My Prerogative#Other versions

Brown had already completed recording sessions for Don't Be Cruel in Los Angeles, California, but felt something was missing in the record. He said, "I felt my album was lacking a strong, aggressive song and I thought, 'Where better than New York to come up with it'". He traveled to New York, met with Teddy Riley - who presented him with the initial beat.{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=lyIiAAAAIBAJ&pg=3447,2939149|title=Bobby Brown takes his prerogative|date=March 17, 1989|access-date=March 13, 2010| last=Italie|first=Hillel|work=The Hour}} "My Prerogative" was written and co-produced by Brown , Timmy Gatling, Aaron Hall, and Gene Griffin. It was recorded at Axis Studios and mixed at Soundworks, in New York. The track was mastered at Future Disc Systems in Hollywood, California.Don't Be Cruel liner notes. MCA Records (1988) 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".

A CD single of remixes by Joe T. Vannelli was released on October 13, 1995, reaching number 17 in the UK Singles Chart.{{Cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/25034/bobby-brown/|title=BOBBY BROWN | full Official Chart History|website=Official Charts Company}} The radio edit from this was included on Brown's 1995 remix album, Two Can Play That Game.

{{listen

| filename = Bobby brown - my prerogative.ogg

| format = Ogg

| title = "My Prerogative"

| description = A 29 second sample of Bobby Brown's "My Prerogative", where the chorus is played with strong background vocals.

}}

"My Prerogative" is considered a new jack swing anthem, that merges hip hop beats with elements of synthpop and soul.{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/1999/03/26/finally/|title=Finally|date=March 26, 1999|access-date=April 19, 2022|last=Diehl|first=Matt|magazine=Entertainment Weekly}} It features a triplet swing in the sixteenth note, as included in many of Riley's productions.{{harvnb|Ripani|2006|p=131}} Jake Brown said in his book Your body's calling me: music, love, sex & money (2003), that like most new jack swing songs from the late 1980s, it was composed by "punchy, street-savvy beats, with sexually energetic melodies and poppy choruses".{{harvnb|Brown|2003|p=20}} The bassline of the track was described by Cam'Ron Davis of CMJ New Music Monthly as "truly sinister".{{cite news|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2CoEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA66|title=Bobby Brown|date=March 2003|access-date=March 13, 2010| last=Davis|first=Cam'Ron|work=CMJ New Music Monthly}} According to the sheet music published at Musicnotes.com by EMI Music Publishing, the song is composed in the key of A minor, with a tempo of 120 beats per minute. Brown's vocal range spans from the high-note of C₄ to A₅.{{cite web|title=Bobby Brown – My Prerogative – Sheet Music |website=MusicNotes|date=May 5, 2008 |url=https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0064933 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090108180125/https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0064933 |archive-date=January 8, 2009 |access-date=November 18, 2019}}

Barry Michael Cooper of Spin said "My Prerogative" "sounds like gin-drenched, Roaring Twenties swing".{{cite news|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5oyYjDeNc_AC&pg=PA42|title=Paid in Full|date=December 1988|access-date=March 13, 2010| last=Cooper|first=Barry Michael|work=Spin}} Arion Berger of Rolling Stone called it "a grumpy and undeniably adult dance hit".{{cite magazine|title=New Kids on the Block : Step by Step : Music Reviews|date=August 9, 1990|magazine=Rolling Stone |last=Berger|first=Arion}} "My Prerogative" was nominated for at the 3rd Soul Train Music Awards in the category of Best R&B Urban Contemporary Single by a Male, but lost to Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror".{{harvnb|Campbell|1993|p=263}} The following year, Spin listed the song at number 72 on the "100 Greatest Singles of All Time" list.{{cite news|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=h-bxxO5B-xsC&pg=PA116|title=100 Greatest Singles of All Time|date=April 1989|access-date=March 13, 2010 |work=Spin}} It ranked at number 98 on VH1's "100 Greatest Songs of the 80's".{{cite news|url=http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/2006/vh180s2.htm|title=VH1: 100 Greatest Songs of the 80's: 51-100|year=2006|publisher=VH1}} The track is often referred to as Brown's signature song.{{cite news|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=T9cDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA51-IA10|title=The 55 Most Intriguing Blacks of 2000|date=November 2000|access-date=March 13, 2010 |work=Ebony|publisher=Johnson Publishing Company}}

"My Prerogative" debuted on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 during the week of October 22, 1988, at number 78.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/1988-10-29/hot-100|title=The Billboard Hot 100: Week of October 29, 1988|date=October 29, 1988|magazine=Billboard|access-date=March 14, 2010}} The following week, it jumped 17 positions to number 61, and the following week, it climbed another 16 positions to number 45.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/1988-11-05/hot-100|title=The Billboard Hot 100: Week of November 5, 1988|date=November 5, 1988|magazine=Billboard |access-date=March 14, 2010}} It entered the Top 40 during its fourth week (#33 on November 12, 1988), and on January 14, 1989, it peaked at the top position of the chart. "My Prerogative" ultimately spent 24 weeks on the Hot 100, 15 of which were in the Top 40. The song also peaked at number one in Hot Black Singles (during the weeks of October 15 and 22, 1988), and at number seven in Hot Dance Club Songs.{{cite magazine|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=bobby brown|chart=all}}|title=My Prerogative - Bobby Brown Billboard charts|magazine=Billboard|access-date=March 14, 2010}} It was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales over 500,000 copies.{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH |title=Searchable Database - RIAA - Bobby Brown |date=January 5, 2010 |access-date=March 17, 2010 |publisher=Recording Industry Association of America |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070626050454/http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH |archive-date=June 26, 2007}} In Canada, the song debuted on the RPM Singles Chart at position 98, on the issue dated December 23, 1989.{{cite web|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.6684&volume=51&issue=8&issue_dt=December%2023%201989&type=1&interval=24&PHPSESSID=4dp17sl7hp9qmhhj3vmcenr836|title=Top Singles - Volume 51, No. 8, December 23, 1988|date=December 23, 1989|publisher=RPM Music Publications Ltd|access-date=March 14, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013154005/http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.6684&volume=51&issue=8&issue_dt=December%2023%201989&type=1&interval=24&PHPSESSID=4dp17sl7hp9qmhhj3vmcenr836|archive-date=October 13, 2012|url-status=dead}} In the United Kingdom, "My Prerogative" debuted at number 87 on December 10, 1988. On February 18, 1989, the song peaked at number six and stayed in the position for two weeks.{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/I%20Second%20That%20Emotion|title=The Official Charts Company - Bobby Brown - My Prerogative|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=March 14, 2010}} Following the release of the remixes single on October 14, 1995, "My Prerogative" re-entered the UK charts at number 17, and stayed on the chart for two weeks. By October 17, 2015, it had sold 275,000 units in the country.{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/ask-official-charts-your-questions-on-demi-selena-britney-and-more-answered__11053/|title=Ask Official Charts: Your questions on Demi, Selena, Britney and more answered|last=Myers|first=Justin|date=October 17, 2015|access-date=October 17, 2015|publisher=The Official Charts Company}} Across Europe, the song reached the top ten in Ireland and the Netherlands,{{cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/fr/song/3150/Bobby-Brown-My-Prerogative|title=Bobby Brown - My Prerogative (song) |year=1989|publisher=Ultratop. Hung Medien|access-date=March 14, 2010}}{{cite web|url=http://www.irishcharts.ie/search/placement |title=The Irish Charts |date=February 9, 1989 |publisher=Irish Singles Chart. Irish Recorded Music Association |access-date=March 14, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090602061251/http://www.irishcharts.ie/search/placement |archive-date=June 2, 2009}} and the top 20 in Germany and Sweden.{{cite web|url=http://www.musicinfonet.de/de/chartverfolgung_summary/artist/BROWN%2CBOBBY/single|title=Brown, Bobby|date=June 18, 1989|publisher=Media Control Charts. musicline.de|access-date=March 14, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719065005/http://www.musicinfonet.de/de/chartverfolgung_summary/artist/BROWN,BOBBY/single|archive-date=July 19, 2011|url-status=dead}} In Australia and New Zealand, the track peaked at number 40 and number three, respectively.

The music video for "My Prerogative" was directed by Alek Keshishian.{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=YNwrAAAAIBAJ&pg=1584,1543730|title='Truth or Dare' Exhausts Director|date=May 14, 1991|access-date=March 13, 2010| last=Italie|first=Hillel|work=Kentucky New Era}} It begins with Brown driving a car while his musicians start to perform the song on stage in front of a large crowd. Shortly after, he descends to the stage in an elevator, wearing a black jumpsuit and a headset. He dances flanked by two women playing a keytar and a saxophone.

J. D. Considine of Rolling Stone wrote in the review of Bobby (1992), "As anyone who saw him swagger through the videos for 'My Prerogative' and 'Every Little Step' can attest, Brown had a phenomenal ability to convey a sense of street toughness that was utterly without malice or menace, making him credible and likable".{{cite magazine|title=Bobby Brown : Bobby : Music Reviews|date=September 12, 1992|magazine=Rolling Stone |last=Considine|first=J. D. }} The music video was nominated at the 1989 MTV Video Music Awards for Best Stage Performance in a Video, but lost to the music video of Living Colour's "Cult of Personality".{{cite news|url=http://www.rockonthenet.com/mtvvma/stage.htm|title=MTV Video Music Awards History: Best Stage Performance Video|year=1984|publisher=VH1}} It also charted at number nine on RPM video chart on July 21, 1990.{{cite web|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.7954&volume=52&issue=10&issue_dt=July%2021%201990&type=1&interval=24&PHPSESSID=4dp17sl7hp9qmhhj3vmcenr836|title=Video - Volume 52, No. 10, July 21, 1990|date=July 21, 1990|work=RPM|publisher=RPM Music Publications Ltd|access-date=March 14, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161230090117/http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.7954&volume=52&issue=10&issue_dt=July%2021%201990&type=1&interval=24&PHPSESSID=4dp17sl7hp9qmhhj3vmcenr836|archive-date=December 30, 2016|url-status=dead}}

"My Prerogative" was performed during his tour in promotion for Don't Be Cruel as the last song of the night. Brown usually performed it wearing a black outfit, flanked with two male dancers wearing white clothes.{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=rw0VAAAAIBAJ&pg=7114,457260|title=Bobby Brown puts moves on Toledo|date=May 10, 1989|access-date=March 13, 2010|last=Kisiel|first=Ralph|work=The Blade}}{{Dead link|date=June 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} On the February 4, 1989, show at Madison Square Garden in New York City, Brown wore a red boxing robe with the words "King of the Stage" printed on the back. During the performance, Joseph Simmons of Run-DMC, LL Cool J and Heavy D joined him onstage and freestyle rapped. Eric B., KRS-One, L. A. Reid, Babyface and Teddy Riley also joined him onstage, with the latter performing a keyboard solo. Peter Watrous of The New York Times commented that, "The communal scene on stage mirrored the feeling in the audience; everybody seemed aware that this was a generation that had rewritten the rules of pop entertainment, and was justifiably proud of its achievement".{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/02/06/arts/review-music-bobby-brown-holds-a-garden-party.html|title=Review/Music; Bobby Brown Holds a Garden Party|date=February 6, 1989|access-date=March 13, 2010| last=Watrous|first=Peter|work=The New York Times}} Brown also performed the song on the 1996–97 Home Again reunion tour with New Edition, during the second portion of the show in which he performed hits from his solo career.{{cite magazine |title=New Edition: Rolling Stone|date=January 13, 1997|magazine=Rolling Stone}} On November 10, 2005, he performed the song for the first time in eight years at a concert at House of Blues in Atlantic City. He wore a white suit and matching hat, and sang it as the last song of the evening.{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1513550/ladies-man-reborn-bobby-brown-back-in-shape-at-atlantic-city-gig/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160111121557/http://www.mtv.com/news/1513550/ladies-man-reborn-bobby-brown-back-in-shape-at-atlantic-city-gig/|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 11, 2016|title=Ladies' Man Reborn: Bobby Brown Back In Shape At Atlantic City Gig|date=November 11, 2005|access-date=April 19, 2022| last=Reid|first=Shaheem|website=MTV}} On January 17, 2006, he performed it at a New Edition show in Atlantic City's Trump Taj Mahal. During the performance, he tore open his orange dress shirt, singing bare-chested with a tie and a fur coat on.{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1520836/new-edition-reuniting-again-and-this-time-bobbys-on-board/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160111121555/http://www.mtv.com/news/1520836/new-edition-reuniting-again-and-this-time-bobbys-on-board/|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 11, 2016|title=New Edition Reuniting Again — And This Time, Bobby's On Board| date=January 17, 2007|access-date=April 19, 2022| last=Reid|first=Shaheem|publisher=MTV}} Brown performed the song during his 2007 July shows in Australia.{{cite news|url=http://www.undercover.com.au/News-Story.aspx?id=2326|title=Bobby Brown Brings Greatest Hits to Australia|date=July 19, 2007|access-date=March 13, 2010|last=Tijs|first=Andrew|publisher=Undercover|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070830174838/http://www.undercover.com.au/News-Story.aspx?id=2326|archive-date=August 30, 2007}}

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• U.S. 7" single (MCA 53383)

1. "My Prerogative" (Single Version) 4:25
2. "My Prerogative" – (Instrumental) 4:25

• U.S. 12" single (MCA 23888)

1. "My Prerogative" (Extended remix) – 8:00
2. "Girl Next Door" (Extended version) – 6:30
3. "My Prerogative" (Instrumental) – 5:18

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• Bobby Brown – lead vocals, composer, co-production
• Gene Griffin – songwriting, co-production
• Teddy Riley – songwriting, background vocals, keyboards, mixing
• Dennis Mitchell – engineering, mixing, recording
• Jim Hanneman – engineering, mixing, recording
• Markell Riley – drum programming
• Aaron Hall – composer, background vocals
• Timmy Gatling - composer, background vocals
• Bernard Belle – background vocals
• Lee Drakeford – background vocals

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{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|artist=Bobby Brown|title=My Prerogative|certyear=1989|award=Gold|access-date=June 2, 2015}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true}}

{{Infobox song

| name = My Prerogative

| cover = BSMyPrerogative.jpg

| alt = Spears holding a microphone in her hand next to her head, while looking towards the left side of the picture.

| border = yes

| type = single

| artist = Britney Spears

| album = Greatest Hits: My Prerogative

| B-side =

• "I've Just Begun (Having My Fun)"
• "Chris Cox Megamix"

| released = September 21, 2004

| recorded = May 2004

| studio = {{hlist|Teldex (Berlin)|Murlyn (Stockholm)}}

| venue =

| genre = Synth-pop

| length = {{duration|m=3|s=33}}

| label = Jive

| writer =

• Bobby Brown
• Teddy Riley

| producer = Bloodshy & Avant

| prev_title = Outrageous

| prev_year = 2004

| next_title = Do Somethin'

| next_year = 2005

| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|dIOH8Trfas4|"My Prerogative"}}}}

}}

{{Listen|pos=left|filename=Britney spears - my prerogative.ogg|title="My Prerogative"|description=A 21-second sample of "My Prerogative", in which Spears sings over a background of synthesizers.}}

In 2004, American singer Britney Spears recorded a cover of "My Prerogative" with Swedish production team Bloodshy & Avant, who produced her single "Toxic" from her fourth studio album, In the Zone (2003). Bloodshy & Avant recorded the song at Murlyn Studios in Stockholm, Sweden. Spears recorded the vocals at Teldex Studios in Berlin, Germany during the European leg of her The Onyx Hotel Tour in 2004.Greatest Hits: My Prerogative liner notes. Jive Records (2004) On August 13, 2004, Spears's label Jive Records announced through a press release that she had covered the song and was planning to release it on her first greatest hits compilation, titled Greatest Hits: My Prerogative. The song was set to premiere on radio stations on September 14,{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1490190/britney-covers-bobby-browns-my-prerogative-for-forthcoming-lp/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140907004121/http://www.mtv.com/news/1490190/britney-covers-bobby-browns-my-prerogative-for-forthcoming-lp/|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 7, 2014|title=Britney Covers Bobby Brown's 'My Prerogative' For Forthcoming LP|date=August 13, 2004|access-date=April 19, 2022| last=Vineyard|first=Jennifer|publisher=MTV}} however, it leaked via Real Tapemasters Inc.'s mixtape The Future of R&B on September 10.{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1490900/britneys-prerogative-hits-the-streets-on-a-mixtape/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160111121556/http://www.mtv.com/news/1490900/britneys-prerogative-hits-the-streets-on-a-mixtape/|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 11, 2016|title=Britney's 'Prerogative' Hits The Streets — On A Mixtape|date=September 10, 2004|access-date=April 19, 2022| last=Reid|first=Shaheem|publisher=MTV}}

"My Prerogative" is set in common time and has a moderate tempo of 100 beats per minute. It is written in the key of B♭ minor and follows the chord progression of B{{music|flat}}m–F–B{{music|flat}}m throughout, making it in the harmonic minor scale.{{cite web|title= Britney Spears - My Prerogative (Digital Sheet Music)|date= December 20, 2004|publisher= Musicnotes, Inc.|url= https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0048539 |access-date= March 23, 2018}} Spears's cover of the song is musically different from its original version, with the bass and new jack swing sound replaced with a synthpop sound, synthesizers and elements typical of Bloodshy & Avant productions.{{cite web|first= Jon |last= O'Brien |title= Britney Spears – My Prerogative |website= AllMusic |url= http://www.allmusic.com/album/my-prerogative-mw0000769213 |access-date= July 26, 2016}} It was noted by Christy Lemire of Today that the cover also contains elements of Bollywood music.{{cite news|url=https://www.today.com/popculture/britney-s-entirely-premature-greatest-hits-wbna6399700|title=Britney's entirely premature greatest hits|date=November 9, 2004|access-date=March 19, 2010| last=Lemire|first=Christy|publisher=Today}} This impression is, however, inaccurate, as the song instead samples Warda's Arabic song "Batwanes Beek". The musical influences therefore originate from the Arabic region, not from Bollywood or South Asian elements.

At the beginning of the song, Spears says in a breathy voice the lines "People can take everything away from you / But they can never take away your truth / But the question is, can you handle mine?". The rest of the lyrics do not deviate much from the original version, instead they are changed to fit a woman's perspective. Jennifer Vineyard of MTV commented the cover could be interpreted as a statement on Spears's life and the media reaction to some of her decisions at the time, including her engagement to American dancer Kevin Federline.

The cover received mixed reviews from contemporary critics. Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic called the cover "a useless remake, which seems to exist solely for its video".{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r716835|pure_url=yes}}|title=((( Greatest Hits: My Prerogative > Review )))|year=2004|access-date=March 19, 2010| last=Erlewine|first=Stephen Thomas|website=Allmusic}} Spence D. of IGN said that the lyrics fit perfectly with Spears's relationship with the media at the time. He also added: "As for her interpretation, it's an interesting chameleonic diversion that comes off like a mash-up between vintage Prince-styled production, Cameo swagger, and Madonna sultriness, but never seems to capture the gloss and glory of any of the aforementioned influences".{{cite news|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/11/16/britney-spears-greatest-hits-my-prerogative|title=Britney Spears Greatest Hits: My Prerogative|date=November 16, 2004|access-date=April 19, 2022|last=D.|first=Spence|website=IGN|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110622004830/http://music.ign.com/articles/566/566584p3.html|archive-date=June 22, 2011}} Lemire called it "utterly unnecessary". Louis Pattison of the New Musical Express commented that "judging by the fuck-you sentiments" of the cover, Spears liked to play the role of "[the] pop brat careering off the rails".{{cite news|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews-nme-7567-305342|title=Spears, Britney : Greatest Hits: My Prerogative|date=December 8, 2004|access-date=April 19, 2022| last=Pattison|first=Louis|work=New Musical Express}} Sarah Hepola of Salon wrote in an article about contemporary teen idols that the cover "became an anthem for teen-idol rebellion".{{cite news|url=https://www.salon.com/2009/03/26/zac_efron/ |title=Zac Efron and the twilight of the teen idol |date=March 29, 2009 |access-date=April 19, 2022 |last=Hepola |first=Sarah |work=Salon|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605062334/http://www.salon.com/entertainment/feature/2009/03/26/zac_efron/print.html |archive-date=June 5, 2011}} In an interview on Club Shay Shay, Brown criticized Spears's cover and felt that she "butchered" the song.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/bobby-brown-britney-spears-my-prerogative-cover-1235948438/|title=Bobby Brown Thinks Britney Spears 'Butchered' Her Cover of 'My Prerogative'|date=April 16, 2025|first=Angel|last=Diaz|magazine=Billboard|access-date=April 17, 2025}}

In the United States, "My Prerogative" failed to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 but charted on the Top 40 Tracks and Mainstream Top 40 at numbers 22 and 34, respectively.{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p320976|pure_url=yes}}|title=Britney Spears Billboard Singles|publisher=Allmusic|access-date=March 19, 2010}} By 2011, "My Prerogative" had sold 374,000 paid digital downloads in the United States.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/britney-spears-lead-singles-track-by-track/|title=Britney Spears' Lead Singles, Track-By-Track|last=Trust|first=Gary|date=January 10, 2011|access-date=April 19, 2022|magazine=Billboard}} On November 15, 2004, the song debuted on the Australian Singles Chart at number seven.{{cite web|url=http://acharts.us/australia_singles_top_50/2004/48|title=Australia Singles Top 50|publisher=acharts.us|access-date=March 19, 2010}} It received a gold certification from the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) for shipments over 35,000 units.{{cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-accreditations-singles-2004.htm |title=ARIA Charts — Accreditations – 2004 Singles |publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association |access-date=May 3, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061013053032/http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-accreditations-singles-2004.htm |archive-date=October 13, 2006}} The same week, it debuted at number 17 in New Zealand.{{cite web|url=http://acharts.us/nz_singles_top_40/2004/47|title=New Zealand Top 40|publisher=Recording Industry Association of New Zealand.|access-date=March 19, 2010}}

On November 7, "My Prerogative" debuted at number three in the United Kingdom, during a competitive week of new releases, being surpassed by Eminem's "Just Lose It" and Destiny's Child's "Lose My Breath".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/eminem-sidesteps-destiny-spears-on-uk-chart-65740/|title=Eminem Sidesteps Destiny, Spears On U.K. Chart|date=November 8, 2004|magazine=Billboard|access-date=April 19, 2022}} According to the Official Charts Company (OCC), the song has sold 130,000 copies in the UK. The song also achieved commercial success throughout Europe, peaking at number one in Finland, Ireland, Italy and Norway, number two in Spain and number three in Belgium (both Flanders and Wallonia), Denmark and Germany.{{cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/fr/song/18ca/Britney-Spears-My-Prerogative|title=Britney Spears - My Prerogative (song) |year=2004|publisher=Ultratop. Hung Medien|access-date=March 19, 2010}}{{cite web|url=http://acharts.us/song/1813|title=Britney Spears - My Prerogative|year=2004|publisher=acharts.us|access-date=March 19, 2010}} It also reached the top ten in Austria, Czech Republic, Sweden, Switzerland and the Netherlands.

The music video for "My Prerogative" was filmed in August 2004 at The Paramour Mansion in Silver Lake, Los Angeles and was directed by Jake Nava.{{cite news|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=W2IEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA38|title=The Next Wave|date=January 2005|access-date=March 19, 2010| last=Coleridge|first=Daniel R.|work=Out|publisher=Aaron Hicklin}}{{cite news|url=http://www.britney.com/us/blog/earlier-filming-date-scheduled-britney-if-u-seek-amy-music-video-shoot |title=Earlier Filming Date Scheduled For Britney If U Seek Amy Music Video Shoot |date=February 4, 2009 |access-date=March 19, 2010 |website=Britney.com|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725080452/http://www.britney.com/us/blog/earlier-filming-date-scheduled-britney-if-u-seek-amy-music-video-shoot |archive-date=July 25, 2011}} It premiered on MTV's TRL on September 16, 2004, and on BET's 106 & Park on January 18, 2005.{{cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20040917/world.htm|title=Britney Spears in undated publicity photograph from her upcoming music video My Prerogative, which premiered on MTV's TRL on Thursday.|date=September 17, 2004|access-date=August 24, 2015|newspaper=The Tribune}}{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1490929/britney-fans-you-can-stop-speculating-now-official-hits-lp-track-list-revealed/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160111121551/http://www.mtv.com/news/1490929/britney-fans-you-can-stop-speculating-now-official-hits-lp-track-list-revealed/|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 11, 2016|title=Britney Fans, You Can Stop Speculating Now — Official Hits LP Track List Revealed|date=September 13, 2004|access-date=August 24, 2015|publisher=MTV}} According to Spears's mother Lynne, the video was "about capturing gorgeous close-ups and very subtle movement" since Spears could not do any choreography due to her knee injury at the "Outrageous" music video shoot. She also described the video as "[having] an element of old Hollywood glamour and mystery".{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1490551/britney-to-marry-kevin-federline-in-my-prerogative-video/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160111121557/http://www.mtv.com/news/1490551/britney-to-marry-kevin-federline-in-my-prerogative-video/|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 11, 2016|title=Britney To Marry Kevin Federline In 'My Prerogative' Video|date=August 25, 2004|access-date=April 19, 2022| last=Vineyard|first=Jennifer|publisher=MTV}}

The music video begins with Spears driving a Porsche 928 at high speed in the Hollywood Hills.{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1490312/britney-makes-party-crashing-her-prerogative-in-next-video/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160111121601/http://www.mtv.com/news/1490312/britney-makes-party-crashing-her-prerogative-in-next-video/|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 11, 2016|title=Britney Makes Party-Crashing Her Prerogative In Next Video|date=August 17, 2004|access-date=April 19, 2022| last=Vineyard|first=Jennifer|publisher=MTV}} She crashes through a fence and lands into a pool inside a manor where a party is taking place. She emerges from the water and crawls in top of the car to sing the first verse. Spears's brother, Bryan, makes a cameo in these scenes. After she leaves the pool, she enters the manor and passes couples making out around her. She appears in a stainless steel kitchen, where a maid cuts the straps of her black wet dress. In the next scene, she walks into a study in which her then-fiancé, Kevin Federline, is smoking and watching a black-and-white video of Spears on a projection screen. According to Jennifer Vineyard from MTV, the clip had the style of pornographic films from the 1940s and 1950s. Rolling Stone in their article "Britney Spears: The Complete Video Guide", compared it to Madonna's performances of her 1984 single "Like a Virgin".{{cite magazine |title=The Complete Video Guide: "My Prerogative"|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/18308368/britney_spears_the_complete_video_guide/20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080209131525/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/18308368/britney_spears_the_complete_video_guide/20|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 9, 2008|year=2009|magazine=Rolling Stone}} She then entered a dressing room with mirrors, wearing lingerie, high heels, stockings and a short fur jacket. She proceeds to a bedroom, in which a black dress is laid out on the comforter. She puts on the new dress and the camera cuts to the party outside where people gathered waiting. During the song's bridge, it is revealed that the party is actually Spears's wedding, as she starts walking towards the aisle and Federline waits next to a priest. The video ends with a shot of the black-and-white video and Spears looking into the camera. The black-and-white footage was released as an alternate version of the music video in the 2004 DVD Greatest Hits: My Prerogative.{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1493176/britney-dvd-has-alternate-takes-of-her-videos-plus-more-skin/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141020122703/http://www.mtv.com/news/1493176/britney-dvd-has-alternate-takes-of-her-videos-plus-more-skin/|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 20, 2014|title=Britney DVD Has Alternate Takes Of Her Videos, Plus More Skin|date=October 27, 2004|access-date=April 19, 2022| last=Vineyard|first=Jennifer|publisher=MTV}}

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European, Australian and Japanese maxi CD single

1. "My Prerogative" – 3:36
2. "My Prerogative" (instrumental) – 3:36
3. "My Prerogative" (X-Press 2 Vocal Mix) – 7:21
4. "My Prerogative" (Armand Van Helden Remix Edit) – 7:37
5. "My Prerogative" (X-Press 2 Dub) – 7:19

UK CD single

1. "My Prerogative" – 3:37
2. "Chris Cox Megamix" – 5:16

UK DVD single

1. "My Prerogative" (music video) – 3:47
2. "My Prerogative" (photo gallery) – 3:34

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UK promotional 12-inch vinyl

1. "My Prerogative" (Armand Van Helden Remix) – 7:49
2. "My Prerogative" (X-Press 2 Vocal Mix) – 7:19
3. "Chris Cox Megamix" – 5:16
4. "My Prerogative" (X-Press 2 Dub) – 7:19

Digital EP

1. "My Prerogative" (X-Press 2 Vocal Mix) – 7:19
2. "My Prerogative" (X-Press 2 Radio Edit) – 4:20
3. "My Prerogative" (Armand Van Helden Remix) – 7:38
4. "My Prerogative" (Armand Van Helden Dub) – 7:36

• 2-track digital download

1. "My Prerogative" – 3:35
2. "I've Just Begun (Having My Fun)" – 3:22

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• Britney Spears – lead vocals, background vocals
• Bloodshy & Avant – production, arrangements, all instruments, programming, vocal editing
• Steve Lunt – A&R, arrangements
• Nicklas Flyckt – mixing
• Tobias Lehmann – engineering
• Uwe Lietzow – recording
• Henrik Jonback – guitar
• BlackCell – background vocals
• Emma Holmgren – background vocals

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{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|artist=Britney Spears|title=My Prerogative|relyear=2004|certyear=2004|award=Gold|access-date=January 10, 2015}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=France|nocert=true|salesamount=60,237|salesref={{cite web|url=http://www.infodisc.fr/Ventes_Sing_10Ans.php|title=Les Singles les plus Vendus de la Décennie (2000–2009)|publisher=Infodisc|access-date=January 27, 2025|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120610031320/http://www.infodisc.fr/Ventes_Sing_10Ans.php |archive-date=June 10, 2012|language=fr}}}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Norway|type=single|artist=Britney Spears|title=My Prerogative|relyear=2004|award=Gold|access-date=January 10, 2015}}

{{Certification Table Entry|type=single|artist=Britney Spears|title=My Prerogative|region=United Kingdom|award=Silver|relyear=2004|certyear=2025|id=21110-1064-1|access-date=June 6, 2025}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|award=Gold|artist=Britney Spears|title=My Prerogative|relyear=2004|certyear=2023|access-date=October 24, 2023}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true}}

"My Prerogative" has been covered and sampled by many artists from different genres. J.D. Considine of Rolling Stone noted that the hook of Brown's 1992 single "Humpin' Around" from Bobby, "bears a more than passing resemblance to the synth part from 'My Prerogative'". According to Entertainment Weekly, American R&B group U.N.V. sampled the melody for their 1993 single "Something's Goin' On".{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/1993/08/06/madonnas-new-maverick-label/|title=Madonna's new Maverick label|date=August 1, 1993|access-date=April 19, 2022| last=Browne|first=David|magazine=Entertainment Weekly}} Jamaican reggae singer Beenie Man covered "My Prerogative" for his 1998 studio album Many Moods of Moses.{{cite news|url=http://www.citypages.com/1998-06-17/music/beenie-man-many-moods-of-moses/|title=Beenie Man: Many Moods of Moses|date=June 17, 1998|access-date=March 14, 2010|last=Sarig|first=Roni|work=City Pages|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100311095228/http://www.citypages.com/1998-06-17/music/beenie-man-many-moods-of-moses/|archive-date=March 11, 2010}} American singer Rod Michael covered the song for his 2004 studio album, The Next Episode.{{cite news|url=https://www.mcall.com/news/mc-xpm-2003-07-12-3494450-story.html|title=A pop idol in Germany, Rod Michael is seeking fame on this side of the pond|date=July 12, 2003|access-date=April 19, 2022| last=Lauer-Williams|first=Kathy|work=The Morning Call}} Irish girl group Fab! used the song's main melody line for their 1999 song "Something's Gonna Have to Change".{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CQ4EAAAAMBAJ&dq=FAB!+Jammin+Robbins&pg=PA24|title=New and Noteworthy: FAB! Something's Gonna Have to Change|magazine=Bllboard|date=19 February 2000}} English rock band Selfish Cunt also covered the song for their 2004 studio album No Wicked Heart Shall Prosper, changing the name to "Bobby".{{cite news|url=http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0199-3494620/Selfish-Cunt-My-Prerogative.html|title=Selfish Cunt: My Prerogative.|date=November 27, 2004|access-date=March 14, 2010|work=Music Week}}

In July 2007, American basketball player LeBron James covered "My Prerogative" at the ESPY Awards, wearing a wig and Hammer pants.{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/espn/page2/story?page=alipour/070715|title=Seen and heard backstage at the ESPYS|date=July 16, 2007|access-date=April 19, 2022| last=Alipour|first=Sam|publisher=ESPN}} Vibe named the performance one of the "worst of the worst live performances of the year".{{cite news|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kSYEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT16|title=So You Think You Can Dance?|date=January 2008|access-date=March 13, 2010| author=Vibe Staff|work=Vibe}} Anoop Desai, contestant of the eight season of American Idol, covered the song for his wildcard round performance. It earned him the last spot in the finals, marking the first time the show ever had thirteen contestants.{{cite news|url=http://www2.godanriver.com/news/2009/mar/06/desai_among_13_finalists_chosen_on_american_idol-ar-281434/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722002936/http://www2.godanriver.com/news/2009/mar/06/desai_among_13_finalists_chosen_on_american_idol-ar-281434/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 22, 2011 |title=Desai among 13 finalists chosen on 'American Idol' |date=March 5, 2009 |access-date=March 13, 2010 |agency=Associated Press |publisher=Godan River}} Desai also performed the song during the American Idols Live! Tour 2009. Graeme McRanor of The Vancouver Sun said in the concert review that "My Prerogative" "really shouldn't be covered by any artist, ever again".{{cite news|url=http://www2.canada.com/vancouversun/news/westcoastlife/story.html?id=72269404-f919-4be5-957c-a582d1451d2b&p=1|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130119003059/http://www2.canada.com/vancouversun/news/westcoastlife/story.html?id=72269404-f919-4be5-957c-a582d1451d2b&p=1|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 19, 2013|title=Idol showcase almost like the TV show|date=July 9, 2009|access-date=March 13, 2010|last=McRanor|first=Graeme|work=The Vancouver Sun}} On July 31, 2009, American hip hop group The Pharcyde covered the song at the All Points West Music & Arts Festival in Jersey City.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/jay-z-vampire-weekend-kick-off-soggy-all-points-west-267875/|title=Jay-Z, Vampire Weekend Kick Off Soggy All Points West|date=August 1, 2009|access-date=April 19, 2022|last=Nagy|first=Evie|magazine=Billboard|archive-date=August 4, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090804204804/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/industry/e3i8b177543696059c9bbfd6b5fa2df23dd|url-status=dead}} The song was also featured on the films Love & Basketball (2000), Wild Hogs (2007) and Sex Drive (2008).{{cite news|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0113140/#soundtrack2000|title=Bobby Brown (I) Soundtrack 2000's|access-date=March 14, 2010|publisher=IMDb}}{{better source needed|date=January 2019}} The song was performed in the 2013 Glee episode "Guilty Pleasures" by Jake Puckerman (Jacob Artist).

During the premiere episode of The Masked Singer, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown covered "My Prerogative", incognito as a character known as "the Hippo". After losing to an unrevealed "Peacock" character (who was later revealed to be Donny Osmond), and subsequently being eliminated from the pool of contestants, Brown was required to reveal his identity.{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2019/01/03/yes-that-was-real-life-masked-singer-premiered-was-even-weirder-than-you-imagined|title=Yes, that was real life: 'The Masked Singer' premiered and was even weirder than you imagined|last=Yahr|first=Emily|date=January 3, 2019|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=January 3, 2019}}

{{reflist|3}}

{{refbegin}}

• {{cite book

| last = Ripani

| first = Richard J.

| title = The new blue music: changes in rhythm & blues, 1950-1999

| year = 2006

| publisher = William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company

| isbn = 1-57806-861-4

}}

• {{cite book

| last = Brown

| first = Jake

| title = Your Body's Calling Me: Music, Love, Sex and Money - The Story of the Life and Times of "Robert" R. Kelly

| publisher = Amber Books Publishing

| year = 2003

| isbn = 0-9727519-5-5

}}

• {{cite book

| last = Campbell

| first = Lisa D.

| title = Michael Jackson: the king of pop

| year = 1993

| publisher = Branden Books

| isbn = 0-8283-1957-X

}}

{{refend}}

{{Bobby Brown}}

{{Britney Spears singles}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:1988 singles

Category:1988 songs

Category:1995 singles

Category:2004 singles

Category:Bobby Brown songs

Category:Britney Spears songs

Category:Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles

Category:Irish Singles Chart number-one singles

Category:Jive Records singles

Category:Music videos directed by Alek Keshishian

Category:Music videos directed by Jake Nava

Category:New jack swing songs

Category:Number-one singles in Finland

Category:Number-one singles in Norway

Category:Number-one singles in Italy

Category:Song recordings produced by Bloodshy & Avant

Category:Songs written by Bobby Brown

Category:Songs written by Teddy Riley