[PHILIPPINES, May 2021] – Ever since the cast of everyone’s favourite 90s show walked off our screens for the final time in 2004, fans have lived in hope for the return of the popular TV series. And now, our sitcom prayers have finally been answered. As the Friends reunion show gets ready to air globally today, Spotify has revealed that fans have been feeling some serious Central Perk nostalgia.
The iconic theme tune ‘I’ll be there for you’ by The Rembrandts has amassed more than 137 million streams globally. Not only that, but the official Friends playlist, available to stream on Spotify, has seen an 80% uplift in streams in the last week versus the week before, as fans gear up for the big reunion. In fact, streams of the playlist are nearly 4,000% higher on the platform this year compared to three years ago, and over 200% higher than the same time last year.
Pivot! It seems that Gen Zs are racing to catch up in time for the show hitting our screens tonight – 18-24 year olds are streaming the official Friends playlist the most, making up nearly two fifths of listens, closely followed by 25-29 year olds.
Here are some additional data on Friends-themed listening to get you ready for the big reunion:
● Smelly cat, smelly cat… The surprise hit of the show ‘Smelly Cat’ continues to hit the right notes with Friends fans worldwide. When looking at all three versions of the song, they have been streamed 1.5 million times on Spotify, with a recent spike in plays in the last week alone.
● Oh. My. God. Globally, about 1,800 ‘Smelly Cat’ playlists have been created by users. The Smelly Cat Medley by Phoebe Buffay and the Hairballs is the most popular Smelly Cat version on these playlists. Other popular songs on the Smelly Cat playlists include Coldplay’s “Fix You,” Billie Eilish’s “bad guy” and One Direction’s “What Makes You Beautiful.
● You’re my lobster: The top 10 countries for streaming the official Friends playlist are:
○ India
○ Turkey
○ Germany
○ USA
○ Brazil
○ UK
○ France
○ Philippines
○ Spain
○ Italy
Discover more Friends-themed songs and playlists with ad-free music listening and on-demand audio anytime with Spotify Premium’s offer of three months free to eligible free and first time-users for just Php 129.00. Enjoy uninterrupted listening with Spotify.
For more details, head to Spotify.com/Premium to sign up. Starting today, Spotify Premium is offering three months free to eligible free and first time-users for the Individual Premium plan. And for those who are missing their Individual Premium plan and cancelled for one reason or another, Spotify Premium is offering three months for just Php 129.00.
*Spotify data, globally and by market. Data taken from 14th-25th May.
