With all the heartbreak in country music, it's a good thing we have friends to get us through the hard times. Where would we be without someone to laugh and cry with when things go awry? In honor of National Best Friends Day, here's our playlist of the best country songs about BFFs.
10. "80s Ladies," K.T. Oslin
K.T. Oslin had a Top 10 hit with this song in 1987. The tune centers around a group of friends who've leaned on one another through three decades. Though they've all seen major life changes, the one thing that hasn't changed is their friendship.
9. "My Old Friend," Tim McGraw
This Tim McGraw song about losing a best friend is a reminder to cherish the loved ones in your life.
8. "All My Rowdy Friends Have Settled Down," Hank Williams Jr.
We can't all count Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson among our best friends. But Hank Williams, Jr. can and he has the song to prove it. While the more upbeat "All My Rowdy Friends Are Comin' Over Tonight" became a party anthem and Monday Night Football theme (again and again), "All My Rowdy Friends Have Settled Down" is a more subdued and honest look at aging friendships.
7. "Friends in Low Places," Garth Brooks
No list of country friendship songs would be complete without this monster hit. "Friends in Low Places" remains the ultimate kiss-off to old flames. Best when sung at the top of your lungs with an army of your closest pals, the song assures that you'll be fine as long as you've got your friends.
6. "Goodbye Earl," The Dixie Chicks
"Mary Anne and Wanda were the best of friends all through their high school days." So begins the epic story song about female friendships, revenge and secrets taken to the grave. Consider it the Thelma and Louise of country songs.
5. "Heroes and Friends," Randy Travis
This 1990 Randy Travis track examines how both our heroes and friends inspire us to be better people and are often one in the same.
4. "Cold Beer Conversation," George Strait
King George simplifies the complexities of life in "Cold Beer Conversation." It's all there in the title. Sometimes all you need is a cold one, a close friend and good conversation.
3. "You Can't Make Old Friends," Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers
Who better to sing a song of lasting friendship than two of country's best buddies and everyone's favorite islands in the stream? Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton were friends and duet partners for going on 30 years when they released "You Can't Make Old Friends."
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2. "Stuff That Works," Guy Clark
"I've got a pretty good friend who's seen me at my worst," Guy Clark sings in this classic track from Dublin Blues. "He can't tell if I'm a blessing or a curse. But he always shows up when the chips are down. That's the kind of stuff I like to be around." Clark knew that the best friendships hold strong through all the ups and downs.
1. "Unfair Weather Friend," Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard
It's a little tough to get through this one with a dry eye. Included on the Merle Haggard/Willie Nelson buddy album Django and Jimmie, "Unfair Weather Friend" finds Willie and The Hag giving thanks for their legendary friendship. Merle may be gone, but the bond these two shared will live on forever.
Honorable mentions outside of country music include movie and TV show theme songs from the Golden Girls (the Andrew Gold-penned "Thank You For Being a Friend"), Friends (The Rembrandt's "I'll Be There For You") and Disney's Toy Story (Randy Newman's You've Got a Friend in Me"). There's also Queen's "You're My Best Friend," The Beatles' "With a Little Help From My Friends," Ben E. King's "Stand By Me," Bill Withers' "Lean on Me," Bruno Mars' "Count on Me," Vitamin C's "Graduation (Friends Forever)," The White Stripes' "We're Going to Be Friends," DJ Khaled's "No New Friends" (ft. Drake, Rick Ross, and Lil Wayne) and other pop culture touchstones. And we could go on about songs by the likes of Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, The Spice Girls, Kanye West, Elton John, James Taylor, Dionne Warwick, Weezer and The Carters (Jay-Z and Beyonce) that reflect the deep, sibling-like love we share with our besties.
