The Best Songs About Friendship Breakups

The Best Songs About Friendship Breakups

Coley Reed
Updated February 15, 2025 21.0K views 31 items
Ranked By
646 votes
256 voters
Voting Rules

Vote up your favorite songs about losing friends. 

Latest additions: "Friends That Break Your Heart" - James Blake (2021), "End of a Friendship" - Julia Jacklin (2022), "Lost One" - Jazmine Sullivan (2020)
Most divisive: "FAB." - JoJo & Remy Ma (2016)
Over 200 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best Songs About Friendship Breakups

Music has a unique way of expressing emotions that words alone can't capture, especially when it comes to songs about losing friendships. This list presents the top songs about this unique heartache, as ranked by fans. Songs were selected and ranked based on their popularity, emotional depth, and how effectively they depict the end of a friendship. Whether it's about the anger, confusion, sadness, or even relief that can follow a friend breakup, each tune tells its own powerful story.

From Olivia O'Brien, the 2017 song “RIP” hits hard with heartfelt lyrics and soulful melody about a friend who betrayed her. Next is "Bad Blood" by Taylor Swift, a pop-drenched tale of two friends turned enemies. Swift's fiery lyrics make this a powerful anthem for anyone dealing with a friend fallout. Then, we have "I Have Questions" by Camila Cabello, which deeply explores the confusion and pain of losing a close friend with its introspective lyrics and melancholic melody. 2000s classic "Complicated" by Avril Lavigne, though not directly about friendship, features lyrics hold a strong hint of frustration that often comes when a person you greatly cared for changes or becomes something different, a situation we often face in broken friendships.

These songs all tell a merciless story of ending friendships; however, they do it in their distinct ways and styles, capturing a unique slice of the multifaceted experience of losing a friend. From fiery pop anthems to introspective heartbreakers, each song imparts a different perspective.

Now it's up to you to vote. Which of these songs resonates with you the most? Does one of these songs remind you of a friendship that didn't make it? Or perhaps there's another song not listed that encapsulates the feelings of a friend breakup even better? Remember, your vote matters in shaping this ranked list about songs on lost friendships. Let your voice be heard.

  • "I Lost a Friend" - FINNEAS (2019)
    1
    80 votes

    "I Lost a Friend" - FINNEAS (2019)

    Bare melodies and honest lyrics bring the feels in this electro-pop ballad. 

    And I'll be fine without him
    But all I do is write about 'em
    How the hell did I lose a friend I never had?

  • "People You Know" - Selena Gomez (2020)
    2
    68 votes

    "People You Know" - Selena Gomez (2020)

    A relatable pop song about lost friendships and growing apart. 

    We used to be close, but people can go
    From people you know to people you don't
    And what hurts the most is people can go
    From people you know to people you don't

  • "Bad Blood" - Taylor Swift (2014)
    3
    89 votes

    "Bad Blood" - Taylor Swift (2014)

    The official anthem after being betrayed by a close friend. 

    Did you have to do this? I was thinking that you could be trusted
    Did you have to ruin what was shiny? Now it's all rusted

  • "RIP" - Olivia O'Brien (2017)
    4
    72 votes

    "RIP" - Olivia O'Brien (2017)

    For when you're feeling a bit angry about an old friend.

    You're acting like the people that we hated
    You're hanging with the worst and I hate it
    All you do now is get too faded
    You think you're the sh*t now

  • "Breathe" - Taylor Swift (2008)
    5
    66 votes

    "Breathe" - Taylor Swift (2008)

    When it's nobody's fault, but the friendship has to come to an end.

    It's 2 A.M., feeling like I just lost a friend
    Hope you know it's not easy, easy for me

  • "Complicated" - Avril Lavigne (2002)
    6
    53 votes

    "Complicated" - Avril Lavigne (2002)

    Listen to Avril, and cut out the posers from your life. 

    Laugh out when you strike your pose
    Take off all your preppy clothes
    You know, you're not foolin' anyone

  • "No More Suckers" - Marina (2019)
    7
    29 votes

    "No More Suckers" - Marina (2019)

    If you just dropped a friend who's been taking you for granted, this pop song's for you. 

    You touch like a leech and I'm left with the bruising
    Trying to find a fix, but you're always using me
    'Til I'm weak, 'til I need a transfusion
    Why can't you help yourself?

  • "I Have Questions" - Camila Cabello (2017)
    8
    45 votes

    "I Have Questions" - Camila Cabello (2017)

    The lyrics might seem like they're for a past lover, but Camila has hinted that it's actually about an ex-close friend. 

    My, my name was safest in your mouth
    And why'd you have to go and spit it out?
    Oh, your voice, it was the most familiar sound
    But it sounds so dangerous to me now

  • "Fake Friends" - Sigrid (2018)
    9
    29 votes

    "Fake Friends" - Sigrid (2018)

    How can a song about fake friends be so dang catchy?!

    It's better to walk away than to run with fake friends
    No use for excuses so bad things come to an end

  • "Real Friends" - Camila Cabello (2018)
    10
    37 votes

    "Real Friends" - Camila Cabello (2018)

    Another reminder from Camila to surround yourself with real friends. 

    I'm just lookin' for some real friends
    All they ever do is let me down
    Every time I let somebody in
    Then I find out what they're all about

  • "Judas" - Kelly Clarkson (2007)
    11
    21 votes

    "Judas" - Kelly Clarkson (2007)

    Let out your frustrations with this power ballad from Kelly Clarkson. 

    I will never be like you
    I'll never do the things you do
    Selfish and lonely, what's your problem?
    Letting go of you and this
    Is harder than I thought, but I will not be poisoned by your actions

  • "Ready Yet" - Sasha Alex Sloan (2017)
    12
    33 votes

    "Ready Yet" - Sasha Alex Sloan (2017)

    While the song is about Sloan's broken relationship with her father, the lyrics could be interpreted about a friendship breakup. 

    I just wanna be your friend again
    But there's some sh*t I can't forget
    I don't think I'm ready yet

  • "Cross You Out" - Charli XCX & Sky (2019) Ferreira
    13
    17 votes

    "Cross You Out" - Charli XCX & Sky (2019) Ferreira

    When you have to sever ties with that toxic friend, Charli XCX has got you covered. 

    Century of tears
    Sadness was another denial, yeah
    Thought I'd fall apart
    But now you're gone, I'm doing fine

  • "Backstabber" - Kesha (2020)
    14
    34 votes

    "Backstabber" - Kesha (2020)

    Trust Kesha when it comes to angry songs about dumping your horrible friend.

    I'm sick and tired of hearing all about my life
    From other people with all of your lies
    Wrapped up so tight, so maybe you should shut your mouth

  • "Bad Friend" - Rina Sawayama (2020)
    15
    30 votes

    "Bad Friend" - Rina Sawayama (2020)

    A synthpop track for when you're feeling like the bad friend in the relationship. 

    Guess we fell out, what was that all about?
    Maybe I overreacted, but maybe you shouldn't have
    God it's insane how things can change like that
    Don't even know where you are, what you do, and who you do it with

  • "What About Your Friends" - TLC (1992)
    16
    15 votes

    "What About Your Friends" - TLC (1992)

    Every now and then, we need to turn up this '90s rap bop, and take a good look at who we surround ourselves with. 

    I'll never let another get that close to me
    You see I've grown a lot smarter now
    Sometimes you have to choose and then you'll see
    If your friends is true they'll be there with you through the thick and thin

  • "Liability" - Lorde (2017)
    17
    31 votes

    "Liability" - Lorde (2017)

    For when you're feeling alone and have nobody around you can trust.

    The truth is I am a toy
    That people enjoy
    'Til all of the tricks don't work anymore
    And then they are bored of me

  • "F.F.F. (F**k Fake Friends)" - Bebe Rexha & G-Eazy (2017)
    18
    27 votes

    "F.F.F. (F**k Fake Friends)" - Bebe Rexha & G-Eazy (2017)

    Say it louder for the people in the back! 

    Friends come and go, friends come and go
    Go like the seasons
    I never know, I never know what to believe in
    And it's getting old, it's getting old

  • "Fake Love" - Drake (2016)
    19
    5 votes

    "Fake Love" - Drake (2016)

  • "It's Not The Same Anymore" - Rex Orange County (2019)
    20
    21 votes

    "It's Not The Same Anymore" - Rex Orange County (2019)

    This indie song captures that feeling of everything changing as friends grow up and fall out. 

    It's not the same anymore
    I lost the joy in my face
    My life was simple before
    I should be happy of course
    But things just got much harder
    Now it's just hard to ignore

  • "Flesh Without Blood" - Grimes (2015)
    21
    20 votes

    "Flesh Without Blood" - Grimes (2015)

    It might sound like a breakup song, but Grimes revealed that this is actually about a former friend. 

    You hate, you bite, you lose
    After all, I just don't like you
    It's nice that you say you like me
    But only conditionally

  • "High Horse" - Kacey Musgraves (2018)
    22
    12 votes

    "High Horse" - Kacey Musgraves (2018)

    We all know that one friend in the group, and Kacey made the perfect country bop that we can all relate to. 

    Cause everyone knows someone who kills the buzz
    Every time they open up their mouth
    Yeah, everyone knows someone who knows someone
    Who thinks they're cooler than everybody else

  • "Real Friends" - Kanye West & Ty Dolla $ign (2016)
    23
    17 votes

    "Real Friends" - Kanye West & Ty Dolla $ign (2016)

    Ever come back home and not recognize your own friends? You've got something in common with Ye and Ty. 

    Switched up the number, I can't be bothered
    I cannot blame you for havin' an angle
    I ain't got no issues, I'm just doin' my thing
    Hope you're doin' your thing, too

  • "FAB." - JoJo & Remy Ma (2016)
    24
    13 votes

    "FAB." - JoJo & Remy Ma (2016)

    What good is a BFF when they don't mean what they say? 

    You got away with it, I believed you for a hot minute
    Could've used a friend in the moment but you had to go ghost, leave me lonely

  • "Missing U" - Robyn (2018)
    25
    4 votes

    "Missing U" - Robyn (2018)

  • "Lost One" - Jazmine Sullivan (2020)
    26
    4 votes

    "Lost One" - Jazmine Sullivan (2020)

  • "Friends That Break Your Heart" - James Blake (2021)
    27
    6 votes

    "Friends That Break Your Heart" - James Blake (2021)

  • "New Friends" - Maty Noyes (2019)
    28
    20 votes

    "New Friends" - Maty Noyes (2019)

    A pop song about updating your current circle of friends. 

    And if you pause to think about it, know I got a life, too
    Y'all just don't respect me like I respect you

  • "Girl, so confusing" - Charli xcx [feat. Lorde] (2024)
    29
    4 votes

    "Girl, so confusing" - Charli xcx [feat. Lorde] (2024)

  • "Dead to Me" - Kali Uchis (2018)
    30
    4 votes

    "Dead to Me" - Kali Uchis (2018)

  • "End of a Friendship" - Julia Jacklin (2022)
    31
    4 votes

    "End of a Friendship" - Julia Jacklin (2022)