I chose to focus on a piece of music from the original Disney movie Aladdin. This was one of the movies that my brothers and I watched often when we were little. To this day, some of the songs from it will get stuck in my head on random occasions. One of these is the song Friend Like Me, which the Genie sings after Aladdin releases him from his lantern.
Biographical Information:
Friend Like Me is one of the most popular songs from the 1992, Walt Disney film, Aladdin (Friend Like Me). It was written with the sole purpose of being part of the movie, and was incorporated into it much like any song in an animated Disney film. This song was sung by the same actor who did the voice for the Genie, Robin Williams. When the song was being written, the song writers didn't know who would be cast as the Genie, and end up singing Friend Like Me (Criscitiello). The image that the writers had in mind for the singer didn't exactly fit with Williams, but he was able to bring an entirely new sound to the song, making it what it is today (Criscitiello). He did this consistently throughout the entire film, giving the producers over 16 hours of material to use as they saw fit (Griffiths). Friend Like Me became very popular outside of the movie as well, and was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song a year after the film came out (Friend Like Me). This song also became extremely popular in the theater version of Aladdin, taking up to seven minutes and, in an attempt to outdo each previous presentation of the song, becoming more in-depth and chaotic (Criscitiello).
Analysis:
Friend Like Me, written by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, originated in the US in 1992 (Criscitiello). In this version of the song, from the original Disney animation, it is sung by Robbin Williams.
Tempo: The tempo of this song is pretty fast. I believe it would be considered an Allegro (fast/happy) tempo. The singing that accompanies the instruments is also done at a fast pace, to the point that it is hard to keep up with, and difficult to catch everything that is being said. This rapid tempo works really well for the song though, since it allows a person to learn a lot about the Genie and his personality in a short amount of time. He is a pretty fast-paced guy, and that can immediately be seen in this song.
Melody:Friend Like Me is done in a minor scale and has a unique melody (Friend Like Me - Aladdin by Disney Chords). It is done very fast, but reminds me of a bouncing ball; it is almost choppy-sounding, but not quite. The melody involves a large number of low-pitched instruments, but is also contrasted by different high-pitched ones. The signature trumpet sound that Robbin Williams makes part way through the song is one of the higher-pitched, and very catchy, sounds. The brassy melody and uniqueness of William's performance in this song was a large part of why it became so popular (Criscitiello). The fun and dramatic melody of this song also does a great job of showing the Genie's fun-loving character.
Role of Work:
This work serves a large role in the movieby introducing the wild character of the Genie and informing Aladdin, as well as those watching the movie, just what the Genie is capable of.After listening to this song, you know that he is charismatic, fun-loving, and can do almost anything that Aladdin wishes for. Even the musical elements found in this song contribute to explaining his crazy character; the song is really quick, with a lot of things happening, and cheerful, just like the Genie. This song has also served a larger role in popular culture, being the inspiration for several related songs, remakes, or dance videos (Friend Like Me).
Social Commentary:
I believe that this song carries a social or moral message for the audience, but it is hard to understand it by just listening to the song. Watching the entire movie, or at least the parts leading up to the song, and for a while afterward, would give someone a much better idea of what might be being said with this song. However, I believe that Friend Like Me presents the message that, while it would be absolutely wonderful to have anything you wanted, sometimes it is even better to just have a good friend. The Genie outlines the incredible possibilities that are open to Aladdin, also making it clear that he is just there to do what Aladdin wants. But, instead of using his three wishes and moving on, Aladdin treats the Genie like a good pal, and even promises to use his last wish to free him (Griffiths). While this song focuses pretty heavily on what the Genie can do for Aladdin, it also focuses on how willing to be friends the Genie is. He knows he can help Aladdin, he also knows that he has to, since whoever releases him from his lamp gets three wishes. Rather than focusing on that, he is more interested in being Aladdin's friend, since he knows he can do almost anything for him and wants to help make his dreams come true (SMF). Friends, and doing whatever you can for them, is a large part of the message that this song carries.
Personal Opinion:
I believe that this song succeeded really well within its role in the film. It immediately lets you know who the Genie is, what he is capable of, and what his relationship with Aladdin is going to be, all without going into some lengthy dialog of explanation that would be sure to bore younger audiences. Personally, I also enjoy the message that Friend Like Me carries, even if it can be a bit hard to understand just by listening to the lyrics. The upbeat melody and rapid tempo are also part of the reason that I still enjoy this song, regardless of no longer watching the movie. It is fast and fun, with some very unique and interesting sounds that help to showcase the Genie's personality.
I would watch this with my cousins when I would babysit them when they were young. I agree when you say it immediately tell you about who the Genie is. I love the personality of the Genie. I will have to watch this movie with my kids when I get home. You did a great job!
Hi Ayla! Ahhh I'm so glad you chose Aladdin-another one of my childhood favorites. Have you seen the new one that just came out? I know I know what you're thinking BUT they did a REALLY GOOD job on this one! If you haven't seen it YOU MUST! I completely agree with you and the underlying message behind the song you chose! I truly believe quality over quantity is much better for friendships! Interesting read-great post Ayla! :)
Hi Ayla, I love Aladdin and I am so glad you chose it! Most Disney film remakes are terrible, but WOW is this one good. The Arabian music in Aladdin is amazing, but my favorite song is definitely "Friend Like Me". Robin William's performance in that scene is spectacular and I think Will Smith did a great job reenacting that too. I agree with the hidden message in your social commentary on the song. Quality over quantity. Great post! - Josh Foster
Hello everyone, my name is Ayla. I am a student at Tatitlek Community School. I live in a really small community a few miles from the village of Tatitlek. When it's not pouring rain, it can be a very beautiful place. I enjoy working with animals and would like to have a career that is involved with them. Here is a picture of the beach and old mining dock near where I live, and my goofy dog. My relation to music mostly just involves me listening to it. I have a keyboard that I try playing some songs on, but I don't really know how to play it. I listen to a wide range of music, but 80's music is probably my favorite. I have never been to a concert, but I would like to. Although I enjoy watching music be performed, I don't get the chance to see it very often. Here is a link to one of the songs that I enjoy:
For this blog, I chose to write about the song Stand By Me , which inspired the title for the movie Stand By Me . It is pretty similar to my last blog, but it was such a great example of a pairing of song and film that I couldn't pass it up. This song, and the movie that it is used in, are both really popular in my family. I enjoy both the song, and the movie, but after experiencing them together, I can't think of one without thinking of the other. The song completely sums up everything the movie is, and, to me, has become a fundamental part of the film. Biographical Information: This song was written over 20 years before the film Stand By Me was produced. It was not intended to be in a movie, or to match a movie's theme so well. This song was written by Ben King, Jerry Leiber, and Mike Stoller in 1961 ( Stand by Me (Ben E. King song) ). According to an interview with Leiber and Stoller, King had written the first few lines to his iconic song, but wasn't really a son
I go through phases of listening to one song for quite a while, then discovering a new one, and listening to it for days . We Didn't Start the Fire , by Billy Joel, is one such song for me. Listening to this song often makes me feel a bit pumped up (because of the quick rhythm) and simultaneously nostalgic. My family would often listen to it at a friend's house when we were hanging out and having a good time. Whenever I hear it, I am reminded of being little and how things used to be. Also, "We didn't start the fire" is a powerful lyric. Things have been going wrong, and bad things have been happening, forever. No one feels like they started it though, it is just a part of history. This song was composed by Billy Joel, in the US, and released in 1989. Soon after its release, it became the number one song on Billboard's Hot 100 (Greene). Here is the song and the original video to it. Lyrics In my opinion, the lyrics to this song are the main reason that it
I would watch this with my cousins when I would babysit them when they were young. I agree when you say it immediately tell you about who the Genie is. I love the personality of the Genie. I will have to watch this movie with my kids when I get home. You did a great job!
ReplyDeleteHi Ayla!
ReplyDeleteAhhh I'm so glad you chose Aladdin-another one of my childhood favorites. Have you seen the new one that just came out? I know I know what you're thinking BUT they did a REALLY GOOD job on this one! If you haven't seen it YOU MUST!
I completely agree with you and the underlying message behind the song you chose! I truly believe quality over quantity is much better for friendships!
Interesting read-great post Ayla! :)
Hi Ayla,
ReplyDeleteI love Aladdin and I am so glad you chose it! Most Disney film remakes are terrible, but WOW is this one good. The Arabian music in Aladdin is amazing, but my favorite song is definitely "Friend Like Me". Robin William's performance in that scene is spectacular and I think Will Smith did a great job reenacting that too. I agree with the hidden message in your social commentary on the song. Quality over quantity. Great post!
- Josh Foster