Boys (Lizzo song)

"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"
Single by Lizzo
ReleasedJune 22, 2018
Genre
Length2:53
LabelAtlantic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Ricky Reed
Lizzo singles chronology
"Fitness"
(2018)		 "Boys"
(2018)		 "Juice"
(2019)

"Boys" was positively received by music critics, one of whom compared it to Charli XCX's 2017 song of the same name. Time magazine put the song at number 10 on their Top Ten Best Songs of 2018. The song became Lizzo's first single to enter a commercial chart, reaching the top forty in Belgium. An accompanying music video was released alongside the single, which features the singer performing the song in front of the Minneapolis music note wall, as well as several other locations. To promote the single, four remixes were commissioned for the single.

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]

  1. "Boys" – 2:52

Pink Panda Remix[7]

  1. "Boys" (Pink Panda Remix) – 2:23

Dave Audé Remix[8]

  1. "Boys" (Dave Audé Remix) – 4:27

Black Caviar Remix[9]

  1. "Boys" (Black Caviar Remix) – 3:54

Juice Boys Remix[10]

  1. "Boys" (Juice Boys Remix) – 2:37

Boys (Remixes) — EP[11]

  1. "Boys" – 2:52
  2. "Boys" (Pink Panda Remix) – 2:23
  3. "Boys" (Dave Audé Remix) – 4:27
  4. "Boys" (Black Caviar Remix) – 3:54
  5. "Boys" (Juice Boys Remix) – 2:37

Personnel

Adapted from Tidal.[12]

  • 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 Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[17] 19

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified 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
  • Atlantic
  • Nice Life
 [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
  1. "Listen to "Boys" by Lizzo". Retrieved January 16, 2019.
  2. "Lizzo shares sexy new single "Boys": Watch". Consequence of Sound. June 23, 2018. Retrieved January 16, 2019.
  3. Myers, Justin. "Lizzo: Six essential tracks you need in your life". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 30, 2019.
  4. "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.
  5. 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.
  6. "Boys – Single by Lizzo". Retrieved January 16, 2019.
  7. "Boys (Pink Panda Remix) by Lizzo". Retrieved January 16, 2019.
  8. "Boys (Dave Audé Remix) by Lizzo". Retrieved January 16, 2019.
  9. "Boys (Black Caviar Remix) by Lizzo". Retrieved January 16, 2019.
  10. "Boys (Juice Boys Remix) by Lizzo". Retrieved January 16, 2019.
  11. "Boys (Remixes) - EP by Lizzo". Retrieved October 6, 2019.
  12. "Try the TIDAL Web Player". listen.tidal.com. Retrieved January 16, 2019.
  13. "Lizzo – Boys" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
  14. "Lizzo Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
  15. "IRMA – Irish Charts". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  16. "Year 2018, Week 46". Media Forest Israel. Archived from the original on October 2, 2017. Retrieved January 19, 2019.
  17. "Lizzo Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
  18. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2022 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
  19. "Canadian single certifications – Lizzo – Boys". Music Canada. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  20. "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.
  21. "British single certifications – Lizzo – Boys". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
  22. "American single certifications – Lizzo – Boys". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
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