Beautiful tear-jerking songs / songs that make you cry your eyes out

Tear-jerking friendship songs in Western music: recommended masterpieces and popular tracks

music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and for over 18 years I’ve contributed to music magazines, disc guide books, mooks, and web media. As a writer my main field is Western music, but as a listener for over 35 years, I always try to keep my curiosity alive with the motto “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in bands, where I was a bassist who handled songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve played include bass, guitar, and piano. I began studying English in my mid-40s and continue to do so today.

Friends who stay by your side when times are tough and when times are happy—when you need them most—are truly invaluable and irreplaceable.

In this article, we’re featuring a rich selection of “tear-jerking friendship songs in Western music” you’ll want to dedicate to your dear friends, as well as songs that celebrate friendships you hope will last forever—from timeless classics to recent hits.

Along with masterpieces that gently sing of the wonders of friendship, we’ll also bring you a refreshing lineup of encouraging songs you’ll want a struggling friend to hear, plus a few tracks with a slightly different flavor, offering plenty of variety.

Since the lyrics are key, be sure to listen while checking the Japanese translations.

Tearjerking friendship songs in Western music: Recommended classics and popular tracks (11–20)

CoolGwen Stefani

Gwen Stefani – Cool (Official Music Video)

CoolGwen Stefani

Gwen Stefani, an American singer affectionately known in Japan as “Gwen-chan,” also draws attention for her modeling work that showcases her glamorous looks.

Her 2005 release “Cool” is a song overflowing with feelings for a former lover.

Its passionate band sound unfolds with a rhythmic tempo and leaves a strong impression.

Alongside the expansive synth tones, her girlish vocals ring out.

The lyrics beautifully capture the realistic relationship between a man and a woman who have gone back to being friends, making your heart skip a beat.

It’s a pop song that conveys a bittersweet yet warm sense of friendship.

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You’re My Best FriendQueen

Queen – You’re My Best Friend (Official Video)

You're My Best FriendQueen

Queen are a British rock band that deliver a one-of-a-kind sound beyond the boundaries of any music genre.

Their 1975 release “You’re My Best Friend” is a heartwarming track that lets you truly feel the beauty of friendship.

A lively, organ-like piano tone rings out, and the emotive guitar phrases by Brian May punctuate the melodic band sound.

Written and composed by bassist John Deacon, the song is a moving message dedicated to his wife, Veronica Tetzlaff—why not lend an ear to it?

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Gift Of A FriendDemi Lovato

Demi Lovato – Gift Of A Friend – Official Music Video

Gift Of A FriendDemi Lovato

Demi Lovato became hugely popular as a teen idol, and while her singing career seemed to be going smoothly, various personal issues arose.

She overcame them, continued her work as an artist, and proved she was still going strong when her seventh album, “Dancing with the Devil…

the Art of Starting Over,” released in 2021, reached No.

2 on both the U.S.

and U.K.

charts.

The song featured in this article, “Gift of a Friend,” is the theme song for the 2009 film Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure, and it’s a beautiful ballad also included on her second album, Here We Go Again.

You can’t help but be moved to tears by Demi’s vocal performance, which brilliantly sings of universal themes like the importance of friendship and the fact that you’re never alone.

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You’ve Got a Friend In MeRandy Newman

Randy Newman – You’ve Got a Friend in Me (From “Toy Story 4″/Audio Only)

You've Got a Friend In MeRandy Newman

Pixar Animation Studios’ flagship series Toy Story is also popular as one of the best tear-jerking friendship films, with friendship as a key theme.

When it comes to the signature theme song that colors the series, it has to be the classic You’ve Got a Friend in Me, known in Japanese as Kimi wa Tomodachi.

Written by the great American singer-songwriter Randy Newman for the first film in the series, released in 1995, You’ve Got a Friend in Me has continued to be used throughout the series, performed by various artists.

Some may also remember that in the Japanese dubbed version it was sung by Diamond Yukai and even released as a single.

With its country flavor, laid-back tempo, and ensemble, the lyrics are a straightforward ode to friendship that needs no clumsy explanation.

And having a friend who delivers a message as simple as “You can relax—I’ve got your back” is truly a wonderful thing.

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Always be togetherLittle Mix

[Foreign Music Translation] To a dear friend: Always be together – Little Mix

Always be togetherLittle Mix

Little Mix is a British girl group with overwhelming vocal prowess.

The song they released in 2012 is “Always Be Together.” In life, it’s rare to meet a friend who’s close enough to call a best friend.

This song expresses heartfelt gratitude to such an irreplaceable friend.

It’s also a great choice as background music for a surprise for your best friend—a song that lets you convey your appreciation in a subtle way.

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