![[2025] A roundup of hidden gem friendship songs in Western music](https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/83PYXAdSJBk/maxresdefault.webp)
[2025] A roundup of hidden gem friendship songs in Western music
“Friends” is a theme that resonates in our hearts across eras and languages.
Beyond chart-topping Billboard hits, there are countless hidden gems about friendship that leave a deep impression.
This time, we’ll introduce a polished selection—from recent releases to a long-beloved favorite among music aficionados, as well as lesser-known friendship songs by major artists.
One of the joys of friendship songs is how differently each artist expresses the theme, so be sure to check the lyrics as you listen.
[2025] Hidden Gems: Friendship Songs in Western Music (1–10)
My FriendHayley Williams
Hayley Williams, who commands an overwhelming presence as the frontwoman of Paramore, a band emblematic of the pop-punk scene.
From her first solo album, Petals for Armor, released in 2020, here’s a gem of a friendship song.
This track is dedicated to a longtime best friend whom Hayley met when she was 17, and with whom she has weathered personal hardships, including divorce.
A deep sense of gratitude—“something I couldn’t say until I turned 30”—is expressed with sincerity.
The sophisticated sound, tinged with art pop and funk, seems to gently envelop the bond between the two.
It’s the perfect song to listen to while looking back on the journey you’ve shared with a cherished friend who stood by you through difficult times.
Best FriendLaufey
This is a song by Laufey, an Icelandic singer-songwriter with roots in jazz and classical music.
It sings of deep affection for an irreplaceable best friend.
The special bond that will likely remain unchanged even into their 90s is expressed through a gentle, nostalgic melody.
The backstory—that she wrote it with her twin sister in mind—is lovely, too! The track is included on her debut EP, “Typical of Me,” released in 2021.
Its calm tone, with hints of bossa nova, is also delightful.
It’s the kind of song you’ll want to listen to with a cup of coffee in hand, reminiscing about memories with a dear friend.
Friend Song311
311, a mixture rock band known for their unique style fusing reggae and funk.
This track is a gently heart-soothing number included on their album “Full Bloom,” released in October 2024.
Born from experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, the song delivers a straightforward message that friendship is more precious than anything, carried by a melancholic mood and a slow tempo.
Its hopeful assurance—that even in difficult times, you are never truly alone—wraps listeners in warmth.
The airy, floating guitar tones are also striking, making it perfect for those quiet moments when you want to immerse yourself in music while thinking of a dear friend.
Friend SongJesse Welles
This is a song by singer-songwriter Jesse Wells, who has recently drawn major attention for socially conscious message songs.
Released on social media in 2025 as a stripped-down solo performance, it offers a different flavor from his signature powerful protest songs: accompanied by the plaintive tones of an acoustic guitar, it’s a lovely friendship anthem in which he declares to a dear friend, “I’m here for you,” with conviction.
The songwriting talent that earned him Saving Country Music’s 2024 Songwriter of the Year is showcased in a more personal form here.
When a friend is going through a hard time, listening to this track feels like it gives you the strength to protect someone you care about.
I’ve Got A FriendMaggie Rogers
Maggie Rogers is a powerhouse singer-songwriter who blends folk and electronic sounds, and has even been nominated for a Grammy.
She has a moving song that she wrote as a “love song for a friend,” a heartfelt ode to friendship.
In it, she expresses straightforward, profound gratitude to a best friend who stood by her during the hardest time in her life.
The unadorned lyrics and her raw, emotionally charged vocals are deeply affecting.
The track appears on her second album, Surrender, released in July 2022.
It’s lovely to hear the warm atmosphere created by the participation of her real-life friends in the recording.
Why not give it a listen when you want to be reminded of how precious your close friends are?
FriendsRAYE
RAY, the British singer-songwriter who garnered major attention by winning a record six categories at the 2024 BRIT Awards.
She’s known worldwide for her hit song “Escapism.”, but this time I’d like to introduce a hidden gem from July 2018—a friendship-themed track.
The song delivers a strong message, fed up with toxic dynamics between women and superficial friendships, repeatedly asking, “Why?” Over a catchy pop sound, her earnest desire for genuine bonds resonates through powerful vocals.
It’s the perfect anthem for blowing away the haze of messy relationships, so be sure to check out this track—one that shines with her sharp perspective from around the EP Side Tape.
Me And My FriendsRed Hot Chili Peppers
A thrilling funk-rock piece by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, bursting with raw early energy.
It’s included on their third album, The Uplift Mofo Party Plan, released in September 1987—a miraculous record that, in the band’s history, was the first and only one made by all four original members together.
The sound kicks off with Flea’s fiercely undulating bass line, which is just incredibly cool, and the lyrics convey a straightforward devotion to their friends.
It’s also said that this song is about their friendship with guitarist Hillel Slovak, who passed away the following year, and knowing that background makes the depth of their bond all the more moving.
It resonates even more deeply when you listen to it as you reflect on the days you spent with irreplaceable friends.