F.R.I.E.N.D.S Forever - Part I Music and Dance

F.R.I.E.N.D.S  Forever  

F.R.I.E.N.D.S. - through  music and dance

 Twenty Seven years since it aired, Ten Seasons,  236 episodes from. 1994 to 2004.  F.R.I.E.N.D.S the show was rated Must watch Television of the Decade and has been watched a millions of times since its release. 

I started watching FRIENDS about a couple of years after it ended - say 2006-07. I always had all ten Seasons of FRIENDS on my laptop,  till the era of 4G, cheap data and instant streaming meant I did not have to lug around my laptop.  I must have watched re-runs (I do start to finish and then start over again) at least 20 times through the years. All this practice has me mouthing dialogues even before they start, but never tire of smiling end to end each time. Through the years,  FRIENDS has been therapy, alleviated fatigue,  pain and even fever (not even joking here). Fans will agree with me. 

I am fresh off watching the F.R.I.E.N.D.S reunion.  It was a real treat,  totally worth the time - it was hysterical and nostalgic in the right measure, with the right amount of cameos and special segments. 

In what will be a series of posts, I explore FRIENDS through different lenses. This post, is about the most memorable songs, tracks, performances and dance sequences in FRIENDS and what makes them special to me. 

F.R.I.E.N.D.S. - through  music and dance

In the Jungle: with Marcel the monkey 

In Season 1, Ross befriends Marcel, a mischievous carpuchian monkey , whose favourite song is " In the Jungle " from the Lion King.  The track is used so well in the script , with Ross , Chandler and Joey trotting about like Simba, Timon and Pumba from the Lion King. Fans of Lion King will appreciate how well it is referenced and used. Ross and gang sing "In the Jungle" on the sets of the movie to get Marcel's attention.  Catch Joey vocalising "Wheeoooowoooo" and nailing it . Hilarious!

The One where Joey teaches dance:

Joey lies on his resume about knowing  dance and auditions for a musical . The whole sequence is hilarious and the dancing is funny is on another level. 

Instructor:  Hand, Hand, Head, Head, Up , Pas de bourree,  Pas de bouree  and ...... Jazz hands! 

Joey : Its Steppity step and Jazz Hands!

😅😅😅

Ross plays the bagpipes:

For the record, this is the hardest I have laughed in all the episodes in FRIENDS. 

Ross wants to play bagpipes at the Mondler wedding as a reference to Chandler's half Scottish roots.  Just like the sequence in which Ross plays the keyboards, he thinks he is good, while it is just noise to those listening.  The sequence has a lot of hilarious lines. To quote the funniest.... 

Monica:   What is that?

Chandler:   I think it is the dying cat parade. 😆😆😆

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Monica:       Unbelievable!  Why is your family Scottish?

Chandler:   Why is your family, Ross?    😂😂

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Ross: You know the song, sing a long! 

Pheobe:   "eeee..heee... eeeehhneeee".   

When Phoebe starts on that shrill note, I crack up completely . (Watch Jennifer trying to hold her laughter , sitting alongside Lisa). 

Also linked, is Ross' keyboard scene .

The Routine:

Whenever I watch the Routine, it brings memories of my brother and I dancing as kids with our stereo blaring, when we were left alone at home. 

Ross and Monica try to get on a dumb New Year's Eve TV show and decide to repeat their childhood dance routine to grab some attention.  While they make a complete joke of themselves, both of them think they are darn good! The sequence is hilarious and their sibling chemistry is so cute!  Don't miss Ross's   "Yeah, you better get us on air" head shake at the end 😂😂😂

Smelly Cat:

Smelly cat is a big part of FRIENDS and Phoebe references it to her own life experiences .  There are many versions of Smelly cat all through FRIENDS, but this one where they all sing together, is priceless.

Phoebe owns Smelly Cat and she is right. No one does it as well as she does. Lady Gaga singing Smelly Cat with Lisa Kudrow in the FRIENDS Reunion was top notch though. 

Rachel sings " Copacabana " at Barry's Wedding: 

Barry's wedding sequence, is testimony to Jennifer Aniston's acting prowess.  Like David Crane and Marta Kaufmann said in the reunion, Rachel is a character who could be disliked easily. Jennifer made her immensely likeable.  Rachel was never masked within Jennifer's  incredible good looks. She brought a deep sense of vulnerability and strength to Rachel. Her character arc -  running away from home, waitressing, making it on her own in fashion and trying to find love, is relatable. Jennifer has terrific comedic timing.  This scene made me have a lot of respect for Rachel. When  everyone in the room is trying to pull her down, Rachel holds herself together and turns things around with some savage comebacks and even lightens the mood in the room.  (Btw, here is a link to the original Copacabana track ) 

Offensive Rap song:  Ross and Rachel to Emma

Ross tries to get his baby to laugh and  discovers she laughs for said offensive rap track. Rachel discovers and gives him an earful, before succumbing and singing it herself. 

Parenthood is a period of self doubt and conflicting decision making.  Ross, by nature, wants to be seen as the guy who always does the right thing.  This is evident through the entire series. FRIENDS succeeded in building distinct characters and kept their traits intact all through. The funniest part of the sequence is when Ross says at the end "Rachel, please! that is so inappropriate! " .  

Pheobe's Wedding & Marjorie's steel drums: 

Ok. This is technically not a "music" piece, but the music in this scene is memorable. 

Phoebe is the character I like the most and in parts, aspire to be like. Phoebe is not just reliable, honest and open - she is also  whimsical, imaginative and open. She is not afraid to take a stand, has her own principles, practices her beliefs even if the attempts are imperfect. Separate post on the best of Phoebe later. 

Her wedding gave a lot of closure for her character. The wedding itself, reflected so much of her personality - simple, no nonsense, with the people closest to her, out in the snow in the streets.  The highlight of this scene, was her friend Marjorie playing the steel drums (which Monica tried to swap out for  Harp or something in the original wedding venue).  Just the sight of her walking down the aisle to the notes of the steel drums, was moving.   With Joey officiating (".... the cold, has now spread to my special place, so I'm gonna do the short version of this...) Ross holding Chappy and Monica being a total control freak, this scene is special . The music makes it even more so. 

I'll be there for you -  the Rembrandts 

For FRIENDS fans, hearing " So no one told you life was gonna be this way....." is pure joy and signifies the start of a blissful 22 minutes.  I never bypass this when I binge stream FRIENDS, even if  Netflix gives the option to "Skip Intro".  The song by the Rembrandts is synonymous with FRIENDS and stands for all that the show signifies -  friendship, fun and a smattering  of non-intrusive life advice. 

Here is a fun to watch version of the whole song, shot with the band and all 6 cast members. 

I hope to write about the best of the Thanksgiving episodes next.  Or the most memorable cameos. Or the best of Joey and Chandler. Or Chandler's sarcastic best. There are so many options.  

Let me know about your favorite song and dance sequences, in the comments. Would love to read them!