"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 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, pop, and electropop song that contains a heavy bassline, tinkling cowbell, and groovy guitar licks, leading to a "pop-heavy" chorus. The song has been described as containing "sparse but thumping beats". It is lyrically described as a "bouncy" tribute to the singer's dating pool, where she raps the lyrics "I like big boys, itty bitty boys / Mississippi boys, inner city boys." The singer then sings in the chorus that her desiring companionship does not equal needing commitment.
Critical reception
Eric Torres of Pitchfork called the song an "ecstatic, endlessly replayable tribute to the depths of Lizzo’s dating pool." Chris Thomas writing for Out called the song the "spiritual companion to Charli XCX's earworm track of the same name"; 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".
Music video
A music video directed by Quinn Wilson and Andy Madeleine was released alongside the single. The video sees the singer dancing in front of the Minneapolis music note wall, dancing in the boy's bathroom, and lying on a scattering of flower petals. The singer switches between a variety of outfits, while several boys play a supporting role in the video.
