I loved watching ‘Friends’ the first time around, which now feels like almost a thousand years ago. It was a great comedy TV series and one of the best. In my opinion, it’s up there with other great American TV comedy shows like ‘Frasier’ and ‘Seinfeld.’
I confess that I never gave much thought to the meaning of the ‘Friends’ theme song “I’ll Be There For You” Quite frankly, I was too taken in with the whole show to give it much thought. However, I have now finally looked at those lyrics and will try to explain what they mean. As well as give you a bit of background information about the song and the band that sang it. Let’s get started.
The Rembrandts History
It is fair to say that nearly everyone with electricity will have watched the hit US TV series ‘Friends.’ Almost as many will remember the theme song, “I’ll Be There for You.” And I bet a good number of those could remember the lyrics, too. But how many could name the band behind the ‘Friends’ theme song? Probably very few.
So, to put most of you out of your misery, the band is called, The Rembrandts. They are a Rock duo that formed in 1989 in Los Angeles, California. After a short hiatus between 1997 to 2000, Phil Solem and Danny Wilde are still together, recording and playing music.
Before forming The Rembrandts, Wilde had been in a band called ‘Quick’ and enjoyed some moderate success. Subsequently, Wilde and Solem played together in a band called ‘Great Buildings’ that predominantly focused on Pop.
The Rembrandts Chart Success
The band’s 1990 debut album, the self-titled The Rembrandts, was recorded at the home studio of Danny Wilde. It was moderately successful, reaching #88 on the US Billboard charts. Its highest-charting position was #23 in Austria.
Four singles were taken for the album. The lead single, “Just the Way It Is Baby,” released in 1990, was the most successful of the four. It reached #14 in the US and as high as #6 in Germany.
They released their follow-up untitled album a year later. It was possibly the most significant of their career, even though it failed to chart. And, of the four singles that were released, only “Johnny Have You Seen Her” charted.
So, what was so important about the album?
Because one of the tracks, “Rollin Down the Hill,” was included in the smash hit movie, “Dumb and Dumber.” However, it wasn’t released as a single. Subsequently, the track proved pivotal in garnering the attention of Kevin S. Bright, one of the producers of ‘Friends,’ who was already a fan of their music.
Recording of “I’ll Be There For You”
The producers originally wanted to use “Shiny Happy People” by R.E.M. as the theme song, but the band refused. So, the search was on for a suitable alternative. Kevin S. Bright was adamant that he wanted an established band to sing and help in the recording process.
He suggested The Rembrandts to the other two producers, Marta Kauffman and David Crane, as the right fit and a good second choice. The Rembrandts, like R.E.M., were also not keen to be involved. But, after a lot of arm-twistings by their record label, Warner Bros. Records, they eventually relented.
Fortunately, the recording process was made relatively easy…
That’s because the structure of the ‘Friends’ theme song, and the first verse and chorus, had already been written by Michael Skloff. He was essentially the guy responsible for all musical aspects of the show. The lyrics had also been preliminarily fleshed out by Allee Willis.
The pair got together with Solem and Wilde and worked on adding a second verse and bridge. Incidentally, they were tasked with making a song with a similar sound and vibe to REM’s song, “It’s the End of the World as We Know It.” Clearly, the producers loved REM!
So, they set to work…
The actual recording and mix went reasonably smoothly. Everyone agreed on a happy Pop feel with the vocals up front and prominent. Therefore, it was recorded relatively quickly. Other than when it got to the clapping part of the song. That’s when things got a bit tricky with take after take needed to finally get it right.
Song Release
The original version of “I’ll Be There For You” was only a minute long. But, then a further two minutes were added so it could be released as a single. However, the song’s release was delayed until well after the TV series aired. Although, during this time, the song was available for radio play.
This unusual delay led to the single reaching the top of the US Billboard Hot 100 airplay charts. Even without having been released as a physical single. Eventually, it was released on the 23rd of May 1995. It reached #17 in the US, #1 in Canada, and #3 in the UK and Australia. Surprisingly, it was not The Rembrants’ highest charting single in the US.
But, it did earn them a platinum disc in both the US and the UK. Additionally, no doubt on the back of the single success, the album it was taken from, L.P. went to #23 in the US and #14 in the UK, As well as earning them another platinum disc in America. Sadly, they then failed to chart with any of their subsequent albums, and their singles enjoyed little love.
Lyrics and Meaning
Let’s now dig into the meaning of the ‘Friends’ theme song “I’ll Be There For You”. ‘Friends’ was a fantastic feel-good comedy. So, it will come as no surprise that the main theme of “I’ll Be There For You” is also based on a feel-good set of lyrics. However, the song kicks off in the first verse by listing just about every problem you could expect to experience in modern life.
The lyrics of the ‘Friends’ theme song are cleverly formed to paint a picture of all the annoyances and minor disasters you might encounter as a young adult. It deals with being in a job you hate, having terrible relationships, having no money, and feeling like you are not making any progress in life.
All these things are highly relatable and hit the demographic which the TV series was aiming for. However, unintentional or not, many of the themes are still common in most people’s lives, regardless of age.
After serving up a rather depressing dollop of reality…
The chorus chimes in with super happy harmonies and a super uplifting melody and musical arrangement. We are assured that our friends will be there for us. Come rain or shine; our friends will be there to help us. That’s because they know that we will do the same for them in the same situation.
But, quite frankly, the lyrics make for almost sickly-sweet reading. Normally, we would see them as having gone too far, and they would feel stupid. But, in the context of the TV show, and the opening scene where the cast sits outside on a sofa by a fountain, before dancing and running around it, before jumping in, and playing with umbrellas, it feels so right.
You can’t help feeling you were also so young, beautiful, carefree, and happy, even if you are broke and hate your job. Well, who cares, eh?
Interested In Meaning Behind Other Songs?
If so, check out our thoughts on the Meaning Behind “Y.M.C.A.” by the Village People, the Meaning Of “Pumped Up Kicks” Song Lyrics, The Meaning Behind “Crazy” by Gnarls Barkley, The Meaning Behind “Waterfalls” by TLC, and The Meaning Behind Kate Bush’s 1985 Classic “Running Up That Hill” for more song insights and interpretations.
The Meaning of the ‘Friends’ Theme Song “I’ll Be There For You” – Final Thoughts
That brought back so many good memories. Now, I am resolved to go and watch ‘Friends’ again. As well as a few of those other great American sitcoms from the 90s.
I hope you have enjoyed this little trip down memory lane. Additionally, I also hope that the meaning of the ‘Friends’ theme song is now a little clearer. However, I suspect many of you already had a pretty good understanding of the song. If not, the history and the making of it.
Until next time, happy listening.
