50+ Best R&B Songs about Friendship (Ultimate List)

Regarding celebrating friendship, few musical genres do it better than R&B. 

The soulful style often captures the highs and lows that come with having friends, making it the perfect soundtrack for any friendship celebration.

So, for this post, we’ve compiled some of the greatest R&B songs about friendship of all time.

From anthems about ride-or-die besties to odes to platonic love, these tracks capture the special bond between friends.

Top Best R&B Songs about Friendship

Here are some of the most listened-to and popular R&B songs about friendship:

1. Best Friend – Brandy
2. Real Friends – Camila Cabello
3. Best Friend – 50 Cent
4. Anytime You Need A Friend – Mariah Carey
5. Just Friends – Musiq
6. Ur Best Friend (feat. Kehlani) – Kiana Ledé
7. Count On Me – CeCe Winans and Whitney Houston
8. What About Your Friends – TLC
9. Just a Friend 2002 – Mario
10. Lovers and Friends – Usher

Hip Hop R&B Songs about Friendship

Though hip-hop and r&b are completely different genres, the two styles often intersect. For example, many hip-hop songs contain samples from classic r&b tracks or feature r&b singers on the hook.

And, in terms of subject matter, both genres often sing about similar topics, like love, heartbreak, and, of course, friendship.

So, for this section, we’ve compiled some of the best hip-hop and r&b songs about friendship that you can add to your playlist.

• Best Friend – Young Thug
• Real Friends – Ye
• Hold It Down – J. Cole
• Friends – Whodini
• No New Friends – DJ Khaled
• Just A Friend – Biz Markie
• Best Friends – Missy Elliott ft.Aaliyah
• Worst Comes To Worst – Dilated Peoples
• Fake Friends – Gucci Mane
• Toxic – BoyWithUke

R&B Songs about Friendship 2021

2021 was a big year for r&b, with many artists releasing chart-topping albums and singles. And, among the songs that dominated the airwaves were several tracks about friendship.

One of the most popular songs about friendship released this year was Justin Bieber’s “Peaches,” which features verses from Daniel Caesar and Giveon.

The track, which appears on Bieber’s album Justice, is a heartfelt ode to platonic love and friendship and a perfect track to add to any friendship playlist. Here are 10 more of the best r&b songs about friendship from 2021:

• Ur Best Friend – Kiana Ledé
• Peaches – Justin Bieber
• F.U.C.K. – Victoria Monet
• Friendship Is Over – Lourandes
• My Girlfriends Are My Boyfriend – Demi Lovato

R&B Songs about Friendship of the 80s

While the 80s is often thought of as a decade dominated by rock and pop music, there was also a thriving R&B scene during this time.

This era saw the rise of artists like Janet Jackson, Lionel Richie, and Michael Jackson, who would go on to have hugely successful careers.

Resulting in some truly innovative and unforgettable music. Unfortunately, with the advent of digital music, many of these tracks have been lost to time.

But, we’ve done our best to compile a list of the best 80s R&B songs about friendship that we could find.

• That’s What Friends Are For – Dionne Warwick
• Wind Beneath My Wings – Bette Midler
• You’re a Friend of Mine – Clarence Clemons
• Waiting On A Friend – The Rolling Stones
• Hold An Old Friend’s Hand – Tiffany
• True Colors – Cyndi Lauper
• Friends – Whodini
• Forever Friends – Sandi Patty
• Girls Just Want To Have Fun – Cyndi Lauper
• Goodbye My Friend – Linda Ronstadt

R&B Songs about Friendship of the 90s

Unlike the 80s, the 90s was a truly golden age for R&B music and yielded some of the genre’s biggest stars, including Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, and TLC.

Even today the songs of this era remain hugely popular, with many of them still receiving regular radio play.

And in terms of subject matter, few topics were more popular in 90s R&B than friendship. So, feel free to take a trip down memory lane with these 10 best R&B songs about friendship from the 1990s.

• Graduation (Friends Forever) – Vitamin C
• You’ve Got a Friend in Me – Randy Newman
• Old Friends – Everything But the Girl
• Kind and Generous – Natalie Merchant
• Save The Best For Last – Vanessa Williams
• My One True Friend – Bette Midler
• I’ve Been Thinking About You – Mariah Carey
• I’ll Be Missing You – Faith Evans and Sean Combs
• To Be With You – Mr. Big
• Don’t Let Go (Love) – En Vogue

R&B Friendship Songs for Karaoke

No list of R&B songs would be complete without mentioning karaoke. After all, what better way to show your friends how much you care than by belting out a tune together?

And what better genre of music to sing than R&B, with its catchy hooks and easy-to-sing melodies? Whether you’re looking for a slow jam or an uptempo bop, we’ve got you covered with this list of the best R&B karaoke songs about friendship.

• With A Little Help From My Friends – The Beatles
• You’ve Got a Friend in Me – Randy Newman
• I’m Your Friend – Bobby Brown
• Best Friend – Brandy
• Lean On Me – Bill Withers
• Hold It Down – J. Cole
• Touch a Hand, Make a Friend – The Staple Singers
• That’s What Friends Are For – Dionne Warwick

Classic R&B Songs about Friendship

There are a few things that make a song classic. The ability to stand the test of time, to be timeless, and to evoke emotion.

And, when it comes to R&B music, few artists have been able to achieve this level of lasting success like Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, and Aretha Franklin.

So, it’s no surprise that many of their songs are considered classics. And, of course, friendship is a topic that they’ve all tackled at one point or another.

So, here are 10 classic R&B songs about friendship that you’re sure to love.

• The Only One for Me – Brian McKnight
• Best Friend – Avant
• More Than Friends – Estelle
• Just Good Friends – Michael Jackson
• Cool People – Chloe x Halle
• Friend Like Me – Ne-Yo
• No One in the World – Anita Baker
• Homie Lover Friend – R. Kelly
• Breathe – Iyaz
• We Are Family – Sister Sledge

Upbeat R&B Songs about Friendship

Not all R&B songs are slow and sultry. In fact, there’s a whole subgenre of R&B known as “new jack swing” that is defined by its upbeat, danceable sound.

These types of tracks are perfect for getting the party started and are sure to put a smile on your face.

So, have a look at our list of the best upbeat R&B songs about friendship, and get ready to dance the night away.

• Thank You For Being A Friend – Andrew Gold
• Touch A Hand (Make A Friend) – The Staple Singers
• True Friend – Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus
• Gift of a Friend – Demi Lovato
• Umbrella – Rihanna
• Real Friends – Camila Cabello
• Ain’t No Mountain High Enough – Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
• The Only One for Me – Brian McKnight
• Can You Stand the Rain – New Edition
• Nite and Day – Al B. Sure!

Wrapping Up

Whether you’re looking for a sentimental ballad or an upbeat bop, this list has something for everyone.

All these tracks celebrate the special bond of friendship and are sure to resonate with anyone who’s lucky enough to call themselves a friend.