Chart Performance: Pop (#7), R&B (#3), and Adult Contemporary (#28); 1989
Story Behind The Song By Ed Osborne
When Bobby Brown’s sophomore solo album, Don’t Be Cruel, hit #1 in early 1989, its sales run was still far from over. The climb to seven times platinum had begun the previous summer when the title track leapt to #1 on the R&B singles chart and crossed over to #8 on the pop list. My Prerogative matched Cruel‘s R&B peak, then topped the Hot 100, as well. Extending Bobby’s hitmaking streak into 1989 was Roni, which posted #2 R&B and #3 pop peaks. Every Little Step made it three R&B chart toppers from Cruel, and a second #3 record on the pop side. On Our Own, from the soundtrack of Ghostbusters II, briefly interrupted Cruel‘s onslaught of hit singles, going to #1 R&B and #2 pop. The fifth and final track from the album was Rock Wit’cha, penned by the multi-talented Babyface and Daryl Simmons. Amazingly (or maybe not), Bobby and his producing/songwriting team were nominated for only three Grammies for their work for on Don’t Be Cruel, all of which they won.
This content and all Song Meaning articles were created and written by Top 40 Contributing Editor Ed Osborne. © 2023 Ed Osborne. All Rights Reserved. In addition to these song meaning articles, Ed has written our “Year in Music 1960s-1990s” articles.
Produced by:
- L.A. Reid
- Babyface
Lyrics Written by:
- L.A. Reid
- Babyface
- Daryl Simmons
Ed Osborne
Hi. I got my first record at age two and never looked back, spending a decades-long career in radio and the music business. Even after years of reading about and listening to all types of music, I am still fascinated by it. Apart from that, I’m endlessly intrigued by art, nature, and the inner lives of people (and dogs).
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