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Don't Judge Me" is a song by American singer Chris Brown on his fifth studio album, Fortune (2012). It was produced by the Messengers, and written by Brown, Nasri Atweh, Adam Messinger and Mark "Pelli" Pellizzer. The song was sent to urban contemporary radio stations in the United States on August 14, 2012, as the fifth and final single from the album. "Don't Judge Me" is a midtempo ballad, with lyrics in which Brown asks his lover to forgive him "for his past indiscretions" and "move on with the future."[1][2] The lyrics reportedly referred to Brown's former relationships with American model and fashion designer Karrueche Tran and Barbadian recording artist Rihanna.

"Don't Judge Me"Single by Chris Brownfrom the album FortuneReleasedAugust 14, 2012GenreR&BLength

3:15 (single version)

4:00 (album version)

LabelRCASongwriter(s)Chris Brown, Nasri Atweh, Adam Messinger, Mark PellizzerProducer(s)The MessengersChris Brown singles chronology"Don't Wake Me Up"
(2012)"Don't Judge Me"
(2012)"Algo Me Gusta de Ti"
(2012)Music video"Don't Judge Me" on YouTube

"Don't Judge Me" received positive reviews from music critics; some complimented the song and considered it a highlight on Fortune, while others criticized its production. In the United States, "Don't Judge Me" reached number 10 on the R&B Songs chart, number 18 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and number 67 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It also appeared on the singles chart in Australia, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, and the United Kingdom. The accompanying music video was directed by Colin Tilley and Brown. In the video, Brown goes on a "suicide mission" into outer space to save the world from an alien ship invading Earth. The video received a positive reception from most critics, particularly for its presentation.

Development and releaseedit

"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.[3] 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.[4] "Don't Judge Me" was leaked on the Internet on June 26, 2012, three days before the official release date of Fortune.[5] 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.[6] "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.[6][7] On November 2, 2012, the song was released as an extended play in Australia,[8] Canada,[9] France,[10] and New Zealand,[11] featuring the album version and three remixes. The single version of "Don't Judge Me" was released on iTunes Stores in Belgium,[12] Denmark,[13] Ireland,[14] Netherlands,[15] and Sweden[16] on November 23, 2012. A remix extended play, featuring the album version, music video and three remixes, was released in Austria,[17] Germany,[18] and Switzerland[19] 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.[20]

Composition and lyricsedit

"Don't Judge Me" is a midtempo ballad that runs for three minutes and fifteen seconds,[12][21] with instrumentation provided by drums.[5] Amy Sciarretto of PopCrush noted that "Don't Judge Me" features "a slow, sensuous romp", which she found reminiscent of Michael Jackson.[5] Lyrically, Brown asks his lover to forgive him "for his past indiscretions" and "move on with the future."[1][2] 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."[22] 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."[22] 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."[23][24] Mesfin Fekadu of the Associated Press noted that Brown "sings in his signature semi-high pitch",[24] and critics speculated that the lyrics were about Brown's former relationships with aspiring American model and fashion designer Karrueche Tran and Barbadian recording artist Rihanna.[25][26][27] Holly Frith of Entertainment Wise noted that Rihanna "may be the inspiration" for the lyrics.[26] Rolling Stone's Maura Johnston described "Don't Judge Me" as "a tender love song,"[28] while Andrew Hampp of Billboard magazine referred to it as a "take me as I am" type of ballad.[29] Hazel Robinson of California Literary