The loss of a friend hits us almost as hard as the end of a relationship. Friends are people we think we can always rely on through the tough times, and losing one is like losing a huge part of your support group.
These songs are about the loss of a friend for various reasons: from death to a misunderstanding to a full-on fight.
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony – The Crossroads
Let’s start off the list with one of the worst ways to lose a friend: through death. The Crossroads is a song that the group dedicated to Eric “Eazy E” Wright, a rapper and music mogul who was a member of NWA. Bone Thugs-N-Harmony were signed to his label, Ruthless Records. Wright passed away due to AIDS in 1995, and the group decided to write this song for him.
Losing a friend lyrics: Now Eazy’s long gone
Really wish he would come home
But when it’s time to die
Gotta go bye bye
All a thug could do is cry, cry
Why they kill my dog and man
I miss my uncle Charles y’all
And he shoudn’t be gone, in front of his home
What they did to Boo was wrong
Oh so wrong, oh so wrong
Gotta hold on gotta stay strong
When the day comes
Better believe bone got a shoulder you can lean on
Jimmy Eat World – Hear You Me
For those of you who are more into the alternative genre, this might just be the ultimate goodbye song for a friend who passed away. Hear You Me is a song of thanks for the kindness of a friend who has passed away. The song is actually about sisters Mukel and Carli Allen, who ran the Weezer fan club. They were friends with many of the bands in Weezer’s fan circle, including the members of Jimmy Eat World.
Losing a friend lyrics: And if you were with me tonight
I’d sing to you just one more time
A song for a heart so big,
God wouldn’t let it live
No Doubt – Don’t Speak
Don’t Speak is a song about not wanting to hear any more excuses about a falling out. The song is actually about the breakup of Gwen Stefani and No Doubt bassist Tony Kanal. In the song, they describe the breakup as losing their best friend and not wanting to hear any explanations because it just makes the situation worse.
Losing a friend lyrics: You and me, we used to be together
Everyday together, always
I really feel that I’m losing my best friend
I can’t believe this could be the end
It looks as though you’re letting go
And if it’s real, well I don’t want to know
Blink-182 – I’m Lost Without You
This might be one of those “out of place” songs by Blink-182 because it sounds different from most of their other songs. I’m Lost Without You is a song about the loneliness of losing a friend who was also your lover. In the song, Tom DeLonge sings about how he’s hoping she would come back to him because life without her feels empty.
Losing a friend lyrics: I swear that I can go on forever again
Please let me know that my one bad day will end
I will go down as your lover, your friend
Give me your lips and with one kiss we begin
Are you afraid of being alone
Cause I am, I’m lost without you
Are you afraid of leaving tonight
Cause I am, I’m lost without you
Nelly Furtado – All Good Things (Come to an End)
All Good Things is one of those songs that you know is sad, but there’s a certain feel to it that shows how the singer is resigned to her fate. In this song, the protagonist laments the end of a relationship and friendship. What was once a bright flame has become nothing but dust, and she wonders why good things come to an end. It implies that this situation has happened before, and instead of wallowing in pain, she just accepts the heaviness and tries to move on.
Losing a friend lyrics: Traveling, I only stop at exits
Wondering if I’ll stay
Young and restless
Living this way, I stress less
I want to pull away when the dream dies
The pain sets in, and I don’t cry
I only feel gravity, and I wonder why
A Day to Remember – All Signs Point to Lauderdale
Of course, we can’t have a playlist about the end of a friendship without at least one punk-rock song. All Signs Point to Lauderdale is about a protagonist who hates his hometown because of how it ties him down. It also doesn’t help that his friends don’t care about him and his dreams, so he goes out searching for a place where he’ll belong.
Losing a friend lyrics: I hate this town
Cause no one can understand
I just can’t be tied down
Nothing comes between me and my plans
So now I never know the things to say to you
That help me prove that I’m still on your side
I never show just what you do to me
Guess I’m what’s always wrong
Dandy Warhols – We Used to Be Friends
Dandy Warhols frontman Courtney Taylor-Taylor explains that this is a song inspired by his friend named Mark. While there was no fight between them, Courtney and Mark went through a mix-up that ended up with them not talking to each other for years. In this song, the lyrics are more about wanting to reach out to his friend after a mix-up that happened so long ago.
Losing a friend lyrics: A long time ago
We used to be friends
But I haven’t thought of you lately at all
If ever again
A greeting I send to you
Short and sweet to the soul I intend
Destiny’s Child – Fancy
Have you ever had a friend who seems more like your enemy? If you have, then you might want them to give Fancy a listen. In this song, the ladies of Destiny’s Child sing about a girl who uses them to get by. This girl is a liar and a schemer who latches on to them to try and get up in the world. In the song, Destiny’s Child is chastising this girl for doing what she does, and they end up just severing ties with this toxic person.
Losing a friend lyrics: I’ve always been so nice to you, girl
Helping you girl, there for you girl
You always tried to compete with me, girl
Using me girl, abusing me girl
Flirtin’ with every man you see
Especially if the man likes me
Baby where’s your self esteem
Find your own identity
Gwen Stefani – Hollaback Girl
Here’s another song about getting back at someone who pretends to be your friend, but is actually a snake. A Hollaback Girl is one of the lesser cheerleaders who hollers back during a cheer dance. In this song, Gwen insists (and proves) that she’s not one of those background girls who can’t stand up for herself.
Losing a friend lyrics: I heard that you were talking sh*t
And you didn’t think that I would hear it
People hear you talking like that, getting everybody fired up
So I’m ready to attack, gonna lead the pack
Gonna get a touchdown, gonna take you out
That’s right, put your pom-poms down, getting everybody fired up
+44 – No It’ Isn’t
Do you have that friend that you just really want to get rid of? If they need a hint, have them listen to the first line of this awesome song about not only losing a friend, but actively trying to get rid of one!
Losing a friend lyrics: Please understand
This isn’t just goodbye
This is I can’t stand you
If you’re going through the loss of a friend, take heart. These songs are here to help you get through it.
