Don't Be Cruel

Bobby Brown

About Don't Be Cruel

"Don't Be Cruel" is a song recorded by American singer Bobby Brown. Taken from his second and most successful album as its title track, the song was written and produced by the songwriting and production duo Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds and Antonio "L. A." Reid, with additional writing by Daryl Simmons.


Year:
2006
4:54
39 

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Girl, the only thing that matters in my life
Is that I'm down for you and treat you right
You've got no call to treat me cold as ice

Oh, girl, as long as I've been givin' my love to you
You should be givin' me your love, too
But you just keep on actin' just like a fool
You know it ain't cool

Uh, don't be cruel
'Cause I would never be that cruel to you
Uh no, oh oh, no, uh, don't be cruel
Uh, girl, you need to change your attitude
Uh no, oh, uh don't be cruel

Hey, yo', cutey what's up with this attitude
I thought I was bein' real good to you
I treat you sweet, take you out at night
But you never say thanks, girl, that ain't right

I bought you diamonds even gave you pearls
I took you for a cruise all around the world
I treat you high post but you play me close
If I want to drink up you won't even toast

Girl, I work so hard for you from nine to five
So you could have the finer things in life
Since you're the kind that's never satisfied

Oh, girl, as long as I've been givin' my heart to you
You should be givin' me your heart too
But you just keep on actin' just like a fool
You know it ain't cool

Uh, don't be cruel
'Cause I would never be that cruel to you
Uh no, oh oh, no, uh, don't be cruel
Uh, girl, you need to change your attitude
Uh no, oh, uh don't be cruel

From fancy cars to diamond rings
I've just about given you everything
There's really not much I won't do for you
I bought you twelve yellow roses and candy too

I like be up front and never play the back
But the way you treat me, girl, is like a heart attack
I'm real troop trooper and with all the times
That you were by my side diggin' dollars outta crock

Oh, girl, as long as I've been givin' my love to you
You should be givin' me your love too
But you just keep on actin' just like a fool
You know it ain't cool, it just ain't cool
Uh, don't be cruel

We used to hang out tough just kickin' around
We discovered a love that had never been found
You gave me your heart, I gave you my mind
But a true love affair we could never find

Although I want you bad, I could let you go
'Cause there's a lot of girls out there that won't say no
But due to fact that I want you, Jackie
I want you more than human eyes can see

But you had to start givin', tryin' to make a killin'
Thought about the dollars I make and you were willin'
To be with me Bobby B
But with a bad attitude I can't compete

Now you know my name, now I know your game
You want to be with me you got to be the same way
That another girl would be
And if you wanna be with me

Uh, don't be cruel
'Cause I would never be that cruel to you
Uh no, oh oh, no, uh, don't be cruel
Uh, girl, you need to change your attitude

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Bobby Brown

Robert Barisford "Bobby" Brown (born February 5, 1969) is an American R&B singer-songwriter, occasional rapper, and dancer. more »

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Written by: Elvis Presley, Otis Blackwell

Lyrics © BUDDE MUSIC FRANCE, RALEIGH MUSIC PUBLISHING, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


15 facts about this song

Title and Artist
The song "Don't Be Cruel" was performed by American singer Bobby Brown.
Release Date
"Don't Be Cruel" was released on June 20, 1988.
Chart Achievements
The song climbed to the top spot on the Billboard R&B chart, and it also peaked at number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Album Success
"Don't Be Cruel" is the title track from Bobby Brown's second studio album that was released on June 20, 1988. This album spent six weeks at number one on the Billboard R&B Albums chart.
Record Label
The musical piece was released under MCA Records, a record company that has released albums for numerous famous musicians.
Platinum Status
The "Don't Be Cruel" album has been certified 7 times Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales of over seven million copies.
Music Video
A music video was produced for "Don't Be Cruel", including scenes shot on a city backdrop and a part with choreographed dancing.
Producers
The song was produced by acclaimed music producers Antonio "L.A." Reid and Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds. Reid and Edmonds also co-wrote the song with Daryl Simmons.
Grammy Nominations
Bobby Brown and the "Don't Be Cruel" album received two Grammy Award nominations in 1989. The categories were Best Male R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song for "Don't Be Cruel."
Blend of Genres
The song is noted for its blend of R&B and new jack swing, a fusion genre of jazz, hip-hop, and R&B. It was among the early new jack swing sound hits.
Backup Vocals
The female backup vocals on this song were performed by the Deele, an R&B group that included future successful producers Reid and Babyface.
Legacy
"Don't Be Cruel" stands as one of Bobby Brown's signature songs and has been covered or sampled by many artists over the years.
Critics Review
Critics have often praised the song for its catchy rhythm and Bobby Brown's vocal performance, which combines passionate soulfulness with smooth danceability.
Track Length
The official album version of the song runs for a total of 6 minutes and 51 seconds.
Inspiration
The title "Don't Be Cruel" is a reference to a song of the same name by Elvis Presley, symbolizing Bobby Brown's ambition to achieve similar musical greatness.

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    Don't Be Cruel

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1988

    Billboard #8


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