Friend Like Me

"Friend Like Me" is a song from the 1992 Disney film Aladdin. It was performed by Robin Williams in his role as the Genie. The song 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 explains 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

The Genie is a supernatural character and as such often uses anachronisms, an example being the neon "Applause" sign at the end of his showstopper "Friend Like Me". This is similar to the use of contemporary references in Be Our Guest and A Guy Like You, which are performed by the enchanted cutlery of Beauty and the Beast and the Gargoyles which are a figment of The Hunchback of Notre Dame's imagination respectively.

After Aladdin releases the Genie from his lamp and the Genie explains that he can give Aladdin almost anything within a limit of three wishes, the Genie proves his nigh-omnipotent power to the sceptical thief with an impressive musical number.

Critical reception

Spirituality and Practice describes it as "the big production number of the film".^[2]

In a review of the Broadway version of the film, BuzzFeed wrote 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,” the big song".^[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.The Week 5 episode of Dancing with the Stars Season 18 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 Skorjanec in week 7 of Series 12 of the British version of the show (Strictly Come Dancing), their Charleston to this song scored a total of 27 from the judges

Ne-Yo covered the song for the United States version of We Love Disney in 2015.

References