Witness the Surprising Performance of “Smelly Cat” by Taylor Swift and Lisa Kudrow

Celebrity crossovers and joint performances are nothing new. They’ve been happening for years, especially at arena tours worldwide where audiences are often surprised by guest appearances and special songs. One such memorable occurrence was the collaboration between Taylor Swift and Friends star Lisa Kudrow.

On August 26th, 2015, during Taylor Swift’s sold-out 1989 World Tour at Los Angeles’ Staples Center, the audience was in for a rare and unexpected treat. Lisa Kudrow, best known as Phoebe Buffay, reprised her role for a live acoustic rendition of the comedic Friends song “Smelly Cat.” You can watch the performance in the video below:

Before Lisa Kudrow took the stage, Taylor Swift hinted at the special guest’s identity, saying, “This singer, she’s only ever played in coffee houses before. She’s never played in a big venue like this, so we’ve got to make her feel welcome.” When fans realized it was one of Friends’ biggest stars, they went wild, especially upon hearing they were about to witness an exclusive performance of “Smelly Cat.”

“Smelly Cat” became a cult comedy song from Friends shortly after the episode “The One With The Baby On The Bus” aired. The song appeared in multiple episodes, becoming a significant part of Phoebe’s character and a fan favorite. It remains one of the most referenced aspects of Friends to this day:

During their unexpected duet at the Staples Center, Lisa Kudrow and Taylor Swift shared a guitar and began singing “Smelly Cat” together. When it was Taylor Swift’s turn to sing a verse solo, Kudrow humorously interrupted her, explaining that she needed to ‘feel the lyrics.’ After some playful back-and-forth, the duo resumed the song, with the entire arena joining in for one last verse.

Taylor Swift’s 1989 World Tour was a global hit, with arenas sold out worldwide in celebration of her fifth studio album, 1989. This album marked a significant shift from her country origins, showcasing her growth as an artist. It includes some of her most successful songs, such as the pop anthem “Blank Space,” which quickly soared up the global charts upon its release.

“Smelly Cat” has become more than just a Friends-related cult comedy classic; it has been covered by various artists, including Chris Isaak, James Michael Tyler, and even co-star Courtney Cox (Monica Geller). In 2021, the Friends cast reunited for a special one-off Reunion Special, during which Lisa Kudrow performed “Smelly Cat” with the iconic American singer-songwriter Lady Gaga.