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FRIENDSis a timeless show where we watch the lives of six quirky and amazing individuals unfold, as they try to make sense out of adulthood together. Among them is the eccentric Phoebe Buffay played by Lisa Kudrow, a free-spirited soul with an offbeat humor.
With every re-watch, dedicated fans of the show discover new details about their favorite characters and scenes. Such was also the case with one Redditor, who proposed a theory that might make sense to many folks. So, let’s unpack a lesser-heard-of take on Phoebe Buffay and her signature song,Smelly Cat.
CouldSmelly Catbe about Lisa Kudrow’s Phoebe Buffay?
A fan theory has been circulating on Reddit, and it says thatSmelly Catisn’t just a song about a silly cat, but holds a deep and personal reflection of the characterPhoebe Buffayand her traumatic past. If you focus on the lyrics, they are certainly too dejected to be a song just about a street cat.
“They won’t take you to the vet, you’re obviously not their favorite pet.”
Phoebe’s backstory is quite tragic, with her father abandoning her, and her mother taking her own life, she had to fend for herself from a very young age. She was homeless and forced to survive on the streets, so the parallels between her and the cat’s life seem uncanny.
In season 5, we get another haunting revelation that the tune ofSmelly Catwas originally the lullaby that her father sang to her, which supports this theory. Similar to the cat, Phoebe was also not taken care of and abandoned. The notion thatSmelly Catis a way for her to transform all the internalized pain into a quirky song doesn’t seem far off, especially when there’s a line that says“It’s not your fault.”
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This simple phrase makes it seem like Lisa Kudrow’s character is trying to reassure herself in an unconventional way. In other words, Phoebe’s song or her eccentric behavior is possibly a coping mechanism that she had to learn in order to survive the gruesome period of her life.Smelly Catcould be the character’s way of reclaiming and telling her story through humor and music.
The origins and cultural impact ofSmelly Catand FRIENDS
The fan theory is extremely convincing and does add emotional weight to the song, but the real-life story behindSmelly Catis nowhere near these speculations. The song was co-written byFRIENDSwriters, Adam Chase and Betsy Borns, along with Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders, and of course,Lisa Kudrowherself (viaAmerican Songwriter).
Originally, it was supposed to be a song about a stinky dog, but they concluded that adding a ‘cat’ would be way funnier. But what took the song to the next level was Kudrow’s portrayal of Phoebe who seemed to be so earnest yet musically challenged while performingSmelly Cat.
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It became such a cultural phenomenon that Lisa Kudrow sang it alongside Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga. There are no direct sources that suggestSmelly Catwas about Phoebe Buffay, but that’s the beauty of art, it can be interpreted in many ways. So even though it might just be a theory, there’s no harm in entertaining the idea and believing that it was intentional rather than accidental.
Sonika Kamble
Articles Published :1196
Sonika Kamble is an entertainment writer at Fandomwire, covering everything from timeless classics to newly released movies. With over 1000+ articles published, she delves into breakdowns, think pieces, speculations, and more.She enjoys connecting the dots and covering newfound angles about characters, scenes, and themes from movies directed by Scorsese, Fincher, Tarantino, Linklater, and other exceptional filmmakers.
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FriendsLisa KudrowPhoebe Buffay
