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

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.

Playlist

Tear-jerking friendship songs in Western music: recommended masterpieces and popular tracks
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Thank YouDido		Dido’s hit song “Thank You” became a huge hit.
2	fifteenTaylor Swift		The iconic song “Fifteen,” which depicts Taylor Swift’s youth
3	Stand By MeBen E. King		An anthem of friendship that conveys the courage to overcome hardships.
4	Friend Of MineAvicii		Avicii’s moving music captivates the heart.
5	See You Again ft. Charlie PuthWiz Khalifa		A farewell theme song about friends, “See You Again”
6	Grigio GirlsLady Gaga		Lady Gaga’s iconic friendship anthem “Grigio Girls”
7	Damn Good FriendsTyler Farr		A heartwarming and moving song filled with gratitude for friendship
8	GirlDestiny’s Child		A song that celebrates women's friendship and bonds
9	Started From The BottomDrake		A cheer song for Drake who’s chasing his dreams
10	Count on MeBruno Mars		The classic song “Count On Me,” which celebrates the wonders of friendship
11	CoolGwen Stefani		A Heartwarming Song by Gwen Stefani
12	You’re My Best FriendQueen		Queen’s moving anthem about friendship
13	Gift Of A FriendDemi Lovato		Demi Lovato’s songs of success and inspiration
14	You’ve Got a Friend In MeRandy Newman		The famous Toy Story song, “You’ve Got a Friend in Me”
15	Always be togetherLittle Mix		An iconic song that celebrates Little Mix’s friendship
16	FriendsMeghan Trainor		A heartwarming song that celebrates the importance of friendship
17	The Great EscapeBoys Like Girls		An iconic song by a coming-of-age band that defined the emo era
18	Good As Hell ft. Ariana GrandeLizzo		An uplifting song that encourages women struggling with love
19	I’ll be there for youThe Rembrandts		A power-pop masterpiece that portrays friendship and love
20	Graduation (Friends Forever)Vitamin C		Vitamin C is a popular singer from the ’90s.
21	Stand By MeOasis		Oasis’s moving friendship song
22	Everybody HurtsR.E.M.		The power of music to comfort a lonely heart
23	My FriendsRed Hot Chili Peppers		Red Hot Chili Peppers' moving song
24	FriendsElton John		Elton John’s classic masterpiece—an inspiring ode to friendship.
25	I’ve Got A FriendMaggie Rogers		A heartwarming song that expresses deep gratitude for friendship
26	Friend Of MineThe Notorious B.I.G.		A moving rap song that portrays Biggie’s friendship
27	Thank You For Being A FriendAndrew Gold		A classic dedicated to thanking a best friend, with heartwarming lyrics
28	That’s What Friends Are For (featuring Stevie Wonder, Elton John, and Gladys Knight)Dionne Warwick		An iconic song celebrating friendship, with a heartwarming vocal performance
29	Back HomeAndy Grammer		A melancholic friendship song painted in a husky voice
30	FriendsThe Beach Boys		A masterpiece that conveys friendship and deep emotion
31	Still A Friend Of MineIncognito		A tear-jerking friendship song in the fusion style
32	Best FriendThe Drums		A drum-driven friendship song, moving
33	I Turn To YouChristina Aguilera		Christina’s iconic song imbued with the bittersweetness of friendship
34	True FriendHannah Montana		A moving song depicting friendship resonates in my heart.
35	I Wanna Be Your BoyfriendRamones		The Ramones' timeless anthem of friendship
36	Best FriendJason Mraz		A song that expresses gratitude and friendship to a friend
37	Best FriendBrandy		An inspiring friendship song by R&B artist Brandy
38	Old FriendsBugzy Malone		A heartwarming song that portrays friendship and youth
39	Rollin’ With My HomiesCoolio		A moving song that depicts friendship in a ruined city
40	Don’t Forget MeMaggie Rogers		Through my friend's marriage, singing of a new life
41	My FriendsStereophonics		Stir the heart with an inspiring friendship rock song
42	Just FriendsThe Kinks		A friendship song that moves you with its deep, soulful voice
43	FriendsThe Police		A moving song that expresses the depth of friendship
44	Castle on the HillEd Sheeran		A moving song portraying love for one’s hometown and youthful days
45	Friend For LifeRod Stewart		A moving masterpiece that depicts friendship
46	Old FriendEverything But The Girl		A moving song that portrays the depth of friendship
47	A Friend Of MineGilbert O’Sullivan		A timeless, heartwarming masterpiece that captures friendship and wistful melancholy
48	My FriendGroove Armada		A song about friendship that's popular in clubs
49	Best FriendB.o.B		An R&B masterpiece that portrays friendship and bittersweet longing
50	Fri-End?Kate Nash		A moving song that questions the meaning of friendship