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Looking for songs to celebrate the bond between you and your brothers?
The bond between brothers is a special and profound connection, often inspiring powerful and memorable songs. From tales of support to moments of rivalry, music captures the essence of brotherhood.
In this post, we share a list of the best songs about brothers. These tracks span various genres and reflect loyalty, love, and shared experiences. Artists express their connections with their brothers, offering unique perspectives on this relationship.
Explore this collection to find songs that pay tribute to brotherhood and reflect themes of unity and family. Celebrate the enduring spirit of brotherhood with this musical journey.
Let’s start!
1. He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother, The Hollies
“But I’m strong. Strong enough to carry him.”
“He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother” was written by Bob Russell and Bobby Scott In 1969. Kelly Gordon originally recorded it, but the Hollies released the official track on September 26, 1969.
The song comes from an old saying about a sibling carrying his brother and asking if he was heavy. He replied, “He ain’t heavy; he’s my brother.”
Several renditions of the song exist. Some notable versions are from Neil Diamond, Bill Medley, Gotthard, and The Justice Collective.
2. Brothers in Arms, Dire Straits
“And you’ll no longer burn to be brothers in arms.”
“Brothers in Arms” was written during the 1982 Falklands War. It is based on the premise that war is a senseless pursuit.
To raise funds for British veterans still suffering from the effects of the Falklands War, Knopfler recorded a new version of the song in 2007, the 25th anniversary of the war.
3. Brother, NEEDTOBREATHE
“Brother, let me be your shelter.”
“Brother” was released on February 2, 2015, as the fifth single from the album Rivers in the Wasteland. Bear and Bo Reinhart wrote the song. Gavin DeGraw was featured in the official single version released May 4, 2015.
The song discusses issues between two brothers, Bear and Bo, the original writers. It refers to the idea that working together is better than competing against each other when times get tough.
4. Brother, Kodaline
“Though we don’t share the same blood, you’re my brother, and I love you. That’s the truth.”
Kodaline’s third studio album featured this single as its lead track. This heartwarming song tells the story of two friends who were so close that they thought of one another as brothers. Every adversity brought them closer together.
Even if they eventually decided to go in different directions over time, these “brothers” would always go above and beyond for one another. The song demonstrates how, despite the time and challenges, brothers and friends endure.
5. Brother Mine, Suzanne Vega
“Come on here, let me see your eye. Now it’s all black and swollen.”
“Brother Mine” was written by Suzanne Vega. In 2012, a new version was recorded and made available. Vega penned this song when she was 14. It is about her and her trouble-making brother, Matthew. She claims that her unwavering love for Matthew inspired the song.
6. Hey Brother, Avicii
“Know the water’s sweet, but blood is thicker.”
The dance track “Hey Brother” was produced by Swedish DJ and record producer Avicii. The song is about a youngster who loses his father to war while growing up.
In the song, Avicii advises his siblings that blood is thicker than anything else. As the song reminds us, nothing matters more than family.
7. Brother, Pearl Jam
“Brother tried to put the blame on me.”
“Brother” is a song by American rock group Pearl Jam, taken from their album Lost Dogs on November 11, 2003. Eddie Vedder and Stone Gossard wrote the song's original version, which was a grunge hit. The song alludes to “Big Brother,” the overseer from the beloved book 1984.
8. Blood Brothers, Luke Bryan
“No matter how bad the break or how bad the luck or how bad the day, we still had us.”
Luke Bryan’s song “Blood Brothers” appears on his 2013 album Crash My Party. It tells the story of a group of friends whose brotherhood gets into mischief together. Bryan’s tribute to friends who become family emphasizes the unbreakable ties of genuine friendship.
9. Blood Brothers, Bruce Springsteen
“And we said until we died, we’d always be blood brothers.”
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band’s five-song EP Blood Brothers was released in 1996. The song and a movie of the same name were released together.
10. The Bewlay Brothers, David Bowie
“We were so turned on in the mind-warp pavilion.”
David Bowie’s song “The Bewlay Brothers” is said to be a fictitious story about Bowie’s connection with his elder, mentally ill step-brother, Terry.
Terry was the one who initially exposed Bowie to modern jazz. Because of his excitement, his mother gave him his first saxophone for Christmas in 1959.
The song was described as “probably Bowie’s densest and most impenetrable song” and was written for the 1971 album Hunky Dory.
11. Highway Patrolman, Bruce Springsteen
“But when it’s your brother, sometimes you look the other way.”
“Highway Patrolman” is a song written and recorded by Bruce Springsteen. It was first released as the fifth track on his 1982 album Nebraska.
The song tells the story of Joe Roberts, the highway patrolman of the title, and from whose viewpoint the song is written. The song is about his brother, Frankie, and is set in the 1960s.
Frankie is portrayed as unruly and frequently causing and encountering trouble, while Joe is the more mature and sensible brother who always comes to his aid.
12. Brothers on a Hotel Bed, Death Cab for Cutie
“'Cause now we say goodnight from our own separate sides like brothers on a hotel bed.”
This song is about a guy who believes that eventually the person he loves will fail to remember him for who he is because, as he grows older, they will grow more distant and out of love.
It’s like having two brothers in a hotel bed. They lie on different sides, not facing each other, and there is room between them.
13. Brothers and Sisters, Ziggy Marley
“So when you are looking at me, don’t think I am your enemy.”
Ziggy Marley, son of the reggae legend Bob Marley, wrote the song “Brothers and Sisters,” which honors harmony among people despite their differences. The lyrics emphasize the significance of uniting and standing by one another as a single family.
14. Soul Brother, Queen
“He’s my best friend; he’s my champion.”
“Soul Brother” is an often-overlooked song that features one of Freddie Mercury’s greatest vocal performances. He reportedly penned this for Brian May in just 15 minutes. It honors a close friend who has been a legendary figure in his life.
15. My Brother’s a Basehead, De La Soul
“But this was the fate that you were fed.”
Posdnuos of De La Soul felt strongly about his older brothers’ drug-related issues. This song is based on a true event, although there is one aspect that has been altered from the original: Unlike the subject of the song, Posdnuos’ sibling entered rehab.
16. Brother’s Keeper, DaBaby
“Never let depression go unchecked; that shit’ll cost you.”
“Brother’s Keeper (Long Live G)”, DaBaby’s seven-song EP, is a tribute to his late brother Glenn Johnson. The song discusses their upbringing and challenges. In this song, DaBaby emphasizes the need to ask for support when facing mental health issues.
17. Brotherly Love, Keith Whitley & Earl Thomas Conley
“A love that time and miles can’t come between.”
Written by Jimmy Alan Stewart and Tim Nichols, “Brotherly Love” was covered by Earl Thomas Conley. Nominated for a Grammy Award, the song recalls arguments over a bike and the younger brother’s amusement at his elder brother’s attempt to approach a girl he likes.
18. Two Little Boys, Rolf Harris
“When we grow up, we’ll both be soldiers, and our horses will not be toys.”
The heartfelt ballad “Two Little Boys” tells the story of two pals who become soldiers. In the song, the two boys play soldiers with wooden horses. Later, a dramatic battlefield rescue is performed when they become grown soldiers.
19. He Was My Brother, Simon and Garfunkel
“And he died so his brothers could be free.”
This song was written in honor of civil rights fighter and fellow college student Andrew Goodman, who was killed in 1964 along with two other people by the Ku Klux Klan.
The narrator, who admires his brother’s courage and dedication to battling injustice, expresses his emotional and personal loss in the song’s lyrics.
20. The Greatest Discovery, Elton John
“This is your brand new brother.”
Elton John’s self-titled album, which featured the song “The Greatest Discovery,” written by Bernie Taupin, was released on April 10, 1970. This song masterfully conveys the awe and innocence of a small child welcoming a new brother.
21. Brother's Keeper, Rich Mullins
“I won’t despise him for his weakness. I won’t regard him for his strength.”
“Brother’s Keeper” is from American singer-songwriter Rich Mullins’ eighth album of the same name, released on August 1, 1995. It was reported that, in considering the song, Mullins thought, “What’s wrong with regarding someone’s strength? The person is the issue. The strength is not the issue.”
22. Oh Brother, James Taylor
“Don’t assume that the life you left is the life you have to lead.”
James Taylor’s song “Oh Brother” explores the difficulties and challenges that a person faces when they return home after being away.
The song expresses the desire to offer this person every bit of support. It highlights how important it is to have empathy and understanding for someone who returns to their former life.
23. Blood Brothers, Papa Roach
“In the words of profanity, I describe our dysfunctional family.”
Papa Roach’s album Infest, which included “Blood Brothers,” was released on April 25, 2000. The line “I got your back, you got my back” emphasizes loyalty and solidarity amid chaos and implies that survival in a chaotic environment depends on solidarity.
24. Blood Brothers, Iron Maiden
“And in a moment, the memories are all that remain, and all the wounds are reopening again.”
Iron Maiden’s “Blood Brothers” expresses solidarity with all humanity, the belief that all people share the same blood, and the dire consequences of our actions toward our planet, which we share as a single community. Steve Harris wrote the song in memory of his late father.
25. Brothers, Dean Brody
“I’ll do anything so long as you don’t go.”
Released in October 2008, “Brothers” is country music artist Dean Brody’s debut single. The track is off his first album (2009) of the same name.
This ballad concerns the narrator and his brother, who is about to go to war. The narrator expresses in the opening line his reluctance to let his brother go and his willingness to do everything it takes to keep him at home.
26. Brothers, Penny & Sparrow
“Don’t give up; don’t you quit on me.”
“Brothers” is the second song on Penny & Sparrow’s debut album Tenboom. The song’s lyrics seem to depict a link between two individuals: one who is more innocent and upbeat and another who is worn out and burdened, but still admired by the first. The song presents a story about connection and trust.
27. Brother, The Rural Alberta Advantage
“In the darkness, I’ll be back for you.”
The Rural Alberta Advantage released the song “Brother” on their album The Wild in 2017. The narrator was waiting for his brother to show up, and the author said that it was “kind of that idea of waiting for someone—it's directly from that.”
28. My Little Brother, Art Brut
“There’s a noise in his head, and he’s out of control.”
The second song on Art Brut’s 2005 album Bang Bang Rock and Roll is titled “My Little Brother.” This song tells the story of a younger sibling’s travels as they explore the world of rock music.
The song’s lyrics convey the protagonist’s worry and laughter as his younger brother grows from a trusting child into a disobedient adolescent.
29. Brother’s Blood, Kevin Devine
“They don’t need to know about my brother’s blood.”
The song “Brother’s Blood” is from American indie rock musician Kevin Devine’s fifth studio album, released on April 28, 2009. Devine says, “It’s a song about being afraid of having someone’s worst impulses in you.”
30. Brothers of the Road, The Allman Brothers Band
“But the music must go on so there’s no one left out there all alone.”
“Brothers of the Road” is from the Allman Brothers Band album of the same name. This rock song discusses the band's life on the road and the friendship among musicians. The relationship between the “brothers” on the road is expressed in the lyrics, reflecting the joys and difficulties of a life spent touring and performing.
31. Little Brother, Ella Vos
“Your heart’s too big. That’s why you suffer.”
“Little Brother” is a song about sticking by one another, despite growing apart or maturing. When the song was released in 2017, it touched on a topic that was unusual in the vast sea of mainstream love songs: family and the emotions that come with it.
Final Thoughts on Best Songs About Brothers & Sharing Brotherhood
These songs capture the heart and soul of brotherhood, reflecting the unique bond shared between brothers. They remind us of the loyalty, love, and support inherent in this relationship.
As you listen, may these tracks evoke cherished memories and inspire appreciation for the brothers in your life. Celebrate the enduring spirit of brotherhood through this timeless music.
And if you want more inspirational songs, be sure to check out these blog posts:
- 25 Best Songs About Growing Up & Coming of Age
- 61 Powerful Songs That Make You Cry
- 31 Best Songs About Needing & Asking for Help
