We all have people in our lives that we regard as the second family. Most of them can be wonderful as they will hold you in the same regards of love, consideration and respect as you have for them, while others can be downright toxic.
It’s not a secret that we have a few in our lives that would stab us in the back the moment we turn away.
Suppose you were in such a situation and ended up emotionally hurt. In that case, songs about toxic friends can be the remedy you need to heal.
There is no bigger pain than feeling betrayed by someone you consider a friend. Though you might be hurting, you’re not alone, as various music composers have expressed their experience with toxic friends.
21 Songs About Toxic Friends That’ll Hit You Right In The Feelings
I have put together a compilation of songs that captures how it feels to have toxic friends in your circle.
I hope that the songs not only hit you right in your feelings and help you become stronger.
1. Real Friends – Kanye West
Though the first song in this compilation is titled ‘Real Friends,’ it highlights the characters of toxic friends. The song’s lyrics also talk about how money changes the dynamic of relationships with friends.
Kanye teaches us to examine our friendship relationships and only keep real ones. He also recognizes he’s not perfect as he doesn’t hang out with his friends anymore.
Recommended: 21 Spanish Songs About Family To Make You Feel Closer To Home.
2. Backstabber – Ke$ha
This is the ninth track of Ke$ha’s debut album, released in 2010. Her inspiration for the song was from real-life events.
She realized that one of her closest friends was toxic when she stole her car and later realized she was spreading negative rumors about her. The tack is a testament that some friends we have in our lives might be secretly working to bring us down.
3. Smiling Faces Sometimes – The Undisputed Truth
Here is an oldie released in 1971 by The Undisputed Truth to showcase that toxic friends have always been around. The track’s lyrics perfectly symbolize the phrase that a smile is a frown turned upside down.
It shows that not all people we consider friends and cheer us on are truly happy for our milestones in life. The song is more relevant in the modern age, where the world is filled with toxic friends.
4. Back Stabbers – The O’Jays
Here is another classic piece released by the American R&B group, The O’Jays, that emphasizes that toxic friends will mostly smile on your face and plot harm when you turn your back.
The song was an instant hit in 1972. The band’s silky smooth, and powerful vocals will get you in the groove and move to the song’s rhythm despite having a serious message.
5. Toxic – BoyWithUke
Toxic is one of the most popular songs about toxic friends of recent years, as it has gained over 100 million views in less than two years of release. This piece was popularized by social media platforms such as Tiktok as it explores classic signs of a toxic relationship.
The song opens with the composer describing his toxic friends’ character traits and admitting that it is time to get new friends in his life. He highlights though it is not easy to find new friends, he should be alone as staying in a toxic friendship is drowning him.
6. Pity Party – Melanie Martinez
The song’s lyrics and music video showcase the frustrations that come after the realization that those you consider as friends are toxic people.
The protagonist invites her closest friends to her birthday party, but no one shows up. She ends up devastated. The song’s underlying message is to keep supportive people closer to you.
7. If I’m Being Honest – Anna Clendening
Though the author’s intention in this piece was to relay her hurt after a break-up from a relationship, the song’s lyrics carry a universal message that fits into most relationship dynamics.
Anna’s calming melodies and vocals will hit you right in your feelings and might make you shed a tear after finding out your closest friend is toxic.
8. Fool – Cavetown
If you are hurting from a broken toxic friendship, let the soothing melodies of this track wash over your pain. The song features the protagonist coming to terms with the fact that he was being used in his previous relationship.
Despite the beautiful vocals, the melancholic tune tells a heart-wrenching tale of someone hurting. Still, it concludes with him accepting the nature of his relationship. Fool will help you go through all the stages of grief to find the strength to heal and move on.
Recommended: 21 Songs About Bad Mother-Daughter Relationships.
9. Fake Friends – Gucci Mane
This track from a hip-hop legend explores the importance of authentic friendship. Gucci mane wrote the song to his son as advice to guide him in choosing the right friends as he grows up.
You will find the storytelling in the piece entertaining and refreshing if you love the hip-hop genre.
10. Mi Nuh Trust People – Vybz Kartel
Vybz Kartel is one of the most accomplished Jamaican artists with global hits such as Fever and Summertime. The popular dancehall reggae artist shows us in this song that he doesn’t fully trust anyone despite having friends.
His unwillingness to trust people can be an unfortunate result of having toxic friends. If you have suffered a similar fate, this dance track will make you forget your troubles momentarily.
11. Toxic Friend – Watch Clark
Though it is not that popular, “Toxic Friend” covers an unflinching exploration of the subject matter from the playlist. The pain from Watch Clark while singing clearly indicates that his level of hurt is too much from the betrayal experience, and music can help him cope.
Though is an eclectic melancholy tune depicting a serious subject, and I found the chorus quite catchy.
12. Break My Heart – Rode Wave
Break My Heart is a track that explains the toxic friendship with his best friend. He starts by showing his previous relationship with his friend before success and how he changed towards him after his success.
The composer samples Sam Smith’s vocals from Love Me More.
13. No New Friends – Dj Khaled
This tune is composed by DJ Khaled and voiced by various legendary hip-hop artists such as Future, Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, and Drake. The rappers still stick with friends that were there from day one and don’t plan on making any more friends.
They are sick and tired of toxic friends so they stick to the real ones. After listening to the song, I appreciated the friends who have been with me through thick and thin.
14. Fake People – RYYZN
This slow-paced piece shows us how fake people can be some of the most toxic friends. The track has very entertaining electronic pop elements that are great to relax to and for examining your feelings about friend relationships.
The artist’s vocals are on point and blend perfectly with the chill instrumental.
15. F.F.F. – Bebe Rexha & G-Eazy
In this song, Bebe and G-Eazy collaborate to question if there are any real friends. They narrate how toxic friends will use you and dump you when they have no use for you anymore.
The song’s lyrics uniquely tackle the complexities of realness in friends. The song’s chorus is quite catchy and would probably stick in your head after listening to it a couple of times.
Recommended: 21 Songs About Legends That Will Give You Chills & Inspire You.
16. The Middle – Jimmy Eat World
The Middle is considered one of the most classic punk songs ever. While many have rocked to this iconic song, they have never considered the strong theme within its lyrics.
The lyrics show what it feels like to be an outsider in most situations, especially with friends. One can have this feeling when hanging out with toxic friends.
17. Backstabber – Eminem
Backstabber is one of Eminem’s most popular songs about toxic friends that captures the dishonesty in some friendships. He highlights that a toxic friend is always scheming to harm whatever opportunity they get, in this situation he was trying to get with Eminem’s girl.
In the song’s lyrics, the composer said that backstabbers are only powerful when you turn your back on them.
18. FAB. – Jojo & Remy Ma
FAB is one of the best R&B and pop-infused tracks I have heard. The song’s theme is about toxic friends, similar to others in this compilation.
This fabulous anthem will get you into your feelings and realize you deserve better. The song is part of JoJo’s third studio album, released in 2016.
19. Bad Blood – Taylor Swift & Kendrick Lamar
Ever since the release of Bad Blood by Taylor, it spiraled into one of this generation’s biggest music feuds. While some anticipated it was about an ex-lover, she confirmed it was about a former friend who used her for her benefit.
Though neither the alleged party Katy Perry nor the song composer has explicitly confirmed the feud, it is explicitly evident in their deteriorating toxic friendship.
20. Thank You – Simple Plan
One of the best ways to let go of toxic friends and heal from getting hurt is by saying ‘Thank You’. That is how the singer from Simple Plan did it. It is a great way to depart from toxicity and not waste more time.
21. Real Friends – Camila Cabello
In the last song of this playlist, Camila Cabello pours her heart out on the pain caused by toxic friends. This ballad shows that she is disappointed with her unreliable friends as each and every friend has an ulterior motive against her.
In an interview, the artist said she is disappointed with the friends she met in LA, and all she wants is to leave and find new genuine friends elsewhere.
Last Words
Toxic friends can be hard to recognize in our circles as we expect the best from those close to us. Unfortunately, some of our closest friends are malicious and plot on our backs evil schemes to find satisfaction in our downfall.
These songs about toxic friends perfectly capture the emotions of hurt, pain and betrayal from such people. Some offer hope and encouragement that there are better friends out there. Break free from your toxic friendships and find healthier and more fulfilling ones.
The compilation also reminds us that we are not alone in struggles against toxic friendships and can have the strength and courage to overcome heartbreaking challenges. If you are struggling or have ended a toxic friendship, take comfort with this playlist.
