The show 's running gag and one of Phoebe 's trademark characteristics is her song " Smelly Cat , " which she performs at Central Perk . The song is about a cat who is shunned by society because of its foul stench as a result of flatulence ( " What are they feeding you ? " ) . However Phoebe sympathizes with it because she can relate to being an outcast . The verses consist of Phoebe rattling off a list of ways in which the cat is disliked ( " They wo n't take you to the vet " , " you 're obviously not their favorite pet " , etc. ) while the chorus ends with the uplifting message to anyone who is different or unique that " it 's not your fault " . In the episode , " The One Where Eddie Moves In , " Phoebe is discovered by a record producer who wants to make a music video for " Smelly Cat " . Phoebe is delighted with the end result , somehow missing what her friends spot immediately – that the voice used in the video belongs to another woman . Phoebe turns down the opportunity , feeling bad for the woman who will not get any recognition for her voice because she does not have the " right look " – declaring that the woman IS , in fact , Smelly Cat . In the episode , " The One With Phoebe 's Ex-Partner , " Phoebe 's former singing partner , Leslie , portrayed by E.G. Daily , wants them to get back together . The partnership fails again when Leslie sells the song " Smelly Cat " to a commercial agency against Phoebe 's wishes . Phoebe teaches the song to Chrissie Hynde , who releases it in a 1999 album . On August 26 , 2015 , Kudrow performed the song as a duet with Taylor Swift during Swift 's concert in Los Angeles as a part of her 1989 World Tour
1989 World Tour
The 1989 World Tour
Phoebe Buffay