The Theme Song and the Soundtrack Albums
The theme song is called "I'll Be There For You." It is sung by the Rembrandts. The music is by MichaelSkloff and the lyrics by Allee Willis.
The Soundtrack album has the TV version and the extended version of the song.
The extended version can also be found on the Rembrandts 1995 album, "L.P."
And a new version can be found on the 2nd Friends Soundtrack Album, Friends Again.
And to answer the most-asked questions about the theme song: There are only four claps;and D.O.A. stands for "dead on arrival."
Lyrics:
So no one told you life was gonna be this way [four claps]
Your job's a joke, you're broke, your love life's D.O.A.
It's like you're always stuck in second gear
When it hasn't been your day, your week, your month, or even your year
CHORUS:
but I'll be there for you
(When the rain starts to pour)
I'll be there for you
(Like I've been there before)
I'll be there for you
('Cause you're there for me too)
Then, the extended version continues with:
You're still in bed at ten and work began at eight
You've burned your breakfast; so far, things are going great
Your mother warned you there'd be days like these
But she didn't tell when the world has brought you down to your knees
CHORUS
BRIDGE:
No one could ever know me, no one could ever see me
Seems you're the only one who knows what it's like to be me
Someone to face the day with, make it through all the rest with
Someone I will always laugh with
Even at my worst, I'm best with you
Yeah!
It's like you're always stuck in second gear
When it hasn't been your day, your week, your month, or even your year, but
CHORUS
Return to Questions
1.01 Pilot - What song was playing while Ross and Rachel were each looking outof their windows, during the rainstorm?
The song is Sky Blue and Black by Jackson Browne, from the album I'm Alive.Here are the lyrics:
In the calling out to one another
Of the lovers up and down the strand
In the sound of the waves and the cries
Of the seagulls circling the sand
In the fragments of the songs
Carried down the wind from some radio
In the murmuring of the city in the distance
Ominous and low
I hear the sound of the world where we played
And the far too simple beauty
Of the promises we made
If you ever need holding
Call my name, and I'll be there
If you ever need holding
And no holding back, and I'll see you through
Sky Blue And Black
Where the touch of the lover ends
And the soul of the friend begins
There's a need to be separate and a need to be one
And a struggle neither wins
Where you gave me the world I was in
And a place I could make a stand
I could never see how you doubted me
When I'd let go of you hand
Yeah, and I was much younger then
And I must have thought that I would know
If things were going to end
And the heavens were rolling
Like a wheel on a track
And our sky was unfolding
And it'll never fold back
Sky Blue And Black
And I'd have fought the world for you
If I thought that you wanted me to
Or put aside what was true or untrue
If I'd known that's what you needed
What you needed me to do
But the moment has passed by me now
To have put away my pride
And just come through for you somehow
If you ever need holding
Call my name, and I'll be there
If you ever need holding
And no holding back, I'll see you through
You're the color of the sky
Reflected in each store-front window pane
You're the whispering and the sighing
Of my tires in the rain
You're the hidden cost and the thing that's lost
In everything I do
Yeah and I'll never stop looking for you
In the sunlight and the shadows
And the faces on the avenue
That's the way love is
Return to Questions
1.03 and 2.19 TOW the Thumb and TOW Eddie Won't Go - Chandler's "sneaky" music.
This music was used in two episodes:- TOW the Thumb, when Chandler was being sneaking about smoking at work
- TOW Eddie won't go, when Chandler came home cautiously, worried that Eddie might still be there.
I don't know the name of this piece. It would most likely either be (1) something from a general studio library, selected by the show's music editor to fit these scenes, or (2) something written specifically for Friends by the show's musician, Michael Skloff.
Return to Questions
1.04 TOW George Stephanopoulos - What music played at the beginning of the hockey game?
That music is commonly known as "Charge" and is played at many American Baseball and Hockey games. I found some info at the US Library of Congress, Music Division, listing bibliography of Published Baseball Music and Songs, which I think documents the origin of this song:CHARGE! Ditmars, Ivan (m); Heidt, Horace and Gerald Bowne (w). Artist copy. Van Nuys, CA: Amco Music Co., 1959. (M1978.S714D) Ep134857
and
DODGERS CHARGE 1960. Bowne-Ditmar-Heidt (m & w). Van Nuys, CA: AMCO, Inc., 1960. (M1978.S713D) Ep140106.
[Note: Photograph of the 1959 World Champion Dodgers on the cover.]
Return to Questions
1.04b TOW George Stephanopoulos - What played while the girls were depressed and laying around the apartment?
I've tried to track this one down several times, but I've had no luck. Anyone out there have a suggestion?Return to Questions
1.07 TOW The Blackout - What song where Phoebe, Joey, and Monica singing while Ross was fighting the cat?
Top of the World by The Carpenters.Return to Questions
1.09 TOW Underdog Gets Away - What songs are featured in this episode?
In the montage showing Joey's V.D. poster all over the city, Don't Stand So Close To Me by The Police was playing.When Ross was singing to his unborn child, he was singing his own version of Hey, Hey, We're the Monkeys, by The Monkeys.
Return to Questions
1.10 The One With The Monkey - What songs were played at the New Year's party?
The song at the beginning of the party is Shiny Happy People, by R.E.M., from the album Out of Time.The song which played while Chandler had photos with Janice and while Phoebe said goodbye to Scientist Guy wasInto Your Arms by Lemonheads.
I haven't been able to identify the other song at the party. I you can identify one I've missed, let me know.
Return to Questions
1.11 TOW Mrs. Bing - What song was playing while Monica and Phoebe took care of Coma Guy?
My Guy by Mary Wells.Return to Questions
1.12 The One With the Dozen Lasagnes - What TV themes are they humming?
At the beginning of [1.12] they were singing "The Odd Couple" and the beginning of "I Dream of Jeannie."Return to Questions
1.15 TOW the Stoned Guy - When Ross has Celia (the dirty talker) over, what music is playing?
Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon by Neil Diamond.Return to Questions
1.17 TOW Two Parts, part 2 - What song was playing at the beginning of Phoebe's party (before she arrived)?
What's the Frequency, Kenneth?, by R.E.M.Return to Questions
1.17 The One With Two Parts, part 2 - What song (that went "In a New York Minute...") was playing when Ross and Marcel were in the hospital?
That's called New York Minute. It's by Don Henley of The Eagles. It can be found on many albums, includingThe End of the Innocence.Return to Questions
1.18 The One With All the Poker - What did they whistle in the opening scene?
That tune is "Colonel Bogey March," most commonly identified by the fact that it was used as the theme music from the movie "Bridge on the River Kwai." (Though the tune was famous well before that movie was made). Wikipedia has great information about it, at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colonel_Bogey_March.Return to Questions
1.18 & 2.12 The One With All the Poker, and The One After the Superbowl, part 1 - What song did Marcel playin 118, which they also sang to get his attention at the movie set in 212?
The song is "The lion sleeps tonight", also known as Mbube, originally composed by Zulu singer Soloman Linda.For more information: http://www.3rdearmusic.com/forum/mbube2.html.
Return to Questions
1.19 The One Where The Monkey Gets Away - What music was playing when Louisa tried to shoot Marcel with a tranquilizer dart?
The theme from the original TV show, "Shaft."Return to Questions