

Ikimono-gakari 'Smile' MUSIC VIDEO (Short ver.)
smileikimonogakari

We always want our beloved friends to keep smiling forever, don’t we? Ikimonogakari’s “Egao” is a song that expresses those warm feelings for a friend.

Released in 2013, it was chosen as the theme song for the film “Pokémon the Movie: Black—Victini and Reshiram and White—Victini and Zekrom: Genesect and the Legend Awakened featuring Mewtwo.” The song conveys the resolve to become strong and resilient so that you can help your friend right away, anytime, and so they can keep smiling.

You can truly feel the overflowing affection for friends in this piece.

HappinessAI

A smash hit by an AI artist who continues to create countless classics with undeniable musical sensibility and an emotionally charged voice.

It’s a staple friendship song that conveys the feeling that just having a dear friend nearby, smiling, brightens every day.

Anpanman’s Marchdoriimingu

[Unexpected Cover] Anpanman's March [covered by Yuki Kuroki]
Anpanman's Marchdoriimingu

Dreaming is a twin-sister vocal duo active since 1988.

This song has been used as the opening theme for the anime “Soreike! Anpanman” since 1988, and although it’s a children’s song, its profound lyrics and lively, dance-inducing sound have become a hot topic on social media, making it hugely popular with both children and adults.

Ponyo on the CliffFujioka Fujimaki & Oohashi Nozomi

This is a song that was used as the theme for Studio Ghibli’s 2007 film “Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea,” and it remains hugely popular with children today.

The singer, Nozomi Ohashi, was only eight years old at the time, and the cute voice of the little girl captivated people all across Japan.

Best FriendNishino Kana

Kana Nishino 'Best Friend (short ver.)'
Best FriendNishino Kana

Through the happy times and the sad, a friend you can say anything to is a true best friend, right? Kana Nishino’s “Best Friend” is a song that lets you convey that feeling of “thank you, always” to such a best friend.

Released in 2010, it earned her first appearance at that year’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen with this track.

A best friend understands you more than family, more than a lover.

Even if you end up going to different schools or living in completely different places, that bond will never break.

It’s a number that lets you reaffirm the strength of your bond and express to your best friend both “thank you” and “let’s stay close forever.”

treasurewacci

wacci 'Treasure' 1-chorus ver.
treasurewacci

If you’ve ever thrown yourself into something with friends while working toward a goal, this song will resonate with you.

It’s a track by the pop-rock band wacci, included on their second full album, “Kanjō Hyakkei,” released in 2017.

The lyric “You’re the one who made me stronger” feels so warm.

The gentle tempo, colored by the piano’s timbre, really sinks into your heart.

I highly recommend it as a friendship song, of course, but it’s also perfect for times when you’re troubled or just feeling worn out—give it a listen.

Friendship songs for kids: A collection of classic tracks themed around friends (21–30)

100% for youkyarī pamyu pamyu

I want to deliver my feelings for my friends with all my heart! Kyary Pamyu Pamyu’s “100% With You” is packed with that very sentiment.

It was used as the opening theme for the anime Crayon Shin-chan and went on to be featured as the opening in six films as well.

The lyrics were made simple and friendly, stemming from the desire for children to understand how important it is to honestly share their feelings with someone.

Even for kids, who are usually more straightforward than adults, it can be hard to express your feelings with full force.

But if you listen to this song, you’ll be able to clearly and wholeheartedly tell your cherished friends “thank you” and “I love you!”