17 Songs About Breaking up With Your Best Friend: The Tunes

We’ve compiled a list of 17 soul-stirring songs that perfectly encapsulate the highs and lows of breaking up with a best friend. From rock anthems to melancholic ballads, this sonic journey will resonate with anyone who’s navigated the choppy waters of a friendship split. So, turn the volume up and let’s navigate this roller coaster of emotions together!

Here are the best songs about breaking up with your best friend that you can check out:

List Of Songs About Breaking up With Your Best Friend

Best songs about breaking up with your best friend in a list format:

1. “Bad Blood” by Taylor Swift – 1989

Swift’s explosive pop anthem from her 1989 album captures the painful aftermath of a friend breakup, veiled in catchy hooks. “Bad Blood” is a testament to friendship turned sour, but it also empowers listeners to move on.

2. “Somebody That I Used to Know” by Gotye feat. Kimbra – Making Mirrors

While often seen as a romantic breakup song, “Somebody That I Used to Know” from Gotye’s Making Mirrors album could easily resonate with those enduring a friend breakup. It mirrors the bitterness and disappointment of losing a once cherished bond.

3. “How to Save a Life” by The Fray – How to Save a Life

On their debut album How to Save a Life, The Fray offers this poignant song about a friendship falling apart due to addiction. It’s a raw, emotional testament to how deep the bond of friendship can run, and how painful its dissolution can be.

4. “Friends to Lovers” by Alabama Shakes – Sound & Color

The soulful rock track “Friends to Lovers” from Sound & Color explores the fallout of a friendship transitioning into something more, only to eventually fail. Alabama Shakes captures the complexity of such situations with their powerful vocals and poignant lyrics.

5. “We Used To Be Friends” by The Dandy Warhols – Welcome to the Monkey House

Featured on their Welcome to the Monkey House album, this track by The Dandy Warhols is an indie-rock take on friendship dissolution. Its upbeat rhythm masks the melancholic reality of losing a friend, making it relatable for many.

6. “Seventy Times 7” by Brand New – Your Favorite Weapon

Brand New’s angsty rock anthem from Your Favorite Weapon captures the fury and betrayal felt in the aftermath of a friend breakup. “Seventy Times 7” is raw, honest, and unapologetic.

7. “The Boy Who Blocked His Own Shot” by Brand New – Deja Entendu

Also by Brand New but from their Deja Entendu album, “The Boy Who Blocked His Own Shot” is a soft, sorrowful song about self-blame and regret following a relationship’s end, applicable to friendships as well.

8. “Half The World Away” by Oasis – The Masterplan

This heartfelt Oasis track from The Masterplan explores feelings of separation and longing for a lost friendship. The poignant lyrics combined with the band’s signature sound make “Half The World Away” a universal anthem for lost connections.

9. “Ex-Friend” by Raye – Euphoric Sad Songs

From her Euphoric Sad Songs album, Raye’s “Ex-Friend” is a modern pop exploration of the heartbreak felt when a friendship unexpectedly ends. It’s a relatable song for anyone who’s felt blindsided by the loss of a friend.

10. “Don’t Speak” by No Doubt – Tragic Kingdom

“Don’t Speak”, from No Doubt’s Tragic Kingdom album, is a poignant and moving song about ending a relationship. Even though it’s traditionally viewed as a romantic breakup song, it could be applied to friendships that have soured and ended painfully.

11. “Backstabber” by Kesha – Animal

In her debut album Animal, Kesha delivers “Backstabber”, a high-energy electropop tune that’s all about betrayal in friendship. It’s an empowering anthem for anyone who’s ever felt betrayed by a close friend.

12. “Best Friend” by Rex Orange County – Bcos U Will Never B Free

Rex Orange County’s “Best Friend”, from his album Bcos U Will Never B Free, explores the heartbreak of unrequited love within a friendship. It’s a touching depiction of the complexities that romantic feelings can add to friendships.

13. “Fake Friends” by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts – Album

“Fake Friends” from Joan Jett & The Blackhearts’ aptly titled Album is a rockin’ ode to discerning real friendships from fake ones. Its timeless message remains relevant to listeners navigating the highs and lows of friendship.

14. “Forget You” by CeeLo Green – The Lady Killer

Although typically viewed as a breakup song, CeeLo Green’s soulful and catchy “Forget You” from The Lady Killer could easily serve as an anthem for those navigating the end of a once-close friendship.

15. “Lost a Friend” by James Blake – Assume Form

“Lost a Friend” from James Blake’s Assume Form is a haunting, electronic exploration of the pain of losing a friend. Its minimalistic production and emotional lyrics make for a powerful and touching listening experience.

16. “New Friend No More” by Sia – Healing Is Difficult

From her Healing Is Difficult album, Sia’s “New Friend No More” is an emotive song about a friendship that couldn’t survive, possibly due to unreciprocated feelings. Her powerful vocals bring raw emotion to this often overlooked experience.

17. “Unhappy” by OutKast – Speakerboxxx/The Love Below

This track from OutKast’s Speakerboxxx/The Love Below album perfectly encapsulates the gloomy feeling of dealing with an unhappy friendship. “Unhappy” reminds listeners that it’s okay to let go of relationships that no longer bring joy.

Fun Facts: About Breaking up With Your Best Friend

“Bad Blood” by Taylor Swift

Did you know that this song is widely speculated to be about Swift’s falling out with fellow pop star, Katy Perry? Although it’s never been officially confirmed by Swift, the two had a publicized feud around the time the song was released.

“Somebody That I Used to Know” by Gotye feat. Kimbra

The distinctive art in the music video for this song is inspired by the work of Alexander Girard, a renowned architect and textile designer. The body paint seen on Gotye and Kimbra was painstakingly applied over a continuous 26-hour shoot. Now that’s dedication!

“How to Save a Life” by The Fray

Interestingly, this song was inspired by a real-life experience of the band’s lead singer, Isaac Slade. He participated in a camp for troubled teens where he met a boy who had a profound impact on him. The song was the band’s way of grappling with the boy’s tragic story.

“Don’t Speak” by No Doubt

No Doubt’s most successful single was originally a love song. However, after the breakup of Gwen Stefani and the band’s bassist Tony Kanal, the lyrics were rewritten to reflect the heartache Stefani felt. Despite the pain, the band stayed together and continued making music!

“Fake Friends” by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts

Joan Jett, an iconic figure in rock ‘n’ roll, was one of the few women in the 80s punk scene. Her song “Fake Friends” not only speaks to personal experiences but also criticizes the often fickle nature of the music industry.

“Forget You” by CeeLo Green

While this song is famous for its more radio-friendly title “Forget You”, the original version had a more explicit title. Interestingly, despite its catchy and upbeat tune, the song details the disappointment of a man who can’t afford the luxurious lifestyle of his ex’s new partner.

“Lost a Friend” by James Blake

“Lost a Friend” is rumored to be about the end of Blake’s friendship with fellow British musician, Sampha. Though the song never explicitly states it, many fans believe the lyrics point towards their relationship.

“Unhappy” by OutKast

The innovative hip-hop duo OutKast is known for their unique blend of different music styles. “Unhappy” is no exception, fusing hip-hop with a country-style chorus. The song reflects on the downside of success, a theme frequently addressed in their work.

And there you have it, folks – 17 incredible tunes exploring the highs and lows of friend breakups. Remember, through music, you’re never alone in your experiences. Keep grooving, music lovers!

Thanks for reading.

TBone