“Friends, I got friends”
Friendship or the “ship of friends”, as I prefer to call it, is an aspect of life designed to accompany and ferry us through the journey of life. Friends can emerge from many avenues - family, neighbourhood, school, church, recreational centres, work domain, etc. Friends have been the reason behind the open doors and access to untold and unexpected fortunes for many. And friends have been the reason behind the misfortunes and untimely demise of others.
The assignment of friendship is a heavy role to play in anyone’s life. It demands consistency, trustworthiness, kindness, affection, generosity of spirit, empathy and selflessness, etc. As such, I personally find the random designation of the qualifier “friend” on random people, as a degradation of that “holy” vocation because presence and awareness of actions and inactions are the true parameters to measure who qualifies.
No one is qualified to be called a friend because they shared a meal with you, or sang in the same choir, or were born on the same day, have similar names, etc. Friendship is inspired and under-girded by honesty and loyalty. There are friends who form weightier bonds than the ones shared within the biological family setting. Not the two-faced, Jekyll and Hyde personality, one who loves you in the open and plots your downfall, behind. The story of “frienemies” may seem rampant in this day and age, but it dates back to the ancient Shakespearean tale of Caesar and Brutus; and the biblical story of Jesus and Judas.
Musically (since this is what this blog is about), the first song I ever heard which thematized friendship was Shalamar’s “Friends” in the mid-1980s and subsequently, Johnny Gill’s “Fairweather Friend” in the late 1980s. I would say that those who have experienced true tried and tested friendships are indeed blessed. And those who life had not willed the experience, are also heroes because like Beyoncé would sing, those are the ones who have mastered the art of being their own best friend, a praise-worthy achievement in a world that enforces conformity and compels the desire for external validation.
In any case, below is a compilation of friendship-themed songs for your listening delight. Enjoy!
ABBA. "The Way Old Friends Do" Super Trouper (1980).
Babyface. "Simple Days" The Day (1996).
Bebe & Cece Winans (feat. Aretha Franklin). "You've Got A Friend" Tapestry Revisited: A Tribute To Carole King (1995).
Beyoncé. "Me Myself and I" Dangerously in Love (2003).
Bobby Brown ( feat. Debbie Winans). "I'm Your Friend" Bobby (1992).
Brandy. "Best Friend" Brandy (1994).
Case. "Not Your Friend" Open Letter (2001).
Case, Ginuwine, RL & Tyrese. "The Best Man I Can Be" Soundtrack to the film, The Best Man (1999).
Christy Essien-Igbokwe. "Taking My Time" Taking My Time (1986).
Dionne Warwick. "That's What Friends Are For" Friends (1985).
Don Williams. "You’re My Best Friend" You’re My Best Friend (1975).
Jody Watley (feat, Eric B & Rakim). "Friends" Larger Than Life (1989).
Johnny Gill. "Fairweather Friend" Johnny Gill (1990).
Kelly Price. "Friend of Mine" (Remix) Soul Of A Woman (1998).
Lauryn Hill. "Forgive Them Father" The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill (1998).
Luther Vandross. "Keeping My Faith In You" I Know (1998).
Mariah Carey. "Anytime You Need A Friend" Music Box (1993).
Michael Bolton. "Lean On Me" The One Thing (1993).
Prince. "Diamonds and Pearls" Diamonds and Pearls (1991).
Queen. "Friends Will Be Friends" A Kind Of Magic (1986).
Shalimar. "Friends" Friends (1982).
Toni Braxton. "Best Friend" Toni Braxton (1993).
Whitney Houston (feat, CeCe Winans). "Count On Me" Soundtrack to the Film, Waiting To Exhale (1995).
Whodini. "Friends" Escape (1984).
DISCLAIMER : No Copyright infringement intended. The songs on this page are strictly for entertainment.
