March 15, 2006
One of the best things about today's online music services is the opportunity to purchase individual songs for unlimited listening regardless of whether or not they have been released as a single. This week, just for fun, I explore the classic work of Bobby Brown in honor of the release of a new Definitive Collection of his work. He may be one of the more bizarre figures in pop music, but he recorded some of the best music of the late 1980's and early 1990's.
1. My Prerogative (1988)
This brash declaration of independence and control is Bobby Brown's best-known and biggest pop hit. It reached the top of the pop singles chart. One of the key masterminds behind the record was Teddy Riley, of the group Guy, and it is considered one of the landmarks of New Jack Swing.
2. Every Little Step (1989)
This remains one of the top collaborations of "LA" Reid and Babyface. LA wrote the words to this dreamy confection thinking of singer Pebbles who would eventually become his wife. Bobby Brown took the song to #3 on the pop singles chart. The music video featured memorable dancing from Bobby Brown.
3. Roni (1989)
"Roni" is Bobby Brown in loverman mode. He successfully seduced both r&b and pop audiences landing this single at #3 on the pop singles chart.
4. Humpin' Around (1992)
From the album Bobby, "Humpin' Around" represented a supposedly more mature and definitely more sexual version of Bobby Brown. The song successfully kicked off the album as Brown's third #3 pop hit.
5. Good Enough (1992)
Bobby Brown's new bride Whitney Houston sings backing vocals on this funky midtempo hit. It was the second top 10 hit, landing at #7, from the album Bobby.
6. Rock Wit-Cha (1989)
This is the perfect Bobby Brown tune for a slow dance. Sway back and forth with a loved one on the dance floor. Enough couples took that advice to turn "Rock Wit-Cha" into a 5th top 10 pop single (at #7) from the Don't Be Cruel album.
7. She Ain't Worth It (1990)
Bobby Brown was big enough in 1990 that he helped turn Glenn Medeiros into a teen idol by collaborating on this tune. It became a pop smash spending 2 weeks at #1.
8. That's the Way Love Is (1993)
This was the 4th and final single from the album Bobby and the first of Bobby Brown's singles to miss the pop top 40 after 10 consecutive top 40 hits.
9. On Our Own - the Remix (1990)
This is the dance remix of Bobby Brown's smash hit single from the soundtrack to the movie Ghostbusters II. If anything, the remix tightens everything up to provide even more impact. The original single spent 3 weeks at #2 on the pop chart in the summer of 1989.
10. Feelin' Inside (1997)
Bobby Brown's attempted comeback on the 1997 album Forever is largely forgotten, but the music was better than most would have expected. Check out the music video with a special guest appearance at the end.
