"My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys" | |
---|---|
Song by Taylor Swift | |
from the album The Tortured Poets Department | |
Released | April 19, 2024 |
Studio |
|
Genre | Synth-pop |
Length | 3:23 |
Label | Republic |
Songwriter(s) |
|
Producer(s) |
|
Lyric video | |
"My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys" on YouTube |
"My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys" is a song written and recorded by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift and the third track from her eleventh studio album, The Tortured Poets Department (2024). [1] Swift produced the song with Jack Antonoff. It was released on April 19 through Republic Records. A synth-pop song with elements of new wave, the lyrics of "My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys" are about being abandoned by a love interest told using metaphors and from the perspective of a toy. Some critics praised the song's catchiness while others were critical of its lyrical structure.
On February 4, Swift announced The Tortured Poets Department during her acceptance speech for Best Pop Vocal Album for Midnights (2022) at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards. The album cover was shared on Swift's social media shortly after the announcement. The album's tracklist was shared the following day with "My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys" as track three. Swift said she developed the album "for about two years" and after releasing the previous record Midnights. [1] The song was written entirely by Swift; it is the only other track from the standard version of the album, alongside "Who's Afraid of Little Old Me?", where Swift is the sole credited songwriter. [2] Swift told Amazon Music, "My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys" is about "being somebody's favorite toy until they break you and then don't want to play with you anymore." She added that "it's kind of like a song about denial really so that you could live in this world where there's still hope for a toxic, broken relationship." [3]
Produced by Swift and Antonoff, "My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys" is a synth-pop song with pounding drums. [4] [5] It has also been considered "new wave-adjacent" by Maria Sherman of the Associated Press. [6] The lyrics utilise metaphors and imagery describing herself from the stance of a toy and being abandoned by her deleterious partner rather than addressing his problems. [7] [8] [9] Swift yearns to revisit a failed romance before a breakup. The pre-chorus, "But you should've seen him when he first got me," she sings about her former partner fascinated by her but later lost enthusiasm. In the lyrics, "There was a litany of reasons why we could've playеd for keeps this time, I know I'm just repeating mysеlf, put me back on my shelf," Swift suggests the pair were previous lovers and they were giving their relationship another attempt. [10] [11] Swift sings in the chorus, "My boy only breaks his favorite toys, toys, oh, I'm queen of sandcastles he destroys", describing their unhealthy relationship. [12] The lyrics "'Cause he took me out of my box, stole my tortured heart" alludes to Swift's love interest being a rebound after a recent breakup. [13] The song also references Barbie in the lyrics: "I felt more when we played pretend than with all the Kens, 'cause he took me out of my box." [6]
In Jason Lipshutz's Billboard ranking of all 31 songs of the parent album, the song was placed at seventeenth, adding that the song "deserves the stadium treatment" and called it a "big, booming song". [5] The Hollywood Reporter's described the song as a "poppy earworm", [14] while Vulture said it was "sadder than you'd think". [15] Cosmopolitan's Courtney Young ranked it twenty-sixth in her ranking of the top thirty breakup songs by Swift. [16] An anonymous Paste review opined that the song "features another low-point in Swift's lyrical oeuvre" and added that Swift was "capitalizing on the Barbenheimer mania that none of us could escape" [17] Upon first-listen, Business Insider's Callie Ahlgrim said the track was sonically reminiscent of the vault tracks from Swift's 2023 re-recorded album 1989 (Taylor's Version) , "so this isn't necessarily a knock in my book." She added that the song failed to stand out and it was dependant on a "fast-dulling formula". [18] In her post-review article, she recategorised the song from "background music" to "worth listening to" after repeated listens. [19]
John Wohlmacher of Beats Per Minute said it was one of the "strongest songs" from the album's first half, writing: "a singalong refrain that plays with up-and-down movements," [20] In his review of the parent album Tony Le Calvez of Lomabeat.com criticised the lyrical structure of its tracks, citing "My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys" as an example: "The lyrics fit into the chorus line like pouring a big bucket of clams into a smaller bucket; the clams are clattering all over the floor and making a mess." [21] Writing for Exclaim!, Alex Hudson said the song was "yet another mid-tempo synthpop plodder". [22]
Upon the release of The Tortured Poets Department, its songs claimed the top 14 positions on the Billboard Global 200. "My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys" debuted and peaked at number six. [23] In the United States, it debuted at number six on the Billboard Hot 100. The song reached the top ten in charts of Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Philippines and Singapore, attaining peaks of five, six, ten, seven, nine, and seven, respectively. The track also occcupied the top 25 positions in Belgium (17), Denmark (17), Greece (11), India (14), Luxembourg (12), Malaysia (11), Portugal (15), South Africa (17), Sweden (13), and the United Arab Emirates (14). Swift performed the song live during the surprise song set at the second night of the Eras Tour show in Paris on 10 May. [24] A limited digital variant of the parent album contained the Eras Tour live recording of "My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys". [25]
Credits adapted from the album liner notes [26]
Chart (2024) | Peak position |
---|---|
Argentina (Argentina Hot 100) [27] | 80 |
Australia (ARIA) [28] | 5 |
Belgium ( Billboard ) [29] | 17 |
Brazil (Brasil Hot 100) [30] | 50 |
Canada (Canadian Hot 100) [31] | 6 |
Denmark (Tracklisten) [32] | 17 |
France (SNEP) [33] | 49 |
Global 200 ( Billboard ) [34] | 6 |
Greece International (IFPI) [35] | 11 |
India (IMI) [36] | 14 |
Ireland ( Billboard ) [37] | 10 |
Luxembourg ( Billboard ) [38] | 12 |
Malaysia International (RIM) [39] | 11 |
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) [40] | 7 |
Norway (VG-lista) [41] | 29 |
Philippines ( Billboard ) [42] | 9 |
Portugal (AFP) [43] | 15 |
Singapore (RIAS) [44] | 7 |
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100) [45] | 39 |
South Africa ( Billboard ) [46] | 17 |
Spain (PROMUSICAE) [47] | 43 |
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) [48] | 13 |
Swiss Streaming (Schweizer Hitparade) [49] | 18 |
UAE (IFPI) [50] | 14 |
UK Singles Downloads (OCC) [51] | 88 |
UK Streaming (OCC) [52] | 10 |
US Billboard Hot 100 [53] | 6 |
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA) [54] | Gold | 35,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
The Billboard 200 is a record chart ranking the 200 most popular music albums and EPs in the United States. It is published weekly by Billboard magazine to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists. Sometimes, a recording act is remembered for its "number ones" that outperformed all other albums during at least one week. The chart grew from a weekly top 10 list in 1956 to become a top 200 list in May 1967, acquiring its existing name in March 1992. Its previous names include the Billboard Top LPs (1961–1972), Billboard Top LPs & Tape (1972–1984), Billboard Top 200 Albums (1984–1985) and Billboard Top Pop Albums (1985–1992).
The American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift has released 11 original studio albums, 4 re-recorded albums, 5 extended plays (EPs), and 4 live albums. Her albums discography has accumulated 114 million album-equivalent units worldwide, 51 million of which are certified in the United States. In terms of pure sales, she has tallied 46.6 million albums in the United States and 7 million albums in the United Kingdom. On the US Billboard 200, as of July 2024, she has accumulated 14 number-one albums—seven of which sold one million first-week copies, and 81 weeks at number one—more than any other solo act.
The discography of the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift includes 61 singles as lead artist, 8 singles as a featured artist, and 39 promotional singles. She had sold over 150 million singles worldwide by December 2016. According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), Swift's digital singles have achieved 137.5 million certified units, based on sales and on-demand streaming, as of July 2023. On the US Billboard Hot 100, as of April 2024, Swift is the female musician with the most charted songs (263), most top-40 songs (164), most top-20 songs (100), most top-10 songs (59), most top-10 debuts (48), most top-five songs (36), and most number-one debuts (7).
"The Downtown Lights" is a song by Scottish band The Blue Nile, released in 1989 as the lead single from their second studio album Hats. It was written by Paul Buchanan and produced by the band.
"Karma" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from her tenth studio album, Midnights (2022). Swift wrote and produced the song with Jack Antonoff, Sounwave, and Keanu Beats, while Jahaan Sweet co-produced it. Republic Records released the song to US radio on May 1, 2023, as the third single from Midnights. A remix, featuring rapper Ice Spice, was released on May 26, 2023 as part of an extended edition of Midnights.
The Tortured Poets Department is the eleventh studio album by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, released on April 19, 2024, through Republic Records. It was expanded into a double album two hours after its release, subtitled The Anthology, containing a second volume of songs.
"Down Bad" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from her eleventh studio album, The Tortured Poets Department (2024). She wrote and produced the track with Jack Antonoff, who played the song's instruments with members of his band Bleachers. A synth-pop song with R&B inflections, "Down Bad" is about a momentary infatuation, comparing falling in love with being abducted by aliens.
"So Long, London" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from her eleventh studio album, The Tortured Poets Department (2024). She wrote and produced the track with Aaron Dessner. A downtempo chamber pop and synth-pop tune, "So Long, London" is set over to 4/4 house beats and has a piano and synthesizer instrumentation. Its lyrical content concerns a failed romance and explores a narrator processing the fallout and its aftermath.
"But Daddy I Love Him" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from her eleventh studio album, The Tortured Poets Department (2024). Swift and Aaron Dessner wrote the track, and they produced it with Jack Antonoff. Musically, "But Daddy I Love Him" is an electronica and folk rock ballad with elements of country and rock. Its lyrics target detractors of Swift's love life.
"Florida!!!" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift featuring the English band Florence and the Machine, taken from Swift's eleventh studio album, The Tortured Poets Department (2024). Swift wrote the track with the band's frontwoman Florence Welch, who also sang lead vocals, and produced it with Jack Antonoff. An Americana and Southern Gothic-influenced power ballad with indie rock guitars and drums, its lyrical content revolves around seeking relief through escapism and alcohol, using Florida as a geographical metaphor.
"Guilty as Sin?" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from her eleventh studio album, The Tortured Poets Department (2024). She wrote and produced the song with Jack Antonoff. It is a 1990s-tinged pop rock and soft rock track combining rock, country, and folk styles, accentuated by guitars and live drums. The lyrics see Swift's character sexually fantasizing about a man while being in a relationship.
"I Can Do It with a Broken Heart" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. It is the 13th track of her eleventh studio album, The Tortured Poets Department (2024). Written and produced by Swift and Jack Antonoff, the song is about Swift's perseverance and professionalism as she entertains audiences at her highly successful Eras Tour while going through personal hardships.
"The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from her eleventh studio album, The Tortured Poets Department (2024). Swift wrote and produced the song with longtime collaborator Aaron Dessner. It peaked at number 18 on the Billboard Global 200 and charted within the top 20 in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, and the United States.
"Clara Bow" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from her eleventh studio album, The Tortured Poets Department (2024). The track was named after the silent-film actress Clara Bow. Swift and Aaron Dessner wrote and produced the track, which was inspired by Swift's conversations with record label executives. A folk-leaning pop rock track, it comments on Swift's fame.
"The Alchemy" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from her eleventh studio album, The Tortured Poets Department (2024). Swift wrote and produced the track with Jack Antonoff. A pop rock track with R&B influences, "The Alchemy" uses extensive football imagery to describe a burgeoning romance after going through heartbreak.
"Fortnight" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift featuring the American rapper and singer Post Malone, taken from Swift's eleventh studio album, The Tortured Poets Department. The two artists wrote the track with Jack Antonoff, who produced it with Swift. Republic Records released the song as the lead single concurrently with its parent album on April 19, 2024. A 1980s-inspired downtempo electropop and synth-pop ballad, "Fortnight" is instrumented by a pulsing synth bassline. Its lyrics portray a woman in an unhappy marriage who becomes next-door neighbors with an ex-lover who is also married, and the two vow to escape to Florida.
"Thank You Aimee" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, from the double album edition of her eleventh studio album, The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology (2024). Swift and Aaron Dessner wrote the track, and the two produced it with Jack Antonoff. A country and folk track instrumented by guitar strums, its lyrics are about dealing with a high-school bully.
"So High School" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from the double album edition of her eleventh studio album, The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology (2024). Written and produced by Swift and Aaron Dessner, "So High School" has a 1990s-tinged production incorporating various rock styles like alternative rock, indie rock, and pop rock. The lyrics are about how a romantic relationship makes Swift relive the feeling of young love.
"Who's Afraid of Little Old Me?" is a song written and recorded by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift for her eleventh studio album, The Tortured Poets Department (2024). She and Jack Antonoff produced the track, which is a Southern gothic-inspired chamber pop song that incorporates dense echo and strings. The lyrics were inspired by Swift's bitter feelings while reflecting on her teenage rise to stardom, and they compare a narrator to a wicked witch and a trapped circus animal, detailing how her upbringing in an asylum contributes to her callous and viscous nature.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)