"Privacy" is a song by American singer Chris Brown from his eighth studio album, Heartbreak on a Full Moon. After being previewed at the beginning of 2017, it was released by RCA Records as the third single from the album on March 24, 2017.[1] The song is an R&B slow jam fully written by Brown, and produced by David Doman and Jim Stewart, where Brown both sings and raps. The lyrics of the song were described as "an explicit portrait of a wild sex night".

"Privacy"
Single by Chris Brown
from the album Heartbreak on a Full Moon
ReleasedMarch 24, 2017
RecordedDecember 31, 2016
StudioPlatinum Sound Recording Studios, New York City
Genre
Length3:40
LabelRCA
Songwriter(s)Brown
Producer(s)
Chris Brown singles chronology
"Bruk Off Yuh Back"
(2017)
"Privacy"
(2017)
"Jiu Jitsu"
(2017)
Music video
"Privacy" on YouTube

"Privacy" achieved commercial success in English-speaking countries, being certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), Platinum by Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), and gold by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).

Its music video was shot in Los Angeles on March 27, 2017, and released on April 14, 2017. The videoclip was praised by critics, that described it as "neon-colored", "dance-filled", "dreamy" and "creatively libidinous".

Background and recording edit

The song was made at Platinum Sound Recording Studios, in New York City the night of New Year's Eve 2016, minutes before the dropping of the ball. Brown said that there were lots of people celebrating in his studio while he was in the booth that night, and he was looking at the women through the booth's window, thinking about how he could've been with many of them in intimate situations, but he couldn't because the girls needed to have their privacy, and that thought sparked him the inspiration for the song. According to the song's recording engineer, Patrizio Pigliapoco, the making of the song took less than half an hour, and after that everyone from their team kept telling him that the song was phenomenal, Brown chose it to be his next single.[2][3]

On January 4, 2017, Brown previewed two snippets on his Instagram profile from the songs "Privacy" and "Tell Me What to Do", that were unreleased songs planned to be on his upcoming eighth studio album, Heartbreak on a Full Moon.[4] On January 10, 2017, Brown posted a video of himself and rapper Casanova dancing to "Privacy" in his recording studio.[5] It was later announced in February that "Privacy" would've been released as the next single from Heartbreak on a Full Moon.[6][7] The single was released on March 24, 2017, after being premiered on SoundCloud on the same day.[8]

Composition edit

"Privacy" is an R&B slow jam fully written by Brown, and produced by David Doman, with additional production done by keyboard player Jim Stewart. In the song Brown sings the first two verses and the chorus, rapping on the third verse.[6] The lyrics talk about how Brown can't wait to be alone with his lady in the bedroom, and about spending the night with her in a sexually explicit way.[9] The song contains an interpolation of the 1990s dancehall song "Tight Up Skirt" by Red Rat in the first part of the chorus.[10][11]

Music video edit

On March 24, 2017, Brown uploaded the audio for "Privacy" on his YouTube and Vevo account.[12] The music video for the song was directed by Chris Brown and shot in Los Angeles on March 27, 2017.[13][14] The music video was released on April 14, 2017 on Vevo.

Synopsis edit

The neon-colored, dance-filled music video starts off in a Casino where Brown is walking and performing stylized dance moves on the tables, then entering an elevator, a lady catches his eye. Once following her into a room, he is transported on the stage with other superpower like dancers. At the end Brown is transported back to that hotel elevator. This time, he walks out with the girl he had been searching for, holding hands, and looking at the camera with a knowing smile.[15][16]

Live performances edit

Chris Brown performed the track during 2017 Bet Awards,[17] and also during a charity concert organized by Tidal, and during a free pop-up concert in New York City some days before the dropping of his album Heartbreak on a Full Moon.[18]

The song was included on the setlists of all Brown's tours after its dropping, including The Party Tour, Heartbreak On A Full Moon Tour, and Indigoat Tour.

Track listing edit

  • Digital download[19]
  1. "Privacy" – 3:40

Credits and personnel edit

Credits adapted from Tidal.[20]

Charts edit

Certifications edit

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[35] Platinum 70,000
United Kingdom (BPI)[36] Gold 400,000
United States (RIAA)[37] 2× Platinum 2,000,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References edit

  1. ^ "Check Out the Video for Chris Brown's "Privacy"". Complex.com. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
  2. ^ "Chris Brown Full Interview: Talks JLo, Super Bowl 2018, Cardi B & More!". Retrieved 31 December 2021 – via YouTube.
  3. ^ "Chris Brown's Engineer / Producer, Patrizio Pigliapoco - Pensado's Place #374". Retrieved 31 December 2021 – via YouTube.
  4. ^ Jefferson, Devon (January 5, 2017). "Chris Brown Teases Unreleased Music". Hotnewhiphop.com. Retrieved May 9, 2017.
  5. ^ "Chris Brown Dancing To New Song 'Privacy' In Studio | Ghanaclassic.com - Ghana's Official Music Site". Ghanaclassic.com. January 16, 2017. Archived from the original on July 30, 2017. Retrieved May 9, 2017.
  6. ^ a b "Chris Brown Archivi". Rnbjunk.com. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
  7. ^ "Chris Brown Announces New Music Dropping Next Week". Xxlmag.com. 19 March 2017. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
  8. ^ "Chris Brown - Privacy". HotNewHipHop.com. 24 March 2017. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
  9. ^ "ShieldSquare Captcha". Songfacts.com. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
  10. ^ Thompson, Desire (25 March 2017). "Chris Brown Wants Good Loving, Touching & 'Privacy' on New Song". Billboard.com. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
  11. ^ "Red Rat Talks Chris Brown Sampling "Tight Up Skirt" On "Privacy"". Urbanislandz.com. 18 April 2017. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
  12. ^ "Chris Brown - Privacy (Audio)". YouTube. 2017-03-24. Retrieved 2017-03-29.
  13. ^ "Chris Brown Shoots Music Video For "Privacy"". HotNewHipHop.com. 29 March 2017. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
  14. ^ "Chris Brown Shoots 'Privacy' Video". Rap-Up.com. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
  15. ^ "Video: Chris Brown – 'Privacy'". Rap-Up.com. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
  16. ^ "Chris Brown Prefers His "Privacy" in New Neon-colored Visual". Jetmag.com. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
  17. ^ [1] [dead link]
  18. ^ "Chris Brown Brings Out Dave East, Fabolous, Yo Gotti at NYC Pop Up Show". Thesource.com. 26 October 2017. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
  19. ^ "Privacy - Single by Chris Brown on Apple Music". iTunes. Archived from the original on 2017-03-30. Retrieved 2017-03-29.
  20. ^ "Try the TIDAL Web Player". Listen.tidal.com. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
  21. ^ "ARIA CHART WATCH #414". auspOp. April 1, 2017. Archived from the original on 2017-04-01. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
  22. ^ "ARIA Top 40 HIP HOP/R&B Singles Chart". Aria.com.au. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
  23. ^ "Le Top de la semaine : Top Singles Téléchargés - SNEP (Week 13, 2017)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Archived from the original on 2018-02-08. Retrieved April 1, 2017.
  24. ^ "The Official New Zealand Music Chart". Nztop40.co.nz. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
  25. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 1, 2017.
  26. ^ "Chris Brown – Privacy". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
  27. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 1, 2017.
  28. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 13, 2016.
  29. ^ "Chris Brown Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 5, 2017.
  30. ^ "Chris Brown Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 5, 2017.
  31. ^ "Chris Brown Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
  32. ^ "Chris Brown Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  33. ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard.com. 2 January 2013. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
  34. ^ "R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay Songs". Billboard.com. 13 December 2013. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
  35. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2017 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
  36. ^ "British single certifications – Chris Brown – Privacy". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
  37. ^ "American single certifications – Chris Brown – Privacy". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved August 1, 2017.