My Top 5 Friendship Songs

I recently returned from an awesome road trip to Canada to do another round of visits with my friends just over the border. As I was driving, I had my iPod on shuffle and it ordered a few songs in a row after which I thought, "Wow, those have some pretty good lines about friendship."

Of the top 5 I came up with, 3 are actually about friends and 2 have lines I consider pretty powerful ideas about what friendship means to me. So here we go!

(5) We Get On :: Kate Nash

The song is about a girl who really likes this guy and he just has no idea she even exists. She then sees him kissing another girl and has a meltdown. This is what her friends did for her:

And my friends were like whatever

You'll find someone better

His eyes were way too close together

And we never even liked him from the start

And now he's with that tart

And I heard she done some really nasty stuff

Down in the park with Michael

He said she's easy

And if your guy's with someone that's sleazy

Then he ain't worth your time
'Cause you deserve a real nice guy

If you're female, at some point in your life you've been talked off that ledge, so you know how valuable that chat can be.

(4) La La Lie :: Jack's Mannequin

I think I picked this song less because of the lyrics and more because of the memories and feelings it conjures. I first encountered it in university when I was a part of a few really tight-knit groups. Regardless, the few lines about friends, do pretty much hit the nail on the head:

I've got friends who

La La Lie

Will help me pull through

La La Lie

To the point, needs no explanation.

(3) Cher Lloyd & Becky G :: Oath

This song is just plain adorable. It's basically about trouble-making best friends. Not sure why Cher Lloyd decided to go the sexy route with the costuming, but whatever... its an up-beat song about girl friends.

I know I drive you crazy, mm, sometimes

I know I call you lazy, and that's most times

But you complete me, and that's no lie
You are my tuxedo, and I'm your bow tie

In my opinion, real friends can argue and call each other out.... thanks for pointing that out, Becky G.

(2) Song For a Friend :: Jason Mraz

Jason Mraz is brilliant and covers a wide spectrum of topics with his music. I particularly like this song because its like a love song, but for a friend. It can be argued that the song is really about loving yourself, which I think makes it an even stronger addition to the list. You can't really be a good friend until you learn how to love yourself. So, I think it works regardless.

As long as you got me

And I got you

You know we'll got a lot to go around

I'll be your friend

Your other brother

Another love to come and comfort you

And I'll keep reminding

If it's the only thing I ever do

I will always love
I will always love you

See, doesn't that give you the warm'n'fuzzies?!

(1) Fall Back Down :: Rancid

Not the most soothing of songs, but definitely lovey if you actually listen to the words. Its basically about a guy going through a tough time and knowing that he has his friends- and knows that even when biddies come and go- friends will remain a constant.

I'm very lucky to have my crew

They stood by me when she flew

I've been knocked out, beat down, black and blue

She's not the one coming back for you

She's not the one coming back for you

If I fall back down, you're gonna help me back up again

If I fall back down, you're gonna be my friend

I think the reason this tops my list because he says he knows he is lucky to have his friends. It's one thing to know that they'll be there... or to tell them that you love them.... but there is a real maturity in knowing that on top of all that-- that you're lucky to have them.

Very Honorable Mention =  Africa :: Toto

This one has a little less to do with the words and a lot more to do with the company kept while listening to/preforming this little diddy.

It's gonna take a lot to drag me away from you

Powerful words right there. I hope their new album has gems like this. Yes, you read that right.... a brand new Toto album!! I... can't even.

nu-dersy

According to a 3-year-old: "we wen to nu-dursey!"

Heading to the George Washington Bridge on the drive to NJ

I accompanied my aunt and cousins on their trip to NJ recently. It was my second time there, but really only the first time I was able to spend a chunk of time exploring. We stayed for three nights at Ellen's sister-in-law's home in Manasquan (the sister of my late uncle, Ben). She has a lovely home which shares a yard with Ben's father's house. They were a quick ride to a nice boardwalk and a short walk to a little downtown/main street type area. Overall, it was a really nice trip and I was glad to see a few of the places that Ellen talks about so frequently.

The twins enjoying their soda treat with Mr. Newman
-- yes, they're "drinking" it with spoons

I think its really important for the girls to have a connection with their father's family. I know its not easy for Ellen to cart them down there alone. I sensed a little tension between Ben's sisters and my aunt. I would guess that tension in a situation like this would be perfectly normal. I just hope its not something the girls ever pick up on. 

The Boardwalk :: before the total,
simultaneous meltdown of all 3 girls

I'm really glad I had the opportunity to visit. I like the area and the Newman clan was very hospitable. The rides there and back were a little tense.... and we listened to/the girls watched the Tinker Bell movie like 8 times. Overall, a really nice trip! I had never been to a boardwalk like that and hopefully, when the girls are a little older, we can all go back and have a slightly more sane time!

Making..... sand angels?

Cape Cod, and beyond

One great thing about coming home is being able to get back down to the Cape. While I'm not super in love with the US, I think that the Cape will always remain one of mt favorite places in the world!

Lobster roll from the Lobster Trap! 

All the girl cousins on the beach!

Ok, so this wasn't at the Cape, but it was really refreshing haha 

Finally got to hang out with this chick! At the Chart Room with the cousins and sister.

The Kingman Marina @ The Chart Room. 

Sunset behind the 2nd house taken from the porch of the 1st.

Train bridge.

Mothers' Day

For Mothers' Day, we went to the Boston Museum of Fine Art. We saw a few cool exhibits-- the place is huge!-- and had brunch in one of the restaurants. Really nice day!

Hanging out with Picasso. 

 Mommy, mummy, and me!

Family picture outside the museum.