In a surprising and touching departure from his usual comedic songs, this ballad is a tribute to Adam’s friend and Saturday Night Live co-star Chris Farley (1964-97).
Farley contains examples of
- Celebrity Elegy: The song is Adam's tribute to Chris Farley's career and their friendship.
- Manly Tears: Adam claims the hardest part of Chris' funeral was when his father, Tom Farley, began crying.
- One Last Field Trip: Tim Meadows' wedding turned out to be this as it was the last time Adam hung out with Chris before the latter's death.
- Tempting Fate: When everyone warned Farley straight up that his unhealthy lifestyle would send him into an early grave like John Belushi and John Candy, he replied that he was fine going out the same way as them, because they were his heroes.
- To Absent Friends: The whole song is this for Chris Farley. It starts off with Adam recalling their time on SNL, their friendship, and then Chris' funeral. Adam then sings directly to Chris, telling him that his works still make people laugh and that he still misses him after all these years. Finally, he asks the audience to give Chris a round of applause.
- Vitriolic Best Buds: Adam claims that what he misses most about Chris is watching him mess with David Spade.
- What Could Have Been: Invoked. Adam wishes Chris were still alive so he could have made the Grown Ups movies with their friend group.
