Having good people around you is one of the best ways to protect your mental health. Here’s 10 of our fave songs celebrating 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.
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.
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