Bobby_Brown_(Goes_Down)

Bobby Brown (song)

Bobby Brown (song)

1979 single by Frank Zappa


"Bobby Brown (Goes Down)" is a song by American musician Frank Zappa released on his double album Sheik Yerbouti (1979). One of his best known songs, it 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]

Quick Facts Single by Frank Zappa, from the album Sheik Yerbouti ...

Synopsis

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

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

More information Chart (1979–1991), Peak position ...

Year-end charts

More information Chart (1980), Position ...
More information Chart (1991), Position ...

Decade-end charts

More information Chart (1990–1999), Position ...

Certifications

More information Region, Certification ...

References

  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. "Jahreshitparade Singles 1991". Hung Medien Austrian Charts Portal (in German). Retrieved May 23, 2019.
  9. "Bestenlisten – Singles 1990er". Hung Medien Austrian Charts Portal (in German). Retrieved May 23, 2019.
  10. "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.
  11. "Swiss single certifications – Frank Zappa – Bobby Brown" (in German). Swiss Music Charts. Archived from the original on November 7, 2015. Retrieved November 7, 2015.

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