Bobby Brown (song)

"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]

"Bobby Brown"
Single by Frank Zappa
from the album Sheik Yerbouti
Released	March 3, 1979
Recorded	1978
Genre	Comedy rock experimental[1]
Length	2:49
Label	CBS
Songwriter(s)	Frank Zappa
Producer(s)	Frank Zappa
Frank Zappa singles chronology
"Dancin' Fool" (1979) "Bobby Brown" (1979) "Joe's Garage" (1979)
Audio sample
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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

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 (GfK)[9]	4

Year-end charts

Chart (1980)	Position
West Germany (Official German Charts)[10]	6

Chart (1991)	Position
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[11]	7

Decade-end charts

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

Certifications

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.