We’ve all had them, those friends who are only around when they need something from us. They never return our calls, and they always seem too busy to hang out. We like to call them “fake friends.” These songs about fake friends perfectly capture the feeling of betrayal and abandonment of dealing with a bogus friend.
Best Songs About Fake Friends
“Fake Friends” – Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
This tune talks about how fake friends will use you and then abandon you when they don’t need you anymore. It’s capturing the sense of duplicity powerfully.
It starts with a simple, catchy guitar riff that immediately grabs your attention. And as soon as Joan Jett starts singing, you can’t help but sing along. It’s one of the most memorable pop hooks, the lyrics are relatable, and the singer is a fantastic artist.
“Backstabber” – Kesha
This is a catchy tune with an important message, don’t let people take advantage of you. Kesha sings about a “backstabber” who talks behind her back and uses her for her gain. It’s a great pop to listen to after betrayal by someone who pretends to be your friend.
The lyrics are empowering and remind us not to let anyone take advantage of us. We should all stand up for ourselves, and Kesha is the ultimate artist to provide that motivation.
“All My Friends Are Fake” – Tate McRae
This track is all about being let down by friends. Tate McRae’s gorgeous voice captures the hurt and frustration of being let down by the people you thought you could trust. The lyrics are painfully relatable, describing how it feels when you realize that someone you thought was your friend is just using you.
It’s a song about feeling alone and cheated, and it will resonate with anyone who has ever been in that situation. It reminds us that we’re not alone in dealing with fake friends. And it also shows us that we can be substantial even when we feel like we’re surrounded by people who don’t care about us.
“F.F.F.” – Bebe Rexha feat. G-Eazy
Bebe Rexha sings about how fake friends will use you and then abandon you when they don’t need you anymore, tackling the complexities of realness in friends.
The chorus is incredibly snappy and will stay in your head long after the song is over. And Rexha’s voice is impressive, bringing the lyrics’ emotion to life and making you experience like you’re right there with her, sharing the hurt and deception she’s singing about.
“Fake Friends” – Martinez Twinzs
This song is a haunting ballad about realizing that someone you thought was your friend is just using you. The Martinez Twinz have excellent harmonies, and the lyrics will stay with you long after the song is over. The resulting collaboration perfectly captures the endurance of betrayal and abandonment of dealing with a phony friend.
“Backstabber” – Eminem
Eminem completely captures the sense of dishonesty about a fake friend. He talks about how he was always there for his friend, but his friend stabbed him in the back when he needed him. It’s a great track to listen to when you’re angry and duped by someone you thought was your friend.
Backstabbers are only powerful when you have your back turned. This rap tune is melodious angry and will make you feel better at getting back at someone who has betrayed you.
Eminem is one of the best rappers of all time, and “backstabber” placed him at the front of the global music stage. He tells a story that we can all relate to, and he does it in a way that is both funny and angry.
“Fake Friends” – Sigrid
Sigrid sings about how her fake friend only wants to be around when she’s doing well, but they’re nowhere to be found as soon as she needs help. It’s a powerful reminder that we shouldn’t waste our time on people who don’t care about us.
This gifted artist understood the facts about fake friends and is able to put these confusing betrayal emotions into music, making it one of the greatest hits.
“Real Friends” – Camila Cabello
Camila Cabello sings about how she’s had fake friends who only wanted to be around when she was successful, but her real friends stuck with her even when she was struggling. It is a reminder that we should cherish real friends.
The song remains a masterpiece because it reminds us that not everyone in our lives will be a true friend. Appreciate the people who are there for us even when times are tough.
“Fake Friends” – PS1 ft. Alex Hosking
This tune exposes fake friends and the perception that their life comes with better benefits. The song’s lyrics are about how society and social media make some people project an image of themselves in a certain way. It only ends up attracting those who are fake or don’t care for you on the inside because it’s just dressing up their own emotions with words that won’t ever come true no matter what else he does wrong.
“FAB” – JoJo & Remy Ma
The lyrics are all about how these so-called friends are just “fake ass bitches” who only care about themselves. If you’re looking for a song about fake friends to help you get over such friends, this is the one. An anthem for all the fake friends out there
JoJo has always been a vocal advocate for female empowerment, encouraging women to stick together and move on from their fake friends.
“Bad Blood” – Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift captures the emotions you would feel during a feud with someone you thought was a real friend. However, this upbeat song about fake friends hides the true meaning in the lyrics while acknowledging a heavy topic for people of any age.
Friends go their separate ways all the time. Sometimes it’s mutual, and other times there’s a hostility that you never imagined would happen between someone you used to share everything with.
“Lunchbox Friends” – Melanie Martinez
Melanie Martinez uses her undeniably bold sound, child-like wardrobe, and song titles to discredit friends who are more judgemental than supportive. She takes the listener on a journey in this song about fake people that sheds light on meaningless relationships between friends.
Melanie Martinez uses innocent-sounding vocals, autotune, and voice distortion techniques to show you the variations of fake friends that result in short-term relationships. Taking a step back and realizing that your friends are toxic is done in a classy, elegant-sounding song.
“The Middle” – Jimmy Eat World
“The Middle” by Jimmy Eat World could be considered the most classic pop-punk song of all time. Many rocked out to this powerful anthem on Guitar Hero but have never listened to the strong theme within the lyrics. However, the depth of this song is normally not acknowledged.
The lyrics talk about a person that feels like an outsider in all situations. It hurts to know that you don’t have real friends by your side, so this song brings together all the outsiders to let me know they aren’t alone.
“People You Know” – Selena Gomez
Yesterday you had a close friend. Now, you’re strangers that are no longer speaking. Most of us have experienced losing a friend. Still, Selena Gomez takes you through the feeling of not having that person in your life anymore.
Sometimes we experience an abrupt ending to a friendship, and we’re still shocked that this person is no longer a part of our life.
Being close to a person, and not knowing them anymore can be surprising because you still think of the moments you shared. You may miss those memories, but you’re always better off with real friends.
“Tell Me How” – Paramore
Hayley Williams, the lead singer of Paramore, used her own personal experiences to take you through the feelings of letting go of someone. She felt distraught over losing multiple band members in a short amount of time.
Williams is saying goodbye to her friends and people she thought of as family. Not all friends stay together, and sometimes it’s better for everyone to go their separate ways. When you acknowledge the friendship is over, it’s easier to let go.
“Fake” – Lauv and Conan Gray
Songs about fake friends include those people that make empty promises to you. Sadly, it’s not uncommon to be around people who lie through their teeth. Lauv and Conan Gray created an amazing song that sheds light on fake people you may have in your life.
Lauv’s lyrics describe the kind of person that makes mistakes and blames their bad behavior on everyone else. But, unfortunately, they never take responsibility or own up to the things they’ve done, so Lauv and Conan Gray tell them to their face that they’re fake.
“Cooler Than Me” – Mike Posner
A lot of people can remember a time in their life when they knew someone who faked their personality to be the coolest person in a room. Mike Posner paints the picture of how you may not want that person in your life anymore.
A real friend should treat you as their equal instead of their competition. If someone is tearing you down and attempting to outshine you, they may not be the friend you need in your life.
“Thank You” – Simple Plan
Sometimes the only thing you can do after letting go of fake friends is to say thank you. Of course, you’re thanking them for all the hurt they’ve caused you over the years because now you’ve learned your lesson and won’t waste time on another fake friend.
Holding a grudge against the fake people you’ve said goodbye to isn’t worth it. Simple Plan allows you to say thank you to those people and help them move on with their real friends.
“Complicated” – Avril Lavigne
Similar to Mike Posner’s “Cooler Than Me,” Avril Lavigne uses this punk rock song to talk about the same situation of someone pretending to be someone else in public. It’s a theme most people can relate to.
This song about fake people puts the blame on them for making every situation more complicated than it needs to be. But unfortunately, these types of people tend to be the type that attracts and starts unnecessary drama wherever they go.
“Follow Your Arrow” – Kacey Musgraves
“Follow Your Arrow” is a country song about fake friends that ostracizes you about your choices. Society tells us about what we should and should do. Still, Kacey Musgraves empowers everyone to not listen to those who judge them on what they choose to do.
Your friends should be there to build you up instead of tearing you down. Friends that judge you rather than support you based on society’s rules are the fake friends you shouldn’t want. Be on the lookout for fake friends that aren’t there to support you as your authentic self.
“Homecoming Queen?” – Kelsea Ballerini
“Homecoming Queen?” takes you through the story of the popular girl in school and how she’s a fake person towards those around her. However, Kelsea Ballerini wrote this country song about fake friends from an alternative perspective.
The homecoming queen in this song uses her glamor and happiness to shield everyone else from her insecurities and internal battles.
Real friends open up about their feelings to one another. Still, the homecoming queen would rather keep her image than trust those around her. If you can’t trust your friends, are they really your friends?
Born and raised in Austin, David is a dedicated writer and avid fragrance lover. When he's not trying out perfumes, he enjoys traveling and exploring new restaurants.