"Friend Like Me" is the song from Disney's 1992 animated feature filmAladdin, performed byRobin Williams in his role as theGenie. The song is also performed byWill Smith in the2019 live-action remake. It was nominated for theAcademy Award for Best Original Song at the65th Academy Awards and theGolden Globe Award for Best Original Song at the50th Golden Globe Awards in 1993.

The song was originally designed as aCab Calloway-style big band number. Some elements of this concept remain (for instance, when the Genie scats, in typical Calloway moves), but after Robin Williams was cast it was expanded as a more comedic, pop-culture-filled song.

ScreenCrush stated that remnants of the previous version of the film can be seen in this sequence:

Aladdin's original design was younger, more cartoony, and loosely based on actorMichael J. Fox. ButJeffrey Katzenberg wanted the design changed, fearing thatAladdin wasn't a suitable leading man for the beautifulJasmine. So Aladdin's design was reworked to be lessMichael J. Fox and moreTom Cruise. However, animation on the movie had already started, so you can see traces of the old Aladdin design during "Friend Like Me".^[1]

After being released from his lamp by Aladdin, the Genie announces that he can grant three wishes to give the thief nearly anything he desires. When Aladdin expresses skepticism over the extent of the Genie's powers, the Genie stages an elaborate musical number and stresses that he can be a friend unlike any others Aladdin has ever had. This song is similar to the use of contemporary references in "Be Our Guest", performed by the enchanted cutlery ofBeauty and the Beast, and "A Guy Like You", performed by the Gargoyles inThe Hunchback of Notre Dame. The same happens in the live-action remake.

Spirituality & Practice described it as "the big production number of the film".^[2]

In a review of theBroadway version of the film,BuzzFeed wrote that the "seven-and-a-half minute 'Friend Like Me' is easily this season's best production number, and a jaw-dropping athletic feat."^[3] NewYork.com wrote "Rarely does a production number receive a standing ovation in the middle of a show, but 'Friend Like Me' [has] them standing in the aisles before intermission.".^[4]

In 1996 2Pac recorded the song "Never Had a Friend Like Me", which interpolates "Friend Like Me". This song is featured on the 1997 original soundtrack for the film,Gridlock'd.

Will Smith, as the Genie, performs the song in the2019 live-action remake ofAladdin,^[5] and as a rap in the end credits, withDJ Khaled.^[6][7]

Will Smith version

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