Friends

She came out of the frost Her cheeks glowing And filled the room with chatter Utterly disrespectful of serious pursuits All this was somewhat annoying And rather absurd My room began to look fearfully crowded I can’t control this curious handmaid So I dismiss the muse I am too tired to quarrel Telling people’s fortunes by the King of Hearts! What boredom! I knew her in those fabled years One haunted by wondrous desire A magic landscape—a lonely sleigh There’s talk—then friendly laughter And songs Whispering at the table Gay and ready wit! How jolly!

My thoughts are far away and so I close the volume—sit down—take up my pen Force my dull muse to say some incoherent words But harmony is wanting The sounds won’t chime

[paraphrased]

While the film "The Blue Lagoon" puts two young lovers in a desert island, with no contact with civilization, the 1971 film "Friends" goes the opposite route. Paul (Sean Bury) and Michelle (Anicée Alvina) end up living together in a small cottage in Southern France. Having only each other and their childhood innocence, their friendship slowly develops into much more as they struggle to sustain themselves, in this sweet coming of age story. This film even to this day is controversial since the actors are teenagers and they certainly look the ages that are stated in the movie (15 and 14 1/2). As an artistic piece, this movie is really a forgotten and rough gem. The script progresses with extreme simplicity, albeit some sappiness, but never pulling any punches to state its message, although by today standards, it is somewhat slow. The photography is beautiful and it has scenes of great beauty. The acting of the two protagonists varies from really awful in some scenes to marvelously innocent and credible in others. Pop music—soundtrack by Elton John and Bernie Taupin—unlike most productions nowadays, is used tastefully and sometimes the lyrics speak the thoughts of the protagonists. Overall, this is a delightful piece, even if the moral values are not in concordance with your own.

I see so much in this song as I leave for my freshman year of college. Wow. It's almost over... there are new friends coming because they are found on every road, but watching your childhood fly is painful.

It's the #1 song that makes me cry... It reminds me of my own friends who either died at a young age, or who I haven't seen in many years. It makes me so sad, yet I treasure its meaning.

There is another piece on the 'Friends' soundtrack that is very moving. It is mostly an instrumental, with some short lyrics at the end. It's called 'Seasons' (The First Kiss). I'm telling you, I'm a Harley-riding old guy (almost 60), and this can turn me into a blubbering puddle of goo. To understand why, read my comments for Henley's 'Boys Of Summer'.

'Seasons' (The First Kiss) For our world, the circle turns again Throughout the year we've seen the seasons change It's meant a lot to me to start anew Oh the winter's cold but I'm so warm with you

Out there there's not a sound to be heard And the seasons seem to sleep upon their words As the waters freeze up with the summer's end

Oh it's funny how young lovers start as friends Yes it's funny how young lovers start as friends

this song has the melody of friendship in it itself, sweet, and true