Bobby Brown (song)
| "Bobby Brown" | |
|---|---|
| Song |
"Bobby Brown (Goes Down)" (
(song sample, 600Kb)) is a song by Frank Zappa released on his album Sheik Yerbouti in 1979. One of his best known songs, it was hugely successful in Europe.
The song describes a wealthy, misogynistic student named Bobby Brown, "the cutest boy in town," whose life is the archetypical American Dream until a traumatic sexual encounter with "Freddie," a lesbian involved in the women's liberation movement, leaves him questioning his sexuality. Bobby transforms into a leisure suit-wearing closeted homosexual working in radio promotions; by the end of the song, he and "a friend" (later implied to be his boss, as he will "do anything to get ahead," which also has a double meaning, i.e. getting a head) have become self-described "sexual spastic(s)" involved in golden showers and S&M, for which he thanks his "friend," Freddie. This song was more successful in Europe than America (the song's pervasive sexual content made it unfit for broadcast on U.S. radio) and this is why it is only featured on the vinyl and European CD version of Zappa's best of compilation, Strictly Commercial. [1][2]
Track listing
Version 1:
A."Bobby Brown" – 2:43[3]
B."Baby Snakes" – 1:50
Version 2:
A."Bobby Brown" – 2:43[4]
B."Stick It Out" – 4:33
Chart positions
Weekly charts
| Chart (1979–1991) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[5] | 2 |
| songid field is MANDATORY FOR GERMAN CHARTS | 4 |
| Norway (VG-lista)[6] | 1 |
| Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[7] | 1 |
| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[8] | 5 |
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Austria (IFPI Austria)[9] | Gold | 50,000* |
| Germany (BVMI)[10] | Gold | 0^ |
| Norway (IFPI Norway)[11] | Gold | 50 000* |
| Sweden (GLF)[12] | Gold | 50 000^ |
| Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[13] | Gold | 50,000^ |
|
* Sales figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
- ^ "Sheik Yerbouti". globalia.net. Retrieved 27 April 2013.
- ^ "Zappa interviews". home.swipnet.se. Retrieved 27 April 2013.
- ^ Bobby Brown at Discogs (list of releases)
- ^ Frank-Zappa-Bobby-Brown at Discogs (list of releases)
- ^ "Frank Zappa – Bobby Brown" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved November 7, 2015.
- ^ "Frank Zappa – Bobby Brown". VG-lista. Retrieved November 7, 2015.
- ^ "Frank Zappa – Bobby Brown". Singles Top 100. Retrieved November 7, 2015.
- ^ "Frank Zappa – Bobby Brown". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved November 7, 2015.
- ^ "Austrian single certifications – Frank Zappa – Bobby Brown Goes Down (Si)" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved November 7, 2015.
- ^ "German single certifications – Frank Zappa – Bobby Brown" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Archived from the original on November 7, 2015. Retrieved November 7, 2015.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Norwegian single certifications – Frank Zappa – Bobby Brown Goes Down" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved November 7, 2015.
- ^ "Swedish single certifications – Frank Zappa – Bobby Brown" (in Swedish). Swedish Recording Industry Association. Search for "Frank Zappa", then press "Sök" to see the search results. Select "Bobby Brown Download" and press "Visa" to see the charting positions and certification awards. Archived from the original on December 26, 2015. Retrieved November 7, 2015.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Swiss single certifications – Frank Zappa – Bobby Brown" (in German). Swiss Music Charts. Archived from the original on November 7, 2015. Retrieved November 7, 2015.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help)
