| "Everybody Needs a Best Friend" | |
|---|---|
| Song byNorah Jones | |
| from the albumTed: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack | |
| Language | English |
| Released | June 26, 2012 (2012-06-26) |
| Studio | Brooklyn Recording (Brooklyn, NY)[1] |
| Genre | Jazz |
| Length | 2:28 |
| Label | Universal Republic |
| Composer | Walter Murphy |
| Lyricist | Seth MacFarlane |
| Music video | |
| "Everybody Needs a Best Friend" onYouTube | |
"Everybody Needs a Best Friend" is a song from the 2012 feature filmTed, with music composed byWalter Murphy and lyrics bySeth MacFarlane. Performed byNorah Jones during the film's opening credits, the song was used as the film's main theme song. It was released byUniversal Republic Records on June 26, 2012.[2]
In January 2013, the song was nominated for theAcademy Award for Best Original Song at the85th Academy Awards.[3] MacFarlane was also the host of the Oscars while also being nominated.[4][5]
The song’s opening verse was repurposed as the title theme in theTed prequel series, which premiered in 2024.
Seth MacFarlane had sentWalter Murphy the script ofTed and said, "first of all, he wanted an old-fashioned score that would have themes for the individual characters. That idea intrigued me because in most summer films the score goes in and out of pop songs and isn't usually constructed that way. He also wanted a main title song that I could quote throughout the film."
MacFarlane had sent Murphy a set of lyrics, a different set of lyrics than the ones they used in "Everybody Needs a Best Friend," and Murphy would then write the theme. When MacFarlane had started filming ofTed, Murphy thought it would be funnier if the song were sung from the standpoint of Ted, so he rewrote the lyrics. Murphy then did a Nelson Riddle–type arrangement, and when they started recording, he got the idea of taking it toNorah Jones. Murphy flew toNew York City with the Pro Tools files of the work they did on the scoring stage at Fox with a big band and string orchestra.[6]
Norah Jones performed the song live for the first time onThe Tonight Show with Jay Leno.[7] Jones performed the song at the85th Academy Awards ceremony on February 24, 2013.[8]Seth MacFarlane performed the song in August 2014 at theHollywood Bowl during aJohn Williams concert.[9] 2024Barbershop Harmony Society quartet championsThree and a Half Men performed abarbershop arrangement of the song during the 2024 International Quartet Finals.[10]
| Studio albums | |
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| Compilation albums | |
| Extended plays | |
| Collaborative albums | |
| Singles | |
| Concert tours | |
| Related articles | |
