Lead vocalist Danny Wilde began his musical career as the lead singer of The Quick, an L.A.-based punk and power pop inspired combo briefly popular in the late 70s, breaking through with their song "Pretty Please Me". The musical duo of Danny Wilde and Phil Solem had roots in an early 80s new wave/power pop band, called Great Buildings, which released a single critically-lauded album on Columbia in 1981. Although spawning minor hits in "Hold On To Something" and "Maybe It's You", major success eluded the outfit.
After they disbanded, Wilde released a series of slick 80s solo albums before rejoining with his former partner to form the Rembrandts. Initially, the band was heavily indebted to simplistic guitar pop reminiscent of early work from The Beatles and The Everly Brothers. They also took serious inspiration from pop contemporaries such as Squeeze and Crowded House. Their first, self-titled album, released in 1990, featured the surprise #14 hit "Just the Way It Is, Baby", which managed to claw its way onto top 40 playlists despite sounding out of place for the time. Follow-up singles "Someone" and "Save Me" also garnered some airplay.
Their second record, released two years later (and titled, humorously, 'Untitled') also spawned minor hits in the brooding, violin-spiked "Johnny, Have You Seen Her?" and the breezy "Rolling Down the Hill". Both songs showed the band's partial influence from alternative rock groups. In 1995, however, the Rembrandts became a surprise, seemingly-overnight success when they recorded the theme song to the program 'Friends', a ditty reminiscent of British invasion groups called "I'll Be There For You",
The song became an instant smash based on its thirty-second TV version. Interestingly enough, they recorded the full-length version of "I'll Be There For You" only after the shorter version was recorded specifically for the TV show. The band was busy prepping their third release, 'L.P.', at the time that "I'll Be There For You" became so successful, and it was shoehorned last minute onto the end of the track order (initial pressings omit the song on the track list). Unfortunately, much of the new audience generated by the hit didn't take a shine to the rest of the low-key pop rock on the disc. The album went platinum and picked up supportive critical reviews, but it has become something of a lost 90s classic. A few follow-up singles, notably "This House Is Not a Home", generated a small amount of interest, but nothing compared to that of the 'Friends' theme.
The sudden shift in the band's fanbase-- where they had gone from being a low-flying critical success to a discarded 'one-hit-wonder' in the popular consciousness-- took its toll on the band, especially Solem. He outright quit several years later. Danny Wilde produced another Rembrandts album without him, but it was a commercial failure. In 2001, however, the duo reunited for 'Lost Together', their fourth album as a duo and fifth overall. A greatest hits compilation was released in 2006, displaying that the band did in fact have a singles history far deeper than the 'Friends' theme. As time has gone on, they've also had a cult following among power pop fans.
Friends Theme
The Rembrandts Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Your job's a joke, you're broke
Your love life's D.O.A
It's like you're always stuck in second gear
When it hasn't been your day, your week, your month
Or even your year, but
I'll be there for you
I'll be there for you
(Like I've been there before)
I'll be there for you
('Cause you're there for me too)
You're still in bed at ten
And work began at eight
You've burned your breakfast, so far
Things are going great
Your mother warned you there'd be days like these
But she didn't tell you when the world has brought
You down to your knees and
I'll be there for you
(When the rain starts to pour)
I'll be there for you
(Like I've been there before)
I'll be there for you
('Cause you're there for me too)
No one could ever know me
No one could ever see me
Seems you're the only one who knows
What it's like to be me
Someone to face the day with
Make it through all the rest with
Someone I'll always laugh with
Even at my worst, I'm best with you, yeah
It's like you're always stuck in second gear
When it hasn't been your day, your week, your month
Or even your year
I'll be there for you
(When the rain starts to pour)
I'll be there for you
(Like I've been there before)
I'll be there for you
('Cause you're there for me too)
I'll be there for you
I'll be there for you
I'll be there for you
('Cause you're there for me too)
The Rembrandts' song "I'll be There for You" is widely known as the theme song for the popular TV show Friends, but the lyrics can also stand on their own as a relatable anthem for anyone going through a tough time. The opening lines set the scene of a life that hasn't lived up to expectations, with a job that's unfulfilling, money troubles, and a love life that's not working out. The metaphor of always being stuck in second gear emphasizes the feeling of being trapped and unable to make progress, like being stuck in a lower gear while driving.
However, in the midst of this gloom and doom, the singer of the song offers a message of hope and support. They promise to be there for the person in need, no matter what life throws at them. The repeated chorus emphasizes this commitment, with the catchy melody and upbeat rhythm providing a boost of energy and encouragement. The bridge of the song adds another layer of meaning, with the idea that the person singing has a unique connection to the other person, sharing experiences that no one else could understand. The line "Someone I'll always laugh with / Even at my worst, I'm best with you" emphasizes the importance of having someone to share both the good and the bad times with.
In summary, "I'll be There for You" is a song that acknowledges the struggles of life while offering a message of solidarity and support. It's a reminder that no matter how tough things get, there are people who care and will stand by us.
Line by Line Meaning
So no one told you life was gonna be this way
Life is tough and unpredictable
Your job's a joke, you're broke
You hate your job and are financially unstable
Your love life's D.O.A
Your romantic relationship is non-existent
It's like you're always stuck in second gear
You feel like you're not making progress in life
When it hasn't been your day, your week, your month
When things just keep going wrong
Or even your year, but
Or when things just keep going wrong for a long period of time, but remember that
I'll be there for you
I will support you
(When the rain starts to pour)
(Especially in bad times)
I'll be there for you
I will offer my help
(Like I've been there before)
(Because I have gone through similar struggles)
I'll be there for you
I will be with you
('Cause you're there for me too)
(Because you're my friend and have always supported me)
You're still in bed at ten
You're not motivated to start your day
And work began at eight
You're running behind schedule
You've burned your breakfast, so far
Even the smallest things go wrong
Things are going great
Nothing is going as planned, sarcasm implied
Your mother warned you there'd be days like these
Your mom said that there will be tough days
But she didn't tell you when the world has brought
But she didn't predict how hard life can be
You down to your knees and
And you feel like giving up
I'll be there for you
I will support you
(When the rain starts to pour)
(Especially in bad times)
I'll be there for you
I will offer my help
(Like I've been there before)
(Because I have gone through similar struggles)
I'll be there for you
I will be with you
('Cause you're there for me too)
(Because you're my friend and have always supported me)
No one could ever know me
No one can fully understand me
No one could ever see me
No one can fully see what I'm going through
Seems you're the only one who knows
It seems like you're the only one who truly understands me
What it's like to be me
You know what it's like to be in my shoes
Someone to face the day with
Someone to help me face the day
Make it through all the rest with
Get through everything else with that person
Someone I'll always laugh with
Someone who always makes me laugh
Even at my worst, I'm best with you, yeah
You bring out the best in me, even when I'm at my worst
I'll be there for you
I will support you
(When the rain starts to pour)
(Especially in bad times)
I'll be there for you
I will offer my help
(Like I've been there before)
(Because I have gone through similar struggles)
I'll be there for you
I will be with you
('Cause you're there for me too)
(Because you're my friend and have always supported me)
I'll be there for you
I will be there for you
I'll be there for you
I will be there for you
I'll be there for you
I will be there for you
('Cause you're there for me too)
(Because you're my friend and have always supported me)
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Michael Jay Skloff, David L Crane, Marta Fran Kauffman, Allee Willis, Philip Ronald Solem, Danny C Wilde
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
arlete SMCN
Letras
So no one told you life was gonna be this way
Your job's a joke, you're broke
Your love life's D.O.A
It's like you're always stuck in second gear
When it hasn't been your day, your week, your month
Or even your year, but
I'll be there for you
(When the rain starts to pour)
I'll be there for you
(Like I've been there before)
I'll be there for you
('Cause you're there for me too)
You're still in bed at ten
And work began at eight
You've burned your breakfast, so far
Things are going great
Your mother warned you there'd be days like these
But she didn't tell you when the world has brought
You down to your knees and
I'll be there for you
(When the rain starts to pour)
I'll be there for you
(Like I've been there before)
I'll be there for you
('Cause you're there for me too)
No one could ever know me
No one could ever see me
Seems you're the only one who knows
What it's like to be me
Someone to face the day with
Make it through all the rest with
Someone I'll always laugh with
Even at my worst, I'm best with you, yeah
It's like you're always stuck in second gear
When it hasn't been your day, your week, your month
Or even your year
I'll be there for you
(When the rain starts to pour)
I'll be there for you
(Like I've been there before)
I'll be there for you
('Cause you're there for me too)
I'll be there for you
I'll be there for you
I'll be there for you
('Cause you're there for me too)
Fonte: LyricFind
Compositores: Michael Jay Skloff / David L Crane / Marta Fran Kauffman / Allee Willis / Philip Ronald Solem / Danny C Wilde
Letra de I'll Be There for You © Warner Chappell Music, Inc, Universal Music Publishing Group
lezenapodlodze
[Verse 1]
So no one told you life was gonna be this way
Your job's a joke, you're broke, your love life's D.O.A
It's like you're always stuck in second gear
When it hasn't been your day, your week
Your month, or even your year, but
[Chorus]
I'll be there for you
(When the rain starts to pour)
I'll be there for you
(Like I've been there before)
I'll be there for you
('Cause you're there for me too)
[Verse 2]
You're still in bed at ten and work began at eight
You've burned your breakfast, so far things are going great
Your mother warned you there'd be days like these
But she didn't tell you when the world has brought
You down to your knees that
[Chorus]
I'll be there for you
(When the rain starts to pour)
I'll be there for you
(Like I've been there before)
I'll be there for you
('Cause you're there for me too)
[Bridge]
No one could ever know me
No one could ever see me
Seems you're the only one who knows
What it's like to be me
Someone to face the day with
Make it through all the rest with
Someone I'll always laugh with
Even at my worst, I'm best with you, yeah
[Middle 8]
It's like you're always stuck in second gear
When it hasn't been your day, your week
Your month, or even your year
[Chorus]
I'll be there for you
(When the rain starts to pour)
I'll be there for you
(Like I've been there before)
I'll be there for you
('Cause you're there for me too)
[Outro]
I'll be there for you
I'll be there for you
I'll be there for you
('Cause you're there for me too)
vegaislove
So no one told you life was gonna be this way
Your job's a joke, you're broke
Your love life's D.O.A
It's like you're always stuck in second gear
When it hasn't been your day, your week, your month
Or even your year, but
I'll be there for you
(When the rain starts to pour)
I'll be there for you
(Like I've been there before)
I'll be there for you
('Cause you're there for me too)
Hritika Somani
So no one told you life was gonna be this way
Your job's a joke, you're broke
Your love life's DOA
It's like you're always stuck in second gear
When it hasn't been your day, your week, your month
Or even your year, but
I'll be there for you
(When the rain starts to pour)
I'll be there for you
(Like I've been there before)
I'll be there for you
('Cause you're there for me too)
You're still in bed at ten
And work began at eight
You've burned your breakfast
So far, things are going great
Your mother warned you there'd be days like these
But she didn't tell you when the world has brought
You down to your knees that
I'll be there for you
(When the rain starts to pour)
I'll be there for you
(Like I've been there before)
I'll be there for you
('Cause you're there for me too)
No one could ever know me
No one could ever see me
Seems you're the only one who knows
What it's like to be me
Someone to face the day with
Make it through all the rest with
Someone I'll always laugh with
Even at my worst, I'm best with you, yeah
It's like you're always stuck in second gear
When it hasn't been your day, your week, your month
Or even your year
I'll be there for you
(When the rain starts to pour)
I'll be there for you
(Like I've been there before)
I'll be there for you
('Cause you're there for me too)
I'll be there for you
I'll be there for you
I'll be there for you
('Cause you're there for me too)
Joe Nielsen
Pure childhood nostalgia! ❤️
krocanek cz
Too 👌
Karol Flexa
Friends
Noise Pollution 🤳
27.09.23 friends day a couple of years back 👿 ts
M Zac
The song turned out to be as iconic as the show itself!
Harjune Kim
Wow, I have been watching FRIENDS for 15 years, and never thought I need to listen to this original song in its entirety until now, just thinking that this is only a theme song for the drama. This is a great, wonderful song on its own. Thanks, Rembrandts.
77Pacer
A week ago, I was listening to this song while thinking about how much I miss everyone I graduated from High School with in June 2009, and it brought me to tears. This year would've been the 10-year reunion, but due to little to no interest from others in setting up the reunion, it was cancelled. Had the reunion not been cancelled, I certainly would've been there for all my many brothers and sisters who graduated with me on the 24th of June 2009. No words can describe how much I miss everyone I graduated High School with. Since the reunion's cancellation, I have been unable to listen to this song without shedding tears.
how is gamora?
woah in 2009 I STARTED primary school
77Pacer
@how is gamora? Very interesting! Wishing you the best of luck!
Robert Glenn San Socie
Coming up on my 50th. Guess what tenth reunion sucked! They get better with time. Cheer up. Life is ahead not behind.