
In the season 2 finale of Friends, Rachel Green, acting as the maid of honour at her ex-fiancé Barry's wedding, sings Copacabana. Rachel, who was initially reluctant to attend the wedding, performs the song with Ross after being embarrassed by the best man's speech. The song was made famous by Barry Manilow.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Song | Copacabana |
| Singer | Rachel and Ross |
| Singer's Character | Rachel Green and Ross Geller |
| Singer's Relationship to the Couple | Rachel is the Maid of Honour and ex-fiancée of Barry, the groom. Ross is Rachel's friend. |
| Episode | The One with Barry and Mindy's Wedding |
| Episode Number | 24 |
| Season | 2 |
| Original Air Date | May 16, 1996 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn

Rachel sings Copacabana
In the season 2 finale of Friends, Rachel Green, who is maid of honor at her ex-fiancé Barry's wedding, sings Copacabana. This is the same song she was unable to perform in high school. Rachel's friend Mindy is the bride at the wedding, and Rachel steals the couple's thunder when she walks up the aisle with her butt showing because of her ill-fitting dress. Rachel is angry at Barry's parents for spreading a rumour that she didn't go through with her marriage to their son because she was insane. She is embarrassed and angry again when she is dissed in the best man's toast, but she confronts her fears by grabbing the mic and singing Copacabana. The song was most famously sung by Barry Manilow.
God Gave Me You": Perfect Wedding Song Choic
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Rachel's dress is tucked into her pantyhose
Rachel Green's dress being tucked into her pantyhose is just one of the many unfortunate events that befall her during her ex-fiancé Barry's wedding to her friend Mindy. In the episode "The One with Barry and Mindy's Wedding", Rachel reluctantly agrees to be the maid of honour at the wedding. However, she ends up stealing the couple's thunder when she walks up the aisle with her butt showing because the back of her dress is tucked into her pantyhose. To make matters worse, Barry's parents spread a rumour that Rachel didn't go through with her marriage to their son because she had syphilis or a brain fungus that made her insane.
Despite the embarrassing fashion mishap, Rachel decides to stay at the wedding, partly due to her promise to herself to make it through at least one of Barry's weddings. During the reception, she is further humiliated when the best man's toast makes fun of her. In a moment of defiance, Rachel confronts her fears by grabbing the mic and singing the "Copacabana" song, made famous by Barry Manilow. This act of courage allows her to finally face her fears and stand up for herself.
The "Copacabana" song becomes a significant moment in the episode, allowing Rachel to reclaim her power and turn the attention towards her talent. It is worth noting that the choice of song may have been influenced by the fact that Rachel was unable to perform it in high school. By singing "Copacabana" at the wedding, Rachel not only redeems herself but also creates a memorable and entertaining moment for the audience.
The dress tucked into the pantyhose incident is a comedic element that adds to the overall chaos and embarrassment that Rachel experiences throughout the episode. It sets the tone for the series of unfortunate events that seem to follow her at Barry and Mindy's wedding. This particular detail contributes to the cringe-worthy nature of the scene, highlighting the awkwardness and humour of the situation.
While the dress being tucked into the pantyhose may seem like a minor detail, it is emblematic of the larger theme of Rachel's struggle to move on from her past with Barry. The incident, along with the rumours spread by Barry's parents, serves as a reminder of their failed relationship and the embarrassment she faced. Ultimately, Rachel's ability to rise above these setbacks and sing "Copacabana" becomes a symbol of her resilience and determination to overcome her fears.
Harry and Meghan: A State Wedding?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Rachel and Barry's parents
In the season 2 finale of Friends, Rachel Green, who was the maid of honor at her ex-fiancé Barry's wedding to her friend Mindy, sings Copacabana after being embarrassed by the best man's speech. This was a song she was unable to perform in high school. Rachel is angry because Barry's parents told everyone that the reason she didn't marry their son was that she had a brain fungus that made her insane. Ross stands up and defends Rachel, but she finally confronts her fears by grabbing the mic and singing.
The song Copacabana was famously sung by Barry Manilow. The music that plays when Rachel heads into the wedding room is from Ina Kleine Nachtmusik by Mozart. The episode also features the song The Girl From Ipanema, which was originally composed in 1962 in Brazil with Portuguese lyrics.
Rachel reluctantly agrees to be the maid of honor at the wedding. She steals the couple's thunder when she walks up the aisle with her butt showing because of her ill-fitting dress. She is angry to find out that Barry's parents had spread a rumor about her having a brain fungus that made her insane. However, she decides to stay at the wedding when Barry implies that there is a betting pool on when she would leave. She tells him that she promised herself she'd make it through at least one of his weddings.
Reggae Rhythm in The Wedding Singer: Song and Scene
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$13.99 $14.99

Monica and Richard's relationship
In the episode "The One with Barry and Mindy's Wedding", Monica and Richard's relationship is jeopardized when the subject of children arises. Monica ponders her future with Richard, and their romance ends when Richard decides against having more children. Richard Burke, played by Tom Selleck, is an ophthalmologist and a close friend of Monica's parents. He has a 21-year age gap with Monica, though they have a deep relationship. Their romance is one of Monica's first long-term relationships in the show, starting in season 2.
The subject of children is a significant point of contention in their relationship. Richard already has two children from his previous marriage and is a grandfather twice over. Monica, on the other hand, is still figuring out her life and has not yet settled down. When they discuss their future together, they realize that their differences in wanting children may be a deal-breaker. Ultimately, it is Richard's decision not to have more children that leads to their breakup.
Their relationship is also made more complicated by Richard's history with Monica's family. He has known Monica since she was a child and was a close friend of her parents. This adds an uncomfortable dynamic to their relationship, as it blurs the lines between familial and romantic affection. Monica even confesses that she peed in Richard's pool as a child, highlighting the unusual nature of their connection.
Despite the challenges and unusual circumstances, Monica and Richard's relationship is a significant one in the show. It showcases the complexities of adult relationships and the difficult decisions that come with them. It also provides a contrast to Monica's other relationships, which are typically shorter-lived and less deep. Ultimately, their relationship ends, but it leaves a lasting impact on Monica's character and the show's narrative.
Coldplay's Yellow: A Perfect Wedding Song?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Joey auditions for a movie
In the second season finale of Friends, titled "The One with Barry and Mindy's Wedding", Rachel sings "Copacabana" at her ex-fiancé's wedding. In the same episode, Joey auditions for a role in Warren Beatty's new movie, which requires him to kiss another man. Joey, who has trouble kissing men, seeks help from Chandler and Ross, who refuse to help him. He then asks the girls to kiss him and let him know if he is a bad kisser. Phoebe agrees, judging that Joey has a firm and tender kiss. Monica suggests that Joey has a problem kissing men, which makes him uncomfortable. Ross eventually relents and surprises Joey with a kiss. However, Joey reveals that they had already chosen someone else for the role, but he thanks Ross for his help.
Joey Tribbiani, known for his acting aspirations, has had his fair share of auditions throughout the show's run. In "The One Where Eddie Won't Go", Joey auditions for a secondary role as a cab driver, which Ross convinces him to take after being written out of Days of Our Lives. However, Joey struggles with his lines and delivers a less-than-impressive audition. In "The One With Ross and Monica's Cousin", Joey auditions for a big-budget period movie, only to discover that the part requires full-frontal nudity. He enlists Monica's help to create a fake foreskin, but his plan fails during the callback. In "The One With Joey's Bag", Joey exhibits confidence with a unisex bag but loses out on the part due to his attachment to the accessory. Joey also has a memorable audition in "The One With the Mugging" for a play directed by the legendary Leonard Hayes. Despite showing up late and fidgety, his slapstick movements add an extra dimension to his performance, and Hayes recognises his unique talent. Additionally, in "Joey and the Big Audition", Joey pretends to be an alumnus of Northwestern University to get a serious movie audition, only to discover that the role is not what he expected.
First Dance Songs to Set the Wedding Mood
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Rachel sings "Copacabana" at the wedding.
Rachel sings "Copacabana" with Ross.
Rachel sings "Copacabana" to confront her fears after being embarrassed by the best man's toast.
Rachel was the maid of honor at the wedding.









































