My Prerogative

Bobby Brown

About My Prerogative

"My Prerogative" is a song by American singer Bobby Brown from his second studio album Don't Be Cruel (1988). It was released on October 11, 1988 as the second single from the album. After recording sessions for the album were completed, Brown and producer Gene Griffin traveled to New York City, since 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. "My Prerogative" is often considered a new jack swing. 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 number one in Billboard's 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, he was joined on stage by many popular rap artists and producers of the time. 


Year:
2006
4:32
43 
#1

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It's love
It's love
Love... get busy
Everybody's talkin all this stuff about me (Now now)
Why don't they just let me live (Oh oh oh)
I don't need permission
Make my own decisions (Oh)
That's my prerogative

They say I'm crazy
I really don't care
That's my prerogative
They say I'm nasty
But I don't give a damn
Gettin girls is how I live
Some ask me questions
Why am I so real
But they don't understand me
I really don't know the deal
About a brother
Trying hard to make it right
Not long ago
Befo' I win this fight
Sing!

Everybody's talkin all this stuff about me
Why don't they just let me live (Tell me why)
I don't need permission
Make my own decisions (Oh)
That's my prerogative
It's my prerogative
(It's my prerogative)

It's the way that I wanna live (It's my prerogative)
I can do just what I feel (It's my prerogative)
No one can tell me what to do (It's my prerogative)
Cause what I'm doin
I'm doin for you now

Don't get me wrong
I'm really not zooped
Ego trips is not my thing
All these strange relationships
Really gets me down
I see nothin wrong
With spreadin myself around
Sing!

Everybody's talkin all this stuff about me (yeah)
Why don't they just let me live (Tell me why)
I don't need permission (I don't need)
Make my own decisions (My own decisions)
That's my prerogative
It's my prerogative
(It's my prerogative)

I can do what I wanna do (It's my prerogative)
Truly live my life (It's my prerogative)
I'm doin it just for you (It's my prerogative)
Tell me, tell me

Why can't I live my life (Live my life)
Without all of the things that people say (Oh Oh)

Yo tell it, kick it like this
Oh no no

I can do what I wanna do
Me and you
Together, together, together, together, together

Everybody's talkin all this stuff about me (Everybody's talkin)
Why don't they just let me live (Why)
(Why don't they just let me live girl)
I don't need permission (I don't need permission)
Make my own decisions
That's my prerogative

Everybody's talkin all this stuff about me (Everybody's talkin)
Why don't they just let me live
(Why don't they just let me live)
I don't need permission (I don't need)
Make my own decisions (My own decisions)
That's my prerogative

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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: TEDDY RILEY, GENE GRIFFIN, BOBBY BROWN

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Song Information
"My Prerogative" is a song by Bobby Brown from his second solo studio album, "Don't Be Cruel". It wasn't performed by New Edition, the group Bobby was originally part of.
Release Date
The song was released as the second single from the album in October 1988.
Chart Performance
It topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States, becoming a major hit and one of Brown's signature songs. It also hit No. 1 on the Hot Black Singles chart, and No. 6 on the UK Singles Chart.
Song Meaning
"My Prerogative" is about Brown defending his lifestyle choices and criticizing those who judge him. The song title means he has the right to live his life as he chooses.
Song Writers
It was co-written by Bobby Brown, along with producers Gene Griffin and Teddy Riley. Riley is known for his work in the new jack swing genre, a fusion of R&B, hip-hop, and dance music.
Awards and Nominations
"My Prerogative" was nominated for Best R&B Urban Contemporary Single at the 1989 Soul Train Music Awards.
Notable Covers
Notably, Britney Spears covered "My Prerogative" for her first greatest hits album, "Greatest Hits: My Prerogative" in 2004. Spears' version has a popier vibe and was also a commercial success.
Inclusion in New Edition Movie
While not a song by New Edition, it was included in the 2017 biographical mini-series The New Edition Story, which traces the journey of Bobby and his bandmates in New Edition.
Use in Pop Culture
The phrase "My Prerogative" has become part of pop culture lexicon and is often used in conversations to indicate one's own choice or preference.
Album Success
"My Prerogative" contributed largely to the overwhelming success of "Don't Be Cruel", which spent six weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and was certified 7x Platinum by the RIAA.

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    My Prerogative

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1989

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