The Magic Friend

Larry Flick from Billboard wrote, "One of the more successful techno acts in Europe continues its bid for mainstream club and radio approval along these shores with a cute and NRGetic wriggler. The music is a bit harder than previous tracks, though the rap is a little too strained and silly for its own good."{{cite magazine|first=Larry|last=Flick|url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/90s/1992/Billboard-1992-08-29.pdf|title=Single Reviews|magazine=Billboard|date=29 August 1992|access-date=24 January 2018|author-link=Larry Flick}} Kat Stevens of Freaky Trigger noted the track's "tasty ingredients" of "recogniseable pop stars, colourful boshing beats, catchy chorus, silly noises [and] fervoured anticipation." Comparing parts of the track to settings on a Yamaha keyboard, she compared the track's main synth sound to the "Brass 1" setting and the "gutteral metallic swinging" to the "Slap Bass" setting.{{cite web|last1=Stevens|first1=Kat|title=Blog '92: That's What I Am|url=http://freakytrigger.co.uk/ft/2007/11/blog-92-thats-what-i-am/|publisher=Freaky Trigger|access-date=22 November 2017|date=27 November 2007}} James Hamilton from Music Week's RM Dance Update deemed it as "'Start-Rite' techno for young "wannabe" ravers".{{cite magazine|first= James |last= Hamilton |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1992/MW-1992-08-08.pdf |title= DJ Directory: Out On Monday |magazine= Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert) |date= 8 August 1992 |page= 5 |access-date= 2 October 2020 |author-link= James Hamilton (DJ and journalist)}} Tom Doyle from Smash Hits stated that "the insufferable duo return with another ropey techno effort".{{cite magazine|first=Tom|last=Doyle|url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/57779449@N02/49386134632/in/album-72157712671115218/ |title= New Singles |magazine= Smash Hits |date= 5 August 1992 |page= 41 |access-date= 6 August 2020}}

"The Magic Friend" peaked at number one in Finland and entered top 10 in Belgium, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Spain. In the United Kingdom, the single reached number 11 during its third week at the UK Singles Chart, on 23 August 1992. On the UK Dance Singles Chart, "The Magic Friend" reached number nine. Additionally, it was a top-20 hit in Germany and a top-30 hit in Sweden. On the Eurochart Hot 100, it peaked at number 11. Outside Europe, the single reached number one on the Canadian RPM Dance chart and number 26 on the RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart, number five in Zimbabwe, and number 16 in Australia.

The accompanying music video for "The Magic Friend" was directed by British director David Betteridge. It was shot in The Pinnacles and Wave Rock in Australia. Ray and Anita sing the song in the video while a mysterious character dances around in the background. Selina Webb from Music Week complimented "the slightly surreal" video, adding that it is "in particular standing head and shoulders above the average dance video."{{cite magazine|first= Selina |last= Webb |title= Market Preview: Music Video |magazine= Music Week |date= 15 May 1993 |page= 10 |access-date= 26 March 2021 |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1993/Music-Week-1993-05-15.pdf}} Betteridge also directed the videos for "Get Ready for This", "Twilight Zone" and "Workaholic". "The Magic Friend" was later published on 2 Unlimited's official YouTube channel in July 2014. By September 2020, it had more than 222,000 views.

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• 7-inch single

1. "The Magic Friend" (vocal edit) (3:43)
2. "The Magic Friend" (instrumental edit) (3:02)

• 12-inch maxi

1. "The Magic Friend" (Automatic remix) (4:23)
2. "The Magic Friend" (Rio & Le Jean mix) (5:15)
3. "Automatic Megamix" (4:55)
4. "Murphy's Megamix" (5:40)

• CD single, Belgium

1. "The Magic Friend" (vocal edit) (3:43)
2. "The Magic Friend" (instrumental edit) (3:02)
3. "The Magic Friend" (extended version) (5:14)
4. "The Magic Friend" (Rio & Le Jean remix) (5:15)
5. "The Magic Friend" (Automatic remix) (4:23)
6. "Murphy's Megamix" (5:40)
7. "Automatic Megamix" (4:55)

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• CD single, UK

1. "The Magic Friend" (7-inch edit) (3:02)
2. "The Magic Friend" (Automatic remix) (4:23)
3. "The Magic Friend" (Rio & Le Jean remix) (5:15)
4. "Automatic Megamix" (4:55)

• CD maxi, Germany

1. "The Magic Friend" (vocal edit) (3:43)
2. "The Magic Friend" (instrumental edit) (3:02)
3. "The Magic Friend" (extended) (5:14)
4. "The Magic Friend" (Rio & Le Jean remix) (5:05)
5. "Murphy's Megamix" (5:40)
6. "Automatic Megamix" (4:55)

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Category:1992 singles

Category:1992 songs

Category:2 Unlimited songs

Category:Music videos directed by David Betteridge

Category:Number-one singles in Finland

Category:Songs written by Ray Slijngaard

Category:Byte Records singles