Friendship breakups are never easy. Some people become bitter and resentful, while others get a sense of regret or become depressed.
Turning a best friend into an ex-best friend is a heartbreaking and unpredictable experience. Whether you’ve lost a best friend due to an argument, or your friend’s life was taken too soon, here are the best songs about friendship ending to help you through the separation.
“Complicated” by Avril Lavigne
Song Year: 2002
While this song is predominantly associated with complications of young love, Lavigne later elaborated that the song talks about people more broadly, as there are many two-faced individuals in the world.
Undoubtedly her most popular song, “Complicated,” informs listeners that people aren’t who they always seem to be and can become someone completely different in varying environments. Some people are “fake,” and it only complicates things in a relationship – whether friend or romantic.
“Bad Blood” by Taylor Swift ft. Kendrick Lamar
Song Year: 2014
While most of Taylor Swift’s songs are about romantic relationships gone bad – which is one way “Bad Blood” is interpreted – Swift revealed the song is about bad blood between her and another female artist who tried to sabotage her tour.
Friendship betrayals are just as hurtful if not more than romantic relationship betrayals. In her song “Bad Blood,” Swift relives how this ex-friend cut deep and how all the previous happy memories are now tainted, and the friendship cannot be fixed.
“Stronger” by Kelly Clarkson
Song Year: 2011
Kelly Clarkson offers listeners an empowering, upbeat song with a powerful meaning in “Stronger.” The popular phrase portrayed in the song is what inspired writer Ali Tamposi to compose the song after her mother laid the words of wisdom on her.
Clarkson took the song and ran with it, and it has now become one of her most popular songs as it is a testament to how adversity in relationships can only make you stronger.
“Ready Yet?” by Sasha Sloane
Song Year: 2017
Making a steady rise to fame, Sasha Sloane offers up “Ready Yet?” which is a near-perfect song to put all the emotions of a friendship breakup on the table.
Throughout the song, listeners discover the hurt one faces when a friend hurts them but is torn between forgiving the friend or continuing to hold onto the hurt.
“Bad Friend” by Rina Sawayama
Song Year: 2020
“Bad Friend” by Rina Sawayama is about exactly what you think it’s about. For a friendship to last, you have to have an effort from both parties. The lyrics of Sawayama’s song confirm that the ex-friendship is because she was a bad friend and failed to invest in the relationship.
Listeners pick up a sense of guilt as the song progresses, and she realizes that she is the reason for the fallout and how that realization leads her into a deeper hole.
“See You Again” by Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth
Song Year: 2015
Death is a part of life, but when it comes unexpectedly, it can become difficult to bear. It’s no secret that “See You Again” by Wiz Khalifa is a tribute from The Fast & The Furious cast for their dear friend Paul Walker who was part of a fatal car crash.
The mixture of Charlie Puth’s softer voice contrasted with Wiz Khalifa’s style of music creates a song genre that pairs perfectly with the powerful lyrics. Grab your tissues before you hit play on the official music video for “See You Again,” as a wave of emotion will flood in and take over.
“Tell Me How” by Paramore
Song Year: 2017
Paramore captures the emotion associated with a friendship ending too soon in their song “Tell Me How.” The music is artfully crafted as it places a heavy emphasis on the vocals allowing lead singer Hayley Williams to control how listeners perceive the masterpiece.
The lyrics provide a sneak peek into the band’s crossroads as they have to decide to move on or let the band die after losing a close friend and band member.
“Masterpiece” by Motionless in White
Song Year: 2022
Motionless in White captures the fight one has inside themselves when one knows they have messed up and can’t seem to get it right in their hit “Masterpiece.” The contradicting lyrics show that no matter how often you apologize, you can’t take back what you’ve done.
As the song progresses, lead singer Chris Motionless sings that no matter how many times he tries to make it right, he continues to make mistakes resulting in a doomed friendship.
“Lose You To Love Me” by Selena Gomez
Song Year: 2020
It is tough to admit that you may be better off without someone. In the song, “Lose You To Love Me,” Selena Gomez realizes that after dealing with the separation of someone close to her, she found herself.
Her lyrical excellence takes you on an emotional roller coaster, proving that in the end, we have a clearer vision of how toxic others can be only after we remove them from our lives.
“Old Friends” by Jasmine Thompson
Song Year: 2017
“Old Friends” by Jasmine Thompson is an emotional song about growing up and growing apart from your childhood friends. Those old friends know who you are as they witnessed you growing up and realize that your new friends don’t know you like your old friends.
This song takes a different take on friendships ending as there may not have been a falling out, but more so the inevitable of moving away from your hometown and leaving those friends behind.
“One More Light” by Linkin Park
Song Year: 2017
Even though there are billions of people in the world, individual life matters, and losing a close friend seems unbearable. Linkin Park captures this feeling in their song “One More Light.” While it is a sad song, the band’s meaning for the ballad is to encourage listeners to appreciate the loved ones they have while they are here on earth.
The song was inspired by the band’s loss of a dear friend Amy Zaret and was released in May of 2017. “One More Light” soon became a way to remember the late band’s lead singer, Chester Bennington, after he took his own life in July of 2017.
“Drowning” by Chris Young
Song Year: 2019
When Chris Young first performed his ballad “Drowning” in front of a live audience, he failed to finish the song. However, he still received a standing ovation as concertgoers could sense the song had special meaning to Young.
“Drowning” hits close to home for those who have lost a best friend suddenly. Written for his best friend Adam, who lost his life in a car accident, “Drowning” is a song about a friendship ending that may be hard to swallow for some.
“Give Heaven Some Hell” by Hardy
Song Year: 2020
Breaking up with a close friend or losing them to an unforeseen death seems to entice a flood of memories to come rushing back. Good memories tend to outweigh the bad, and emotions soon take over.
While these emotions may bring a sense of sadness and longing to be back with that friend, they can also help you look back and enjoy the time you did have with that friend. “Give Heaven Some Hell” by Hardy is a musical story of remembering the good memories and encouraging that lost friend to make the same memories in heaven.
“The Colour of Leaving” by Parkway Drive
Song Year: 2018
Parkway Drive is an Australian band that has experienced its fair share of loss and tragedy. “The Color of Leaving” is a personal experience based on the loss of a best friend that hit lead the band hard.
The tragedy of losing someone close to you is depicted in lead singer Winston McCall’s crackling voice as it sounds like he is struggling to make it through the song.
“I Lost a Friend” by FINNEAS
Song Year: 2019
“I Lost a Friend” by FINNEAS sends a powerful message and offers reassurance for those knowing they are going to be fine but don’t feel it quite yet.
It’s easy to fall into depression and self-loathing when a close friendship has ended. However, in the back of your mind, you may realize that you will be fine, just not at the current point and time.
“Tomorrow” by Fight the Fade
Song Year: 2012
From their album What We Know, “Tomorrow” by Fight the Fade is a gut-wrenching song about regret and how if we only knew what others were going through and that life would be cut short for some, we would do things differently.
Part of that regret is eminent when looking back at old photos and thinking of how you could convince your close friend not to take their own life. The message behind this song is to take advantage of the time you have and don’t hold back on letting someone know how you feel about them.
“She’s Alright” By Zach Bryan
Song Year: 2022
Having a parent as a best friend is a relationship not many children can boast about. Zach Bryan is one of those children that can boast about his relationship with his mom. In his song, “She’s Alright,” Bryan honors his late mother and how her leaving this world is almost unbearable.
However, he is comforted by the understanding that she’s alright and in a better place. In the last verse, Bryan emotionally sings that he lost his best friend and tells her he loves her.
Bryan admits he couldn’t make it through this song the first time he attempted to perform it. You won’t want to listen to this song without the tissues close by, as tear ducts tend to let loose for this one.
“Breathe” by Taylor Swift ft. Colbie Caillat
Song Year: 2008
As previously noted, Taylor Swift is known for her emotional breakup songs. While “Breathe” is often referred to as a romantic breakup song, the artist confirms it is about a friendship breakup instead.
The song tells a story of the struggles one faces when a close friend does something that hurts the other, resulting in the loss of a friend we thought would be there until the end. When this happens, it hurts so much that you feel like you can’t breathe without them there.
“Let It Go” by James Bay
Song Year: 2014
Not all friendships last forever. Some start strong and slowly wither away. “Let It Go” by James Bay is a song that expresses this painful instance. As the song progresses, listeners experience emotional vocals that express how it’s time to go separate ways and end the relationship for good.
While it is evident that letting the friendship go is the best option, it is not easy as a sense of connection and good memories are still eminent.
“We Used To Be Friends” By The Dandy Warhols
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bm1g5Yg0hUw
Song Year: 2003
Miscommunication and assumption tend to play a role in a lot of ex-friendship situations. This is the case in the story behind The Dandy Warhols hit song, “We Used To Be Friends.” Lead singer Courtney Taylor-Taylor states in an interview that he wrote a song about his good friend Mark called “Ride,” which relives all the good times they had.
Several years later, the two had a falling out, but only because of a minor assumption that led to them not speaking for years. That bit of miscommunication would come out later, and Taylor would write the song “We Used To Be Friends.” This song expresses how upset Taylor was at the falling out over something so trivial.
“Ex-Old Man” By Kristen Kelly
Song Year: 2012
Shock and disbelief are often the reactions of someone who just found out that their partner has been cheating. Bitterness and all-out hatred seem to be common responses for those that find out their boyfriend is cheating on them with their best friend.
“Ex-Old Man” by Kristen Kelly is a story about a girl who trusted her best friend and went to her when she suspected her boyfriend was cheating on her, only to find out that he was cheating on her with that friend. Now, she has an ex-boyfriend and an ex-best friend.
“All We Are” by OneRepublic
Song Year: 2007
Part of their debut album, OneRepublic’s “All We Are,” has multiple meanings, including the hardships of long-distance friendships and the conflict that ensues as people change.
Two options are available for this type of friendship: either fight through the change or let each other go. Each has benefits and drawbacks; either way, heartache ensues.
“Highway Boys” By Zach Bryan
Song Year: 2022
“Highway Boys” features Zach Bryan singing about a different take on losing friends. The lyrics of the song take you on a journey of the life of an artist constantly on the road. Due to the constant travel and never being in one place long, it is tough to maintain friendships and make new friends.
Therefore, he never sees his old friends and develops a void in his heart where his friends once were. However, he clarifies that highways go both directions, and those he thought were his friends don’t make an effort to keep and grow the friendship.
Bryan is clearly in constant conflict between wanting to go home to those he knows and pursuing his dream career.
Top Songs About Friendship Ending, Final Thoughts
Losing a friend to a miscommunication, a stab in the back, a tragic accident, or time and distance is a common occurrence. Musicians all over the world have suffered from this on a personal level, and we are fortunate enough to hear their songs about friendship ending.
Whether you are dealing with a friendship ending or you simply enjoy listening to the emotion-filled songs these situations inspire, the songs listed above make for an excellent addition to anyone’s playlist.