Boys (Lizzo song)
"Boys" | ||||
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Single by Lizzo | ||||
Released | June 22, 2018 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 2:53 | |||
Label | Atlantic | |||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) | Ricky Reed | |||
Lizzo singles chronology | ||||
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"Boys" is a song recorded by American singer and rapper Lizzo. It was released for digital consumption on June 22, 2018, through Atlantic Records as a single. It was written by Lizzo, Nate Mercereau, Ricky Reed, and Aaron Puckett, while Reed handled the song's production. Musically, "Boys" is a retro funk, pop, and electropop song that contains a heavy bassline and pop chorus. Lyrically, it is an ode to the singer's dating pool.
"Boys" was positively received by
Composition
"Boys" is a retro-inspired funk,[1] pop,[2] and electropop[3] song that contains a heavy bassline, tinkling cowbell, and groovy guitar licks, leading to a "pop-heavy" chorus.[4] The song has been described as containing "sparse but thumping beats".[3] It is lyrically described as a "bouncy" tribute to the singer's dating pool,[1] where she raps the lyrics "I like big boys, itty bitty boys / Mississippi boys, inner city boys."[5] The singer then sings in the chorus that her desiring companionship does not equal needing commitment.[2]
Critical reception
Eric Torres of Pitchfork called the song an "ecstatic, endlessly replayable tribute to the depths of Lizzo’s dating pool."[1] Chris Thomas writing for Out called the song the "spiritual companion to Charli XCX's earworm track of the same name";[4] the two would later collaborate in 2019 on the song "Blame It on Your Love". Justin Myers, writing for the Official Charts Company, called the song "attitude-packed".[3]
Music video
A music video directed by Quinn Wilson and Andy Madeleine was released alongside the single.[5] The video features Lizzo dancing in front of the Minneapolis music note wall, dancing in a boys' bathroom, and lying on a scattering of flower petals.[4] Lizzo switches between a variety of outfits, while several boys play a supporting role in the video.[2]
Track listing
Digital download[6]
- "Boys" – 2:52
Pink Panda Remix[7]
- "Boys" (Pink Panda Remix) – 2:23
Dave Audé Remix[8]
- "Boys" (Dave Audé Remix) – 4:27
Black Caviar Remix[9]
- "Boys" (Black Caviar Remix) – 3:54
Juice Boys Remix[10]
- "Boys" (Juice Boys Remix) – 2:37
Boys (Remixes) — EP[11]
- "Boys" – 2:52
- "Boys" (Pink Panda Remix) – 2:23
- "Boys" (Dave Audé Remix) – 4:27
- "Boys" (Black Caviar Remix) – 3:54
- "Boys" (Juice Boys Remix) – 2:37
Personnel
- Lizzo – vocals, composition
- Ricky Reed – composition, production
- Nate Mercereau – composition
- Aaron Puckett – composition
- Chris Gehringer – mastering
Charts
Chart (2018–2019) | Peak position |
---|---|
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[13] | 37 |
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[14] | 89 |
Ireland (IRMA)[15] | 89 |
Israel (Media Forest)[16] | 1 |
US | 19 |
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[18] | Platinum | 70,000‡ |
Canada (Music Canada)[19] | Platinum | 80,000‡ |
Poland (ZPAV)[20] | Gold | 25,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[21] | Silver | 200,000‡ |
United States (RIAA)[22] | Platinum | 1,000,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
Release history
Region | Date | Format | Version | Label | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Various | June 22, 2018 | Original |
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[6] | |
August 24, 2018 | Pink Panda Remix | [7] | |||
September 14, 2018 | Dave Audé Remix | [8] | |||
October 5, 2018 | Black Caviar Remix | [9] | |||
October 19, 2018 | Juice Boys Remix | [10] | |||
February 22, 2019 | Remix EP | [11] |
References
- ^ a b c "Listen to "Boys" by Lizzo". Retrieved January 16, 2019.
- ^ a b c "Lizzo shares sexy new single "Boys": Watch". Consequence of Sound. June 23, 2018. Retrieved January 16, 2019.
- ^ a b c Myers, Justin. "Lizzo: Six essential tracks you need in your life". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 30, 2019.
- ^ a b c "Premiere: Lizzo's 'Boys' is a Summer Anthem For the 'Playboys and the Gay Boys'". www.out.com. June 22, 2018. Retrieved January 16, 2019.
- ^ a b Johnson, Ellen. "Lizzo Pairs Delightfully Raunchy New Track "Boys" with Equally Vivid Video". pastemagazine.com. Archived from the original on May 29, 2019. Retrieved January 16, 2019.
- ^ a b "Boys – Single by Lizzo". Retrieved January 16, 2019.
- ^ a b "Boys (Pink Panda Remix) by Lizzo". Retrieved January 16, 2019.
- ^ a b "Boys (Dave Audé Remix) by Lizzo". Retrieved January 16, 2019.
- ^ a b "Boys (Black Caviar Remix) by Lizzo". Retrieved January 16, 2019.
- ^ a b "Boys (Juice Boys Remix) by Lizzo". Retrieved January 16, 2019.
- ^ a b "Boys (Remixes) - EP by Lizzo". Retrieved October 6, 2019.
- ^ "Try the TIDAL Web Player". listen.tidal.com. Retrieved January 16, 2019.
- ^ "Lizzo – Boys" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
- ^ "Lizzo Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
- ^ "IRMA – Irish Charts". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
- ^ "Year 2018, Week 46". Media Forest Israel. Archived from the original on October 2, 2017. Retrieved January 19, 2019.
- ^ "Lizzo Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2022 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
- ^ "Canadian single certifications – Lizzo – Boys". Music Canada. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
- ^ "OLiS - oficjalna lista wyróżnień" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved February 22, 2023. Click "TYTUŁ" and enter Boys in the search box.
- ^ "British single certifications – Lizzo – Boys". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
- ^ "American single certifications – Lizzo – Boys". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved January 22, 2023.