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| album = [[Sheik Yerbouti]]
| album = [[Sheik Yerbouti]]
| released = March 3, 1979
| released = March 3, 1979
| format =
| recorded = 1978
| recorded = 1978
| studio =
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = * [[Comedy rock]]
* [[Experimental music|experimental]]<ref>{{cite web|first= David Andrew |last= Wiebe|title= Music Genres List - 67 Top Music Styles With Examples|website= Music Industry How To|date= March 30, 2022 |url= https://www.musicindustryhowto.com/music-genres/|accessdate= May 20, 2023}}</ref>
| genre =
| length = 2:49
| length = 2:49
| label = [[Sony Music Entertainment|CBS Records]]
| label = [[Sony Music|CBS]]
| writer = Frank Zappa
| writer = Frank Zappa
| producer = Frank Zappa
| producer = Frank Zappa
Line 20: Line 19:
| next_title = [[Joe's Garage (song)|Joe's Garage]]
| next_title = [[Joe's Garage (song)|Joe's Garage]]
| next_year = 1979
| next_year = 1979
| misc = {{Audio sample
⚫
}}
| type = single
"'''Bobby Brown (Goes Down)'''" ([[Image:sound-icon.png|20px]] [[Media:Zappa BobbyBrown.ogg|(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]].
| file = Zappa_BobbyBrown.ogg
⚫
}}}}
"'''Bobby Brown (Goes Down)'''" is a song by American musician [[Frank Zappa]] released on his double album ''[[Sheik Yerbouti]]'' (1979). The song was successful in [[Europe]], where it was a number-one-hit in Norway and Sweden, number 4 in Germany, and was featured on the vinyl and European CD version of Zappa's best of compilation, ''[[Strictly Commercial]]'' (1995).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://home.swipnet.se/bengt-jonsson/zappaint.htm#Bobby|title=Zappa interviews|work=home.swipnet.se|access-date=27 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509080303/http://home.swipnet.se/bengt-jonsson/zappaint.htm#Bobby#Bobby|archive-date=2013-05-09|url-status=dead}}</ref>


==Synopsis==
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]] [[homosexuality|homosexual]] working in radio promotions; by the end of the song, he and "a friend" (later implied to be his boss, as he will "[[Casting couch|do anything to get ahead]]," which also has a double meaning, i.e. [[oral sex|getting a head]]) have become self-described "sexual spastic(s)" involved in [[urolagnia|golden showers]] and [[sadomasochism|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]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://globalia.net/donlope/fz/lyrics/Sheik_Yerbouti.html#Bobby |title=Sheik Yerbouti |first= |last= |work=globalia.net |accessdate=27 April 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://home.swipnet.se/bengt-jonsson/zappaint.htm#Bobby|title=Zappa interviews|first=|last=|work=home.swipnet.se|accessdate=27 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509080303/http://home.swipnet.se/bengt-jonsson/zappaint.htm#Bobby#Bobby|archive-date=2013-05-09|dead-url=yes|df=}}</ref>
The song describes a wealthy, [[misogynistic]] student named Bobby Brown, "the cutest boy in town", whose life is the archetypal [[American Dream]] until a traumatic sexual encounter with "Freddie", a [[dyke (slang)|dyke]] involved in the [[women's liberation movement]], leaves him questioning his sexuality. Bobby transforms into a [[leisure suit]]-wearing [[closeted]] [[homosexuality|homosexual]] working in radio promotions; by the end of the song, he and "a friend" (later implied to be his boss, as he will "[[Casting couch|do anything to get ahead]]", which also has a double meaning, i.e. [[oral sex#Terminology and slang|getting head]]) have become self-described "sexual spastic(s)" involved in [[urolagnia|golden showers]] and [[sadomasochism|S&M]], for which he thanks Freddie.


==Track listing==
==Track listing==
'''Version 1:'''
'''Version 1:'''
⚫
: A. "Bobby Brown" – 2:43<ref>{{discogs master | master=3119438 }}</ref><br/>

⚫
: B. "Baby Snakes" – 1:50
⚫
A."Bobby Brown" – 2:43<ref>{{discogs master | master=3119438 }}</ref> <br/>
⚫
B."Baby Snakes" – 1:50


'''Version 2:'''
'''Version 2:'''
⚫
: A. "Bobby Brown" – 2:43<ref>{{Discogs master |master=92284| name=Frank-Zappa-Bobby-Brown |type=album}}</ref><br/>

⚫
: B. "Stick It Out" – 4:33
⚫
A."Bobby Brown" – 2:43<ref>{{Discogs master |master=92284| name=Frank-Zappa-Bobby-Brown |type=album}}</ref><br/>
⚫
B."Stick It Out" – 4:33


==Chart positions==
==Chart positions==
Line 40: Line 41:
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|-
|-
!Chart (1979–1991)
! Chart (1979–1991)
!Peak<br/>position
! Peak<br/>position
|-
|-
{{singlechart|Austria|2|artist=Frank Zappa|song=Bobby Brown|rowheader=true|accessdate=November 7, 2015}}
{{single chart|Austria|2|artist=Frank Zappa|song=Bobby Brown|rowheader=true|access-date=November 7, 2015}}
|-
|-
{{singlechart|Germany|4|artist=Frank Zappa|song=Bobby Brown|rowheader=true|accessdate=November 7, 2015}}
{{single chart|Norway|1|artist=Frank Zappa|song=Bobby Brown|rowheader=true|access-date=November 7, 2015}}
|-
|-
{{singlechart|Norway|1|artist=Frank Zappa|song=Bobby Brown|rowheader=true|accessdate=November 7, 2015}}
{{single chart|Sweden|1|artist=Frank Zappa|song=Bobby Brown|rowheader=true|access-date=November 7, 2015}}
|-
|-
{{singlechart|Sweden|1|artist=Frank Zappa|song=Bobby Brown|rowheader=true|accessdate=November 7, 2015}}
{{single chart|Switzerland|5|artist=Frank Zappa|song=Bobby Brown|rowheader=true|access-date=November 7, 2015}}
|-
|-
{{singlechart|Switzerland|5|artist=Frank Zappa|song=Bobby Brown|rowheader=true|accessdate=November 7, 2015}}
{{single chart|West Germany|4|artist=Frank Zappa|song=Bobby Brown|songid=663|rowheader=true|access-date=May 21, 2019}}
|}

===Year-end charts===
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
! scope="col"| Chart (1980)
! scope="col"| Position
|-
! scope="row"| West Germany (Official German Charts)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/single-jahr/for-date-1980|title=Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts|language=de|website=[[Offizielle Deutsche Charts]]|access-date=May 23, 2019}}</ref>
| 6
|}
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
! scope="col"| Chart (1991)
! scope="col"| Position
|-
! scope="row"| Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://austriancharts.at/year.asp?cat=s&id=1991|title=Jahreshitparade Singles 1991|language=de|website=Hung Medien Austrian Charts Portal|access-date=May 23, 2019}}</ref>
| 7
|}

===Decade-end charts===
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
! scope="col"| Chart (1990–1999)
! scope="col"| Position
|-
! scope="row"| Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://austriancharts.at/90er_single.asp|title=Bestenlisten – Singles 1990er|language=de|website=Hung Medien Austrian Charts Portal|access-date=May 23, 2019}}</ref>
| 34
|}
|}


==Certifications==
==Certifications==
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=single|artist=Frank Zappa|title=Bobby Brown Goes Down (Si)|region=Austria|award=Gold|relyear=1979|accessdate=November 7, 2015}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=single|artist=Frank Zappa|title=Bobby Brown Goes Down (Si)|region=Austria|award=Gold|relyear=1979|access-date=November 7, 2015}}
⚫
{{Certification Table Entry|type=single|artist=Frank Zappa|title=Bobby Brown Goes Down|region=Norway|award=Gold|relyear=1979|access-date=November 7, 2015}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=single|region=Germany|award=Gold|relyear=1979|certref=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.directupload.net/file/d/4164/ok6clbmz_jpg.htm |title=German single certifications – Frank Zappa – Bobby Brown |publisher=[[Bundesverband Musikindustrie]] |language=de |accessdate=November 7, 2015 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151107210303/http://www.directupload.net/file/d/4164/ok6clbmz_jpg.htm |archivedate=November 7, 2015 }}</ref>}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=single|region=Sweden|award=Gold|relyear=1979|certref=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sverigetopplistan.se/ |title=Swedish single certifications – Frank Zappa – Bobby Brown |publisher=[[Swedish Recording Industry Association]] |language=sv |access-date=November 7, 2015 |id=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 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151226154145/http://www.sverigetopplistan.se/ |archive-date=December 26, 2015 }}</ref>}}
⚫
{{Certification Table Entry|type=single|artist=Frank Zappa|title=Bobby Brown Goes Down|region=Norway|award=Gold|salesamount=50 000|relyear=1979|accessdate=November 7, 2015}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=single|region=Sweden|award=Gold|relyear=1979|certref=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sverigetopplistan.se/ |title=Swedish single certifications – Frank Zappa – Bobby Brown |publisher=[[Swedish Recording Industry Association]] |language=sv |accessdate=November 7, 2015 |id=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 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151226154145/http://www.sverigetopplistan.se/ |archivedate=December 26, 2015 |df= }}</ref>|salesamount=50 000}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=single|region=Switzerland|award=Gold|relyear=1979|certref=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.directupload.net/file/d/4164/jujkofpl_jpg.htm |title=Swiss single certifications – Frank Zappa – Bobby Brown |publisher=[[Swiss Music Charts]] |language=de |access-date=November 7, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151107210930/http://www.directupload.net/file/d/4164/jujkofpl_jpg.htm |archive-date=November 7, 2015}}</ref>}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=single|region=Switzerland|award=Gold|relyear=1979|certref=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.directupload.net/file/d/4164/jujkofpl_jpg.htm |title=Swiss single certifications – Frank Zappa – Bobby Brown |publisher=[[Swiss Music Charts]] |language=de |accessdate=November 7, 2015 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151107210930/http://www.directupload.net/file/d/4164/jujkofpl_jpg.htm |archivedate=November 7, 2015}}</ref>|salesamount=50,000}}
{{Certification Table Bottom}}
{{Certification Table Bottom}}


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{discogs master|type=single|92284}}


{{Frank Zappa}}
{{Frank Zappa}}


{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bobby Brown (Song)}}
[[Category:Frank Zappa songs]]
[[Category:Frank Zappa songs]]
[[Category:1979 songs]]
[[Category:1979 songs]]
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[[Category:Song recordings produced by Frank Zappa]]
[[Category:Song recordings produced by Frank Zappa]]
[[Category:Satirical songs]]
[[Category:Satirical songs]]
[[Category:Fictional rapists|Brown, Bobby]]
[[Category:CBS Records singles]]
[[Category:Fictional radio personalities|Brown, Bobby]]

Latest revision as of 07:15, 2 May 2024

"Bobby Brown"
Single by Frank Zappa
from the album Sheik Yerbouti
ReleasedMarch 3, 1979
Recorded1978
Genre
Length2:49
LabelCBS
Songwriter(s)Frank Zappa
Producer(s)Frank Zappa
Frank Zappa singles chronology
"Dancin' Fool"
(1979) 		"Bobby Brown"
(1979) 		"Joe's Garage"
(1979)
Audio sample

"Bobby Brown (Goes Down)" is a song by American musician Frank Zappa released on his double album Sheik Yerbouti (1979). The song was successful in Europe, where it was a number-one-hit in Norway and Sweden, number 4 in Germany, and was featured on the vinyl and European CD version of Zappa's best of compilation, Strictly Commercial (1995).[2]

Synopsis[edit]

The song describes a wealthy, misogynistic student named Bobby Brown, "the cutest boy in town", whose life is the archetypal American Dream until a traumatic sexual encounter with "Freddie", a dyke 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 head) have become self-described "sexual spastic(s)" involved in golden showers and S&M, for which he thanks Freddie.

Track listing[edit]

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[edit]

Weekly charts[edit]

Chart (1979–1991) Peak
position
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[5] 2
Norway (VG-lista)[6] 1
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[7] 1
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[8] 5
West Germany (Official German Charts)[9] 4

Year-end charts[edit]

Chart (1980) Position
West Germany (Official German Charts)[10] 6
Chart (1991) Position
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[11] 7

Decade-end charts[edit]

Chart (1990–1999) Position
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[12] 34

Certifications[edit]

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Austria (IFPI Austria)[13] Gold 50,000*
Norway (IFPI Norway)[14] Gold 5,000*
Sweden (GLF)[15] Gold 25,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[16] Gold 25,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References[edit]

  1. ^ Wiebe, David Andrew (March 30, 2022). "Music Genres List - 67 Top Music Styles With Examples". Music Industry How To. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
  2. ^ "Zappa interviews". home.swipnet.se. Archived from the original on 2013-05-09. Retrieved 27 April 2013.
  3. ^ Bobby Brown at Discogs (list of releases)
  4. ^ Frank-Zappa-Bobby-Brown at Discogs (list of releases)
  5. ^ "Frank Zappa – Bobby Brown" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved November 7, 2015.
  6. ^ "Frank Zappa – Bobby Brown". VG-lista. Retrieved November 7, 2015.
  7. ^ "Frank Zappa – Bobby Brown". Singles Top 100. Retrieved November 7, 2015.
  8. ^ "Frank Zappa – Bobby Brown". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved November 7, 2015.
  9. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Frank Zappa – Bobby Brown" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
  10. ^ "Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts". Offizielle Deutsche Charts (in German). Retrieved May 23, 2019.
  11. ^ "Jahreshitparade Singles 1991". Hung Medien Austrian Charts Portal (in German). Retrieved May 23, 2019.
  12. ^ "Bestenlisten – Singles 1990er". Hung Medien Austrian Charts Portal (in German). Retrieved May 23, 2019.
  13. ^ "Austrian single certifications – Frank Zappa – Bobby Brown Goes Down (Si)" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved November 7, 2015.
  14. ^ "Norwegian single certifications – Frank Zappa – Bobby Brown Goes Down" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved November 7, 2015.
  15. ^ "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.
  16. ^ "Swiss single certifications – Frank Zappa – Bobby Brown" (in German). Swiss Music Charts. Archived from the original on November 7, 2015. Retrieved November 7, 2015.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bobby_Brown_(song)&oldid=1221832612"