"Friends" is the ninth track from Francis and the Lights' debut studio album, Farewell, Starlite! (2016).[1] It was released as a single on July 7, 2016, serving as the lead single from the album. The song features vocals from Bon Iver and Kanye West, the latter of which is uncredited.[2]
Background[]
It is rumored that the song was originally owned by Kanye before it was given to Francis and the Lights.[3]
Music video[]
On July 7, 2016, the same day as the single's release, an accompanying music video (directed by Jake Schreier) was also released.[2] The video features Francis, Justin Vernon, and Kanye, who are all in a white soundstage. Francis and Justin also dance together towards the end of the video.
Lyrics[]
[Verse 1]
Could be lookin' at you
From a freeway trailer
If you'd handled what I'd taken
Separate loans, separate codes
No fine line, don't have to be dead right
'Cause dead right can go wrong
[Chorus]
We could be friends
We could be friends
Put your head on my shoulders
[Verse 2]
I'm Francis
Still dreamin' of a glory
Of somethin' new
I can't remember what it's like
To never wanna let go
It's all good though
[Chorus]
We could be friends
We could be friends
Just put your head on my shoulders
I will straighten out, for you
Don't wanna know if you made mistakes
I'm still waiting on your sunshine
[Verse 3]
Oh, LA
I guess you gotta chase that ghost
Heard you bought some land in Mexico
And I said, "Way to go, man"
'Cause wherever you may roam
Remember who you know
There's a station playin' rock and roll
So stay tuned in mi amor
Stay tuned in
[Chorus]
I will turn around for you
I will straighten up for your girl
Just put your hand on my shoulder
We could be friends, for you
We could be friends, for you
I will make this promise to you
After all these promises
I'm looking at you now
Still looking for you, still waiting for you
I told you, I'm sorry
I was waiting on a different story
Still waiting on your sunshine
What I tell you
Still waiting on your sunshine
Trivia[]
- Chance the Rapper's song, "Summer Friends", sampled this song.[4] Chance's song was notably released before Francis'.