Friday 30th July 2021, marks International Friendship Day. So grab your girl gang, friends, best friends or work friends for a day of fun and appreciation. We can't think of a better way to let your friends know your feelings than to create a playlist to let them know you're there for them - you could even got really retro, and make a mixtape, but as the day is already upon us perhaps you're a little bit late for that! But don't worry, we got you.
Historically, the very first World Friendship Day was proposed in 1958, by the World Friendship Crusade, an international civil organisation that campaigns to foster a culture of peace through friendship. Now in typical Hallmark fashion, you can buy greetings cards, novelty gifts and merch dedicated to the day that's now dubbed "International Friendship Day".
Like us, celebrities have friends as well, but perhaps their wardrobes are more enviable. From Rihanna's famed relationship with Melissa Forde to Ariana Grande and Victoria Monét, these relationships spark viral moments, and occasionally hit songs. So I've created a playlist of the best songs made by friends or songs about friendship that I could find!
Missy Elliot featuring Aaliyah "Best Friends"
"My best friend say, I can stay with her, At her house, no doubt, any time I like".
From the album "Supa Dupa Fly", released in 1997, "Best Friends" is a song about supporting each other around relationship woes.
The bond between Aaliyah and Missy Elliot is one of the purest friendships in music. Missy Elliot has remained forever grateful, and dedicated to the friendship she shared with Aaliyah, describing her as loving, warm, family orientated and always happy. She has only positive things to say and has said she never wants to bring any controversy to Aaliyah's name.
Until this day Missy Elliot always shows love for great women in music, recently recognising Birmingham artist FFSYTHO on twitter. We love her for that. The music industry is a better place for her presence. We could all do with being a bit more like Missy.
Britney Spears and Iggy Azalea "Pretty Girls"
Britney and Iggy got together on the track "Pretty Girls" in 2015. There was a little controversy around this song at the time. With a supposed "feud" between the two artists playing out in the media in regards to the promotion of the song. However, Iggy clarified "Genuine friends have genuine opinions. It's possible & healthy to have a differing thought without it being bitchy or shade", which we totally agree with, and it's likely there was more real life issues than tabloid gossip behind that feud than people were aware of publicly at the time. We know now that Iggy was reportedly made to sign an NDA by Britney's estranged father right before going on stage to perform the song. Iggy has also publicly spoken up about the problems she faced just inviting Britney round for lunch in the past.
The #freebritney movement has become bigger than ever, and gained a lot of momentum in the past few months, but Iggy has been a celebrity that has spoken up about the issues Britney has been going through. Iggy exclaimed that her friend is not exaggerating or lying about the concerns and issues she is facing, and she has seen them first hand. She has spoken out despite an NDA. That is one act of friendship we love to see.
Doja Cat and Saweetie "Best Friend"
Doja Cat and Saweetie recently released a song called Best Friend, it’s not clear if these two are the best of friends in real life, but they are part of a new trope of women in music who are really supporting each other. In an article for The Sun, Saweetie expresses her love for Doja Cat. “I love Doja Cat, I met her about two years ago. I’ve always been a fan of her work, she works super hard, she’s talented.” When speaking of the song, she adds “it’s empowering, it’s fun, it’s sexy but it still talks about some real stuff, and I feel like we’re missing a best friend anthem so I think me and her just fit perfect for it.”
There’s so many songs dedicated to romantic love, but finding a good strong list dedicated to friendship is surprisingly hard - unless you look at Disney movie soundtracks! Saweetie was totally right - a best friend anthem did not exist until "Best Friend" - we had to dive deep into the decades to even find ten songs about friendship.
Ariana Grande and Victoria Monét "Monopoly"
"I'm so thankful working with my best friend she the cheat code"
Ariana Grande and Victoria Monét are long term collaborators. Victoria has written on many of Ariana's biggest hits and features in a lot of her music videos too.
In 2018, Ariana Grande and Victoria Monét released a song called Monopoly. The title doesn't instantly grab you as a song about friendship, but lyrically it's a winner. The song is fun, and you can hear the gratitude and appreciation both of the artists have for each other.
Victoria Money said this about the song on Genius:
"I feel like we play really special parts in each other’s lives. Whenever there’s a problem, I’m able to run to her. It’s almost like she senses it when there’s something wrong. She’ll be like, “Hi, miss you,” as I’m crying. Or, one time, she woke up in the middle of the night at 4:00 a.m. and I called her five minutes later, venting. Just like a weird soul connection and a friendship that I really, really value to the max. To be able to work with her on this level and write songs, it feels like cheating. I’m like, “There’s no … This can’t be this easy. This can’t be this fluid, this productive, but also non-confrontational.” I feel like, when things become so successful, it can bring so many other negative vibes and drama and people trying to split us up, people thinking we’re using each other, people thinking whatever the universe thinks, but it’s just, to the core, so simple and so honest. That’s cheating. I don’t even know how else to describe it. It just feels unfair, how fun and natural it is, and how successful it’s been because of just that."
This might actually one of the best songs on this list, written by actual best friends, with a genuine appreciation and care for each other - plus it's a bop. We stan a healthy relationship.
Destiny's Child - "Girl"
Destiny's Child (DC3) released Girl in 2005. Destiny's Child inspired women everywhere in the early 2000's to be vocally strong, independent and resilient. Or at least to get to the club and leave their man at home. But this track was one which encouraged talking to your friends, being vulnerable and being there for each other. This is the kind of balance we all aspire to within a friendship. DC3 have clearly remained friends for life, often featuring in each others live sets, and music videos, as well as showing up at important life moments since they stopped performing as a group.
Mariah Carey "Anytime You Need A Friend"
Why is it that Mariah Carey has ALWAYS got us when we need something? Christmas songs, got 'em, whistle range, check, amazing MTV Cribs episode, classic, and a DGAF attitude. Mariah Carey sued someone for wasting her time in an engagement. Inspirational. Mariah 1 - Patriarchy 0. So of COURSE she has a song about friendship for us too. Maybe Mariah Carey is everything and we are just living on her planet. She even inspired a trend where people have children with Nick Cannon. Who has the power to do that? Only Mariah Carey.
Fifth Harmony "That's My Girl"
Fifth Harmony - the irony is not lost on any of us with this one, to a point where I even begrudgingly included it in this list. There were definitely problems in this manufactured girl group. But it doesn't mean "That's My Girl" is not a cracking song about uplifting your girlfriends. The song was actually written by Tinashé, an artist we'd love to be friends with.
The Rembrandts - "I'll be there for you"
Friends - the show - hasn't aged well. I'm not sure it was ever funny at all. I won't dive into the issues, we've probably all seen at least one think piece on the canned laughter, let alone the more serious issues of lack of diversity and the unnecessary fat-shaming. But the theme tune "I'll be there for you" is a classic and I couldn't leave it out of this list.
It was actually hard to find songs about friendship for this playlist. Contrast that with how easy it is to find songs about romantic love, sex, heartbreak and partying. Maybe none of us are showing our friends the appreciation they really deserve! If you come across - or even write - an amazing song about friendship, please send it our way so we don't lose faith in humanity!
Listen to our playlist here: