Great songs about friendship and mates

If you’ve read more than a handful of articles from MensLine, you’ll be quick to spot the importance and value we put on having a support networks of friends. In fact, its consistently recognised that having good people you can turn to when the going gets tough (or in the good times) is one of the best ways to protect your mental health.

There are hundreds of songs about friendship. Here’s 10 of our favourites.

The ‘Cheers’ theme

Classic. Enough said!

Lyrics:

“Sometimes you want to go

Where everybody knows your name

And they’re always glad you came

You want to be where you can see

The troubles are all the same

You want to be where everybody knows your name.”

You’ve got a friend in me

The theme song from the Toy Story franchise is a perfect tribute to friends helping each other when times get tough.

Lyrics:

“You’ve got a friend in me

When the road looks, rough ahead

And you’re miles and miles

From your nice warm bed

Just remember what your old pal said

Boy, you’ve got a friend in me

You’ve got a friend in me.”

Stand by me

Ben E King‘s R&B classic with the blockbuster coming-of-age film of the same name. A true anthem to childhood camaraderie.

Lyrics:

“When the night has come

And the land is dark

And the moon is the only light we see

No I won’t be afraid

No I won’t be afraid

Just as long as you stand, stand by me.”

Lean on me

A bit cheesy (especially the later cover version) but its Bill Withers, and he’s a genius.

Lyrics:

“Lean on me, when you’re not strong

And I’ll be your friend

I’ll help you carry on

For it won’t be long

‘Til I’m gonna need

Somebody to lean on.”

With a little help from my friends

A Little Help From My Friends was first recorded by The Beatles, but Joe Cocker’s take is slower and bluesier. The theme song of the nostalgic TV series The Wonder Years.

Lyrics:

“Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Mm, gonna try with a little help from my friends

Oh, I get high with a little help from my friends

Yes, I get by with a little help from my friends

With a little help from my friends.”

You’ve got a friend

The writing and recording of You’ve Got A Friend was an exercise in friendship. Written by Carole King, it was then recorded for both her album, Tapestry, and James Taylor‘s Mud Slide Slim.

Lyrics:

“You just call out my name

And you know wherever I am

I’ll come running, to see you again

Winter, spring, summer or fall

All you have to do is call

And I’ll be there

You’ve got a friend.”

We’re going to be friends

The White Stripes capture childhood anxiety and excitement perfectly.

Lyrics:

“Fall is here, hear the yell

Back to school, ring the bell

Brand new shoes, walking blues

Climb the fence, books and pens

I can tell that we are going to be friends

I can tell that we are going to be friends.”

Wish You Were Here

Commonly interpreted as dedicated to former Pink Floyd frontman Syd Barrett, who was suffering from the ravages of mental health & drug addiction.

Lyrics:

“How I wish, how I wish you were here

We’re just two lost souls

Swimming in a fish bowl

Year after year

Running over the same old ground

And how we found

The same old fears

Wish you were here.”

I’ll Stand By You

Apparently inspired by another great friendship song, Stand By Me, this classic from The Pretenders can be read as an ode to either a friend or a lover.

Lyrics:

“I’ll stand by you.

I’ll stand by you, won’t let nobody hurt you,

I’ll stand by you, baby even to your darkest hour,

And I’ll never desert you

I’ll stand by you.”

That’s what friends are for

Dionne Warwick Elton John, Gladys Knight and Stevie Wonder collaborated to raise over $3 million for the American Foundation for AIDS Research.

Lyrics:

“Keep smiling, keep shining

Knowing you can always count on me, for sure

That’s what friends are for

For good times and bad times

I’ll be on your side forever more

That’s what friends are for.”

If you need to talk, give one of our MensLine Australia counsellors a call on 1300 78 99 78 or access online chat.