Released 1973 Length 2:59 | Genre Pop rock, vocal Label Atlantic | |
Writer(s) Buzzy Linhart
Mark "Moogy" Klingman Producer(s) Ahmet Ertegun, Barry Manilow, Joel Dorn, Geoffery Haslam | ||
"Friends" (also titled "(You Got to Have) Friends") is a 1973 hit single by Bette Midler. It was written by Buzzy Linhart and Mark "Moogy" Klingman. In the United States, the song reached #9 on the Adult Contemporary chart and reached #40 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
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Background
A version of "Friends" was recorded by one of the song's co-writers, Buzzy Linhart. More of a rock sound than a pop sound, Linhart's version had an alternative title, "(You Got to Have) Friends". Bette Midler was one of Linhart's close friends during the early 1970s. While rehearsing for an audition for a Broadway show called Mirror Cracked, Linhart sang to Midler a song that he and his songwriting partner Mark "Moogy" Klingman had just written, called "Friends". After hearing the song, Midler asked Linhart if she could sing "Friends" during a show that she was performing in at the Continental Baths in New York. Klingman and Linhart attended the show and were impressed with the performance. Soon after, Midler recorded the song on her debut album The Divine Miss M, which was a nickname she always wanted to be known as having personified.
In popular culture
The song "Friends" can be heard during the final scene and closing credits of the 1973 mystery film The Last of Sheila. The song was also sung by the 1974-75 cast of Zoom during the "ZOOM was presented by" end credits reintroducing the cast members. Also, the song was performed on The Muppet Show Episode 115 by the Muppets and Candice Bergen, who is the guest star on that episode. A rendition of the song is heard on the film Shrek, performed by Donkey, voiced by Eddie Murphy.