Parents Just Don't Understand

Album: He's The DJ, I'm The Rapper (1988)
Charted: 12
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The Fresh Prince is Will Smith. This was his first American hit as a rapper, and it came at a time when he and Jazzy Jeff (Jeff Townes) were doing lots of comical songs to appeal to a younger crowd - their first single was "Girls Ain't Nothing But Trouble." Rap music had entered the mainstream by 1988, but just barely. DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince filled a niche for radio-friendly, relatable songs that were easy to understand. Unlike Run-D.M.C., LL Cool J, Big Daddy Kane and most other rappers at the time, Smith rhymed in a slow, controlled style and used simple words. DJ Jazzy Jeff did have a great deal of credibility, as he was known for his production skills and innovative scratching techniques.
  • In this song, Smith takes the character of a 16-year-old boy with parents who tend to beat him when he doesn't behave. Apparently, he's from a wealthy family - as he takes their Porsche for a joyride and gets pulled over and arrested for driving without a license. Smith was 19 when the song was released; his ability to take on a younger persona would serve him well when he began acting, as his first role was a high-school student in the TV series The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air.
  • This won the first-ever Grammy award for Best Rap Performance. The award was given out for one more year before it was divided into "Best Solo" and "Best Duo or Group" categories. The other winner was Young MC for "Bust A Move."

    Grammy voters clearly favored non-threatening performers in this category as well as the Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance category, which was given out for the first and only time in 1989 and awarded to Jethro Tull.
  • The video did very well on MTV and convinced NBC to greenlight The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air. Directed by Scott Kalvert, it used the same look he created on the "Girls Ain't Nothing But Trouble" video, which he also used when he was hired to do the opening theme to The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air.
  • In the 2009 Parks And Recreation episode "Pawnee Zoo," Amy Poehler raps the first minute of this song after Nick Offerman comes into her office and says, "Here's the situation." When she's finally done, he tells her the "situation" is that someone caught fire at the zoo.

Comments: 3

  • John from Nashville, TnDJ Jazzy Jeff later went on to produce two platinum albums for neo-soul artist Jill Scott.
  • John from Nashville, TnThis song came from the album HE'S THE DJ, I'M THE RAPPER, the first-ever double studio album by a rap artist during the last days of vinyl.
  • Eric from Bend, OrI was 8 years old when this song came out. I always liked DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince; they were the only rap group I really liked.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Philip Cody

Philip CodySongwriter Interviews

A talented lyricist, Philip helped revive Neil Sedaka's career with the words to "Laughter In The Rain" and "Bad Blood."

Michael Franti

Michael FrantiSongwriter Interviews

Franti tells the story behind his hit "Say Hey (I Love You)" and explains why yoga is an integral part of his lifestyle and his Soulshine tour.

Graham Parker

Graham ParkerSongwriter Interviews

When Judd Apatow needed under-appreciated rockers for his Knocked Up sequel, he immediately thought of Parker, who just happened to be getting his band The Rumour back together.

Dennis DeYoung

Dennis DeYoungSongwriter Interviews

Dennis DeYoung explains why "Mr. Roboto" is the defining Styx song, and what the "gathering of angels" represents in "Come Sail Away."

Chris Frantz of Talking Heads

Chris Frantz of Talking HeadsSongwriter Interviews

Talking Heads drummer Chris Frantz on where the term "new wave" originated, the story of "Naive Melody," and why they never recorded another cover song after "Take Me To The River."

Dar Williams

Dar WilliamsSongwriter Interviews

A popular contemporary folk singer, Williams still remembers the sticky note that changed her life in college.