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‘14 Songs That Are About Either Boys 👨 or Girls 👩’ features music from Ariana Grande, Charli XCX & Tyler, the Creator.

“Who run the world? Girls!”, according to Beyoncé. Still, Charli XCX swears by boys.  If you enjoy songs about both, well you’re in luck – we have a playlist of that: “14 Songs That Are About Boys or Girls.” Notably, many of the songs about girls come at the hands of guys. The majority of the songs on this compilation were selected from previous playlists: Songs About Boys, Vol .1 and Songs About Girls, Vol 1. There are a couple of newbies thrown in as well. Artists contributing to the boyishness and girlishness of this list include.

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1. Ariana Grande, “God is a Woman”

Sweetener • Republic • 2018

Arguably, Ariana Grande makes her boldest statement yet, one that God himself might question – “God is a Woman”. Naturally, the urban-pop record isn’t about spiritual matters, unless you consider sex to be spiritual.  At the beginning, she establishes a sensual theme on the chorus.

“You, you love it how I move you
You love it how I though you
My one, when all is said and done
You’ll believe God is a woman
And I, I feel it after midnight
A feeling that you can’t fight
My one, it lingers when we’re done
You’ll believe God is a woman.”

Wow! She’s so good in bed that after making sweet love with her, you’ll believe that “God is a woman…” – something like that.  There’s more sacrilege on the verses, including “Baby, lay me down and let’s pray” on the first, and “And boy, if you confess, you might get blessed.” Woo Ari, you’re bad girl! The best moment of this soaring, slickly-produced urban-pop ballad comes during the outro.  Here, Grande delivers her best vocals, ascending to that next level. While the most devout, pious Christians may take offense to the ‘blasphemy’, those open-minded and devout fans of Grande will definitely be in heaven.

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2. The Chainsmokers, “Sick Boy”

Sick Boy (EP) • Columbia • 2018

The Chainsmokers – Alex Pall and Andrew Taggart – returned in 2018 with a brief, 13-minute, four-song EP, Sick Boy. Yeah, in case you’re wondering, the results are mixed. The song at hand, “Sick Boy”, is the best of the bunch.  “Sick Boy” opens with piano accompaniment and the vocals of Andrew Taggart abruptly. What was notable about the single upon arrival were the more serious, thoughtful lyrics, particularly on the verses.

A refrain of sorts separates the two verses, followed by a catchy, incredibly simple chorus:

“I am the, I am the, I am the sick boy...
They say that I am the sick boy
And they call me the sick boy.”

Concerning form, “Sick Boy” has lots of sections, lacking a standard, predictable overall plan. No, it’s not groundbreaking, but, relatively enjoyable.

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3. Charlie Puth, “LA Girls”

Voicenotes • Atlantic • 2018

Voicenotes marked a big step forward for Charlie Puth, period.  It’s not ‘the second coming,’ but all in all, it’s an enjoyable album that easily surpasses Nine Track Mind.  Puth’s personality works much more effectively on this set, and even though his awkwardness gets the best of him at times, more often than not, it bodes in his favor.  Among the album’s highlights is the song “LA Girls,” which has a nasty groove, while keeping the production on the simpler side of things.  The groove fits the narrative, where Charlie Puth “Misses my baby” (his ex) and perhaps, the East Coast as well. “How the hell did I get caught up / Messin’ with these LA girls?” he asks himself on the chorus.

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4. Charli XCX, “Boys”

Boys – Single • Atlantic UK • 2017

“I need that bad boy to do me right on a Friday / And I need that good one to wake me up on a Sunday.” On “Boys”, the lust is real for Charli XCX. A brief song, it packs a punch from the first listen.  The production is slick, while the vibe is sensual, yet in an innocent sort of way.  In that respect, the 25-year old British pop artist comes over as a teenager enamored by the opposite sex.  She’s not an adolescent, yet ‘that’s the vibe’ and it’s captivating for sure. She sings in a low-key manner, aiming to give that sexy touch without truly getting sexual.  Upping the ante, Charli XCX directed the music video for “Boys” fittingly incorporating some serious eye candy.

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5. Kesha, “Woman”

Rainbow • Kemosabe • 2017

“I’m a motherf*cking woman, baby, alright / I don’t need a man to be holding me too tight.” Wow. On “Woman”, Kesha enlists The Dap-Kings Horns to construct a soulful backdrop for her empowering, feminist vocals.  Given the unfortunate series of events that Kesha has been part of, this song seems like the perfect complement. Vocally, she continues to do things that we didn’t think she could do. The biggest offense is the profanity, which seems counterproductive given her message. Still, “Woman” is irresistible – even for the guys.

“I’m a motherfucking woman, baby, that’s right
I’m just having fun with my ladies here tonight
I’m a motherfucker.”

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6. Tyler, the Creator, “Who Dat Boy”

Flower Boy • Columbia • 2017

In the context of Flower Boy, the Grammy-nominated album by Tyler, the Creator, “Who Dat Boy” is representative of tough Tyler – “scum fuck” if you will.  After eerie, malicious production, he jumps right into unapologetic rhymes. He wants to ensure that everybody knows exactly who he is.  Without a doubt, “dat boy” is on autopilot.  He gets help courtesy of A$AP Rocky, who kills the second verse.  Upping the ante, they join forces on the final verse.  Chocked-full of twisted, cocky, and confident rhymes, “Who Dat Boy” concludes fittingly.

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7. Keith Urban, “Female”

Graffiti U • Capitol Nashville • 2018

“Female” is among the crème de la crème of Graffiti U  thanks to a pitch-perfect, timely social message.  “Female” possesses light country production that’s anchored by a pop beat.  Keith Urban delivers solid, emotional vocals, which capture the feminine sensibilities of the lyrics.  Asking a number of questions on the verses, the questions are related to the female experience, particularly being treated with the respect that women should.

The chorus sums up the theme perfectly:

“Sister, shoulder
Daughter, lover
Healer, broken halo
Mother nature
Fire, suit of armor
Soul survivor, Holy water
Secret keeper, fortune teller
Virgin Mary, scarlet letter
Technicolor river wild
Baby girl, woman, child
Female.”

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8. Dustin Lynch, “Small Town Boy”

Current Mood • Broken Bow • 2017

Country artist Dustin Lynch delivered an enjoyable effort with his third studio LP, Current Mood. “Small Town Boy” ranks among the brightest spots of the album, playing directly to Lynch’s southern roots.  Rather than employing the modern bag of pop tricks, he keeps things ‘country.’  He’s southern, from a small town, and that’s what she wants.  Not only is that what she wants, but that’s also what a traditional country audience wants.  It may be platitudinous, but southern charm and southern-ality go a long way in country music.  The chorus is a huge selling point on this stand out.

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9. Anderson East, “Girlfriend”

Encore • Elektra • 2018

“I think I’m in love, think I’m in love / I think I’m in love with your girlfriend.” Soulful singer-songwriter Anderson East delivers on the brief, but thrilling “Girlfriend”, the third single issued from his sophomore album, Encore. “Girlfriend” kicks off like a throwback soul record. The production certainly doesn’t sound like 2018, which is a major selling point.  Instead of trap percussion and wild synths, there are horns, piano, organ – all things 60s and 70s. East matches the vibe vocally, with his distinct, gritty, soulful pipes.  He’s authentic, invested, and incredibly playful with his performance.

“She’s putting me out there 
And she got a look like she leaving
It looks like she knows what she’s wantin’
And I think I'm just what she's needin’.”

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10. ODESZA, “Boy”

A Moment Apart • Counter • 2017

“Boy” appears as the fourth track on A Moment Apart, the Grammy-nominated sophomore album by electronic duo ODESZA. No need for deep lyrical analysis – there are no lyrics! That’s right, Catacombkid and BeachesBeaches let the bright, major-key instrumental speak in all its epic glory. Huge drums, colorful synths, and notably a vocal synth make “Boy” hella handsome…something like that.

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11.Panic! At the Disco, “Boys/Boys/Girls”

Too Rare to Live, Too Young to Die • Fueled by Ramen • 2013

“And never did I think that I / Would be caught in the way you got me / But girls love girls and boys / and love is not a choice.” Brendon Urie and Panic! At the Disco delivered one of his most risqué singles of its career with “Girls/Girls/Boys.” The single, not to mention Urie’s revelation of sexual experimentation, caused the media to incorrectly label him as bisexual (he came out as pansexual in 2018). “Girls/Girls/Boys” embraces  bisexuality, from a girl’s perspective.

Urie admits to interfering with his love interest’s preferences:

“I’m just a villain vying for attention from a girl
A girl who can’t decide
And here’s the reason why
Girls love girls and boys.”

While he proclaims himself as the villain in this case, he’s ultimately thinking bigger. Since “Girls/Girls/Boys” is a bisexual anthem, he suggests those interfering with people choosing who to love – judgmental or otherwise – are the villains.

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12. Caleb De Casper, “Good Boy”

Good Boy – single • Caleb De Casper • 2017

“Tell me I’m the only one who can make you scream / When we’re lying underneath the sheets and you’re not being mean.” Caleb De Casper is a songwriter, performing/recording artist based in Austin, Texas who blends ‘horror cabaret’ and ‘full-band theatrical glam rock.’ For his colorful single “Good Boy”, De Casper has a clear set of objectives he wants the listeners to takeaway.  Among those objectives is the concept of the song. According to De Casper, “the lyrics tell the story of a fatal same-sex attraction.” Lyrically, he accomplishes his tale, with nuanced vocals to match.

The Fatal Attraction hits listeners early on in the first verse, as De Casper sings:

“Tell me I’m the only one, who can turn you on
Even though we always ride around with your feelings off.
Tell me I’m the only one who can light your fire
Even though the way that you act, leaves my matches tired.”

Killed it. That obsessiveness continues on the second verse, growing more intense and suggestive. He brings it all together on the chorus, which is infectious…in a somewhat creepy, sort of way!

“I can be your good boy (I can be your good boy)
You make me a bad boy (you make me a bad boy).”

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13. Mansionz, “Rich White Girls”

Mansionz • Island • 2017

What happens when two underappreciated, incredibly talented musicians collaborate together? Fire.  Mike Posner and blackbear collaborate as mansionz, an eclectic group formed in 2016 encompassing hip-hop, pop, and R&B.  Their self-titled debut arrived in 2017, though arguably, it didn’t receive its just due.  Was that because of an infectious, if shallow song like “Rich White Girls?” Blackbear nails the chill, yet blunt chorus, which ranks among the most memorable of Mansionz.

“Rich white girls
All I'm doing is wasting my time chasing rich white girls, yeah
All they do is bitch and they whine
So tell me what could I give you that your daddy can’t give you?
Baby, what could I give, to a rich white girl?
They only love me when I pay ‘em no mind.”

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14. Matt Fishel, “Bored of Straight Boys”

M/F • Young Lust • 2018

“And he can’t help himself from explaining / All the things he does to girls during sex.” Uh oh… We close out 10 Songs That Are About Either Boys or Girls with an anti-straight boy anthem.  Yes, you read right. Matt Fishel isn’t feeling the actions and despicable attitude of straight guys.  On the infectious chorus he proclaims, “And I’m so bored of straight boys / Who only wanna talk football, down alcohol, and hassle women.” He also incorporates same sex references, including, “Somebody didn’t get enough bromance in as a teen, I suppose / Finally getting your chance to enjoy some same sex action with all of your bros.”  And to all the straight boys out there, he’s “…Not calling all hetero boys out/…But we all know those bros who act like dickheads.” Colorful way to conclude a colorful list, wouldn’t you say?

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Photo Credits: Atlantic, Broken Bow, Caleb de Casper, Capitol Nashville, Columbia, Counter, Elektra, Fueled by Ramen, Island, Kemosabe, Republic, Young Lust

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