Best Friend's Brother

"Best Friend's Brother" was released as the fourth single from the American television sitcom Victorious{{'s}} debut soundtrack album Victorious: Music from the Hit TV Show (2011) on May 20, 2011.{{cite web|url=https://www.cleveland.com/tv-blog/2011/07/victoria_justice_to_sign_copies_of_victorious_cd_in_mayfield_heights.html|title=Victoria Justice to sign copies of 'Victorious' CD in Mayfield Heights|work=The Plain Dealer|last1=Dawidziak|first1=Mark|date=July 28, 2011|access-date=January 10, 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://www.cambio.com/2011/08/01/victoria-justice-victorious/|title=Victoria Justice Opens Up About the 'Victorious' Soundtrack and Her Upcoming Solo Album (Exclusive)|publisher=Cambio.com|last=Cheung|first=Nadine|date=August 1, 2011|access-date=April 12, 2025|archive-date=October 14, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014210136/https://www.cambio.com/2011/08/01/victoria-justice-victorious/|url-status=bot: unknown}}{{cite web|url = https://open.spotify.com/album/3AK0h13gEEtMbEsmlrcGI9|title = Best Friend's Brother (feat. Victoria Justice) on Spotify|access-date = January 2, 2025|publisher = Spotify (US)|archive-date = October 4, 2024|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20241004100310/https://open.spotify.com/album/3AK0h13gEEtMbEsmlrcGI9|url-status = live}}{{cite web|url = https://music.apple.com/us/album/best-friends-brother-feat-victoria-justice-single/437079608|title = Best Friend's Brother (feat. Victoria Justice) on Apple Music|access-date = January 2, 2025|publisher = iTunes Store (US)|archive-date = January 14, 2025|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20250114173714/https://music.apple.com/us/album/best-friends-brother-feat-victoria-justice-single/437079608|url-status = live}} The song was later featured on the show in an episode titled "Prom Wrecker".{{cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/victoria-justice-single-1033198/|title=Video Exclusive: Victoria Justice Debuts New Single on Victorious Prom Episode|last=Ross|first=Robyn|publisher=TV Guide|date=May 17, 2011|access-date=January 10, 2025|archive-date=October 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005135937/https://www.tvguide.com/news/victoria-justice-single-1033198/|url-status=live}} In the episode, Tori Vega (Victoria Justice) has her friends help her set up Hollywood Arts High School's first prom, inadvertently ruining a play meant for her frenemy Jade West (Elizabeth Gillies) for that day. Seeking vengeance, Jade tries to sabotage the prom while Tori tries to stop her. The episode concludes with Tori, Cat Valentine (Ariana Grande), and Andre Harris (Leon Thomas III) performing "Best Friend's Brother" in the pouring rain as the prom attendees dance along.{{cite web|url=https://younghollywood.com/scene/event-of-the-summer-iparty-with-matt-bennett.html#start-0|title=Event of the Summer: iParty with Matt Bennett!|publisher=Young Hollywood|last1=Zachian|first1=Skylar|date=July 9, 2022|access-date=January 10, 2025|archive-date=March 19, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230319112400/https://younghollywood.com/scene/event-of-the-summer-iparty-with-matt-bennett.html#start-0|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.hercampus.com/school/temple/5-most-iconic-victorious-songs/|title=5 Most Iconic 'Victorious' Songs|work=Her Campus|last1=Margolis|first1=Sam|last2=McQuiston|first2=Rachel|date=December 8, 2019|access-date=January 10, 2025|archive-date=December 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221213012846/https://www.hercampus.com/school/temple/5-most-iconic-victorious-songs/|url-status=live}}

Justice wrote "Best Friend's Brother" when she was 17 years old,{{cite web|url=https://www.mlive.com/entertainment/kalamazoo/2012/09/nickelodeon_star_victoria_just.html|title=Nickelodeon star Victoria Justice looks to broaden appeal beyond teen audiences|work=Kalamazoo Gazette|last1=Wedel|first1=Mark|date=September 12, 2012|access-date=January 10, 2025|archive-date=January 9, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250109041402/https://www.mlive.com/entertainment/kalamazoo/2012/09/nickelodeon_star_victoria_just.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/victoria-justice-open-victorious-revival-exclusive/|title=Victoria Justice 'Would Be Open' to Victorious Revival (Exclusive)|work=ComicBook.com|last1=Crowley|first1=Liam|date=October 16, 2024|access-date=January 10, 2025}} along with Kool Kojak and Savan Kotecha. Justice told Teen.com that the idea for the song came to her while she was in the studio with Kool Kojak and Kotecha. She said they were having a hard time thinking of a song, and the concept for "Best Friend's Brother" came to her.

Kool Kojak also produced the track, along with providing all the instruments and programming for it. The mixing for the song was provided by Greg Wells and took place at Rocket Carousel in Los Angeles, California with the engineering provided by Mighty Mike Garity at Westlake Studios and Mound Studios, both of which are also in Los Angeles.

In an interview with Seventeen magazine, Justice revealed that "Best Friend's Brother" was inspired by an attraction she had to her friend's older brother when she was 14. She stated the group would hang out at her friend's home, where they would play video games and go swimming. Justice mentioned that she and her friend's brother appeared to like each other, but never pursued a relationship. She explained that she did not want to jeopardize her friendship by trying to date her friend's older brother.{{cite web|url=https://www.seventeen.com/celebrity/interviews/a15924/victoria-justice-soundtrack-interview/|title=Exclusive Interview: Victoria Justice|work=Seventeen|last1=Gandhi|first1=Neha|date=July 29, 2011|access-date=January 10, 2025|archive-date=August 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230822044211/https://www.seventeen.com/celebrity/interviews/a15924/victoria-justice-soundtrack-interview/|url-status=live}}

During an interview with Teen Vogue, Justice revealed that Victorious producer Dan Schneider liked the song and asked that she include it in the show.{{cite web|url=https://www.teenvogue.com/gallery/victoria-justice-interview|title=Victoria Justice On Her New Album and Personal Style|work=Teen Vogue|last1=Lewis|first1=Casey|date=August 4, 2011|access-date=January 10, 2025|archive-date=May 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220520034926/https://www.teenvogue.com/gallery/victoria-justice-interview|url-status=live}} Musically, "Best Friend's Brother" is an upbeat and uptempo pop and synth-pop song.{{cite web|url=http://www.commonsensemedia.org/music-reviews/best-friends-brother-cd-single|title=Best Friend's Brother (CD single)|publisher=Common Sense Media|last1=Dawson|first1=Jessica|date=May 20, 2011|access-date=January 10, 2025|archive-date=May 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507012536/http://www.commonsensemedia.org/music-reviews/best-friends-brother-cd-single|url-status=bot: unknown}}{{cite web|url=https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/music/2012/09/victoria_justice_brings_fun_me.html|title=Victoria Justice brings fun, message of girl power to Great Allentown Fair|work=The Express-Times|date=September 3, 2012|access-date=January 24, 2025|archive-date=February 11, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250211061204/https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/music/2012/09/victoria_justice_brings_fun_me.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://hollywoodcrush.mtv.com/2011/06/20/victoria-justice-new-album/|title='Victorious' Star Victoria Justice Talks 'Being True' To Herself On New Album|publisher=MTV|last1=Vena|first1=Jocelyn|date=June 20, 2011|accessdate=April 11, 2025|archive-date=June 23, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110623234719/https://hollywoodcrush.mtv.com/2011/06/20/victoria-justice-new-album/|url-status=bot: unknown}}{{cite web|url=https://hollywoodcrush.mtv.com/2011/07/25/victoria-justice-solo-album/|title=Victoria Justice Is Putting Her All Into Solo Album|publisher=MTV|last1=Vena|first1=Jocelyn|date=July 25, 2011|accessdate=April 12, 2025|archive-date=July 12, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120712100419/https://hollywoodcrush.mtv.com/2011/07/25/victoria-justice-solo-album/|url-status=bot: unknown}} The song's lyrics are about a girl obsessing over her best friend's older brother: "I don't want to, but I want to/'Cause I just can't get him out of my mind/Yeah, yeah, yeah yeah/My best friend's brother is the one for me!/BFB!/BFB!"{{cite web|url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/laurengarafano/genzennial-songs|title=21 Songs That 'GenZennials' Know All The Lyrics To By Heart|publisher=BuzzFeed|last1=Garafano|first1=Lauren|date=July 18, 2019|access-date=January 10, 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://www.hercampus.com/school/xavier/best-songs-victorious/|title=The Best Songs from Victorious|work=Her Campus|last1=Gaertner|first1=Megan|last2=Kane|first2=Allison|date=November 8, 2019|access-date=January 10, 2025|archive-date=December 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221213012846/https://www.hercampus.com/school/xavier/best-songs-victorious/|url-status=live}}

{{Music ratings

| rev1 = Common Sense Media

| rev1score = {{rating|3|5}}

}}

"Best Friend's Brother" received positive reviews from music critics. Jessica Dawson, writing for Common Sense Media, mentioned that while the song's "music and lyrics aren't groundbreaking", she stated that it was "catchy and fun" and would be heavily rotated on many teenagers' playlists. She thought that while the single's message "might be a little sketchy for younger kids", the song is "innocent enough and has no bad language or iffy content". Jason Lipshutz, for Billboard magazine, mentioned that the song "zip[s] along with compact hooks and unabashed attitude".{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/victoria-justice-music-ariana-grande-6221801/|title=Victoria Justice’s Music Career: Why Ariana Grande's Co-Star Is Still Worth Watching|work=Billboard|last1=Lipshutz|first1=Jason|date=August 19, 2014|access-date=January 10, 2025|archive-date=November 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211129180636/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/victoria-justice-music-ariana-grande-6221801/|url-status=live}} The staff of J-14 magazine described "Best Friend's Brother" as a "catchy song".{{cite web|url=http://www.j-14.com/2011/08/j-14-video-victoria-justice-best-friends-brother-pop-up-style.html|title=J-14 Video: Victoria Justice's 'Best Friend's Brother' Pop-Up Style|work=J-14|date=August 5, 2011|access-date=April 12, 2025|archive-date=August 23, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110823164618/http://www.j-14.com/2011/08/j-14-video-victoria-justice-best-friends-brother-pop-up-style.html|url-status=bot: unknown}}

Jocelyn Vena for MTV labeled the track as "catchy", comparing it to Katy Perry's 2011 hit single "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)". Nancy J. Parisi of The Buffalo News emphasized Justice's theme of being infatuated with her best friend's brother, describing the song as "ultra-direct".{{cite web|url=https://buffalonews.com/entertainment/big-time-rush-victoria-justice-thrill-their-fans-at-darien-lake/article_0b4d25da-77b1-5de7-8f81-43eb150eb4b6.html|title=Big Time Rush, Victoria Justice thrill their fans at Darien Lake|work=The Buffalo News|last1=J. Parisi|first1=Nancy|date=July 29, 2013|access-date=January 10, 2025}} Mark Wedel for the Kalamazoo Gazette wrote that the song has "positive lyrics for strong young women".{{cite web|url=https://www.mlive.com/entertainment/kalamazoo/2012/09/victoria_justice_allegan_count.html|title=Victoria Justice gets screams of approval at the Allegan County Fair (review with photo gallery)|work=Kalamazoo Gazette|last1=Wedel|first1=Mark|date=September 15, 2012|access-date=January 10, 2025|archive-date=February 11, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250211063720/https://www.mlive.com/entertainment/kalamazoo/2012/09/victoria_justice_allegan_count.html|url-status=live}} Brendan Wetmore of Elite Daily labeled the song as a "gem", noting that while Justice was busy working on her debut album, the song would "hold us over".{{cite web|url=https://www.elitedaily.com/p/when-will-victoria-justice-drop-her-debut-album-her-new-singles-tease-something-bigger-61502795|title=Here Are The Odds Victoria Justice Will Finally Release Her Debut Album This Year|work=Elite Daily|last=Wetmore|first=Brendan|date=February 10, 2021|access-date=February 10, 2025|archive-date=February 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210220725/https://www.elitedaily.com/p/when-will-victoria-justice-drop-her-debut-album-her-new-singles-tease-something-bigger-61502795|url-status=live}} The staff of In Touch Weekly opined "Best Friend's Brother" is a "smash single".{{cite web|url=https://www.intouchweekly.com/posts/victoria-justice-s-a-doll-20129/|title=Victoria Justice's A Doll!|work=In Touch Weekly|date=September 27, 2011|access-date=February 10, 2025|archive-date=August 13, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240813161305/https://www.intouchweekly.com/posts/victoria-justice-s-a-doll-20129/|url-status=live}} Tiara B, writing for The Shade Room, put the song at number eight on her "Victorious: The Top 10 Songs That Still Have Us Hooked" list, labeling it as a "shoot-your-shot anthem".{{cite web|url=https://theshaderoom.com/listicle/victorious-top-10-songs-were-still-singing-15-years-later-anniverary-debut/#1|title=Celebrating 15 Years of 'Victorious': The Top 10 Songs That Still Have Us Hooked|publisher=The Shade Room|last1=B|first1=Tiara|date=March 28, 2025|accessdate=April 7, 2025|archive-date=March 28, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250328234828/https://theshaderoom.com/listicle/victorious-top-10-songs-were-still-singing-15-years-later-anniverary-debut/#1|url-status=live}} Writing for Her Campus, Megan Gaertner and Allison Kane placed the song at number two on their "the Best Songs from Victorious" list, saying it is "just so catchy".

"Best Friend's Brother" debuted at number 93 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart dated June 18, 2011.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/2011-06-18/?order|title=Billboard Hot 100 History - June 18, 2011|magazine=Billboard|access-date=January 10, 2025}} The song later peaked at number 86 on the chart, lasting four weeks on the chart and giving Justice her third Hot 100 hit in the United States. "Best Friend's Brother" also peaked at number one on the US Kid Digital Song Sales chart and number 27 on the US Pop Digital Song Sales chart.

A music video for "Beggin on Your Knees" was first released in May 2011 on Nickelodeon.{{cite web|url=https://www.teen.com/victoria-justice-my-best-friends-brother-behind-the-scenes-video/|title=Victoria Justice's Advice? 'Don't Make Out With Your Best Friend’s Brother In Front Of Your Best Friend' (Exclusive Video)|publisher=Teen.com|last1=Longman|first1=Haley|date=May 27, 2011|accessdate=April 11, 2025|archive-date=May 31, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531040054/https://www.teen.com/victoria-justice-my-best-friends-brother-behind-the-scenes-video/|url-status=bot: unknown}}{{cite web|url=https://www.celebuzz.com/2011-05-27/victoria-justice-is-after-her-best-friends-brother-video/|title=Victoria Justice Is After Her 'Best Friend’s Brother'! (Video)|publisher=Celebuzz|last1=Hasaka|first1=Amanda|date=May 30, 2011|accessdate=April 11, 2025|archive-date=May 30, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110530115449/https://www.celebuzz.com/2011-05-27/victoria-justice-is-after-her-best-friends-brother-video/|url-status=bot: unknown}} It was subsequently uploaded to the official Victorious YouTube channel on September 20, 2012.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ven3UgzswBo&ab_channel=VictoriousVEVO|title=Victorious Cast - Best Friend's Brother ft. Victoria Justice|publisher=YouTube|accessdate=February 16, 2025}} Before filming the music video, Justice learned the choreography at a dance studio to prepare for the performance.{{cite web|url=http://www.j-14.com/2011/06/j-14-video-victoria-justice-rehearses-best-friends-brother.html|title=J-14 Video: Victoria Justice Rehearses 'Best Friend's Brother'|work=J-14|date=June 14, 2011|accessdate=April 12, 2025|archive-date=August 23, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110823164235/http://www.j-14.com/2011/06/j-14-video-victoria-justice-rehearses-best-friends-brother.html|url-status=bot: unknown}} The video features Justice being attracted to her best friend's older brother and daydreaming about him. It also features other members of the Victorious cast.

In October 2011, J-14 promoted the song by launching a contest that offered one winner and a friend the opportunity to fly to Los Angeles and meet Justice.{{cite web|url=https://www.j-14.com/2011/10/j-14-win-it-photo-shoot-with-victoria-justice.html|title=J-14 Win It: Photo Shoot with Victoria Justice|work=J-14|date=October 7, 2011|accessdate=April 12, 2025|archive-date=October 10, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111010183827/https://www.j-14.com/2011/10/j-14-win-it-photo-shoot-with-victoria-justice.html|url-status=bot: unknown}}{{cite web|url=https://www.j-14.com/2011/10/official-rules-for-victoria-justice-photo-shoot.html|title=Official Rules for Victoria Justice Photo Shoot|work=J-14|date=October 7, 2011|accessdate=April 12, 2025|archive-date=October 10, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111010192056/https://www.j-14.com/2011/10/official-rules-for-victoria-justice-photo-shoot.html|url-status=bot: unknown}} Justice performed the song live during her 2012 and 2013 tours.{{cite web|url=https://www.ocregister.com/2012/08/03/victoria-justice-thrills-kids-of-all-ages-at-pacific/|title=Victoria Justice thrills kids of all ages at Pacific|work=The Orange County Register|last1=McAlpin|first1=Autumn|date=August 3, 2012|access-date=January 2, 2025|archive-date=February 9, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250209160805/https://www.ocregister.com/2012/08/03/victoria-justice-thrills-kids-of-all-ages-at-pacific/|url-status=live}} In 2022, fellow Victorious actor Matt Bennett performed the song live during some of his DJ concert sets.

Credits are taken from Victorious liner notes.{{cite AV media notes|title =Victorious|others =Victorious and Victoria Justice|year =2011|publisher =Columbia|type =liner notes|location =United States}}

• Victoria Justice {{spaced ndash}} vocals, songwriting
• Ariana Grande {{spaced ndash}} backup vocals
• Leon Thomas III {{spaced ndash}} backup vocals, guitar
• Allan Grigg {{spaced ndash}} songwriting, production, programming, instrumentation
• Savan Kotecha {{spaced ndash}} songwriting
• Greg Wells {{spaced ndash}} mixing
• Mighty Mike Garity {{spaced ndash}} engineer

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{{Victorious}}

{{Victoria Justice}}

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Category:2011 singles

Category:2011 songs

Category:American synth-pop songs

Category:Columbia Records singles

Category:Song recordings produced by Kool Kojak

Category:Songs about friendship

Category:Songs about siblings

Category:Songs written by Kool Kojak

Category:Songs written by Savan Kotecha

Category:Songs written by Victoria Justice

Category:Songs written for television series

Category:Torch songs

Category:Victoria Justice songs

Category:Victorious