11 Thrilling Best Friend Songs | Playlist

1. Spencer Barnett, “Best Friend”

I’m Fine (EP) • Chateau Barnett • 2020

Cultured Mag definitely seem to have an accurate take on Spencer Barnett – he is indeed “one to watch.” Following his debut EP, Reckless (2019), and approaching his 20^th year on Earth, Barnett releases his second EP and first of the new decade, I’m Fine.  This six-song, 16-minute-long effort certainly shows off his potential.

“Best Friend,” the opener, is an instant bop, thanks to the old-school soul cues. The soulful backdrop is initially merely an intro, that shifts to a guitar-based sound accompanying Barnett’s expressive, nuanced vocals. Producers Hoskins & The 23^rd and Denis Kosiak definitely deserve a shout out. Soul and pop/rock merge together beautifully on the chorus, where he sings:

“I’m my own worst enemy
I’m my own best friend
I won’t say I’mma be the death of me
Until then I’mma ride to the end.”

With the rhythmic nature of some of the melodic lines, as well as sneaking in a f-bomb (two actually), Barnett also bring some hip-hop swagger to the mix.  If this is your introduction to Spencer Barnett, you definitely won’t be disappointed.

2. King Princess, “Best Friend”

Cheap Queen (Deluxe) • Zelig • 2020

“Oh, you know I know that feeling / Oh, you wish that you chose me / So, I’m gon’ be cold / So, I’m gon’ be cold.” Ah, friendship and matters of the heart – both brilliant, relatable topics for any song! King Princess (Mikaela Straus) issued the deluxe edition of her 2019 debut album, Cheap Queen, on Valentine’s Day 2020.  She added the ballad at hand, “Best Friend,” which is co-written by Straus and Nick Long, and produced by King Princess, Mark Ronson, and Mike Malchicoff.

On “Best Friend,” it seems as if King Princess’ ‘best friend’ chose a man (or perhaps men) over her essentially. “Call me after two years and then / Cry about your bad luck with men,” she sings on the first verse, continuing, “And ask me how the fuck have I been…” The extra punch with the f-bomb confirms their ties ran deeper than merely being best friends.  By the way, just in case you weren’t aware, Straus is a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community (check out “Pussy is God”).  On the second verse, she comes right out about the state of their relationship: “You told me I was made for your love / But everytime I need you, you pass… / And everything you do just reminds me / Of how you couldn’t stand by my side.”

The chorus, which commences this blurb, sums up Straus’ bitterness.  She’s a lover scorned, and hearing from her ‘best friend’ only reignites the pain.  “Now you wanna be my best friend,” she sings on the outro, adding, “It’s not my fault, not my fault you need me / And I’ve picked up, I’ve picked up my pieces.”

3. 2 Chainz, “Girl’s Best Friend”

Ft. Ty Dolla $ign

Rap or Go to the League • Def Jam • 2019

“I’ma buy some diamonds /… They say diamonds a girl’s best friend.” Yep, that’s exactly what they say Ty Dolla $ign.  That said, even though he delivers the simple but potent chorus, it is 2 Chainz that’s the lead artist on “Girl’s Best Friend.” “Girl’s Best Friend” appears as the 10^th track on Rap or Go to the League, the fifth studio album by the rapper formerly known as Tity Boi. “Girl’s Best Friend” is produced by Cardo and Dez Wright. 

Ty Dolla $ign is a perfect fit on the groovy “Girl’s Best Friend,” remaining within the character of his signature role.  As for 2 Chainz, he drops a rather low-energy performance, rapping incredibly nonchalantly, particularly on the second verse.  Still, he manages to throw in a Keith Sweat reference: “I’ma make it last, Keith Sweat on they ass.” A lack of profundity and transcendence shows, but the vibe makes “Girl’s Best Friend” worthwhile.

4. DaBaby, “Best Friend”

Ft. Rich the Kid

Baby on Baby • Interscope • 2019

DaBaby has a knack for infectious bangers – understatement.  “I go where I want, I’m good / Play if you want, let’s do it / I’m a young CEO, Suge / Yeah, yeah.” Sigh, his crowning achievement from Baby on Baby (2019) is “Suge”,  which cracked the top five of 51 Best Songs of 2019.  “Best Friend” may not even be the next song in line on the list of highlights on the album.  That said, this SethInTheKitchen produced joint packs a punch.

Is DaBaby transcendent? Hell no – that’s not what we associate with the rapper in the least.  He is definitely confident… AF to be precise.  “I fucked her once and I had her again / And my shit so hard when I freestyle / I don’t need to havin’ a pen,” he brags on the first verse.  For good measure, he adds, “I know that little ho, that’s your main / I’m a fuck her and run up her mileage…” Asshole move, but I supposed DaBaby can do what and whoever he wants to.  After another frank verse, Rich the Kid arrives for the third verse.  As expected, he’s drippy AF:

“Your nigga got riches, I cut the coupe
My neck so sick I need some soup
My bitch, she rich, get money, too…”

So, where exactly does the ‘best friend’ component come in? That would be the DaBaby chorus:

“And I just got a DM from your best friend
And you mad, I know, yeah, you mad, I know yeah.”

5. Emotional Oranges, “Your Best Friend is a Hater”

The Juice: Vol. II • Avant Garden / Island • 2019

Making their first appearance on The Musical Hype is Emotional Oranges, an R&B collective from Los Angeles, California.  Emotional Oranges is comprised of female singer V and male singer, A, who according to NME, “have chosen to not reveal their names for the sake of anonymity.” Had it not been for the selected topic of ‘best friends,’ I might’ve missed out on the excellence crafted by the band. Thank God for “Your Best Friend is a Hater,” which perfectly fits the parameters of this playlist.

“Your best friend is a hater / She thinks every guy is a player too,” A sings on the chorus, continuing, “Know she gets pleasure tryna break us / I can’t change your mind if it’s made up too.”  Prior to the chorus, he delivers the first verse, setting up the ‘hating’ nature of a nameless female.  Don’t worry, V doesn’t allow the male perspective to dominate.  She provides the feminine side on the second verse, asserting at the onset, “He’s a bad liar, yeah / This shit is uninspiring / All in all, excuses gettin’ tired.” You go girl!  Besides the brilliant way that V and A play off of each other thematically and lyrically, the production and overall sound of “Your Best Friend is a Hater” is terrific.  Don’t let them convince you R&B is dead!

6. Sofi Tukker, “Best Friend”

Ft. NERVO, The Knocks & ALISA UENO

Treehouse • Ultra • 2018

It’s all good for dance duo Sofi Tukker (Sophie Hawley-Weld and Tucker Halpern) on “Best Friend”, among the best songs of 2017.  Released in advance of their 2018, Grammy-nominated album, Treehouse, “Best Friend” features great production, solid vocals (gimmicky and natural), and catchy songwriting.

“Best Friend” commences with a bang. The friendship begins with an abrupt intro (the eventual chorus), backed by a sick percussion groove.

“I think that I’ll keep loving you, way past 65
We made a language for us two, we don’t need to describe
Every time you call on me, I drop what I do
You are my best friend and we’ve got some shit to shoot.”

It’s followed by a more aggressive instrumental, with biting horns leading the charge.  The groove intensifies, setting up the infectious pre-chorus, performed by The Knocks (“Yo, you wanna meet me at the bar?).  In addition to The Knocks, NERVO and Alisa Ueno get in on the infectious, groovy action.

7. FRITOGANG, “Best Friend”

Are You Even Listening? • FRITOGANG • 2018

“Said yo best friend said she wanna fuck wit me / Know that bitch vivacious, bitch keep me good company / Make that pussy whistle, got my dick glistening / Baby is you listening? cause you can get it too.” It’s a filthy hook, courtesy of FRITOGANG (Tonsoul specifically), but it’s quite effective on “Best Friend,” the fifth track off from the collective’s 2018 album, Are You Even Listening? The hook should definitely make it clear that sex is definitely a big deal on this particular ‘best friend’ song.

“Best Friend” features stellar production work, in the contemporary R&B/hip-hop vein. Following the hook by Tonsoul, Spec Kay drops some bars on the first verse, filled with drama:

“Cause these bitches ‘ready know that I’m involved with a chick
I don’t wanna get lost in this shit, I guess that I’m calling it quits like.”

Mike Stone takes over on the second verse, continuing to focus on sex and “hoes wilding out.” What does he do? Well, he ‘lay(s) low,’ adding:

“And all my dogs man they slay hoes
So go shawty go, take your time, do it slow
But I can’t take you home, no I can’t take you home…
I don’t wanna make you mine, I just wanna get you off...”

Tonsoul gets his own verse, as well as an outro, on the second part of the song, which continues to focus on sex, ‘hoes,’ ‘bitches.’

“All my hoes a pot of gold, I’m balling bitch like finger roll
All my hoes nostalgic, exquisite, oh so elegant
...Fucked around now the whole crew caught feels
Fucked around and now the whole team wanna chill
I’ve been making money so these bitches wanna chill, right?
Well not too long ago, I’m like fuck these hoes.”

Yep, “Best Friend” in the hands of FRITOGANG is quite a musical listening experience…

8. Cøzybøy, “I swear this søng is abøut eating øut my best friend’s pussy”

Cøme Undøne • cøzy recørds • 2018

“I swear this søng is abøut eating øut my best friend’s pussy.”  No, your eyes didn’t fail you – you read the song title correctly.  This isn’t the only blunt song title that appears on cøme undøne, the 2018 album by self-described R&B/underground hip-hop/emo/indie/alternative artist, Cøzybøy.  There’s also “I put her pussy øn a pedestal and that shit fucked me up” and “løving yøu is hard because yøu’ve ønly fucked with fuckbøys.” Wow…

The song at hand actually commences cøme undøne.  The sound of the record is lush, the tempo is slow, and cøzybøy is, well quite expressive.  The first part of the song isn’t nearly as explicit as you might expect from a title referencing cunnilingus of all things.  That said, the third verse, and the following ‘breakdown’ section, is dirtier.  “Try to fill my heart when I’m fuckin with a bitch but / I can’t find a way to escape the emptiness yuh,” he sings on the third verse, continuing, “Baby, my love, tell me it is enough.” The cunnilingus is specifically referenced on thee breakdown:

“...Heavy are my eyes now
Falling with your sighs, girl
My head between your thighs
I’ll fuck you with my lungs now
Tryna find a hole
Wrap me up gold baby
Can you find my soul?
My chest is goin numb baby
Will you be my ho?”

Yeah, there’s just a lot of shit going down with ole boy on this record – that’s about all you can say about that…

9. Powerwolf, “Demons are a Girl’s Best Friend”

The Sacrament of Sin • Napalm • 2018

“Beware the dark when light is gone / For there’s a phantom lust to wake.” Metal bands definitely have a way of being, um, pessimistic regarding things.  German power metal collective Powerwolf is certainly no different as they transform the slogan “diamonds are a girl’s best friend” into “Demons are a Girl’s Best Friend.” “Demons are a Girl’s Best Friend” arrived as a promo single and appears second track on the band’s seventh studio album, The Sacrament of Sin, released in 2018.

As one would expect from a metal record, “Demons are a Girl’s Best Friend” is set in a minor key.  That said, there’s an exuberance despite the darkness – go figure. Additionally, the record is quite dynamic, particular the chorus, which is quite catchy:

“Oh oh oh oh-oh-oh
Demons come at night and they bring the end
Oh oh oh oh-oh-oh
Demons are a girl’s best friend
Oh oh oh oh-oh-oh
Demons come alive and they take command
Oh oh oh oh-oh-oh
Demon’s are a girls best friend.”

So, what demons are Powerwolf referring to? Well, lust seems to play a role, further confirmed with lyrics like the sinful, “Forget the Lord across the night.” On the second verse, there are some key lyrics, such as, “Beware of hormone-driven lies” and a personal favorite, “To make you part of blacked rites / Protect the Grail between your thighs / Your antidote of evil.” Wow!

10. Keyshia Cole, “Best Friend”

11:11 Reset • Epic • 2017

“Best Friend” was released as an advance single from 11:11 Reset, the seventh studio album by Grammy-nominated R&B artist, Keyshia Cole.  Another well-rounded affair from Cole, 11:11 Reset had its fair share of adversity.  First of all, it came on the heels of the worst album of the singer’s career, Point of No Return (2014).  Secondly, the promo campaign was quiet – lackadaisical at best.  Regardless, “Best Friend” marked one of the elite moments from the album. Additionally, it fits the parameters of this playlist with its ‘best friend’ title.

In the context of 11:11 Reset, “Best Friend” builds off the excellence of “Incapable”, another advance single that precedes it on the track list.  The production work is lush, firmly planted in the urban contemporary, adult contemporary R&B style.  Slickly produced, it’s modern, yet possesses classic cues as well. This is clearly Cole’s lane. She delivers sensational vocals, coming up big on this ballad.  In addition to her stellar lead, the harmonized backing vocals shine on the chorus.

“‘Cause I would be your best friend
Be there late at night when you’re walking in
Be there in morning when
(Be there when you) open your eyes
I’ll be by your side.”

Thematically, the subject matter is thoughtful. “Best Friend” is all about dedication within a relationship; monogamy. Cole asserts that she’ll be his best friend.  Additionally, the bridge is ‘high-flying,’ further elevating the soulfulness and sincerity of the song. Cole delivers superb ad-libs on the final chorus.

11. Yelawolf, “Best Friend”

Ft. Eminem

Love Story • Interscope • 2015

“Best Friend” marks one of the best moments from Love Story, the 2015 sophomore album by Bama rapper, Yelawolf. Perhaps Love Story as a whole is a bit of an uneven album, but “Best Friend” was a triumph by all means. Yelawolf’s unique tone of voice is perfect for this introspective, spiritual song.  “Ain’t never been much of the church type / But I believe in the last days,” he raps melodically on the first verse, continuing, “I walk through Hell almost every night / But I believe it’s a pathway.” Similarly, on the second verse, he continues on his lack of traditional spiritual experience – “I don’t know much about Holy Bibles / But I grew up in the Bible Belt…”

He sums it all up on the memorable chorus:

“To the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
I hold you nearest
My best friend, best friend
Let the trumpets blow with your appearance
I can almost hear it…”

Of course, Yelawolf gets an additional lift from the one and only Eminem.  Eminem is razor sharp here, rapping with incredible agility and delivering an extensive third verse.  It has its spiritual moments, but let’s just say Mr. Mathers doesn’t limit himself to Godly things… Case in point: “Not a preacher but a shit starter and finisher / Enter the mind of a thick skin, but a short temper…”