That's What Friends Are For
Bruce Reitherman Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

We're your friends
We're your friends
We're your friends to the bitter end

When you're alone
Who comes around
To pluck you up
When you are down
And when you're outside, looking in
Who's there to open the door?
That's what friends are for!

Who's always eager to extend
A friendly claw?
That's what friends are for!

And when you're lost in dire need
Who's at your side at lightning speed?
We're friends of every creature
Comin' down the pike
In fact we never met an animal
We didn't like, didn't like

So you can see
We're friends in need
And friends in need
Are friends indeed




We'll keep you safe
In the jungle forevermore

Overall Meaning

Bruce Reitherman's song That's What Friends Are For is an uplifting tune about the importance of friendship. The song highlights the deep bond and loyalty that friends share with each other. The lyrics emphasize that true friends stick together through thick and thin, that friends never leave anyone who is alone, and they are always there to offer a helping hand.


The song's opening lines "We're your friends, we're your friends, we're your friends to the bitter end" sets the tone for the message of the song. The lyrics talk about friends who come around to lift their pals up when they're feeling down, who open the door when they're outside looking in, and who always extend their friendly claws whenever needed. Additionally, the song speaks to the unconditional love and loyalty that friends exhibit, as well as their capacity for empathy and compassion.


Line by Line Meaning

We're your friends
We are people who care about you and want to be there for you.


We're your friends to the bitter end
We will be your friends no matter what happens, until the very end.


When you're alone
When you are by yourself and feeling lonely.


Who comes around
Who is there for you when you need someone?


To pluck you up
To help you feel better and get back on your feet.


When you are down
When you are sad or feeling low.


And when you're outside, looking in
When you feel like you don't belong or aren't included.


Who's there to open the door?
Who is there to welcome you and make you feel accepted?


That's what friends are for!
This is what true friends do - they support you and make you feel loved.


Who's always eager to extend
Who is always ready to offer help and support?


A friendly claw?
A metaphorical or literal paw, symbolizing help and kindness.


And when you're lost in dire need
When you are in serious trouble, in urgent need of help.


Who's at your side at lightning speed?
Who comes to your aid quickly and without hesitation?


We're friends of every creature
We are friends to all kinds of animals and people, we do not discriminate.


Comin' down the pike
We are always available and ready to help.


In fact we never met an animal
We have never encountered a creature we couldn't befriend.


We didn't like, didn't like
We always find something to love and appreciate in every living being.


So you can see
From this, you can understand.


We're friends in need
We are friends who are there for you when you really need us.


And friends in need
When you are in trouble and need help.


Are friends indeed
True friends prove their loyalty and care in difficult times.


We'll keep you safe
We will protect and care for you.


In the jungle forevermore
We will be your friends for life, no matter what hurdles nature or life throw at us.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: RICHARD M. SHERMAN, ROBERT B. SHERMAN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions