Released October 26, 1987 Recorded 1987 | Format 7"
12"
CD
cassette Label MCA | |
Length 6:43 (album version)
4:16 (single version) Writer(s) Kenneth Edmonds
Antonio Reid | ||
"Girlfriend" is a song recorded by American singer Pebbles for her 1987 self-titled debut studio album. Written and produced by L.A. Reid and Babyface, "Girlfriend" was released as the album's lead single on October 26, 1987, by the MCA label.
Contents
Background
The song was originally intended for Vanessa Williams' debut album The Right Stuff. According to Reid, Williams' record label Wing showed interest in Williams' recording "Girlfriend", which Reid played for her alone in his apartment. However, Pebbles heard the song and offered Reid more money and two cars for the chance to record it. As a result, the production team were not asked to work on more songs on Williams' debut. Reid said due to that incident, Williams never spoke to him again.
Chart performance
"Girlfriend" became Pebbles' first top-five hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, and first number one song on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. In the United Kingdom the single peaked at number eight, becoming Pebbles' only top-ten hit there.