Arrival - Friends

FRIENDS by Arrival (written by Terry Reid) - 1970
I had a friend who had friends by a river
They too had friends who had friends of their own
All seated round takin' port after dinner,
Port that was bought by the friends that were known
No one ever seems to care
Just as long as they were there
Friends beside you
Friends to guide you
Friends beside you, everywhere
There's nothing new, it's all there to remind you
It's no different anyway you recall
You only wait around and float on every corner
And know you're in luck
'Cause you know them more
No one ever seems to care
Just as long as you are there
Friends beside you ( beside you)
There to guide you (to guide you)
Friends beside you (beside you)
Everywhere (everywhere)
We all have friends who have friends by a river
We too have friends who have friends of their own
All seated round drinkin' port after dinner
Port that is bought by the friends for their own
No one ever seems to care
Just as long as you are there
Friends beside you
Friends to guide you
Friends beside you to stay
Friends beside you (you need)
Friends to guide you (you know you need)
Friends beside you (you need)
Friends to guide you (you really need)
Friends beside you (you need)
Friends to guide you (you need)
Friends beside.

[@WoffleRoger]

Great Harmony`s

[@johnnybrew1]

Catchy song!

[@themanftheworld8439]

1970 was such a good year for music.

[@steve55sogood16]

R.I.P. Dyan Birch.

[@philipnorris6542]

Sounds every bit as good now as it did when it first came out---how proud I am of the age I live in.

[@GSD-hd1yh]

This is still one of my favoutite songs. It always reminds of the close circle of people that I would do anything in my power to assist if they asked, and that I know would reciprocate for me.

[@weehubbyable]

What a gem of a tune this is. Nothing like good friends .

[@gorblimeyguv]

Dyan Birch was just 20 when this was recorded. Amazing!

[@Golfboy4747]

Dyan Birch died a few days ago, sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings.

[@cricketbat08]

Once heard, never forgotten. Pop Perfection.

[@MrLeslieG]

This song and 'United we stand' (Brotherhood of Man) both great songs !

[@rockatanski2534]

Great song, with even greater memories !

[@anthonylee5736]

A lovely song forever embedded in my heart and memories.

[@cianomahony7971]

what a brilliant song and still stands the test of time...as another person here commented once heard you will never forget it...I was only 12,when this came out and I still love it

[@jacksons1950]

I have been trying to find this for years thanx for posting it

[@colinmurdoch965]

I used to have the Album but I lent it to a friend of mine and never got it back...Gutted. December 2019. Never get tired hearing this classic song.

[@catchagoat]

For some reason last night I said to myself who was that group from the 70's that sang about friends? Twelve hours later bingo! Great that we can bring back memories like this at the touch of a button.

[@maribuckley6066]

I had the original and thanks to you tube I can now hear it again, all these years later....! :)

[@GSD-hd1yh]

Still got the original

[@philipnorris6542]

Great stuff indeed, Mari.

[@settenor1963]

Fantastic,thanks so much for posting this great song!

[@ian70spaul]

After hearing this song it makes you think how valuable your friends are. In fact I will invite them round and get the port out t share.

[@naishdave]

Sorry my friend you are incorrect. The lead singer here is Dyan Birch who went on to form Kokomo with other band members. Christine Perfect was with a band called Chicken Shack prior to Fleetwood Mac.

[@theheadphonea-hole4133]

Who are you talking to? 🤣

[@mickb55]

Its been more than half a lifetime since I heard this - used to have it on a Decca 'World of Hits' (vol.4 as I recall the white one) A great, great song. Up there with Junior Campbell 'Hallelujah Freedom' This has made my day - bless you

[@johnnybrew1]

Excellent !

[@Glamagal20091]

Oh well, I'll find it on the iplayer. Ironically enough, Dale Winton played 'I Will Survive' on Pick of the Pops later that day. I think 'Friends' can only have been released at the very end of 1969 to have found a place on the show.

[@ColumRogers]

I love this song it's a shame it's not as popular and well remembered like it should be though. I especially love the abrupt ending.

[@firingbulletsatmoon]

reminds of a summer I had when I was 15 by a river ( although too young to drink port!)

[@Glamagal20091]

An outstanding tune! I believe it was in the UK charts about this time 40 years ago,

[@Fronika]

Been looking for this for years. Thank you.

[@pinarellolimoncello]

Is like finding buried treasure isn't it.

[@pinarellolimoncello]

Is like finding lost treasure isnt it, I think I heard it Steve Wrights golden oldies recently, beautiful song .

[@Glamagal20091]

I'm pleased to announce Brian Matthew (Sounds of the Sixties BBC Radio 2) played this last Saturday (as it just squeezed into the UK Top 40 at the end of 1969).

[@Glamagal20091]

...and again today!

[@northlincsfox243]

@Jared Licht Ha! Ha! Good one 😀 I’m not gay though.

[@themanftheworld8439]

It's a 1970 song.

[@kgs4839]

Terry Reid was a pupil at our school, St Ivo, Cambs. I saw him at St Ives Corn Exchange in the late 60's and again last year. He is still a great singer and guitar player.

[@stwads]

How right you are. Well said!

[@naishdave]

awesome

[@Mrjohnelevator]

I remeber my time 45 yers ago. It was a very good time.

[@LoveLotusHa]

Love this song! Have loved it for years! Such Wonderful lyrics

[@Trevennor]

Obviously a popular track - yet not available on CD. The music companies don;t deserve our business.

[@JackieCardy]

At last. I've been searching too. It coincided with me leaving the north of England and moving away to College in West London. It epitomises that time in my life: friends, the river...

[@usafbrat50]

Wow - great tune! I think my band played with this group at Expo 70 in Osaka, Japan sometime in August I believe. They headlined along with some popular GS bands and one Filipino band. We partied with them at the hotel we stayed at. Fantastic voices, they sang all the time but I was too intimidated to join in. They gave me a band postcard. They said they got booked at the Expo because they had a #1 hit in the UK at the time. Fun memories...Thanks a bunch for posting!

[@Nanafifi1]

@deansgatedora I believe in the original version written by Terry Reid it was taking pot after dinner, but the words had to be changed for commercial reasons.

[@mackemlad888]

you said it all planetmoon. memories of 4th form!

[@cianomahony4533]

One of the great,great songs...nearly 50 years and still brilliant.. I was so young then and this song omg

[@oxonlad1]

I haven't trawled through all the posts but am aware that some of you, like me, were wanting to get a copy of this track. It is now available on I Tunes. I've just downloaded it.

[@davecous]

Agreed, I think the other lady was "Carol". Saw them in "Wolves" in early 70's I guess.

[@tony3634]

I Just thought i'd share that the first time i heard this, was on a juke box in the "Top Alex" pub Southend on sea, i was with 2 good friends!

[@janeguest9201]

I had forgotten about this one until a couple of days ago when watching a 70s music programme, still love it. 🥰

[@philipnorris6542]

Nice one, Jane.

[@sharonsquires711]

forgot all about this song,the lyrics are so tru

[@philipnorris6542]

Too right, Sharon.

[@Nanafifi1]

It's exactly the same version only for some reason when it was remixed for the CD someone must have decided to fade it out instead of letting it end abruptly as in the 1970's version we all came to know and love. I still love it though! Only a minor blip!

[@iansmith384]

This is the full version, with the abrupt end. Pax to all from soulboy73.Xxx.

[@davidjames1881]

KZbin at its best , I forgot about this great tune

[@stwads]

dyan birch went on to sing with kokomo, as has been previously stated.Kokomo used to be Joe Cocker,s grease band, & you can

[@OMalleyTony]

Check out the private performance vids here by Arrival's Frank, Dy and Paddy, with members of the later Kokomo, from May this year, one of the vids being 'I Can Understand It.' Also, In other vids, Frank talks about his time with Arrival, Kokomo, and beyond, and I think Japan.

[@bayerischman]

I also wish the TOTP footage was available, as this is what sticks in my mind, along with this excellent song which I haven't heard right through since the early 70's. Must have been only 15 myself when I first saw Arrival on TOTP. If my memory serves me well, there were two rather attractive women in the band. Where are they now I wonder?

[@gordonscott8022]

Totp footage is on KZbin ! Unfortunately Dyan Birch who was the main singer died in October 2020. Rip Dyan.

[@naishdave]

Incidentally, Chicken Shack released one of my all time favourites called I'd Rather Go Blind and it's on youtube if you fancy giving it a twirl.

[@Nanafifi1]

Treat yourself to the new remixed double CD of their first two ever Albums - they're worth it if you're an Arrival fan.

[@teenymartialartist]

@Nanafifi1 yes that is correct frank collins has been seen in the studio remastering :)

[@gbtbag]

There are computer programmes available which allow you to record any audio you can listen to on your computer...like this, for example. Mac users can get Audio Hijack Pro. It's cheap and works great. Dunno what's available for Windows but there's got to be something.

[@OMalleyTony]

You might be interested in the private party performances by Arrival's Frank, Dy and Paddy, with members of the later Kokomo, from May this year, one of the vids being 'I Can Understand It.' Also, In other vids, Frank talks about his time with Arrival, Kokomo, and beyond. best wishes :)

[@KeithTheKing]

"(Let my life be your) love song" by Arrival is on youtube now.

[@JPLane]

I have a friend by the river. :)

[@deansgatedora]

I always thought one line stated: "taking pot after dinner."

[@monstersoftheid4693]

'Friends" was hippie slang for "pot". so I think you were right first time.

[@Tigerland1962]

well done I agree, remember from summer 1989.

[@themanftheworld8439]

The song is from 1970 not 1989.

[@KeithTheKing]

Great post!!! Anyone have any footage of Arrival at the Isle Of Wight 1970? There must be some clips out there somewhere? What about Top Of The Pops?

[@bonzo874]

ive a cassette of this , must get it put on a cd for me player in me jeep

[@thefabulousstevieg]

A few notes from this track have been going through my head all week. In the middle of last night I realised it was 'Friends' - It ain't available anywhere online to buy that I can find, so thanks for posting it on here! By the way 'written by' - Terry Reid as in 'Superlungs' Terry Reid??

[@sanmiguel357]

Just dug the old vinyl album out - no wonder I can't find her name on any of the song credits! Similar soulful voice though. Better check my facts on the net next time...

[@maxchorlton]

after months finally finding this is a real wow moment - can i download to my ipod?

[@henrywilloughby8333]

I have still got the original

[@istimewa1x]

I've been searching for this song for years. A lot of good memories. Now that I have the vinyl record, can anyone tell me where to find the lyrics?

[@KeithTheKing]

Nanafifi1- I didn't post this song clip, but do I enjoy pointing our that the error on this b-side's printed wording was UK Decca's. The label, in their usual blundering way (they actually turned down The Beatles in 1963) simply printed up the wrong title. The Japanese pressing of this record, I'm giddy to add, was correctly worded.

[@kingsize322]

Written by Terry Reid!

[@Nanafifi1]

I'm not very clever with KZbin (old age) so I'm don't know who will have posted the album cover that goes with Friends etc., but the flip slip is Don't TURN his Love Away not TAKE. Just thought I'd share this with anyone who's interested!

[@Glamagal20091]

I have the CD but why did they alter the end of this track from the 'sudden finish' you have here to a gradual fadeout on the CD. It is simply not the same and why on earth was it changed!

[@sanmiguel357]

Haven't heard this for years. Still sounds great - Christine Perfect/McVee before her Fleetwood Mac adventures. Fantastic voice.

[@northlincsfox243]

I don’t think Christine McVie was in Arrival.

[@stwads]

This is great & so is Dyan Birch but why wasn't the Terry Reid original a hit??

[@debradocolus]

Iam also desperate for an MP3 download having had this in my bhead for decades, help

[@Glamagal20091]

I noticed this was 'overlooked' on Pick of the Pops yesterday on BBC Radio 2. Utterly disgraceful.

[@johnburnsmorgan]

Arrival were a band made up mainly of people from Liverpool.

[@MrAdriancooke]

Is that "port" or "pot" after dinner? "Friends" was a code word for drugs wasn't it? (as in "With a Little Help From My Friends")

[@Nanafifi1]

Does ANYBODY out there in KZbin world have ANY idea whatsoever what became of Don Hume, the original bass player with Arrival? I've tried to Google him etc., and can't come up with anything!! Cheers

[@debradocolus]

Does anyone know where I can get this track (and I will survive) as an MP3 have searched but cannot find

[@glenoby]

@quaich14 Wisdom, is it painfull or other?

[@barpypardlo]

Try the original of 'I'd rather go blind', by Etta James

[@alvinthepoohpooh]

any chance of a legal mp3 download

[@SuperVinny55]

@cavern65 girlsaloud and music just dont equate

[@SuperVinny55]

@cavern65 girlsaloud and music should never be put inthe same sentence

[@TheRunner75]

Good song but I prefer "I Will Survive" by Arrival

[@andreacorol7531]

Nice version but I still prefer the original