At its essence, “Smelly Cat,” a tune initially carried out by the character of Phoebe Buffay (Lisa Kudrow) on the 6th episode of the 2nd season of Friends in 1995, was a brief, folk ditty about a pungent feline.
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Written by Kudrow, in addition to Friends reveal authors Adam Chase and Betsy Borns, and The Pretenders’ Chrissie Hynde, “Smelly Cat” has actually stayed in the cumulative awareness of the majority of people who viewed the tv series in the ’90s and years after.
Smelly Cat, Smelly Cat,
What are they feeding you?
Smelly Cat, Smelly Cat,
It’s not your fault
“Smelly” Dog?
Though the funny lyrics focus around a cat, the tune was at first composed around a smelly dog owned by Friends author Betsy Borns, who was head author of the season 2 episode, which includes the now renowned tune.
“My dog was so smelly his name was Gouda, because he smelled like bad cheese,” said Borns. “But it was determined that ‘cat’ was funnier.”
They won’t take you to the veterinarian
You’re certainly not their preferred family pet
Smelly Cat, Smelly Cat,
It’s not your fault
You might not be a bed of roses
You’re not friend to those with noses
I’ll miss you prior to we’re done
Or the world will smell as one
Friends author Adam Chase at first developed the title of the tune. “The first time it appeared, it was just in dialogue,” said Chase of the tune title. “And we just needed a funny song title and I pitched that title.”
The Pretenders’ Chrissie Hynde
In the episode, composed by Borns, Phoebe is changed at her routine gig at the Friends hangout The Central Perk by an expert artist called Stephanie Schiffer, played by Hynde.
The Pretenders vocalist is included in the episode carrying out the 1981 Juice Newton hit “Angel of the Morning,” while Phoebe is busking outside.
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When it came to writing the lyrics for “Smelly Cat” episode, Kudrow took the reins, along with some help from Hynde. At the end of the episode, Phoebe performs “Smelly Cat,” which is used as a kitty litter jingle, and even teaches Hynde how to play it at The Central Perk.
Kudrow and The Pretenders later recorded a longer version of “Smelly Cat” for the 1999 compilation album, Friends Again.
Lady Gaga Duet
On the Friends reunion program in 2021, Lady Gaga made a visitor look and carried out “Smelly Cat” with Kudrow on The Central Perk sofa.
“I realized I had to learn ‘Smelly Cat’ again and I tuned my guitar and then realized I don’t know the chords, but I Googled it,” joked Kudrow about her nerves prior to carrying out “Smelly Cat” with Gaga. “All the chords were there, so thank you, world, for posting the chords.”
Kudrow included, “So I learned it and then my throat closed. I was so panicked, I couldn’t get anything out. I didn’t know what was going to happen but it worked out.”
Taylor Swift’s “Smelly Cat” Duet
In 2015, Kudrow likewise signed up with Taylor Swift throughout her performance at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. “This singer, she’s only ever played in coffee houses before,” said Swift while presenting Kudrow as Phoebe Buffay.
“She’s never played at big venues like this,” included Swift, “so please make her feel welcome.”
Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage
