23 Songs About Friendship Ending

“Give Heaven Some Hell” by Hardy

Song Year: 2020

Breaking up with a close friend or losing them to an unforeseen death seems to entice a flood of memories to come rushing back. Good memories tend to outweigh the bad, and emotions soon take over.

While these emotions may bring a sense of sadness and longing to be back with that friend, they can also help you look back and enjoy the time you did have with that friend. “Give Heaven Some Hell” by Hardy is a musical story of remembering the good memories and encouraging that lost friend to make the same memories in heaven.

“The Colour of Leaving” by Parkway Drive

Song Year: 2018

Parkway Drive is an Australian band that has experienced its fair share of loss and tragedy. “The Color of Leaving” is a personal experience based on the loss of a best friend that hit lead the band hard.

The tragedy of losing someone close to you is depicted in lead singer Winston McCall’s crackling voice as it sounds like he is struggling to make it through the song.

“I Lost a Friend” by FINNEAS

Song Year: 2019

“I Lost a Friend” by FINNEAS sends a powerful message and offers reassurance for those knowing they are going to be fine but don’t feel it quite yet.

It’s easy to fall into depression and self-loathing when a close friendship has ended. However, in the back of your mind, you may realize that you will be fine, just not at the current point and time.

“Tomorrow” by Fight the Fade

Song Year: 2012

From their album What We Know, “Tomorrow” by Fight the Fade is a gut-wrenching song about regret and how if we only knew what others were going through and that life would be cut short for some, we would do things differently.

Part of that regret is eminent when looking back at old photos and thinking of how you could convince your close friend not to take their own life. The message behind this song is to take advantage of the time you have and don’t hold back on letting someone know how you feel about them.

“She’s Alright” By Zach Bryan

Song Year: 2022

Having a parent as a best friend is a relationship not many children can boast about. Zach Bryan is one of those children that can boast about his relationship with his mom. In his song, “She’s Alright,” Bryan honors his late mother and how her leaving this world is almost unbearable.

However, he is comforted by the understanding that she’s alright and in a better place. In the last verse, Bryan emotionally sings that he lost his best friend and tells her he loves her.

Bryan admits he couldn’t make it through this song the first time he attempted to perform it. You won’t want to listen to this song without the tissues close by, as tear ducts tend to let loose for this one.

“Breathe” by Taylor Swift ft. Colbie Caillat

Song Year: 2008

As previously noted, Taylor Swift is known for her emotional breakup songs. While “Breathe” is often referred to as a romantic breakup song, the artist confirms it is about a friendship breakup instead.

The song tells a story of the struggles one faces when a close friend does something that hurts the other, resulting in the loss of a friend we thought would be there until the end. When this happens, it hurts so much that you feel like you can’t breathe without them there.

“Let It Go” by James Bay

Song Year: 2014

Not all friendships last forever. Some start strong and slowly wither away. “Let It Go” by James Bay is a song that expresses this painful instance. As the song progresses, listeners experience emotional vocals that express how it’s time to go separate ways and end the relationship for good.

While it is evident that letting the friendship go is the best option, it is not easy as a sense of connection and good memories are still eminent.

“We Used To Be Friends” By The Dandy Warhols

Song Year: 2003

Miscommunication and assumption tend to play a role in a lot of ex-friendship situations. This is the case in the story behind The Dandy Warhols hit song, “We Used To Be Friends.” Lead singer Courtney Taylor-Taylor states in an interview that he wrote a song about his good friend Mark called “Ride,” which relives all the good times they had.

Several years later, the two had a falling out, but only because of a minor assumption that led to them not speaking for years. That bit of miscommunication would come out later, and Taylor would write the song “We Used To Be Friends.” This song expresses how upset Taylor was at the falling out over something so trivial.

“Ex-Old Man” By Kristen Kelly

Song Year: 2012

Shock and disbelief are often the reactions of someone who just found out that their partner has been cheating. Bitterness and all-out hatred seem to be common responses for those that find out their boyfriend is cheating on them with their best friend.

“Ex-Old Man” by Kristen Kelly is a story about a girl who trusted her best friend and went to her when she suspected her boyfriend was cheating on her, only to find out that he was cheating on her with that friend. Now, she has an ex-boyfriend and an ex-best friend.

“All We Are” by OneRepublic

Song Year: 2007

Part of their debut album, OneRepublic’s “All We Are,” has multiple meanings, including the hardships of long-distance friendships and the conflict that ensues as people change.

Two options are available for this type of friendship: either fight through the change or let each other go. Each has benefits and drawbacks; either way, heartache ensues.

“Highway Boys” By Zach Bryan

Song Year: 2022

“Highway Boys” features Zach Bryan singing about a different take on losing friends. The lyrics of the song take you on a journey of the life of an artist constantly on the road. Due to the constant travel and never being in one place long, it is tough to maintain friendships and make new friends.

Therefore, he never sees his old friends and develops a void in his heart where his friends once were. However, he clarifies that highways go both directions, and those he thought were his friends don’t make an effort to keep and grow the friendship.

Bryan is clearly in constant conflict between wanting to go home to those he knows and pursuing his dream career.

Top Songs About Friendship Ending, Final Thoughts

Losing a friend to a miscommunication, a stab in the back, a tragic accident, or time and distance is a common occurrence. Musicians all over the world have suffered from this on a personal level, and we are fortunate enough to hear their songs about friendship ending.

Whether you are dealing with a friendship ending or you simply enjoy listening to the emotion-filled songs these situations inspire, the songs listed above make for an excellent addition to anyone’s playlist.