Will Smith was born and raised in West Philadelphia. He spent most of his days in a playground, training basketball and relaxing all cool. Career-wise, he started as the vocalist of the hip-hop duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince, with his childhood friend Jeffrey "DJ Jazzy Jeff" Townes as turntablist and producer. The duo was known for performing humorous, radio-friendly songs, most notably "Parents Just Don't Understand" and "Summertime." They gained critical acclaim for winning the first ever Grammy in the Rap category (1988).
Smith was a charismatic and energetic performer but he was nearing bankruptcy when in 1990, the NBC television network signed him to a contract and built a sitcom, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, around him. The show was successful and helped revitalize his career
Although he made a notable dramatic film debut in Six Degrees of Separation (in which he played totally against type as a gay con man) while still appearing in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Smith's film career took off with his role in Bad Boys (1995) along with co-star Martin Lawrence.
After The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air ended in 1996, Smith began a successful solo music career while simultaneously starring in a series of films. The first two films were hugely successful summer blockbusters: Independence Day (1996), in which he played a fearless and confident fighter pilot, and Men in Black (1997), where he played the comic and confident Agent J against Tommy Lee Jones's deadpan Agent K. Smith's acting in Men in Black won critical praise. The two films established Smith's commercial reputation as a bankable star whose appeal across age, race, and gender lines could "open" a film at the box office. Because his movies usually open during the July 4th weekend, many people have come to call a July 4th weekend in which Will Smith stars in a movie "Big Willie Weekend."
Lead roles in Enemy of the State, Wild Wild West, Ali, Men in Black II Bad Boys II and "I, Robot" then followed. He also starred in 2005's Hitch. (Like Smith, Hitch co-star Kevin James starred in a sitcom named for royalty, The King of Queens.) His 2006 role is that of Chris Gardner in the "inspired by a true story", "The Pursuit of Happyness" was nominated for, "Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role" an Oscar in 2007. Smith's son Jaden also stars in the movie.(Jaden Smith as of 2010 lately played the lead role of Dre Parker in the 2010 remake of "The Karate Kid".) Will Smith's latest acting role was "Seven Pounds" in 2008 where he played Ben Thomas an IRS agent. Since then he's been producing movies that include, "The Karate Kid"(2010), "The Human Contract"(2009), and "Lakeview Terrace"(2008)
Smith was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of the boxer Muhammad Ali in Ali.
Smith also released a string of hit singles, often associated with his most recent film, throughout the late 1990s. The most notable of these were his #1 hit theme song "Men in Black," the #1 hit "Gettin' Jiggy Wit It" (which made jiggy a catchphrase for a while in 1998), and "Just the Two of Us," an affecting message to his young son. His first two solo albums went platinum, but his third, on Columbia Records, was a sales disappointment compared to his past efforts, and after a quick Greatest Hits release that was almost not advertised at all, he was dropped by the label. He signed a recording contract with Interscope Records and released the successful Lost and Found in 2005. The album was propelled solely on the smash hit single, "Switch," which appealed to the mainstream media ala "Summertime." The single stayed atop the charts for months and returned Smith to the forefront of Hip Hop.
Also, on February 6, 2005 he appeared in the Super Bowl XXX.
On July 2, 2005, Smith served as host for the Live 8 concert in his native Philadelphia before an enormous crowd, and later performed a set with DJ Jazzy Jeff.
Smith married actress Sharee Zampino in 1992. They had a son, Willard Christopher III, also known as "Trey", but divorced in 1995. Smith married actress Jada Pinkett in 1997. Together they have two children: Jaden Christopher Syre (born 1998) and Willow Camille Reign (born 2000). Along with his brother, Harry Smith, he owns Treyball Development Inc., a Beverly Hills-based company named after his first son. He has been consistently listed in Fortune Magazine's "Richest 40" list of the forty wealthiest Americans under the age of 40.
Will Smith has been criticized for his lip service to his home town of Philadelphia, PA. Several of his songs talk about parts of Philadelphia and the surrounding areas. While he has spoken over the years about how much he loves the city and how much he wants to give back, none of his proposed ventures in the city of Philadelphia have ever been developed. He has proposed opening a restaurant, several upscale bars, and a community center in Philadelphia which have never seen development.
Friend Like Me
Will Smith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Uh, ooh, woo!
Back up! Uh-oh! Watch out! Uh
You done wound me up!
'Bout to show you what I'm workin' with, uh
Well, Ali Baba, he had them forty thieves
Scheherazade had a thousand tales
You got a brand of magic never fails
You got some power in your corner now
Heavy ammunition in your camp
You got some punch (pizazz, yahoo) and how?
All you gotta do is rub that lamp
And then I'll say
Mister, man, what's your name?
Whatever, what will your pleasure be?
Let me take your order, I'll jot it down
You ain't never had a friend like me
Life is your restaurant
And I'm your maitre D
Come, whisper to me whatever it is you want
You ain't never had a friend like me
We pride ourselves on service
You 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
Oh! Uh!
This the big part, watch out!
This the big part, oh!
Can your friends do this?
Can your friends do that?
Can your friends pull this
Out they little hat?
Can your friends go-
I'm the genie of the lamp
I can sing, rap, dance, if you give me a chance, oh!
Don't sit there buggy-eyed
I'm here to answer all your midday prayers
You got me bona fide, certified
You got a genie for your charge d'affaires
I got a powerful urge to help you out
So what's your wish? I really wanna know
You got a list that's three miles long, no doubt
All you gotta do is rub like so
Mister, (Aladdin), yes!
One wish or two or three
Well, 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 (never!)
Had a (had a)
Friend (friend)
Like (like)
Me!
You ain't never had a friend like me!
In Will Smith's "Friend Like Me," the rapper employs his signature style to bring a modern twist to Genie's classic tune from "Aladdin." The song is a celebration of Genie's powers, a sign of his joy of helping Aladdin in particular and people in general. The introductory sounds imply a warning about the sheer energy and flair that Will Smith is about to demonstrate. The song's tone and lyrics are playful and upbeat, where Genie taunts listeners to put his powers to the test.
The first verse references the classic "Arabian Nights" theme of "Aladdin," where Ali Baba had forty thieves, and Scheherazade had a thousand tales. However, Will Smith adds a new perspective by placing the primary focus on empowering the listener. He implies that if the listener rubs his lamp, Genie has enough power to grant their wishes. The chorus emphasizes that Genie is ready to fulfill all the listener's needs and that the listener has never had a friend like him. The lyrics further detail the range of services that Genie can provide, and he insists that no one else can match his abilities.
The magic of "Friend Like Me" lies in how it merges an instantly recognizable classic with Will Smith's infectious energy and attitude. It reminds listeners that there is always someone ready to help them and fulfill their every desire through Genie's powers. The song's playful lyrics, with a modern twist and energy-packed beat, are a great tribute to Robin Williams' classic portrayal of Genie in the original movie.
Line by Line Meaning
Here I go
I am starting and ready to perform
Uh, ooh, woo!
Expressing enthusiasm and excitement
Back up! Uh-oh! Watch out! Uh
Warning the listener to be careful and to pay attention
You done wound me up!
The listener has provoked and excited Will Smith
'Bout to show you what I'm workin' with, uh
Will Smith is going to demonstrate his talent and skills
Well, Ali Baba, he had them forty thieves
Reference to the story of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves for context
Scheherazade had a thousand tales
Reference to the story of Scheherazade and the One Thousand and One Nights for context
But, master, you're in luck because up your sleeves
The listener, like the master in the story, has an advantage
You got a brand of magic never fails
The listener has a unique and powerful ability
You got some power in your corner now
The listener has a strong ally in Will Smith
Heavy ammunition in your camp
The listener has valuable resources and support
You got some punch (pizazz, yahoo) and how?
The listener has great style, energy, and enthusiasm
All you gotta do is rub that lamp
The listener needs to use their special ability
And then I'll say
Will Smith is ready to perform and help
Mister, man, what's your name?
Will Smith is asking for the listener's identity
Whatever, what will your pleasure be?
Will Smith is willing to fulfill the listener's wishes
Let me take your order, I'll jot it down
Will Smith is ready to listen and fulfill the listener's order
You ain't never had a friend like me
Will Smith is a unique and valuable friend to the listener
Life is your restaurant
Will Smith compares life to a restaurant where the listener can choose what they want
And I'm your maitre D
Will Smith is the listener's waiter and host
Come, whisper to me whatever it is you want
Will Smith is ready to listen and fulfill the listener's desires
We pride ourselves on service
Will Smith values and emphasizes quality service
You the boss, the king, the shah!
Will Smith recognizes the listener's power and authority
Say what you wish, it's yours! True dish
Will Smith promises to fulfill the listener's wishes honestly
How about a little more baklava?
Will Smith suggests another treat or pleasure for the listener
Have some of column A
Will Smith offers the listener a choice of options
Try all of column B
Will Smith encourages the listener to explore and enjoy their options
I'm in the mood to help you, dude
Will Smith is eager and enthusiastic to assist the listener
You ain't never had a friend like me
Will Smith is a unique and valuable friend to the listener
Oh! Uh!
Exclamation of excitement and enthusiasm
This the big part, watch out!
Will Smith is ready to perform the most impressive part of the song
This the big part, oh!
Will Smith is indicating the most important and impressive part of the song
Can your friends do this?
Will Smith asks if the listener's friends can perform what he is about to do
Can your friends do that?
Will Smith asks if the listener's friends can perform what he has just done
Can your friends pull this
Will Smith asks if the listener's friends can achieve what he has just achieved
Out they little hat?
Will Smith refers to the magic trick of pulling something out of a hat
Can your friends go-
Will Smith is about to demonstrate something impressive
I'm the genie of the lamp
Will Smith asserts his role and power as the genie
I can sing, rap, dance, if you give me a chance, oh!
Will Smith is versatile and multi-talented
Don't sit there buggy-eyed
Will Smith tells the listener not to be surprised or shocked
I'm here to answer all your midday prayers
Will Smith is ready to fulfill the listener's wishes and desires
You got me bona fide, certified
Will Smith assures the listener of his genuineness and authenticity
You got a genie for your charge d'affaires
Will Smith is ready to assist and serve the listener
I got a powerful urge to help you out
Will Smith is motivated and eager to help the listener
So what's your wish? I really wanna know
Will Smith is ready to listen and fulfill the listener's desires
You got a list that's three miles long, no doubt
Will Smith acknowledges the listener's extensive and diverse list of wishes
All you gotta do is rub like so
Will Smith reminds the listener how to access their special ability
Mister, (Aladdin), yes!
Will Smith addresses the listener like Aladdin, the character who found the genie in the story
One wish or two or three
Will Smith offers to fulfill one or several of the listener's wishes
Well, I'm on the job, you big nabob
Will Smith is ready and committed to serving the listener, who is a wealthy and powerful person
You ain't never had a friend, never had a friend, you ain't
Will Smith emphasizes that he is a very unique and valuable friend
Never had a friend, never had a friend
Will Smith repeats his point
You ain't never had a friend
Will Smith emphasizes his unique friendship with the listener
Like (like)
Comparison to emphasize the unique and valuable friendship
Me!
Will Smith asserts his role and value as the listener's friend and genie
You ain't never had a friend like me!
Final reminder of the unique and valuable friendship
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Alan Menken, Howard Ashman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind