Alexander Stewart, Friends Don’t | Dazzling Duets

In the 31^st edition of Dazzling Duets (2026), Alexander Stewart & Lauren Spencer Smith collaborate on “Friends Don’t.” 

Sometimes, two is better than one! That is the case with Dazzling Duets! On Dazzling Duets, we highlight striking songs performed by two artists collaborating. These duets can be from any musical style, making Dazzling Duets a flexible, versatile column. In the 31^st edition of Dazzling Duets (2026), Alexander Stewart and Lauren Spencer Smith collaborate on “Friends Don’t”. Let the dazzle begin!

Whoa! Now that is an incredibly emotional lyric, Alexander Stewart. The handsome and talented Canadian pop singer-songwriter taps his fellow Canadian, the incredible Lauren Spencer Smith, for the assist on “Friends Don’t”. “Friends Don’t” is the third track from Stewart’s 2025 album, What If.  This marvelous song was written by Stewart, Jake Torrey, and producer Adam Yaron.

“Friends Don’t” begins as a piano ballad. Eventually, the production expands to include emotional, lush strings. Alexander Stewart draws first blood, performing the emotional first verse. Beyond his willingness to take the pain to remain with her, Stewart asserts, “No one has to know / Where you ended up tonight / Your secret is safe as when you’re by my side.” Aww 🥰! Stewart’s performance is beautiful and incredibly expressive.  He has his fair share of tender moments but also showcases the power and soulfulness of his pipes. After the pre-chorus, when “You can call it what…,” he performs the centerpiece, the chorus.  Here, we get some ripe falsetto as well as some gritty moments where he digs in.

“But friends don’t know you like this

Talk with their eyes, stare at your lips

And friends don’t touch you like this

Get with someone to make you jealous

I know, I know

It’s gonna hurt me when you go

I know, I know

I’m still gonna let you come and do what friends don’t.”

Lauren Spencer Smith arrives in the second verse. She keeps the same energy as Stewart, with fewer solo moments. “And I will never make you take responsibility,” she sings, and concludes, “I’d bleed until I’m empty / If it means you won’t resent me.” Word. I love the huskiness of her pipes; that lower register shines. The synergy between them following her verse is epic (chorus, bridge, and the final chorus).  In the bridge, they assert, “Every glance you steal, every chance you get / Every long goodbye with you on my chest / Is the proof I need that it’s not in my head.” Ultimately, on the splendid “Friends Don’t”, Alexander Stewart and Lauren Spencer Smith soar. This dazzling duet is a thing of beauty.

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Alexander Stewart » What If? » Alexander Stewart » 2025

Alexander Stewart & Lauren Spencer Smith, Friends Don’t: Dazzling Duets No. 31 (2026) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Alexander Stewart; ANTONI SHKRABA production from Pexels; Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Gordon Johnson from Pixabay]

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