Girlfriend (Pebbles song)

"Girlfriend" is a song by American singer Pebbles from her 1987 self-titled debut studio album. Written and produced by L.A. Reid and Babyface, "Girlfriend" was released as the album's lead single on October 26, 1987, by record label MCA. The song charted in several countries, peaking at number five on the US Billboard Hot 100 and reaching the top 10 in Ireland and the United Kingdom.

"Girlfriend"
Single by Pebbles
from the album Pebbles
B-side	"Girlfriend" (instrumental)
Released	1987
Length	6:43 (album version) 4:16 (single version)
Label	MCA
Songwriter(s)	Kenneth Edmonds Antonio Reid
Producer(s)	L.A. Reid Babyface
Pebbles singles chronology
"Love/Hate" (1987) "Girlfriend" (1987) "Mercedes Boy" (1988)

Background

The song was originally intended for Vanessa Williams' debut album The Right Stuff.^[1] According to L.A. Reid, Williams' record label Wing showed interest in Williams' recording "Girlfriend", which Reid played for her alone in his apartment. However, Pebbles heard the song and offered Reid more money and two cars for the chance to record it.^[2] As a result, the production team were not asked to work on more songs on Williams' debut. Reid said due to that incident, Williams never spoke to him again.^[3]

Chart performance

"Girlfriend" became Pebbles' first top-five hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and her first number one song on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.^[4] The single also peaked at number eight in the United Kingdom and at number nine in Ireland, becoming Pebbles' only top-10 hit in both countries, reached the top 20 in Switzerland, Canada, and West Germany, and was a Top 40 hit in New Zealand, the Netherlands, and Belgium.

Awards and accolades

"Girlfriend" earned Pebbles her first nomination for the Best Female R&B Vocal Performance at the 1989 Grammy Awards, losing to "Giving You the Best That I Got" by Anita Baker.^[5]

Track listings

7-inch and Japanese mini-CD single[6][7] "Girlfriend" – 4:19 "Girlfriend" (instrumental) – 4:19 US, European, and Australian 12-inch single[8][9][10] A1. "Girlfriend" (extended version) – 6:49 B1. "Girlfriend" (instrumental) – 6:49 B2. "Girlfriend" (dub version) – 4:54 UK 12-inch single[11] A1. "Girlfriend" (extended version) – 6:49 B1. "Girlfriend" (extended instrumental) – 6:49 B2. "Girlfriend" (vocal edit) – 5:45

UK 12-inch remix single[12] A1. "Girlfriend" (dance remix) – 8:30 B1. "Girlfriend" (extended instrumental) – 6:49 B2. "Girlfriend" (7-inch edit) – 3:45 UK CD single[13] "Girlfriend" (7-inch version) – 3:43 "Love/Hate" (radio edit) – 5:24 "Girlfriend" (dance remix) – 8:27

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1987–1988) Peak position Australia (Australian Music Report)[14] 86 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[15] 33 Canada Top Singles (RPM)[16] 17 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[17] 28 Ireland (IRMA)[18] 9 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[19] 21 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[20] 23 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[21] 22 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[22] 13 UK Singles (OCC)[23] 8 US Billboard Hot 100[24] 5 US 12-inch Singles Sales (Billboard)[25] 1 US Dance Club Play (Billboard)[26] 24 US Hot Black Singles (Billboard)[27] 1 West Germany (GfK)[28] 14

Year-end charts Chart (1988) Position US Billboard Hot 100[29] 60 US 12-inch Singles Sales (Billboard)[30] 17 US Hot Black Singles (Billboard)[31] 2

Release history

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Ref.
United States	October 26, 1987	7-inch vinyl 12-inch vinyl	MCA	[citation needed]
United Kingdom	March 7, 1988			[32]
	March 14, 1988	12-inch remix vinyl		[33]
	April 4, 1988	CD		[34]

Covers

Caramel version

"Girlfriend"
Single by Caramel
Released	1999
Genre	UK garage
Length	4:06
Label	Brothers
Songwriter(s)	Kenneth Edmonds, Antonio Reid
Producer(s)	Andy Lee, Pete Lee

UK garage duo Caramel released their version as a single in 1999, featuring Paule van Wijngaarden on vocals. It reached No. 9 on the UK Dance Singles Chart.

Track listing

UK CD single

1. "Girlfriend" (Radio Mix) - 4:06
2. "Voodoo Man" (Radio Mix) - 3:35
3. "Girlfriend" (Master Mix) - 6:57

Charts

Chart (1999)	Peak position
UK Dance (OCC)[35]	9

See also

• List of number-one R&B singles of 1988 (U.S.)