RAG MusicFriendship Songs
A lovely friendship song

A song about friendship between men and women. A collection of friendship songs celebrating irreplaceable bonds.

The question of whether friendship between men and women can truly exist has been discussed many times, but it’s hard to reach a definitive conclusion, isn’t it?

Or rather, it might be more accurate to say that the answer depends on the person.

There are many different opinions about male–female friendship, but if you look for them, you’ll actually find quite a lot of songs themed around it.

In this article, I’ll put together and introduce a selection of them!

Each song portrays different situations and dynamics, so be sure to read the lyrics and get a feel for the unique shape of friendship depicted in each one.

Songs about male-female friendship. A collection of friendship songs about irreplaceable bonds (71–80)

smileikimonogakari

Ikimono-gakari “Egao” Music Video
smileikimonogakari

This is a song by Ikimonogakari that sings a gentle wish for a dear friend to always keep smiling.

The grand, sweeping sound featuring strings conveys a moving atmosphere.

A notable feature is that the lyrics are composed entirely of different words with no repetition, which feels like an expression of overflowing thoughts and messages the singer wants to share with their friend.

While looking back on the memories they’ve built together, the song offers words of encouragement to live strongly, supporting each other along the way.

Thank youikimonogakari

Arigatou – Ikimono-gakari (Full)
Thank youikimonogakari

A beloved song that gently colored our mornings as the theme for NHK’s morning drama series Gegege no Nyobo is Arigato, sung by Ikimonogakari.

When you listen to this song, you naturally feel like expressing gratitude to your dear friends and family, don’t you? It’s a track that lets you rediscover the importance of saying thank you.

Sometimes you clash, sometimes you cry and laugh together—you’ve shared so much time.

It would be lovely to listen to this song again with your girlfriends.

It’s sure to deepen your bond even more!

I’m glad you’re here.makomina

Makomina “I’m Glad You’re Here” full version now streaming!
I'm glad you're here.makomina

MakoMina is a duo of two girls from Fukushima Prefecture who became hugely popular with their twin-dance videos.

This song is the first one for which MakoMina themselves, who were 18 at the time of its 2016 release, wrote the lyrics.

They say they wrote it while thinking of each other, making it a song that captures the real friendship between girls.

It’s a wonderful track that honestly expresses the simple feeling of “I’m so glad I have friends.” I think it’s the ultimate friendship song, from girls, for girls.

Friend ~Time to Depart~yuzu

Yuzu “Friend ~The Time of Departure~”
Friend ~Time to Depart~yuzu

Released in 2013, this song is a classic friendship anthem you’ll want to dedicate to your friends.

It was arranged for the Junior High School division of the 80th NHK All-Japan School Music Competition and also featured on NHK’s “Minna no Uta,” so many of you have probably heard it.

The powerful vocals in the chorus feel like a heartfelt cheer.

It’s especially perfect for supporting friends who are moving on—to further education, a new job, or marriage.

The song was originally written as a gift to the staff after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake.

usual membersriria.

riria. / Itsumen. [Music Video]
usual membersriria.

Even when it’s always the same members, that’s what makes it the most fun, isn’t it? This song by singer-songwriter Riria, who rose to popularity through platforms like TikTok, was released in 2022.

It’s a friendship song with a floating feel and a comfortably laid-back tempo.

You can’t help but be entranced by the wavering synths and crisp beats.

The happiness of being with friends is expressed through its sound.

It’ll probably resonate especially strongly with younger listeners.

FriendKetsumeishi

It’s the fourth single by Ketsumeishi, released in 2002.

Although Ketsumeishi themselves aren’t the ones singing in this video, it’s sung for a friend who’s going through a tough time.

That feeling alone brings me to tears.

The lyrics are about reuniting with a friend after being apart and reflecting on life and loved ones.

Ketsumeishi is a male group, but I think these feelings resonate with women as well.

It’s a thoughtful, wonderful song I’d like to dedicate to a dear friend.

Maybe because we’re friends.Koresawa

A friendship song I especially recommend to young women is Koresawa’s “Maybe Because We’re Friends.” It’s by the female singer-songwriter whose heartbreak ballad “Tobacco” became a big hit.

While “Tobacco” expressed a breakup between a man and a woman in an achingly sad way, this song is the opposite—very poppy and cute! That’s the biggest reason I recommend it to young women, and the words in the lyrics are packed tightly with the scent of youth.

It’s a song that makes you cherish even more all the times you’ve spent together—the moments you laughed, the moments you cried, and all the time you’ve shared up to now.