On this day in 1989: Bobby Brown went to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with ‘My Prerogative.” It would spend one week in the top spot.
It was released on October 11, 1988, as the second single from his second solo album ‘Don’t Be Cruel.’ After recording sessions for the album were completed, Brown and producer Gene Griffin traveled to New York City, because he he felt something was “missing” from the record. “My Prerogative” was written by Brown as a response to the criticism he received for his departure from New Edition. He explained the song was about making decisions in one’s life and not caring about other people’s judgment. During an interview with ‘The Hour’ on March 17, 1989, Brown explained the theme behind the song, saying, “A lot of things had been said about Bobby Brown, why was he doing this [a solo career]. It’s my way of expressing to people it’s your prerogative to do as you want, but make sure what you do is the right thing”
The song was positively received by critics and was nominated for a Grammy Award in the category of Best R&B Urban Contemporary Single. It was also commercially successful, reaching #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs charts. “My Prerogative” also reached top ten positions in many countries, such as Ireland, New Zealand, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. The music video for the song features Brown performing the song on stage with his band and dancers. The song was also performed at most of his concerts, usually as the last song of the set list. On the February 4, 1989, performance at Madison Square Garden in NYC, he was joined on stage by many popular rap artists and producers of the time.
Here’s a look at the complete Top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 from this day back in 1989:
1 2 MY PREROGATIVE –•– Bobby Brown – 13 (1)
2 3 TWO HEARTS –•– Phil Collins – 9 (2)
3 1 EVERY ROSE HAS ITS THORN –•– Poison – 12 (1)
4 6 DON’T RUSH ME –•– Taylor Dayne – 11 (4)
5 9 ARMAGEDDON IT –•– Def Leppard – 9 (5)
6 5 IN YOUR ROOM –•– The Bangles – 14 (5)
7 10 SMOOTH CRIMINAL –•– Michael Jackson – 10 (7)
8 11 I REMEMBER HOLDING YOU –•– Boys Club – 13 (8)
9 12 PUT A LITTLE LOVE IN YOUR HEART Annie Lennox & Al Green – 11 (9)
10 15 THE WAY YOU LOVE ME –•– Karyn White – 14 (10)
11 7 WAITING FOR A STAR TO FALL –•– Boy Meets Girl – 19 (5)
12 16 WHEN I’M WITH YOU –•– Sheriff – 15 (12)
13 17 BORN TO BE MY BABY –•– Bon Jovi – 8 (13)
14 19 WHEN THE CHILDREN CRY –•– White Lion – 11 (14)
15 13 SILHOUETTE –•– Kenny G – 12 (13)
16 4 GIVING YOU THE BEST THAT I GOT –•– Anita Baker – 17 (3)
17 18 ALL THIS TIME –•– Tiffany – 11 (17)
18 8 LOOK AWAY –•– Chicago – 17 (1)
19 23 HOLDING ON –•– Steve Winwood – 8 (19)
20 22 LITTLE LIAR –•– Joan Jett & The Blackhearts – 12 (20)
