Friend Like Me
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2017}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Friend Like Me
| cover =
| alt =
| type =
| artist = Robin Williams
| album = Aladdin: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
| released = October 31, 1992
| format =
| recorded = 1991
| studio =
| genre = *Show tune
| length = 2:26
| label = Walt Disney
| composer = Alan Menken
| lyricist = Howard Ashman
| producer = Alan Menken
| misc = {{External music video|header=Licensed audio|1={{YouTube|DPKzYHcoBfU|"Friend Like Me (Remastered 2022)"}}}}
}}
"Friend Like Me" is the song from Disney's 1992 animated feature film Aladdin, performed by Robin Williams in his role as the Genie. The song is also performed by Will Smith in 2019 live-action remake. It was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 65th Academy Awards and the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song at the 50th Golden Globe Awards in 1993.
Production
The song was originally designed as a Cab Calloway-style big band number. Some elements of this concept remain (for instance, when the Genie scats, in typical Calloway moves), but after Robin Williams was cast it was expanded as a more comedic, pop-culture-filled song.
ScreenCrush stated that remnants of the previous version of the film can be seen in this sequence:
{{blockquote|Aladdin's original design was younger, more cartoony, and loosely based on actor Michael J. Fox. But Jeffrey Katzenberg wanted the design changed, fearing that Aladdin wasn't a suitable leading man for the beautiful Jasmine. So Aladdin's design was reworked to be less Michael J. Fox and more Tom Cruise. However, animation on the movie had already started, so you can see traces of the old Aladdin design during "Friend Like Me".{{cite web|url=http://screencrush.com/things-you-didnt-know-about-disneys-aladdin/|title=10 Things You Didn't Know About Disney's "Aladdin"|date=August 20, 2013 |access-date=January 17, 2018}}}}
Synopsis
After being released from his lamp by Aladdin, the Genie announces that he can grant three wishes to give the thief nearly anything he desires. When Aladdin expresses skepticism over the extent of the Genie's powers, the Genie stages an elaborate musical number and stresses that he can be a friend unlike any others Aladdin has ever had. This song is similar to the use of contemporary references in "Be Our Guest", performed by the enchanted cutlery of Beauty and the Beast, and "A Guy Like You", performed by the Gargoyles in The Hunchback of Notre Dame. The same happens in the live-action remake.
Critical reception
Spirituality & Practice described it as "the big production number of the film".{{cite web|url=http://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/films/films.php?id=4934|title=Aladdin - Film Reviews - Films - Spirituality & Practice|access-date=February 22, 2017}}
In a review of the Broadway version of the film, BuzzFeed wrote that the "seven-and-a-half minute 'Friend Like Me' is easily this season's best production number, and a jaw-dropping athletic feat."{{cite web|last1=Futterman|first1=Erica|date=May 19, 2014|url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/ericafutterman/its-impossible-not-to-dance-to-friend-like-me-from-the-new-a|title=It's Impossible Not To Dance To "Friend Like Me" From The New "Aladdin" Musical|website=BuzzFeed.com|publisher=BuzzFeed Inc.|access-date=January 17, 2018}} NewYork.com wrote "Rarely does a production number receive a standing ovation in the middle of a show, but 'Friend Like Me' [has] them standing in the aisles before intermission.".{{Cite web |url=http://www.newyork.com/articles/broadway/5-reasons-to-see-disneys-aladdin-on-broadway-98912/ |title=5 Reasons to See Disney's 'Aladdin' on Broadway - March 28, 2014 - NewYork.com |access-date=May 29, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140529160346/http://www.newyork.com/articles/broadway/5-reasons-to-see-disneys-aladdin-on-broadway-98912/ |archive-date=May 29, 2014 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}
In popular culture
In 1996 2Pac recorded the song "Never Had a Friend Like Me", which interpolates "Friend Like Me". This song is featured on the 1997 original soundtrack for the film, Gridlock'd.
Will Smith, as the Genie, performs the song in the 2019 live-action remake of Aladdin,Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211205/DYxrVBu2_gc Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20190522120213/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYxrVBu2_gc&gl=US&hl=en Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYxrVBu2_gc| title = Will Smith - Friend Like Me (From "Aladdin"/Audio Only) | website=YouTube}}{{cbignore}} and as a rap in the end credits, with DJ Khaled.Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211205/4PofrJqEQv0 Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20190522044212/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PofrJqEQv0&gl=US&hl=en Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PofrJqEQv0| title = Will Smith - Friend Like Me (End Title) (From "Aladdin"/Audio Only) ft. DJ Khaled | website=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211205/1at7kKzBYxI Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20190807045601/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1at7kKzBYxI Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web| url = https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1at7kKzBYxI| title = Will Smith - Friend Like Me (from Aladdin) (Official Video) | website=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}
Charts
Will Smith version
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
| scope="col"| Chart (2019)
! scope="col"| Peak |
|---|
| scope="row"| New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ){{cite web|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/hot-singles/2019-05-31|title=NZ Hot Singles Chart|publisher=Recorded Music NZ|date=June 3, 2019|access-date=May 31, 2019}}
| 33 |
| {{single chart|Scotland|49|date=20190531|rowheader=true|access-date=June 1, 2019}} |
| scope="row"| South Korea (Gaon){{cite web|url=http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=ALL&targetTime=26&hitYear=2019&termGbn=week|title=Digital Chart – Week 26 of 2019|website=Gaon Chart|language=ko|access-date=July 4, 2019}}
| 96 |
| {{single chart|UK|95|date=20190607|rowheader=true|access-date=June 8, 2019}} |
Certifications
Will Smith version
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|award=Gold|artist=Will Smith|title=Friend Like Me|relyear=2019|certyear=2024|accessdate=November 19, 2024|id=17330-566-1}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|award=Platinum|artist=Will Smith|title=Friend Like Me|relyear=2019|certyear=2023|access-date=January 19, 2023}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|noshipments=yes|streaming=yes}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{Disney's Aladdin}}
{{Disney Renaissance}}
{{Howard Ashman}}
{{Ne-Yo}}
{{Will Smith}}
{{authority control}}
Category:Songs about friendship
Category:Songs from Aladdin (franchise)
Category:Disney Renaissance songs
Category:Songs with lyrics by Howard Ashman
Category:Songs with music by Alan Menken