The 30 Minute Rule begins June 18 at 7:00 PM EDT. An Initial Bid Must Be Placed By June 18 at 6:00 PM EDT To Participate After 6:00 PM EDT
ALS signed “Love, Chrissie,” with handwritten lyrics to the song, ‘Smelly Cat,’ sent to Friends actress Lisa Kudrow, who sang the song as her television character, Phoebe Buffay, in the sixth episode of the show's second season, ‘The One with the Baby on the Bus,’ which aired on November 2, 1995. Hynde’s handwritten letter, one page, 8.25 x 11.75, September 4, 1999, in full: “Your part is on track 12. ( - The middle and something at the very end.) Of course change it as you like & sing my part or whatever — Hell, we’re not proud (not after this we’re not!).” Hynde adds a short postscript: “Loved you in Analyze This.”
The included lyrics, which are marked “Lisa” on the back of the second page, read: “1. SC SC, what are they feeding you / SC SC, you’re getting fat / I think that I’m gonna be sick / Ears & lips, & nose & dick / Heart of red tail of pink / 2. All the dogs in the neighborhood will say that it’s for your own good / They want you fat so you can’t run / No fun babe no fun / Smelly cat SC, boredom makes you eat like that / I saw you in a shopping mall / 3. Smelly Cat SC, It’s not your fault / If you knew what was in your food / Let’s say it might affect your mood / You smell like something dead x 3.” Includes a promotional Reprise Records CD single for ‘Smelly Cat’ by Phoebe Buffay and the Hairballs featuring The Pretenders, with credits to “Chrissie Hynde / Lisa Kudrow.” In overall fine condition.
‘Smelly Cat’ was one of those small, quirky moments from Friends that somehow took on a life of its own. Sung by Lisa Kudrow as Phoebe Buffay, the offbeat tune first appeared in Season 2’s ‘The One with the Baby on the Bus,’ which guest-starred Chrissie Hynde as Stephanie Schiffer, a polished musician hired to replace Phoebe at Central Perk—only to end up learning ‘Smelly Cat’ from Phoebe herself.
What began as a throwaway joke quickly became a signature bit, with Kudrow bringing the song back again and again over the show’s ten-season run. Fan enthusiasm eventually led to a studio version: Kudrow teamed up with Hynde and the Pretenders—cheekily billed as Phoebe Buffay and the Hairballs—to record ‘Smelly Cat Medley’ for the 1999 album Friends Again.
By then, ‘Smelly Cat’ had grown into a full-fledged fan favorite, often ranked among the show’s most memorable moments and even mentioned alongside its theme song. Its legacy carried on beyond the series as well: Kudrow revisited it in a surprise duet with Taylor Swift during the 1989 World Tour in 2015, and later performed it with Lady Gaga during the 2021 Friends reunion special.
This item is Pre-Certified by Real
Buy a third-party letter of authenticity for
(inquire for price)
*This item has been pre-certified by a trusted third-party authentication service, and by placing a bid on this item, you agree to accept the opinion of this authentication service. If you wish to have an opinion rendered by a different authenticator of your choosing, you must do so prior to your placing of any bid. RR Auction is not responsible for differing opinions submitted 30 days after the date of the sale.
Third-party authentication service applies only to signatures and handwriting, and does not cover the addition of sketches, artwork, musical quotations, etc.
