Phoebe sang “Smelly Cat” in the second season’s sixth episode, “The One with the Baby on the Bus.”
Following the ups and downs of six friends living in New York City while attempting to balance their personal, social, and professional lives, “Friends” focused on Phoebe, Monica, Rachel, Joey, Chandler, and Ross. Each character had their own peculiarities, but Phoebe (played by Lisa Kudrow) was by far the most quirky, despite having the most tragic backstory of all the characters.
But those challenging experiences in her past helped shape the character viewers met in the show, a multilingual woman with a variety of skills and interests who worked as a masseuse but also spent a lot of time writing and singing, mostly at Central Perk. "Smelly Cat," one of the many songs Phoebe wrote and sang, is her most well-known.
The memorable tune made its debut in the season 2 episode "The One With The Baby On The Bus," and from that point on, it was frequently played or mentioned throughout the entire series, with some changes along the way.
How was the Smelly Cat song born?
With the melody created by Lisa Kudrow, who also did so for the rest of Phoebe's vibrant songs, "Smelly Cat" was written by Kudrow, Adam Chase, Betsy Borns, and Chrissie Hynde. Borns, who wrote the song, intended for it to be about a dog, hence the name "Smelly Dog."
Since Borns frequently drew inspiration from her own life for her job on Friends, "Smelly Dog" was originally modeled after a dog she once owned named Gouda, who had a very bad odor; the song was thus "an ode to her childhood pet." Later, the writers decided that making it about a cat would be funnier, and "Smelly Cat" was born.
Are there any variations to the Smelly Cat song?
In the episode "The One With The Baby On The Bus," co-writer Chrissie Hynde appeared as a guest star as a professional singer who had been brought in to take Phoebe's place at Central Perk. Phoebe attempted to teach her "Smelly Cat" at the episode's conclusion, but she was unable to do so, according to Phoebe.
Later in the series, "Smelly Cat" underwent multiple variations: first, Phoebe recorded it professionally for possible commercial release, but a professional singer's voice was substituted for hers; second, Phoebe's former song partner used it as a jingle for a cat litter commercial, much to Phoebe's displeasure. When Phoebe met her father, she learned that he had sung her a lullaby with the same melody as "Smelly Cat" called "Sleepy Girl." This information provided some background information for "Smelly Cat."
The song eventually evolved into Phoebe's signature joke. It was officially recorded for the Friends Again soundtrack album, credited to Phoebe Buffay and The Hairballs, and features vocals from Kudrow and The Pretenders. From being a song about a dog, Phoebe's least favorite song, and a one-time joke, "Smelly Cat" evolved into a remarkably catchy song that became extremely popular among Friends fans.
Who is Phoebe Buffay on Friends?
In addition to working as a masseuse, Lisa Kudrow's character Phoebe Buffay enjoys playing dreadnought-style acoustic guitars and singing awkward or ridiculous songs that she has written. She has been seen busking in the subway, playing live sets inside the coffee shop, outside the gang's usual "hang out" location, Central Perk, as well as at a public library.
Despite the fact that Phoebe Buffay's eccentric behavior did not change over the course of the ten seasons, it actually became her signature style to be a little off-the-wall and unpredictable. She is, without a doubt, the most benevolent member of the Friends cast. In the course of ten years, she manages to track down each member of her family, by whom she was abandoned years ago.
Phoebe's mother passed away when she was a young child, and her father Frank abandoned her along with her twin sister Ursula. Although Lily, her mother's close friend, was initially entrusted with their care, she later abandoned them as well. Years later, when Phoebe manages to find Lily and confront her, Lily admits that she was not ready at the time and simply fled like a coward.
She eventually finds her way to her father, Frank, who is unaware that both of his daughters spent so much time trying to survive on the streets. Frank was an eccentric, reserved individual who detested having to shoulder responsibility.
Phoebe discovered her half-brother Frank Jr. while searching for her father, and there she got to know that Frank had abandoned his half-brother as well. Later on, they get close, and Frank Jr. falls in love with his home tutor, Alice Knight, despite the 26-year age gap. They eventually get married and try to conceive, but aren’t able to due to her age. Thus, they asked Phoebe to be a surrogate, Phoebe conceded and gave birth to triplets.
Not only that, Kudrow portrayed Phoebe’s twin sister Ursula, who is the complete antithesis of Phoebe in every way and did an outstanding job. So much so that she has received numerous honors and nominations, including Primetime Emmy Awards, Satellite Awards, the Screen Actors Guild Award, and the Golden Globe Award.
FAQs
Q. Which of Phoebe's songs are most popular among fans?
A. The most well-liked songs Phoebe sang over the years were Smelly Cat, Sticky Shoes, Christmas Song, Snowman, and Two of Them Kissed Last Night.
Q. How was Ursula and Phoebe portrayed in the same frame?
A. Lisa’s body double, portrayed by her elder sister, Helene Kudow.
Q. What is the net worth of Lisa Kudrow?
A. Lisa Kudrow’s net worth is estimated to be $130 million, as of 2022.
