When everyone talks about iconic television series, there is always the same general list of answers. “Breaking Bad,” “Stranger Things,” “Game of Thrones” and “Friends.” Mhm “Friends,” now that is a show I could go on a tangent about. I like to think that Friends represents everything mainstream about 90s American pop culture. It follows six cisgender white affluent singles living in larger-than-life apartments in Manhattan. What screams more generic than that? This isn’t meant to be a drag on Friends; it is one of my favorite series ever (I’ve watched it 10+ times). Yet the series can be justifiably considered overrated.
Well. wait there is one aspect that I would argue isn’t. The series soundtrack. The series soundtrack is a complete curated masterpiece. Now hear me out.
Your first thoughts must automatically be like, “Oh is he talking about I’ll be there for you, the show’s theme song” or “Smelly Cat?” Why yes those are integral tracks of the series of course. But I want to talk about the soundtrack throughout the ten-season run outside of these integral tracks. For a series that is mainstream in its popularity, it utilizes such music that while popular in its heyday, is so overlooked or underrated. Its soundtrack in the modern age has aged very well in my opinion.
How about I provide you with some examples of songs used throughout the show?
A simple example could be just “Shiny Happy People” by R.E.M in Season 1 Ep. 10, “The One With the Monkey.” Set during a New Year’s Party, the song plays in the background whilst the main ensemble is dealing with their issues as the year comes to an end. The song is such a unique choice for this scene as the song deals with the superficiality of happiness in society. I think New Year is such a superficial holiday as everyone has these huge optimistic hopes for the year and puts forth unrealistic resolutions that usually are disregarded in a week.
How about fast-forwarding to the Season 1 finale, “The One Where Rachel Finds Out.” An episode that one may consider an end to the Ross-Rachel will-they-won’t-they storyline as Rachel finally finds out that Ross is in love with her. The episode has Rachel going back and forth if she reciprocates the feelings. Finally, she realizes she does and goes to the airport to surprise Ross at the gate with flowers. Unbeknownst to her, Ross is returning to China with Julie, his new girlfriend. This closing scene of season 1 plays “Take A Bow” by Madonna. This is a #1 song on the Billboard chart for Madonna but I would advocate it’s one of the lesser-known #1 hits. This is a song about the curtain call of a failed relationship. Madonna believes that her partner has taken her love for granted and never truly appreciated it, causing her to end the relationship by taking a bow. This reflects the Ross-Rachel dynamic: Ross is head over heels in love with her, yet she never notices until it’s too late. He found another person, and we the viewer have to wait until the next season to find out what happens.
Taking a big jump to Season 9 Ep. 20, “The One with the Soap Opera Party,” where the gang crashes Joey’s secret soap opera party on the rooftop. The closing scene of the episode involves Rachel going against Monica’s wishes and wanting to confess her attraction to Joey. Yet as she is about to confess her infatuation she catches Joey making out with Charlie, Ross’s colleague who he has a crush on. Boom. Rachel’s face is immediately heartbroken, with Ross joining her and in the background in Fleetwood Mac’s “Thrown Down” from their 2003 album “Say You Will.” The song discusses complicated love and unspoken love fits perfectly in the moment, especially with Rachel and Ross, former partners looking in dismay at their current crushes displaying affection with each other. “Thrown Down” is such an underrated track from Fleetwood Mac, one often overlooked compared to other Fleetwood Mac discography.
There are so many more songs played throughout the show I could mention. But why spoil the fun for you? “Friends” is a pinnacle of mainstream pop culture, at first its music choices were probably considered mainstream when originally released. Yet while jokes from the series may have not aged well, the curated soundtrack has aged extremely well into a niche, groovy look into the 1990s-2000s Manhattan.
So next time you’re watching Friends, notice the song choices.
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