Bobby Brown (song)


"Bobby Brown " 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. It was a number-one-hit in Norway and Sweden and placed at number 4 in the German charts, where it sold more than 250,000 units. This song was more successful in Europe than America and this is why it is only featured on the vinyl and European CD version of Zappa's best of compilation, Strictly Commercial.

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" have become self-described "sexual spastic" involved in golden showers and S&M, for which he thanks Freddie.

Track listing

Version 1:
A."Bobby Brown" – 2:43

B."Baby Snakes" – 1:50
Version 2:
A."Bobby Brown" – 2:43

B."Stick It Out" – 4:33

Chart positions

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Decade-end charts

Certifications