No matter how strong or long-lasting a friendship is, there are always going to be those moments when it feels like it’s coming to an end.
It could be because of a disagreement, distance, or simply because time has changed both people. And when that happens, sometimes the only thing that can express those feelings is music.
Here are 17 of the best sad songs about friendship that perfectly describe how it feels when a best friend is no longer by your side.
1. Lose A Friend – INTRN
And I don't want to lose a friend
But if I keep my distance I know this will end
I know that you're not trying but you pull me in
And I can't seem to escape
No I don't want to lose a friend
It’s never easy to lose a friend. Whether it’s due to a falling out or simply because life has pulled you in different directions, saying goodbye to someone you once considered close can be tough.
And while it’s impossible to fully explain the feeling of loss, this song by INTRN does a pretty good job of capturing it.
The lyrics are full of sadness and regret, but the song’s consoling music provides a sense of hope, letting you know that it’s okay to feel sadness and that you’re not alone.
2. Breathe Me – Sia
Be my friend, hold me
Wrap me up, unfold me
I am small and needy
Warm me up and breathe me
When life hits you badly, you just wish that one person could make everything better. And that’s exactly what Sia is singing about in this song.
She is begging for someone (a friend) to just breathe life into her and make the pain go away. A difficult song to listen to, but very relatable nonetheless.
3. When the Last Teardrop Falls – Blaque
So now I'm alone
And life keeps moving on
But my destination still unknown, oh yeah
This song is all about being strong enough to move on from a friendship that has ended.
It’s about recognizing that it’s time to let go, even though it’s painful. But it also has a message of hope, that no matter what happens, you have to find happiness again.
4. See You Again – Wiz Khalifa, Charlie Puth
It's been a long day without you, my friend
And I'll tell you all about it when I see you again
A bit of an unconventional choice for a sad song about friendship, but this track from the Fast and Furious franchise definitely packs an emotional punch.
It’s a song about grieving the loss of a friend, and how even though they’re gone, they will never be forgotten. A Paul Walker tribute, “See You Again” will definitely make you tear up.
5. Sorry Blame it on me – Akon
As life goes on
I’m starting to learn more and more about responsibility
And I realize that everything I do
Is affecting the people around me
So I wanted to take this time out
To apologize for things that I’ve done
Most people can relate to feeling like they are to blame for everything going wrong. Whether it’s a fight with a friend or the end of a friendship, sometimes it feels like it’s all our fault.
But taking responsibility for your mistakes and owning up to them is what will make you a better person and that’s what Akon is conveying in this somber song.
6. Feelings Fade – Gnash
I'm tired of:
Fake people, fake smiles, fake hugs
Fake hope, fake friends, fake love
Cuz fake friends are a real waste of time
And fake love is real waste of life
Deep down we know nothing lasts forever, but it’s still hard to accept when somebody you care about starts to drift away.
This song is all about those complicated, confusing emotions that come with seeing somebody you loved and thought was a real friend change right in front of you.
Wrapped up in low-fi beats and echoey melodies, “Feelings Fade” will resonate with you if you are feeling a little down or just trying to make sense of it all.
7. I Lost A Friend – FINNEAS
How the hell did I lose a friend I never had?
Never had
“I Lost A Friend” is a heart-wrenching ballad that captures the pain of losing somebody you thought you knew so well.
But it is open-ended, leaving room for interpretation. As you listen to the lyrics more closely, you start to realize that it’s more about losing yourself in the process.
In the chorus, he sings “How the hell did I lose a friend I never had?“, which only adds to the confusing, conflicting emotions of the song.
8. Everybody’s Changing – Keane
So little time
Try to understand that I'm
Trying to make a move just to stay in the game, I
Try to stay awake and remember my name, but
Everybody's changing
And I don't feel the same
We all change as we grow up, and sometimes that means growing apart from people we used to be close to. “Everybody’s Changing” is a reminder that it’s okay to move on and that change is inevitable. It can be tough to let go, but sometimes it’s for the best.
9. Why We Ever – Hayley Williams
And now I
Can't seem to remember why
We ever
Felt we had to say goodbye
From her debut studio album “Why We Ever” is a raw and honest track about the end of a friendship. The lyrics talks about, how some goodbyes can leave you feeling lost and confused.
How somebody who was once such an important part of your life can just disappear without any explanation. It’s a feeling we’ve all experienced at some point.
But it also has a message of hope and resilience, as Hayley said, she wrote this song at the lowest point in her life and credited this period of creativity for saving her and to love better.
10. People You Know – Selena Gomez
We used to be close, but people can go
From people you know to people you don't
And what hurts the most is people can go
From people you know to people you don't
People You Know is a reflective track that touches on topics such as betrayal and time wasted on people who turn out to be not worth it in the end. Not necessarily a sad song, but more so an honest account of a situations that many of us have found ourselves in. It’s a great song for when you are ready to move on from somebody who was never really there for you.
11. My Old Friend – Tim Mcgraw
My old friend, this song is for you
Because a few simple verses
Was the least that I could do
To tell the world that you were here
“My Old Friend” is a moving tribute to a lost friend, and it is sure to resonate with anyone who has ever experienced loss. The song is a reminder that our loved ones never really leave us, as long as we keep them in our hearts.
12. This Is What Makes Us Girls – Lana Del Rey
This is what makes us girls
We all look for heaven and we put love first
Something that we'd die for, it's a curse
Don't cry about it, don't cry about it
In “This Is What Makes Us Girls,” Lana Del Rey sings about the various experiences that young girls have that make them who they are.
She talks about some of the more negative experiences, such as being taken advantage of by boys, but also touches on the positive moments, like staying up all night dancing and laughing with friends.
It’s a complex song that offers up a realistic view of what it means to be a young girl growing up but also a celebration of all the things that make young girls special and unique.
13. How to Save a Life – The Fray
Where did I go wrong? I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life
Featured in one of the most emotional scenes from the hit medical drama “Grey’s Anatomy”, “How to Save a Life” is a heartbreaking song about loss and feeling helpless.
It’s a reminder that sometimes we can’t do anything to save somebody, no matter how hard we try. And that’s okay. Besides, it is one of the band’s biggest hits for a reason, and it will stay with you long after you’ve heard it.
14. Life Goes On – Tupac Shakur
How many brothers fell victim to the streets?
Rest in peace, young nigga, there's a heaven for a G
Be a lie If I told you that I never thought of death
Life Goes on by 2Pac is a tribute to his late friends who fell victim to gang violence. He reflects on how life goes on despite the tragedy and pain that they experienced.
This is one of those songs that makes you realize how short and precious life is. It’s a reminder to make the most of every moment and to cherish the time we have with our loved ones.
15. Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life) – Green Day
It's somethin' unpredictable, but in the end is right
I hope you had the time of your life
One of the most iconic songs of all time, “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” is a bittersweet reminder that sometimes it’s better to let go of something that isn’t working out.
But it is also a song about acceptance and moving on with your life. It’s a song for when you need to close the door on something and start fresh.
16. Send This To Your Sad Friend – Blanks
Don't give up
Just make it through today
When tomorrow comes you'll be okay
Don't forget
I'm always on your side
When you need a hand I'll be there everytime
A more lighthearted take on the theme of friendship, “Send This To Your Sad Friend” is a fun and catchy song about cheering up a friend who is down in the dumps.
Sometimes all it takes is a little reminder that somebody cares about you to turn your whole day around. So if you have a friend who is feeling down, send them this song and let them know that you’re thinking of them.
17. all my friends are fake – Tate McRae
'Cause all my friends are fake, fake, fake, fake
They just want me for the day, day, until they don't
It’s no secret that social media can be a breeding ground for fake friends and relationships. But what happens when those same fake friends are the ones you’re surrounded by in real life? Well, that’s what Tate McRae explores in her song “all my friends are fake.”
The song is a haunting look at the ways we’ve all been hurt by people we thought were our friends. It’s a reminder that not everyone is worth our trust and that sometimes it’s better to be alone than to be surrounded by people who don’t have our best interests at heart.
Summing Up
Being sad is ok, and being angry is ok, but what’s not ok is forgetting the friends that were there through it all. These songs are little reminders that we all need every now and then, to keep those friendships strong. Because at the end of the day, it’s the friends that help you pick up your pieces, and put them back together.
