Parents Just Don't Understand

"Parents Just Don't Understand"
Single by DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince
from the album He's the DJ, I'm the Rapper
Released April 1, 1988
Format 12" Vinyl
Recorded 1987
Genre Rap
Length 4:13
Label Jive
Writer(s) Smith, Townes
Producer Smith, Townes
Certification Gold (RIAA)
DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince singles chronology
"Brand New Funk"
(1987)		 "Parents Just Don't Understand"
(1988)		 "Nightmare on My Street"
(1988)

"Parents Just Don't Understand" is the second single from DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince's second studio album, He's the DJ, I'm the Rapper. The song won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance in 1989, one of only two songs to ever do so before the award was discontinued in 1991. It peaked at #12 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was released as a single in spring 1988. The single was only released on Vinyl. The song was referenced several times in the television show The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air. In the pilot, where the main instrumental of the song is played. In the first series episode "Not With My Pig, You Don't," James Avery mentions to Will that "Sometimes, parents just don't understand." In both instances of the song being used, Will turns to the audience with a puzzled look on his face. The song was ranked #96 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop, and the music video was featured in the 2003 film Malibu's Most Wanted.

Contents

Tracklisting

7" Vinyl
  1. "Parents Just Don't Understand" - 4:13
  2. "Parents Just Don't Understand" (Instrumental) - 4:06
12" Vinyl
  1. "Parents Just Don't Understand" (Danny D Mix) - 6:20
  2. "Parents Just Don't Understand" (Original 7" Version) - 4:13
  3. "Live At Union Square, November 1986" - 4:03
American 12" Vinyl
  1. "Parents Just Don't Understand" (Extended Mix) - 5:27
  2. "Parents Just Don't Understand" (Single Edit) - 4:13
  3. "Parents Just Don't Understand" (Instrumental) - 4:06
  4. "Live At Union Square, November 1986" - 4:03

Official Versions

Cover versions

A cover of the song was sung by Lil' Romeo, 3LW, and Nick Cannon, which appears on the Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius soundtrack.

The song was used by a young Tupac Shakur in a music video he made with Smith's future wife Jada Pinkett. Shakur and Pinkett had been attending the Baltimore School of Performing Arts. The song was covered by Amy Poehler in the second season premiere of Parks and Recreation.

References

DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince
Studio Albums
Rock the House (1987) · He's the DJ, I'm the Rapper (1988) · And in This Corner... (1989) · Homebase (1991) · Code Red (1993)
Compilation Albums
Greatest Hits (1998) · Before The Willenium (1999) · Platinum & Gold Collection (2003) · The Very Best of Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince (2006)  · The Best of DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince (2010)
Singles