R.E.M.almost supplied the theme song to one of the most popular TV shows of all time. Bassist Mike Mills, tells NME, the producers of Friends "were thinking about using 'Shiny Happy People' as the theme song." But for some reason that never came to pass. Singer Michael Stipe says, "They went to another band and said, 'Can you write an R.E.M. song?' And they did. That's what I've heard. I don't want to diss the other band. I don't remember who they are, but that's a good song."
That other band is The Rembrandts, who recorded "I'll Be There for You" with lyrics co-written by Friends producers David Crane and Marta Kauffman.