Relive the Astonishing Moment Taylor Swift and Lisa Kudrow Sing “Smelly Cat”
Celebrity crossovers and joint performances are nothing new; they’ve been happening for years, especially at arena tours worldwide, where audiences are often surprised with a guest appearance and special song. One such memorable occurrence took place between Taylor Swift and Friends star Lisa Kudrow.
On August 26th, 2015, at Los Angeles’ Staples Center during Taylor Swift’s sold-out 1989 World Tour, the audience was in for a rare and random performance. Lisa Kudrow—best known as Phoebe Buffay—reprised her role for a live acoustic rendition of the comedic Friends song “Smelly Cat,” which you can watch in the video below:
Before Lisa Kudrow took the stage, Taylor Swift teased the audience about her special guest. “This singer, she’s only ever played in coffee houses before,” she said. “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, even more so when they heard they were getting an exclusive performance of “Smelly Cat.”
“Smelly Cat” became a cult comedy song from the Friends TV show shortly after the episode “The One With The Baby On The Bus” aired. The song recurred in multiple episodes featuring Phoebe and became a significant part of her character’s personality. This running gag became a fan favorite and remains one of the most referred-to 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’s turn to sing a verse solo, Kudrow humorously interrupted to correct her, emphasizing that she had to ‘feel the lyrics.’ After some playful back-and-forth, the duo kicked off the song again, with the entire audience joining in for the final verse.
Taylor Swift’s 1989 World Tour was a global success, with sold-out arenas celebrating her fifth studio album, 1989. The album marked a significant departure from her country roots, showcasing her growth as an artist. It features some of her most successful songs to date, including the pop anthem “Blank Space,” which quickly topped global charts after its release.
“Smelly Cat” has not only become a Friends-related cult comedy classic but has also been covered by numerous artists. Chris Isaak, James Michael Tyler, and even co-star Courtney Cox (who plays Monica Geller) have paid tribute to this quirky song about a neglected cat with a terrible smell. In 2021, the Friends cast reunited for a one-off Reunion Special, where Lisa Kudrow performed “Smelly Cat” with the iconic American singer-songwriter Lady Gaga.
