My Friends
Helena Bonham Carter Johnny Depp Lyrics


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Hey old friend
Are you ok old friend
What'll you say old friend
Are we or are we unique

Time goes by
Everything else keeps changing
You and I we get continued next week
Most friends fade

Or they don't make the grade
New ones are quickly made
And in a pinch, sure they'll do
But us old friends

What's to discuss old friend
Here's to us




Who's like us
Damn few

Overall Meaning

The song "My Friends" by Helena Bonham Carter and Johnny Depp is a beautiful ode to friendship. The opening lines "Hey old friend, are you ok old friend, what'll you say old friend, are we or are we unique" highlight the concern and care that friends have for each other. It is almost like the singer is checking in on their friend, making sure they are okay, but also questioning the uniqueness of their bond.


As the song progresses, the lyrics delve deeper into the perennial nature of true friendships. The line "most friends fade or they don't make the grade, new ones are quickly made, and in a pinch, sure they'll do" underscores the fact that friendships come and go, but true friends stay with you through thick and thin. The song celebrates these old friends and their bond, implying that it is something special and rare, which is emphasized through the final line "here's to us, who's like us, damn few."


Overall, "My Friends" is a poignant and heartfelt tribute to long-running friendships, and the lyrics capture the feelings of loyalty, support, and love that come with such bonds.


Line by Line Meaning

Hey old friend
Salutation and greeting to a long-standing companion


Are you ok old friend
Expressing concern for the well-being of the long-standing companion


What'll you say old friend
Querying the opinions and thoughts of the long-standing companion


Are we or are we unique
Wondering if their friendship is special and distinct from others


Time goes by
Acknowledging the passage of time


Everything else keeps changing
Observing that the world around them is in a constant state of flux


You and I we get continued next week
Reaffirming their enduring friendship by arranging future plans to meet


Most friends fade
Pointing out that typical friendships have a limited lifespan


Or they don't make the grade
Commenting on the quality of most friendships, implying they are not up to standard


New ones are quickly made
Remarking on the ease of forming new friendships


And in a pinch, sure they'll do
Admitting that new friendships can suffice for practical purposes, such as in times of need


But us old friends
Distinguishing the uniqueness and value of their long-standing companionship


What's to discuss old friend
Implying that their friendship is already well-established, and there is no need for elaborate explanations


Here's to us
Celebrating and toasting to their enduring friendship


Who's like us
Emphasizing the rarity and exclusivity of their close bond


Damn few
Concluding with a cursory expression of astonishment and admiration




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: STEPHEN SONDHEIM

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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