Boys (Charli XCX song)

Last updated

"Boys"
Boys - Charli XCX Single Cover.png
Single by Charli XCX
Released26 July 2017 (2017-07-26)
Genre
Length2:42
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Jerker Olov Hansson
  • Cass Lowe (add.)
Charli XCX singles chronology
"Love Gang"
(2017)		"Boys"
(2017)		"Dirty Sexy Money"
(2017)
Music video
"Boys" on YouTube

"Boys" is a single by English singer Charli XCX, released on 26 July 2017 by Asylum Records and Atlantic Records UK. The song was originally intended to be the second single from her then-upcoming third studio album. However, the song became a stand-alone single when the projected third album was leaked on the internet and cancelled. [4] The song makes use of a sample from the Nintendo video game Super Mario Bros. [5]

Contents

A cover of the song by one of its writers, Ingrid Andress, is included on the deluxe edition reissue of Andress' debut studio album, Lady Like (2020), with a mandolin being used to replicate the video game sample. [6]

Critical reception

"Boys" received positive reviews. Pitchfork named the song the 'Best New Track', and in a review contributor Eve Barlow wrote that "Boys" is "deceptively simple-sounding and unfussy," and "a reminder that [Charli XCX is] one of the best at knowing how to have fun; her convivial bop sounds as effortless as something dreamed up between lunch and dinner." [7] The track was placed on several magazines' best songs of the year lists.

Rankings

PublicationYearAccoladeRankRef.
Billboard 2017Best Songs of 2017
35
[8]
Clash 2022Charli XCX: Her 17 Best Songs—
[9]
Complex 2017The Best Songs of 2017
42
Consequence of Sound 2022Charli XCX's 10 Best Songs
2
Entertainment Weekly 2017Best Songs of 2017
19
Esquire 50 Best Songs of 2017—
The Fader The 101 Best Songs of 2017
54
The Guardian The Top 100 Tracks of 2017
2
The Line of Best Fit The Best Fifty Songs of 2017
2
NME Best Songs of the Year 2017
2
Noisey The 100 Best Songs of 2017
23
Pitchfork The 100 Best Songs of 2017
10
[3]
Pretty Much AmazingThe Best Songs of 2017
18
Rolling Stone 50 Best Songs of 2017
23

Music video

The music video for "Boys" was released on 26 July 2017. It was directed by Charli XCX, with additional direction from Sarah McColgan, and began production in April 2017. It features a multitude of different celebrity cameos from figures within the music, fashion and social media industries. [1] It was filmed in London and Los Angeles. In an interview with BBC Radio 1, Charli XCX said that the intention of the music video was to "flip the male gaze on its head". [21]

List of boys in order of appearance

#Boy/BoysOccupation
1 Joe Jonas Musician (Jonas Brothers, DNCE)
2 Josh Ostrovsky Instagram celebrity
3Max HershenowMusician (MS MR)
4 Charlie Puth Musician
5 Joey Badass Rapper
6 Oli Sykes Musician (Bring Me the Horizon)
7 Cameron Dallas Internet personality
8 Sage the Gemini Rapper
9–10Dave-1 and P-ThuggMusicians (Chromeo)
11 Brendon Urie Musician (Panic! at the Disco)
12 Caspar Lee YouTuber
13 G-Eazy Rapper
14 Stormzy Rapper
15 Denzel Curry Rapper
16 Aminé Rapper
17–18 Ezra Koenig and Mark Ronson Musician (Vampire Weekend) and record producer
19 MNEK Singer-songwriter
20 Rostam Batmanglij Musician (formerly of Vampire Weekend)
21 Bastian Schweinsteiger Professional footballer
22 Dan Smith Musician (Bastille)
23–24 Flume and A. G. Cook Musicians
25–26 Wiz Khalifa and Ty Dolla $ign Hip-hop musicians
27 Tinie Tempah Rapper
28–30 Swet Shop Boys (Riz MC, Redinho and Heems)Hip hop group
31–33 WSTRN (Akelle Charles, Haile and Louis Rei)Hip hop group
34 Takahiro Moriuchi Musician (One Ok Rock)
35 Carl Barât Musician (the Libertines)
36 Barns Courtney Singer-songwriter
37 Connor Franta YouTuber
38 Shaun Ross Model
39 Fai Khadra Singer
40 Mac DeMarco Singer-songwriter
41 will.i.am Musician (Black Eyed Peas)
42 Tommy Cash Rapper
43 Jack Guinness Model
44 Diplo DJ & record producer
45Laurie VincentMusician (Slaves)
46 Jack Antonoff Musician (Bleachers) and Record Producer
47–48Tristan Evans and James McVeyMusicians (the Vamps)
49 Tom Daley Diver
50Frank CarterMusician (Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes)
51The Cobrasnake (Mark Hunter)Photographer
52Fred MacphersonMusician (Spector)
53–57 MiC LOWRY
(Delleile Ankrah, Akia Jones, Kaine Ofoeme, Ben Sharples and Michael Welch)		Vocal harmony boy band
58–59 THEY. (Dante Jones and Drew Love)R&B duo
60 Theo Hutchcraft Musician (Hurts)
61 Buddy Rapper
62 John Gourley Musician (Portugal. The Man)
63 Shokichi Singer (Exile and the Second)
64 Liam Fray Musician (Courteeners)
65 Jay Park Singer and rapper (2PM), breakdancer (Art of Movement)
66–67Prince Chenoa and Jacob DekatFounders, creative directors and photographers for Galore
68 DRAM Rapper
69Shamari MauriceInstagram celebrity
70 Tom Grennan Singer-songwriter
71Jay PrinceSinger
72 Khalid Singer
73PoetPresenter, podcaster and rapper
74 Vance Joy Singer-songwriter
75 Kaytranada DJ and record producer

Track listing

  1. "Boys" – 2:42
  1. "Boys" (Acoustic) – 2:55
  1. "Boys" (Coldabank Remix) – 3:56
  1. "Boys" (Droeloe Remix) – 3:36
  1. "Boys" (Nevada Remix) – 3:08
  1. "Boys" (Droeloe Remix) – 3:36
  2. "Boys" (Nevada Remix) – 3:08
  3. "Boys" (Acoustic) – 2:55
  4. "Boys" (Coldabank Remix) – 3:56

Credits and personnel

Taken from Tidal. [28]

Charts

Chart (2017)Peak
position
Australia (ARIA) [29] 60
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders) [30] 16
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia) [31] 4
Canada (Canadian Hot 100) [32] 60
Czech Republic (Rádio – Top 100) [33] 41
France (SNEP) [34] 159
Ireland (IRMA) [35] 55
Netherlands (Single Tip) [36] 24
New Zealand Heatseekers (RMNZ) [37] 1
Philippines (Philippine Hot 100) [38] 41
Scotland (OCC) [39] 26
Slovakia (Rádio Top 100) [40] 60
Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan) [41] 17
UK Singles (OCC) [42] 31
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles ( Billboard ) [43] 10

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada) [44] Gold40,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI) [45] Silver200,000‡
United States (RIAA) [46] Gold500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Love It (Icona Pop song)</span> 2012 single by Icona Pop featuring Charli XCX

"I Love It" is a song by Swedish synth-pop duo Icona Pop featuring vocals from British singer Charli XCX. It was released as a single in May 2012 as a digital download in Sweden, where it peaked at number two on the singles chart. The song was added to their debut studio album, Icona Pop, as well as their EP Iconic and their debut international album, This Is... Icona Pop. "I Love It" was written by Charli XCX, Patrik Berger, and Style of Eye, with production handled by the latter two.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charli XCX discography</span>

English singer Charli XCX has released five studio albums, four mixtapes, three extended plays, one live album, one soundtrack album, two DJ mixes, 48 singles, and 13 promotional singles. In 2007, XCX began recording her debut album on a loan granted by her parents. Titled 14, after her age at the time, it received only a restricted public release. Two singles, "!Franchesckaar!" and double A-side "Emelline"/"Art Bitch", were released in late 2008 under Orgy Music. In June 2012, Charli XCX released her first mixtape, titled Heartbreaks and Earthquakes, a one-track file consisting of eight songs. A second mixtape, titled Super Ultra, was released in November of the same year. Charli XCX's major-label debut studio album, True Romance, was released in April 2013, and peaked at number 85 on the UK Albums Chart. While failing to appear on any main album charts internationally, the album reached number five on the Heatseekers Albums chart in the United States and number 11 on the ARIA Hitseekers chart in Australia. The album spawned five singles—"Stay Away", "Nuclear Seasons", "You're the One", "You " and "What I Like". In 2012, Charli XCX was featured on Icona Pop's song "I Love It", which peaked at number one in the UK and reached the top 10 in various countries including the US, Canada, Ireland and Germany.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SuperLove</span> 2013 single by Charli XCX

"SuperLove" is a song by English singer Charli XCX, released as a single on 2 December 2013. Although the song was originally announced as the lead single from Charli's then-untitled second major-label studio album, it ultimately was not included on 2014's Sucker. The single reached number 62 on the UK Singles Chart, becoming Charli's first solo entry on the chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fancy (Iggy Azalea song)</span> 2014 single by Iggy Azalea featuring Charli XCX

"Fancy" is a song by Australian rapper Iggy Azalea featuring British singer Charli XCX, taken from the former's debut studio album, The New Classic (2014). It was released on 17 February 2014 by Def Jam Recordings as the fourth single from the album. "Fancy" was described as an electro-hop, electropop, and pop rap song. It was written by Azalea and XCX, composed and produced by production team the Invisible Men, alongside additional producers The Arcade. It was leaked under the title "Leave It" in December 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boom Clap</span> 2014 single by Charli XCX

"Boom Clap" is a song by English singer Charli XCX, released as the first single from the soundtrack album of The Fault in Our Stars (2014) and is also featured on her second studio album, Sucker. There are two existing mixes of this song: the first and original one is heard in the film, the film's soundtrack, and the music video shot in Amsterdam; the second mix is heard on the music video shot in Japan and in Sucker.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Break the Rules (Charli XCX song)</span> 2014 single by Charli XCX

"Break the Rules" is a song by English singer Charli XCX from her second studio album, Sucker (2014). It was released on 19 August 2014 as the album's second single. In a 2020 interview with Red Bull, XCX stated that she regrets recording the track.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doing It (Charli XCX song)</span> 2015 single by Charli XCX featuring Rita Ora

"Doing It" is a song by English singer Charli XCX from her second studio album, Sucker (2014). An alternative version of the song featuring English singer Rita Ora was released on 3 February 2015 as the album's third single. The single peaked at number eight on the UK Singles Chart. "Doing It" was named "Best New Track" the week of its release by Pitchfork.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Famous (Charli XCX song)</span> 2015 single by Charli XCX

"Famous" is a song by English singer Charli XCX, released as the fourth and final single from her second studio album, Sucker (2014). A music video for the single was released 23 March 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Know No Better (song)</span> 2017 single by Major Lazer featuring Travis Scott, Camila Cabello and Quavo

"Know No Better" is a song by DJ trio Major Lazer featuring Cuban-American singer Camila Cabello and American rappers Travis Scott and Quavo. It was released on June 1, 2017, as the lead single of the former's EP of the same name. The song was written by the featured artists alongside Starrah, Major Lazer member Diplo, and King Henry, the latter two producing it with Jr Blender.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">OMG (Camila Cabello song)</span> 2017 promotional single by Camila Cabello featuring Quavo

"OMG" is a song recorded by Cuban-American singer Camila Cabello featuring American rapper Quavo. It was released on August 3, 2017 as a promotional single alongside "Havana", from her debut studio album Camila (2018), originally titled The Hurting. The Healing. The Loving. "OMG" was ultimately removed from the final track listing. The song was written by the artists, Charli XCX, Noonie Bao, Sasha Sloan, and its producers Stargate. "OMG" has a slow, trap production that is characterized by use of double hi-hat rolls, flute flows and a smooth bass. In the lyrics, Cabello praises the appearance of her love interest while Quavo responds to her affirmation in his verses, where he also added a line from his Migos's song "Bad and Boujee" (2016). The song was included as part of Cabello's set list for Bruno Mars's 24K Magic World Tour, where she served as an opening act.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dirty Sexy Money (song)</span> 2017 single by David Guetta and Afrojack featuring Charli XCX and French Montana

"Dirty Sexy Money" is a song by French music producer David Guetta and Dutch music producer Afrojack featuring English singer Charli XCX and American rapper French Montana. It was released on 3 November 2017 as a bonus track from the former's seventh studio album, 7 (2018). Noonie Bao and A. G. Cook assisted the artists in writing the song with Skrillex being listed as a co-producer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Girls (Rita Ora song)</span> 2018 single by Rita Ora featuring Cardi B, Bebe Rexha and Charli XCX

"Girls" is a song by British singer Rita Ora featuring American rapper Cardi B, American singer Bebe Rexha and British singer Charli XCX. It was released on 11 May 2018 by Atlantic Records. It was written by the former three as well as Klenord Raphael, Ali Tamposi, Pardison Fontaine, Brian Lee, and producers Jonny Coffer, Watt and Ben Billions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1999 (Charli XCX and Troye Sivan song)</span> 2018 single by Charli XCX and Troye Sivan

"1999" is a song by English singer Charli XCX and Australian singer Troye Sivan, released as the lead single from the former's third studio album Charli on 5 October 2018. The single cover was inspired by the 1999 film The Matrix. It follows several singles released earlier in 2018 by Charli XCX and Sivan's 2018 album Bloom. The track reached number 13 on the UK Singles Chart dated 22 November 2018, becoming Charli XCX's tenth top 40 single and first top 15 single since 2015, as well as Sivan's fourth top 40 single and his first top 20 single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Raye discography</span>

The discography of British singer-songwriter Raye consists of one studio album, one live album, seven extended plays (EPs), thirty five singles, ten promotional singles and twelve guest appearances. In addition to her own releases, Raye has also been a songwriter for other artists including Beyoncé, Little Mix, Mabel, Zara Larsson, Ellie Goulding and Hailee Steinfeld.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blame It on Your Love</span> 2019 single by Charli XCX featuring Lizzo

"Blame It on Your Love" is a song by English singer Charli XCX featuring American singer and rapper Lizzo. It was released on 15 May 2019 as the second single from Charli XCX's third studio album, Charli, and soon after debuted on BBC Radio 1 as Annie Mac's "Hottest Record in the World". It is Charli XCX's first single since her 2018 collaboration with Troye Sivan, "1999". The single is a reworked version of "Track 10" the final track from Charli XCX's mixtape Pop 2 (2017). The music video was released on 13 June 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gone (Charli XCX and Christine and the Queens song)</span> 2019 single by Charli XCX and Christine and the Queens

"Gone" is a song by British singer Charli XCX and French singer Christine and the Queens. It was released on 17 July 2019 as the third single from Charli XCX's third studio album Charli. The music video was released alongside the track.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Good Ones</span> 2021 single by Charli XCX

"Good Ones" is a song by English singer Charli XCX, released as the lead single from her fifth studio album, Crash (2022). The song was released on 2 September 2021. It is a synthwave, electropop, dance, and synth-pop song that discusses the singer's incapacity to maintain healthy relationships, instead being drawn inexorably back to the dysfunctional and destructive. It received critical acclaim from critics who praised its production and Charli's vocal performance, while also lamenting its short run-time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Out Out (song)</span> 2021 single by Joel Corry and Jax Jones featuring Charli XCX and Saweetie

"Out Out" is a song by British DJs Joel Corry and Jax Jones, featuring British singer Charli XCX and American rapper Saweetie performing vocals. The single was released on 13 August 2021 by Asylum Records UK. "Out Out" peaked at number six on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beg for You</span> 2022 single by Charli XCX featuring Rina Sawayama

"Beg for You" is a song by English singer Charli XCX featuring Japanese-British singer Rina Sawayama. It was released on 27 January 2022 as the third single from XCX's fifth studio album, Crash (2022). The song interpolates Swedish singer September's 2006 single "Cry for You", as well as the song "Don't Cry" by Belgian dance group Milk Inc. The song received universal acclaim from music critics. It peaked at number 3 in Malta and number 24 in the UK.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hot in It</span> 2022 single by Tiësto and Charli XCX

"Hot In It" is a song by Dutch DJ Tiësto and English singer Charli XCX, released on 30 June 2022 through Musical Freedom and Atlantic Records as the fourth single from Tiësto's seventh studio album Drive. It marks the pair's first direct collaboration, with Tiësto having previously remixed Charli's 2012 collaboration with Icona Pop, "I Love It", and her 2014 single "Break the Rules".

References

  1. 1 2 Reed, Ryan (26 July 2017). "Charli XCX Recruits Joe Jonas, Wiz Khalifa, Caspar Richard Lee in Celeb-Packed 'Boys' Video". Rolling Stone . Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  2. ↑ "Charli XCX Talks 'Boys' And Life After 'Number 1 Angel'". The Interns. 27 July 2017.
  3. 1 2 Geffen, Sasha. "The 100 Best Songs of 2017". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2 January 2020.
  4. ↑ "Charli XCX's Delayed Album: Who Is Really to Blame?". Highsnobiety . 6 July 2018. Retrieved 19 June 2019.
  5. ↑ James, Jack (28 June 2019). "5 iconic sound effects and the songs that sampled them". Happy. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  6. ↑ "INGRID ANDRESS SET TO RELEASE A DIVINE DELUXE VERSION OF CRITICALLY-ACCLAIMED DEBUT ALBUM LADY LIKE ON 10/2". Warner Music Nashville . 21 September 2020. Archived from the original on 25 September 2020. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
  7. ↑ Barlow, Eve (26 July 2017). ""Boys" Review". Pitchfork . Retrieved 27 July 2017.
  8. ↑ Billboard Staff (13 December 2017). "Billboard's 100 Best Songs of 2017: Critics' Picks". Billboard .
  9. ↑ Miller, Isabella (15 April 2022). "Charli XCX: Her 17 Best Songs". Clash Magazine . Retrieved 16 April 2022.
  10. ↑ Klinkenberg, Brendan. "The Best Songs of 2017 - Charli XCX, "Boys"". Complex. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
  11. ↑ Ragusa, Paolo (16 March 2022). "Charli XCX's 10 Best Songs". Consequence of Sound . Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  12. ↑ Nolan Feeney (13 December 2017). "Best Songs of 2017: EW picks the 30 greatest". Entertainment Weekly.
  13. ↑ Matt Miller (4 December 2017). "The 50 Best Songs of 2017". Esquire .
  14. ↑ "The 101 best songs of 2017". The Fader . 3 December 2017.
  15. ↑ Ben Beaumont-Thomas (4 December 2017). "The top 100 tracks of 2017". The Guardian .
  16. ↑ "The Best Fifty Songs of 2017 Ranked". The Line of Best Fit . 8 December 2017. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
  17. ↑ "Best Songs of the Year 2017". NME . 27 November 2017.
  18. ↑ "The 100 Best Songs of 2017". 7 December 2017.
  19. ↑ "The Best Songs of 2017". Pretty Much Amazing. 29 November 2017. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 8 December 2017.
  20. ↑ Weingarten, Christopher R.; Spanos, Brittany; Aaron, Charles; Vozick-Levinson, Simon; Johnston, Maura; Hermes, Will; Sheffield, Rob (29 November 2017). "50 Best Songs of 2017". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
  21. ↑ Kile, Meredith B. (27 July 2017). "Meet All 75 Swoonworthy Guys in Charli XCX's 'Boys' Video -- From Joe Jonas to KAYTRANADA". Entertainment Tonight.
  22. ↑ "Boys – Single by Charli XCX". iTunes Store (GB). Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  23. ↑ "Boys (Acoustic) – Single by Charli XCX". iTunes Store (GB).
  24. ↑ "Boys (Coldabank Remix) – Single by Charli XCX". iTunes Store (GB).
  25. ↑ "Boys (Droeloe Remix) – Single by Charli XCX". iTunes Store (GB).
  26. ↑ "Boys (Nevada Remix) – Single by Charli XCX". iTunes Store (GB).
  27. ↑ "Boys (Remixes) by Charli XCX on Tidal". Tidal. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  28. ↑ "Boys / Charli XCX – Tidal". listen.tidal.com. Retrieved 13 August 2017.
  29. ↑ Ryan, Gavin (14 August 2017). "Australian Charts: Luis Fonsi and Friends Continues To Dominate Singles Chart". Noise11. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
  30. ↑ "Charli XCX – Boys" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  31. ↑ "Charli XCX – Boys" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  32. ↑ "Charli XCX Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  33. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – RADIO – TOP 100 and insert 201748 into search. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
  34. ↑ "Le Top de la semaine : Top Singles Téléchargés – SNEP (Week 31, 2017)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique . Retrieved 5 August 2017.[ permanent dead link ]
  35. ↑ "IRMA – Irish Charts". Irish Recorded Music Association . Retrieved 19 August 2017.
  36. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Dutch Single Tip – 12/08/2017" (in Dutch). MegaCharts . Retrieved 11 August 2017.
  37. ↑ "NZ Heatseekers Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 7 August 2017. Retrieved 4 August 2017.
  38. ↑ "BillboardPH Hot 100". Billboard Philippines . 21 August 2017. Retrieved 21 August 2017.
  39. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
  40. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201738 into search. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
  41. ↑ "Veckolista Heatseeker – Vecka 31, 4 augusti 2017". Sverigetopplistan . Retrieved 5 August 2017.
  42. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
  43. ↑ "Charli XCX Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  44. ↑ "Canadian single certifications – Charlie XCX – Boys". Music Canada . Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  45. ↑ "British single certifications – Charli Xcx – Boys". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  46. ↑ "American single certifications – Charli XCX – Break The Rules". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved 29 December 2015.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.