Don't Judge Me

"Don't Judge Me" was produced by the Messengers. The audio mixing was completed by Jaycen Joshua, with assistance from Trehy Harris. Amber "Sevyn" Streeter sang background vocals. The song was supposed to have a guest appearance from Meek Mill, however, because of a feud between him and Brown, his verse was eventually removed from the song.{{Cite web|url=https://theboombox.com/chris-brown-meek-mill-drake-rihanna-twitter/|title = Chris Brown, Meek Mill and Drake Fight over Rihanna, Singer Removes MMG Signee from Song| date=29 May 2012 }} "Don't Judge Me" was leaked on the Internet on June 26, 2012, three days before the official release date of Fortune.{{cite web|last=Sciarretto|first=Amy|url=http://popcrush.com/chris-brown-new-song-dont-judge-me/|title=Chris Brown Shows Sensitive Side in New Song 'Don't Judge Me'|work=PopCrush|date=2012-06-26|access-date=2012-10-02}} The artwork for the song debuted online on July 28, 2012; it features Brown, wearing a "white dress shirt and skinny black tie", striking a pose in front of a blue backdrop.{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2012/07/28/single-cover-chris-brown-dont-judge-me/|title=Single Cover: Chris Brown – 'Don't Judge Me'|work=Rap-Up|date=2012-07-28|access-date=2012-08-16}} "Don't Judge Me" was sent to urban contemporary radio stations in the United States on August 14, 2012, as the fifth single from the album. On November 2, 2012, the song was released as an extended play in Australia, Canada, France, and New Zealand, featuring the album version and three remixes. The single version of "Don't Judge Me" was released on iTunes Stores in Belgium, Denmark, Ireland, Netherlands, and Sweden on November 23, 2012. A remix extended play, featuring the album version, music video and three remixes, was released in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland on November 23, 2012. In the United States, a remix extended play, featuring the single version and five remixes, was released on November 27, 2012.

"Don't Judge Me" is a midtempo ballad that runs for three minutes and fifteen seconds,{{cite web|last=Walters|first=Barry|url=http://www.spin.com/reviews/chris-brown-fortune-rca|title=Chris Brown, 'Fortune' (RCA)|work=Spin|date=2012-07-03|access-date=2012-08-16}} with instrumentation provided by drums. Amy Sciarretto of PopCrush noted that "Don't Judge Me" features "a slow, sensuous romp", which she found reminiscent of Michael Jackson. Lyrically, Brown asks his lover to forgive him "for his past indiscretions" and "move on with the future."{{cite web|last=Fitzgerald|first=Trent|url=http://popcrush.com/chris-brown-fortune-album-review/|title=Chris Brown, 'Fortune' – Album Review|work=PopCrush|date=2012-07-03|access-date=2012-08-16}} In the song, Brown encourages his lover that there is nothing going on between him and his ex-girlfriend as he sings, "You're hearing rumors about me / And you can't stomach the thought / Of someone touching my body / When you're so close to my heart / I won't deny what they saying / Because most of it is true / But it was all before I fell for you."{{cite news|last=Hewett|first=Emily|url=http://www.metro.co.uk/showbiz/913496-chris-brown-assures-karrueche-tran-that-rihanna-is-old-news-in-new-video|title=Chris Brown assures Karrueche Tran that Rihanna is old news in new video Don't Judge Me|work=Metro|date=2012-09-27|access-date=2012-10-01}} He later declares "that he is a changed man who can now be trusted" as shown in the lines, "Take me as I am / Not who I was / I'll promise I'll be / The one that you can trust." During the chorus, Brown sings "So please don't judge me / and I won't judge you / because it could get ugly / before it gets beautiful."{{cite news|last=Rytlewski|first=Evan|url=https://www.avclub.com/chris-brown-fortune-1798173416|title=Chris Brown: Fortune|work=The A.V. Club|date=2012-07-10|access-date=2012-08-16}}{{cite web|last=Fekadu|first=Mesfin|url=http://www.mercurynews.com/entertainment/ci_20998926/review-chris-browns-fortune-is-patchy-album|title=Review: Chris Brown's 'Fortune' is patchy album|agency=Associated Press|work=San Jose Mercury News|date=2012-07-03|access-date=2012-08-16}} Mesfin Fekadu of the Associated Press noted that Brown "sings in his signature semi-high pitch". Rolling Stone{{'}}s Maura Johnston described "Don't Judge Me" as "a tender love song,"{{cite magazine|last=Johnston|first=Maura|author-link=Maura Johnston |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/fortune-20120716|title=Fortune | Album Reviews|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=2012-07-16|access-date=2012-08-16}} while Andrew Hampp of Billboard magazine referred to it as a "take me as I am" type of ballad.{{cite magazine|last=Hampp|first=Andrew|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/482275/chris-brown-fortune-track-by-track-review|title=Chris Brown, 'Fortune': Track by Track Review|magazine=Billboard|date=2012-07-02|access-date=2012-10-01}} Hazel Robinson of California Literary Review noted that "Don't Judge Me" is similar to Brown's 2009 song, "Changed Man."{{cite web|last=Robinson|first=Hazel|url=http://calitreview.com/28045|title=Album Review: Chris Brown's Fortune|work=California Literary Review|date=2012-07-06|access-date=2012-08-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120921122539/http://calitreview.com/28045|archive-date=2012-09-21|url-status=dead}}

The accompanying music video for "Don't Judge Me" was directed by Colin Tilley and Brown, and was filmed in August 2012.{{cite web|url=http://www.rttnews.com/1956187/chris-brown-shoots-don-t-judge-me-video.aspx?type=ent|title=Chris Brown Shoots 'Don't Judge Me' Video|publisher=RTTNews|date=2012-08-29|access-date=2012-09-13}} On August 29, 2012 Brown released an image from the shoot, showing himself seated on the floor of an abandoned room in an unbuttoned jacket. On September 11, 2012 Brown released a similar image, tweeting, "'Don't Judge Me' video coming soon!".{{cite web|url=http://www.capitalfm.com/artists/chris-brown/news/dont-judge-me-music-video/|title=Chris Brown Teases 'Don't Judge Me' Music Video And Promises Premiere Will Be 'Soon'|work=Capital|publisher=Global Radio|date=2012-09-12|access-date=2012-09-13}} The video premiered on Vimeo on September 27, 2012.{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2012/09/27/video-chris-brown-dont-judge-me/|title=Video: Chris Brown – 'Don't Judge Me'|work=Rap-Up|publisher=Devin Lazerine|date=2012-09-27|access-date=2012-10-01}} It begins with Brown walking through the desert, while intercut scenes of himself sitting in front of a couch (with his girlfriend, played by Runa Lucienne, sleeping behind him) are shown. As the chorus begins for the first time, Brown is seen catching a ride from an army truck. He eventually arrives at an army base to prepare for a "suicide mission", which involves him riding a spacecraft into outer space to save the world from an alien ship invading Earth. A news reporter at the base (Brown's girlfriend) runs to him with the question, "People are saying this is a suicide mission, why are you doing this?" Brown replies, "I'm doing a service for my country and my planet. If that means saving the people I love and I care about, then that's what I'll do." As the spacecraft takes off, tears run down Brown's face before the spacecraft crashes into the alien ship, killing him. Brown and his girlfriend are then shown, hugging on the couch. finale music video. Fortune

JusMusic of Singersroom magazine praised the video, writing "This is definitely art at its finest!"{{cite web|author=JusMusic|url=http://singersroom.com/content/2012-09-27/Chris-Brown-Dont-Judge-Me/|title=Videos | Chris Brown – Don't Judge Me|work=Singersroom|publisher=MLE Group Company|date=2012-09-27|access-date=2012-10-01}} A writer for Rap-Up described the video as "cinematic" and "emotional," while Billboard{{'}}s Erika Ramirez called it an "emotional visual."{{cite magazine|last=Ramirez|first=Erika|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/474877/chris-brown-debuts-dont-judge-me-video-watch|title=Chris Brown Debuts 'Don't Judge Me' Video|magazine=Billboard|date=2012-09-28|access-date=2012-10-01}} Jasmine Grant of Juicy magazine noted that the video has a "futuristic soldier at war theme."{{cite web|last=Grant|first=Jasmine|url=http://www.juicymagonline.com/celeb/2012/09/video-chris-brown-dont-judge-me/|title=Watch Chris Brown Don't Judge Me Video|work=Juicy Magazine|publisher=Harris Publications|date=2012-09-27|access-date=2012-10-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121028080148/http://www.juicymagonline.com/celeb/2012/09/video-chris-brown-dont-judge-me/|archive-date=2012-10-28|url-status=dead}} Colin Greten of MTV's Rapfix agreed, writing that it "has a futuristic look and feel," and that fans would also cry as Brown "makes the ultimate sacrifice" to save the world.{{cite web|last=Greten|first=Colin|url=http://rapfix.mtv.com/2012/09/27/chris-brown-sacrifices-himself-in-dont-judge-me-video/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120929011929/http://rapfix.mtv.com/2012/09/27/chris-brown-sacrifices-himself-in-dont-judge-me-video/|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 September 2012|title=Chris Brown Sacrifices Himself In 'Don't Judge Me' Video|work=Rapfix|publisher=Viacom|date=2012-09-27|access-date=2012-09-27}} A reviewer on The Huffington Post compared Brown's character in the video to actor Bruce Willis in the 1998 film Armageddon, and wrote that "it's certainly memorable, and sure to send Chris Brown's fans – and huge army of critics – into a fresh flutter of support."{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/09/27/watch-chris-brown-dont-judge-me-video_n_1918424.html?GEP|title=Watch: Chris Brown Makes Passionate Plea – 'Don't Judge Me'|work=The Huffington Post|publisher=AOL|date=2012-09-27|access-date=2012-10-01}} Idolator's Sam Lansky wrote that "Brown is just as likable and subtle as ever in the video." He continued: "It's impressive to see that Breezy [...] continues to find opportunities to depict himself as a hero", when he makes headlines for the wrong reasons.{{cite web|last=Lansky|first=Sam|url=http://idolator.com/6949802/chris-brown-dont-judge-me-video|title=Chris Brown Says 'Don't Judge Me' In New Video|work=Idolator|date=2012-09-27|access-date=2012-10-01}} A writer for Heat magazine stated that the video is "a mini disaster movie, complete with over-acting and melodramatic slow-motion shots."{{cite web|url=http://www.heatworld.com/Entertainment/Music/2012/09/Chris-Brown-Dont-Judge-Me-new-music-video/|title=Chris Brown 'Don't Judge Me' New Music Video|work=Heat|date=2012-09-29|access-date=2012-10-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121002003322/http://www.heatworld.com/Entertainment/Music/2012/09/Chris-Brown-Dont-Judge-Me-new-music-video/|archive-date=2012-10-02|url-status=dead}}

"Don't Judge Me" generated positive reviews from music critics. Trent Fitzgerald of PopCrush and Mesfin Fekadu of the Associated Press viewed it as one of the standout tracks on Fortune. Amy Sciarretto (also writing for PopCrush), noted that the song "demonstrates that [sensitive] side we don't often see" from Brown. Jamel Coles, in the UAB Kaleidoscope described "Don't Judge Me" as an "emotional track" and wrote, "when hearing songs like this, you can't knock his ability to make good music."{{cite web|last=Coles|first=Jamel|url=http://studentmedia.uab.edu/2012/07/fortune-for-chris-browns-new-album/|title='Fortune' for Chris Brown's new album|work=UAB Kaleidoscope|publisher=The University of Alabama at Birmingham|date=2012-07-26|access-date=2012-08-16}} Jasmine Grant of Juicy magazine viewed the song as a "heartfelt ballad," and Maura Johnston of Rolling Stone wrote that it sounds like "a Twitter rant against haters." Melissa Ruggieri of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution described "Don't Judge Me" as a "lilting ballad" and noted that Brown is "semi-serious" in the song.{{cite news|last=Ruggieri|first=Melissa|url=http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-music-scene/2012/07/03/tuesday-tunes-spotlight-on-chris-brown/?cxntlid=thbz_hm|title=Tuesday Tunes: Spotlight on Chris Brown|work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|date=2012-07-03|access-date=2012-08-16|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120807062753/http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-music-scene/2012/07/03/tuesday-tunes-spotlight-on-chris-brown/?cxntlid=thbz_hm|archive-date=2012-08-07}} A reviewer on 4Music called the song "undeniably emotional" and wrote, "we're wondering is if this is a heart-wrenching plea to Rihanna?"{{cite web |date=2012-09-27 |title=Chris Brown – Don't Judge Me |url=http://www.4music.com/news/news/6248/Chris-Brown-Dont-Judge-Me |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010063503/http://www.4music.com/news/news/6248/Chris-Brown-Dont-Judge-Me |archive-date=2012-10-10 |access-date=2012-10-01 |publisher=4Music}} Sharon O'Connell of Time Out magazine commented on the song's title: "it's a little late for that."{{cite web|last=O'Connell|first=Sharon|url=http://www.timeout.com/london/feature/2799/chris-brown-r-fortune-album-review|title=Chris Brown – 'Fortune' album review|work=Time Out|access-date=2012-08-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120723021021/http://www.timeout.com/london/feature/2799/chris-brown-r-fortune-album-review|archive-date=2012-07-23|url-status=dead}} The Chicago Sun-Times{{'}} {{interlanguage link|Thomas Conner (journalist)|lt=Thomas Conner|de|Thomas Conner}} called it a "bland, breathy ballad."{{cite news|last=Conner|first=Thomas|author-link=:de:Thomas Conner|url=http://blogs.suntimes.com/music/2012/07/review_chris_brown_fortune.html|title=Review: Chris Brown, 'Fortune'|work=Chicago Sun-Times|date=2012-07-01|access-date=2012-09-09|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502033432/http://blogs.suntimes.com/music/2012/07/review_chris_brown_fortune.html|archive-date=2014-05-02}} In his review of Fortune, Nick Levine of BBC Music wrote that the song was one of the reasons why the album felt "cripplingly pointless."{{cite web|last=Levine|first=Nick|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/6h5c|title=Review of Chris Brown – Fortune|work=BBC Music|date=2012-06-26|access-date=2012-08-16}} Scott Kara of The New Zealand Herald described "Don't Judge Me" as "weak and wincing," and stated that the lyrics are "the words of someone who still doesn't quite grasp the extent of what he has done in the past."{{cite news|last=Kara|first=Scott|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10818955|title=Album review: Fortune – Chris Brown|work=The New Zealand Herald|date=2012-07-12|access-date=2012-09-09}}

In the United States, "Don't Judge Me" debuted at number 85 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart dated September 1, 2012.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/2012-09-01/r-b-hip-hop-songs|title=R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: Week of September 1, 2012|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2012-08-24}} It peaked at number 18 in the January 26, 2013 issue.{{cite magazine|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=chris brown|chart=R&B/Hip-Hop Songs}}|title=Chris Brown Album & Song Chart History: R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2013-01-18}} On the Billboard R&B Songs chart, the song debuted at number 13 in the October 20, 2012 issue.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/2012-10-27/r-and-b-songs?order=gainer|title=R&B Songs – Biggest Jump: Week of October 27, 2012|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2012-11-09}} The following week it rose to number 12, and peaked at number 10 in the November 17, 2012 issue.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/2012-11-17/r-and-b-songs|title=R&B Songs: Week of November 17, 2012|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2012-11-09}} "Don't Judge Me" peaked at number one on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart dated November 3, 2012,{{cite magazine|title=Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles – Issue Date: November 3, 2012|url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/chart-search-results/singles/14297617|magazine=Billboard|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121025202409/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/chart-search-results/singles/14297617|archive-date=2012-10-25|url-status=live|format=requires registration}} before it debuted at number 95 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart dated November 17, 2012.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/2012-11-17/hot-100?order=gainer|title=Hot 100: Week of November 17, 2012|magazine=Billboard|date=12 September 2008|access-date=2012-11-09}} The song peaked at number 67 in the January 5, 2013 issue.{{cite magazine|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=chris brown|chart=Hot 100}}|title=Chris Brown Album & Song Chart History: Billboard Hot 100|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2013-01-18}} On October 13, 2012, "Don't Judge Me" debuted at numbers 84 and 17 on the UK Singles Chart and UK R&B Chart respectively.{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/singles-chart/|title=Official UK Singles Top 100 – 20th October 2012|publisher=Official Charts Company|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121005065734/http://www.officialcharts.com/singles-chart/|url-status=live|archive-date=2012-10-05}}{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/r-and-b-singles-chart/20121007/114/|title=2012 Top 40 R&B Singles Archive – 13th October 2012|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=2012-10-08}} The following week, it rose to number 42 on the UK Singles Chart and number eight on the UK R&B Chart.{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/r-and-b-singles-chart/20121014/114/|title=2012 Top 40 R&B Singles Archive – 20th October 2012|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=2012-10-15}} The song peaked at number seven on the UK R&B Chart dated October 27, 2012.{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/r-and-b-singles-chart/20121021/114/|title=2012 Top 40 R&B Singles Archive – 27th October 2012|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=2012-10-22}} In Belgium, "Don't Judge Me" peaked at number two on the Ultratip Flanders chart, and number 25 on the Ultratip Wallonia chart. On the French Singles Chart, it debuted at number 168 on October 13, 2012, and peaked at number 22 on January 12, 2013. In Hungary, "Don't Judge Me" debuted and peaked at number 10 on November 26, 2012. On December 7, 2012, the song debuted on the Austria Singles Chart at number 66. In Australia, "Don't Judge Me" debuted at number 44 on the ARIA Singles Chart dated December 10, 2012. The following week, it ascended to number 42.

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• ;Digital download

1. "Please Don't Judge Me" – 3:15

• ;Digital Remix EP

1. "Don't Judge Me" {{small|(Dave Audé Radio Mix)}} – 3:28
2. "Don't Judge Me" {{small|(Dave Audé Extended Mix)}} – 5:07
3. "Don't Judge Me" – 4:00
4. "Don't Judge Me" {{small|(Fuego Extended Club Mix)}} – 4:22
5. "Don't Judge Me" {{small|(Music video)}} – 4:51

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• ;Digital EP

1. "Don't Judge Me" {{small|(Dave Audé LP Remix)}} – 3:59
2. "Don't Judge Me" – 4:00
3. "Don't Judge Me" {{small|(Fuego Radio Mix)}} – 3:29
4. "Don't Judge Me" {{small|(Ark Angel Moombah Mix)}} – 3:20

• ;US Digital Remix EP

1. "Don't Judge Me" {{small|(Dave Audé Radio Mix)}} – 3:28
2. "Don't Judge Me" {{small|(Dave Audé Extended Mix)}} – 5:07
3. "Don't Judge Me" {{small|(Fuego Extended Club Mix)}} – 4:22
4. "Don't Judge Me" {{small|(Isa the Machine Remix)}} – 3:38
5. "Don't Judge Me" {{small|(Isa the Machine Remix) [No Drum]}} – 3:38
6. "Please Don't Judge Me" – 3:15

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Credits adapted from the liner notes for Fortune{{cite AV media notes|title=Fortune|title-link=Fortune (Chris Brown album)|others=Chris Brown |year=2012 |type=Booklet |publisher=RCA Records}}

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• Nasri Atweh – songwriter, producer
• Chris Brown – lead vocals, songwriter
• Iain Findley – assistant recorder
• Trehy Harris – assistant mixer
• Jaycen Joshua – mixer
• The Messengers – producer
• Adam Messinger – songwriter, producer
• Mark Pellizzer – songwriter
• Brian Springer – recorder
• Amber "Sevyn" Streeter – background vocals

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{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|type=single|region=Australia|artist=Chris Brown|title=Don't Judge Me|award=Gold|relyear=2012|certyear=2017}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=Chris Brown|title=Don't Judge Me|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=2012|access-date=December 25, 2024|certyear=2023|source=radioscope}}

{{Certification Table Entry|type=single|region=United Kingdom|artist=Chris Brown|title=Don't Judge Me|award=Silver|relyear=2012|certyear=2023|id=19036-1138-1|access-date=June 9, 2023}}

{{Certification Table Entry|type=single|region=United States|artist=Chris Brown|title=Don't Judge Me|award=Platinum|relyear=2012|certyear=2017}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|noshipments=true|streaming=true}}

{{Reflist|3}}

• {{YouTube|id=b8HSy1ZpetE|title=Don't Judge Me (Audio)}}
• {{YouTube|id=z29nI8RQV0U|title=Don't Judge Me}}
• {{YouTube|id=bZW3iUKkyCY|title=Don't Judge Me (Behind The Scenes)}}

{{Chris Brown singles}}

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Category:2012 singles

Category:2012 songs

Category:2010s ballads

Category:Chris Brown songs

Category:Contemporary R&B ballads

Category:Songs written by Adam Messinger

Category:Songs written by Nasri (musician)

Category:Music videos directed by Colin Tilley

Category:Songs written by Chris Brown

Category:RCA Records singles

Category:Songs written by Mark "Pelli" Pellizzer