"Friend Like Me"
Song by Robin Williams
from the album Aladdin: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
ReleasedOctober 31, 1992
Recorded1991
GenreShow tune
Length2:26
LabelWalt Disney
Composer(s)Alan Menken
Lyricist(s)Howard Ashman
Producer(s)Alan Menken
Licensed audio
"Friend Like Me (Remastered 2022)" on YouTube

"Friend Like Me" is the song from Disney's 1992 animated feature film Aladdin. It was 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. After Robin Williams was cast, it was retooled 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:

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".[1]

Synopsis

After Aladdin releases the Genie from his lamp and the Genie considers that he can give Aladdin almost anything within a limit of three wishes, the Genie proves his nigh-omnipotent power to the skeptical thief with an impressive musical number, stressing that he is a friend unlike any other. 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".[2]

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."[3] 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.".[4]

In popular culture

In 1995, Alvin and the Chipmunks recorded a cover of the song for their Disney-themed concept album When You Wish Upon a Chipmunk.[5][6]

Shawn Johnson and Mark Ballas danced the song as a quickstep in season 8 of Dancing with the Stars. Season 18's Week 5 episode was Disney-themed and included a quickstep to "Friend Like Me" by Drew Carey and Cheryl Burke that featured an animated Genie dancing along. The dance scored a total of 28 from the four judges (including guest judge Donny Osmond). It was also danced to by Alison Hammond and Aljaž Škorjanec in Series 12, Week 7 of the British version of the show (titled Strictly Come Dancing). Their Charleston to this song scored a total of 27 from the judges.

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.

Ne-Yo covered the song for the 2015 United States version of We Love Disney. An official music video is available online and on the 2015 diamond edition of the film.[7]

Will Smith, as the Genie, performs the song in the 2019 live-action remake of Aladdin,[8] and as a rap in the end credits, with DJ Khaled.[9][10]

Charts

Will Smith version

Chart (2019) Peak
position
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[11] 33
Scotland (OCC)[12] 49
South Korea (Gaon)[13] 96
UK Singles (OCC)[14] 95

Certifications

Will Smith version

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[15] Silver 200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[16] Platinum 1,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ "10 Things You Didn't Know About Disney's "Aladdin"". August 20, 2013. Retrieved January 17, 2018.
  2. ^ "Aladdin - Film Reviews - Films - Spirituality & Practice". Retrieved February 22, 2017.
  3. ^ Futterman, Erica (May 19, 2014). "It's Impossible Not To Dance To "Friend Like Me" From The New "Aladdin" Musical". BuzzFeed.com. BuzzFeed Inc. Retrieved January 17, 2018.
  4. ^ "5 Reasons to See Disney's 'Aladdin' on Broadway - March 28, 2014 - NewYork.com". Archived from the original on May 29, 2014. Retrieved May 29, 2014.
  5. ^ "The Chipmunks – When You Wish upon a Chipmunk". AllMusic. All Media Network, LLC. Retrieved May 18, 2014.
  6. ^ "When You Wish Upon A Chipmunk". Amazon.ca. Amazon.com, Inc. Retrieved May 19, 2014.
  7. ^ "NE-YO - Friend Like Me". YouTube.com. WeLoveDisneyVEVO. Retrieved January 18, 2018.
  8. ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "Will Smith - Friend Like Me (From "Aladdin"/Audio Only)". YouTube.
  9. ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "Will Smith - Friend Like Me (End Title) (From "Aladdin"/Audio Only) ft. DJ Khaled". YouTube.
  10. ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "Will Smith - Friend Like Me (from Aladdin) (Official Video)". YouTube.
  11. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. June 3, 2019. Retrieved May 31, 2019.
  12. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 1, 2019.
  13. ^ "Digital Chart – Week 26 of 2019". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Retrieved July 4, 2019.
  14. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 8, 2019.
  15. ^ "British single certifications – Will Smith – Friend Like Me". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  16. ^ "American single certifications – Will Smith – Friend Like Me". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
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