His best known work includes the Disney animated movies, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Pocahontas and The Hunchback of Notre Dame, as well as Little Shop of Horrors, Enchanted, Tangled and most recently, Sister Act the Musical.
Friend Like Me
Alan Menken Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Scheherezad-ie had a thousand tales
But master you in luck 'cause up your sleeves
You got a brand of magic never fails
You got some power in your corner now
Some heavy ammunition in your camp
You got some punch, pizzazz, yahoo and how
See all you gotta do is rub that lamp
Mister Aladdin, sir
What will your pleasure be?
Let me take your order
Jot it down
You ain't never had a friend like me
Life is your restaurant
And I'm your maitre d'
C'mon whisper what it is you want
You ain't never had a friend like me
Yes sir, we pride ourselves on service
You're the boss
The king, the shah
Say what you wish
It's yours, true dish
How about a little more Baklava?
Have some of column A
Try all of column B
I'm in the mood to help you dude
You ain't never had a friend like me
Can your friends do this?
Do your friends do that?
Do your friends pull this out their little hat?
Can your friends go poof?
Well, looky here
Can your friends go, Abracadabra, let 'er rip
And then make the sucker disappear?
So dontcha sit there slack-jawed, buggy-eyed
I'm here to answer all your midday prayers
You got me bona fide, certified
You got a genie for your chargé d'affaires
I got a powerful urge to help you out
So what-cha wish?
I really want to know
You got a list that's three miles long, no doubt
Well, all you gotta do is rub like so - and oh
Mister Aladdin, sir, have a wish or two or three
I'm on the job, you big nabob
You ain't never had a friend, never had a friend
You ain't never had a friend, never had a friend
You ain't never had a friend like me
You ain't never had a friend like me, hah!
The lyrics to "Friend Like Me" are a celebration of the power and versatility of the genie, who promises to be a loyal and accommodating friend to whomever rubs his lamp. The first verse references legendary figures from Arabian folklore, such as Ali Baba and Scheherezade, in order to situate the genie's powers within this rich cultural tradition. However, the main message of the song is that the genie's magic is unparalleled, offering up everything from punch to pizzazz to yahoo and how. The chorus encourages Aladdin to make his wildest wishes known, as the genie boasts about his ability to be the ultimate friend and serve up any treasure Aladdin desires.
The second verse continues this theme by positioning the genie as a servant and waiter in Aladdin's own restaurant of life. He encourages Aladdin to share his wishes and desires, boasting that they will all be easily fulfilled with him around. The final lines of the song contain a playful invitation to imagine all of the wild things that the genie could do for Aladdin, from pulling rabbits out of hats to making suckers disappear. The whole song is a larger-than-life tribute to the genie's power and ability to serve as an unmatched friend and ally to anyone who calls on him.
Line by Line Meaning
Well Ali Baba had them forty thieves
Ali Baba was known for having control over a group of forty thieves.
Scheherezad-ie had a thousand tales
Scheherazade was known for telling numerous captivating stories.
But master you in luck 'cause up your sleeves
You are lucky because you possess a unique and powerful magic.
You got a brand of magic never fails
Your magic is reliable and effective.
You got some power in your corner now
You now have some powerful support on your side.
Some heavy ammunition in your camp
You possess a significant arsenal of strengths and resources.
You got some punch, pizzazz, yahoo and how
You have impressive energy, style and enthusiasm.
See all you gotta do is rub that lamp
All you need to do is activate your magic by rubbing the lamp.
Mister Aladdin, sir
Addressing the character who possesses the magic in question.
What will your pleasure be?
What is it that you desire?
Let me take your order
Allow me to fulfill your desires with my magic.
Jot it down
Let me record your wishes.
You ain't never had a friend like me
You have never experienced the unique and powerful magic that I possess.
Life is your restaurant
Life is yours to enjoy as you please.
And I'm your maitre d'
And I am here to ensure that you have a pleasant experience.
C'mon whisper what it is you want
Tell me your desires in confidence.
Yes sir, we pride ourselves on service
We take pride in providing excellent service.
You're the boss
You have control over your own life.
The king, the shah
You have the power and status of royalty.
Say what you wish
Tell me what you desire.
It's yours, true dish
Your desire is my command.
How about a little more Baklava?
Perhaps you would enjoy an additional serving of a specific dessert (Baklava).
Have some of column A
Try some of this option.
Try all of column B
Experience everything that other option has to offer.
I'm in the mood to help you dude
I am willing and eager to assist you in any way.
Can your friends do this?
Are your other acquaintances capable of performing this kind of magic?
Do your friends do that?
Are your other acquaintances capable of doing other magical feats?
Do your friends pull this out their little hat?
Do your other acquaintances have an endless source of unique and impressive tricks?
Can your friends go poof?
Are your other acquaintances able to disappear on cue?
Well, looky here
Observe this impressive feat I am about to perform.
Can your friends go, Abracadabra, let 'er rip
Can your other acquaintances perform this popular magic phrase with the same finesse?
And then make the sucker disappear?
Can your other acquaintances perform the act of making people or objects disappear with ease?
So dontcha sit there slack-jawed, buggy-eyed
Do not sit there stunned and amazed.
I'm here to answer all your midday prayers
I am here to fulfill your wishes and desires.
You got me bona fide, certified
You have a real, legitimate genie at your disposal.
You got a genie for your chargé d'affaires
You have a powerful genie at your service and command.
I got a powerful urge to help you out
I have a strong desire to assist you however I can.
So what-cha wish?
Tell me what you desire.
I really want to know
I am genuinely interested in fulfilling your desires.
You got a list that's three miles long, no doubt
You have many desires and wishes that you would like fulfilled.
Well, all you gotta do is rub like so - and oh
All you need to do to activate my magic is to rub the lamp like so.
Mister Aladdin, sir, have a wish or two or three
Addressing the character who possesses the magic in question, and letting them know they have the power to ask for multiple wishes.
I'm on the job
I am ready to fulfill your wishes as soon as you tell me what they are.
You big nabob
You are a person of great wealth and status.
You ain't never had a friend, never had a friend
You have never had a friend with such powerful magic on your side.
You ain't never had a friend like me
You have never before had a friendship with someone who can make all of your desires come true in an instant.
hah!
Expressing confidence and enthusiasm about the impressive feat of magic he can perform.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Alan Menken, Howard Ashman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jamesmoyner7499
Thatfool Forlife No, you cannot be more wrong the Best Live Action Disney Films Ever are:
Mary Poppins,
Bedknobs and Broomsticks
Return to Oz,
The Rocketeer,
The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes,
The Barefoot Executive,
Pete’s Dragon,
Darby O’ Gil and the Little People,
Pirates of the Caribbean Films (excluding parts of 5),
The Lone Ranger,
Muppet Films,
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea,
Treasure Island,
The Happiest Millionaire,
The Herbie Films (excluding Fully Loaded),
101 Dalmatians,
The Absent Minded Professor,
Son of Flubber,
Flubber,
The Santa Clause,
The Three Musketeers,
The Shaggy Dog (ignoring the remake),
Their Wonderful World of Disney Tv Movies,
Basically nearly every Live Action Disney Film is better than “Aladdin” and the other Remakes!
@eulexie2010
Here we go. Woo!
Back up. Uh oh,watch out.
You wound me up,I am about for what I am working with.
Can your friends do this? Can your friends do that?
Can your friends pull this? Out for their little hat?
Can your friends go- beatboxing
@calvinfujii5921
Wah-wah-wah! (Oh my!)
Wah-wah-wah! (No no!)
Wah-wah-wah! (My my my!)
(Scats)
Can your friends do this? (juggles)
Can your friends do that? (ball twirl)
Can your friends pull this out their little hat? (rabbit out of the hat)
Can your friends go, poof? (dragon breathing fire)
Hey, looky here. Ha ha
Can your friends go, Abracadabra, let 'er rip!
And then make the sucker disappear?
So don'tcha sit there slack jawed, buggy eyed!
I'm here to answer all your midday prayers!
You got a list that's three miles long, no doubt
Well, all you gotta do is rub like so - and oh!
Mister Aladdin, sir, have a wish or two or three
I'm on the job, you big nabob
You ain't never had a friend, never had a friend
You ain't never had a friend, never had a friend
You ain't never had a friend, never had a friend
You ain't never had a friend, never had a friend
You ain't never had a friend, never had a friend
You ain't never had a friend, never had a friend
You ain't NEVER. HAD A. FRIEND. LIKE ME!
Ah ha ha!
Wah ha ha!
You ain't never had a friend like me!
(Made y'all look, didn't I?)
@meilikino
(My) Lyrics:
0:19
Can Your friends do this?
Can your friends do that?
Can you friends pull this, out of they little hat?
Can your friends go-
I’m a genie, of the lamp, i can sing-rap-dance if you give me a chance!
0:40
Don’t sit there buggy-eyed, i’m gonna answer all your mid-day prayers. You got me Bona Fida certified, got a genie for your charge d’affairs!
I got a powerful urge to help you out, so what you wish? i really wanna know.
0:54
Let me take your order, i’ll jot it down-
you ain’t never had a friend,
never had a friend,
you ain’t never had a friend,
never had a friend,
you ain’t never had a friend,
never had a friend,
you ain’t never had a friend,
never had a friend,
you ain’t never had a friend,
never had a friend,
you ain’t never had a friend,
never had a friend,
You ain’t never, had a, friend, like, meeeeeeee!
You ain’t never had a friend like me!
@fresh_fallen8635
(Robin Williams)
Woah!! Ten thousand years
Will give you such a crick in the neck
You ain't never had a Friend Like Me
Wawawa!
Mowma
Wawawa!
No! No!
Wawawa!
Nah, nah, nah!
Tabtatzuka
(Will Smith)
Can your friends do this?
(Robin Williams)
Can your friends do that?
Can your friends pull this out their little hat?
Can your friends go, poof?
Well, looky here
Can your friends go, Abracadabra, let 'er rip
And then make the sucker disappear?
I got a powerful urge to help you out
So what-cha wish?
I really want to know
You got a list that's three miles long, no doubt
Well, all you gotta do is rub like so - and oh
Mister Aladdin, sir, have a wish or two or three
I'm on the job, you big nabob
You ain't never had a friend, never had a friend
You ain't never had a friend, never had a friend (never had a friend, never had a friend)
You ain't never had a friend, never had a friend
You ain't never had a friend, never had a friend (never had a friend, never had a friend)
You ain't never had a friend, never had a friend
You ain't never had a friend, never had a friend (never had a friend, never had a friend)
You ain't!
Never! (Never!)
Had a! (Had a!)
Frieeeeeeend! (Friend!)
Liiiiiiike! (Like!)
Meeeeeeeeeeeee!
Iehaha!
Hahaha!
(Both)
You ain't never had a friend like me, hah!
@RedJet-bq6fq
This finale gave me some serious stageplay vibes. Like how at the end of some plays the cast will come to the front of the stage and bow together etc
@ashleydowney1222
It also made me think of a curtain call.
@kaylaisawesome8054
That's what we did
@The0ptimus
THIS is how you do a credits dance number 😍
@Crimson_Snake1
The0ptimus Want to know what I saying when this part started? “Wah. Wah. Wah. Oh my! Wah Wah Wah. Oh no!”
@ace-4634
BlueRaccoon27 I don’t get it
@ace-4634
BlueRaccoon27 wait you mean the drum beats how it goes like “DA Da.... dads.. Da Da”
@Crimson_Snake1
That-one- girl Close. Look up the original song and you’ll find the part I’m referring to.
@ace-4634
BlueRaccoon27 oh okay
@DerekBartlettBeorn
00:30 OH YEAH JASMINE AND FRIENDS, get with the beat!