Reading Time: 17 min read

BOY, These Songs Are About You, Part 2 (2024) [๐Ÿ“ท: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; andresilva5, Angelo Esslinger, anonymous afro portrait, Dasha Kartavtseva, ernestflowerss, Km Nazrul Islam, Masoud Mostafaei, Matty Rogers, Raman Spirydonau, Robiul Islam Pailot, sai peaky, Trung Tรญn, William Adams from Pixabay]BOY, These Songs Are About You, Part 2 features songs by Ariana Grande, Conan Gray, Isabel LaRosa, Purple Disco Machine x Benjamin Ingrosso, Tems, and Tinashe.

According to Ariana Grande, โ€œThe BOY is mine / I canโ€™t wait to try him / Le-letโ€™s get intertwined / The stars, they aligned.โ€ As for the handsome and talented Benjamin Ingrosso (the honey boy), โ€œHoney boy, youโ€™re too young, but let me give you a night you wonโ€™t forget.โ€ And how about the gift that is Tinashe? She gives a big FU to lame B-O-Y-S: โ€œNo broke boys, no new friends / Iโ€™m that pressure, give me my tens / Ainโ€™t no lie, ainโ€™t no shade / Fuck on me, then you know he paid.โ€ If you couldnโ€™t tell, this list is about a beloved, important topic: boys!

BOY, These Songs Are About You, Part 2 ย is the BOY-driven follow-up to BOY, These Songs Are About You (2023). ย It is one of many playlists about those beloved, yet frustrating beings known as boys. BOY, These Songs Are About You, Part 2 features songs from Ariana Grande, Conan Gray, Isabel LaRosa, Purple Disco Machine x Benjamin Ingrosso, Tems, and Tinashe.ย  So, without further ado, letโ€™s embrace the good and, unfortunately, the bad, about boys through song!


~ Table of Contents ~

1. Ariana Grande, โ€œthe boy is mineโ€

2. Purple Disco Machine & Benjamin Ingrosso, โ€œHoney Boyโ€

3. Chlรถe, โ€œBoy Byeโ€

4. ZEE MACHINE, โ€œGood Boyโ€

5. Isabel LaRosa, โ€œPretty Boyโ€

6. Conan Gray, โ€œBoys & Girlsโ€

7. Tinashe, โ€œNo Broke Boysโ€

8. Parsa Sleighter, โ€œA Playboyโ€™s Bluesโ€

9. Tems, โ€œBoy O Boyโ€

10. Nejure, โ€œBOYFRIENDโ€

11. M the Myth, โ€œPin-up Boyโ€

12. The Waitresses, โ€œI Know What Boys Likeโ€

13. Bentley Robles, โ€œGOD IS A FUCKBOYโ€

14. Dan Jarman, โ€œboys hurting boysโ€

15. Rose Royce, โ€œOoh Boyโ€


1. Ariana Grande, โ€œthe boy is mineโ€

eternal sunshine // Republic // 2024

Ariana Grande, eternal sunshine [๐Ÿ“ท: Republic]โ€œHow can it be? You and me / Might be meant to be, canโ€™t unsee it / But I donโ€™t wanna cause no scene.โ€ย  Ariana Grande is fierce AF on the 90s-inspired โ€œthe boy is mineโ€, the eighth track on herย critically acclaimed, 2024 LP,ย eternal sunshine.ย  In this song, written and produced by Grande alongsideย Max Martin,ย Shintaroย Yasuda, andย DaviDiorย (ILYAย also produces), Grande accepts the controversy she receives being in a relationship with this man. In the first verse, she adds, โ€œIโ€™m usually so unproblematic,โ€ but of course, the power of the boy has driven her to the dark side (โ€œAnd God knows Iโ€™m tryinโ€™, but thereโ€™s just no use in denyingโ€).ย  Despite being devilish, she sounds angelic from a vocal perspective. In the second verse, she makes it clear the way this relationship has gone down wasnโ€™t as intended. Still, sheโ€™s confident that โ€œMy girls, they always come through in a sticky situation / Say, โ€˜itโ€™s fine.โ€™โ€ In the bridge, she takes accountability for the mess, but also states, โ€œI canโ€™t ignore my heart, boy.โ€ย  In the chorus, Grande embraces her lustful side: โ€œThe boy is mine / I canโ€™t wait to try him / Le-letโ€™s get intertwined / The stars, they aligned.โ€ Messy love or nah, the Grammy winner brings the heat on this one.

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2. Purple Disco Machine & Benjamin Ingrosso, โ€œHoney Boyโ€ (Ft. Nile Rodgers & Shenseea)

Paradise // Columbia // 2024

Purple Disco Machine, Paradise [๐Ÿ“ท: Columbia]โ€œMy my oh my my / Wonโ€™t you come and let me dive / My my oh my my ย / Wonโ€™t you come and play me all night, night.โ€ย  Play, Benjamin Ingrosso, you Swedish hottie, you ๐Ÿ˜ˆ.ย  The singer shows off his sickening pipes on โ€œHoney Boyโ€, a single from Paradise, the 2024 studio album by German DJ and producer, Purple Dance Machine. Attributed to Purple Dance Machine and Ingrosso, โ€œHoney Boyโ€ also features iconic guitarist, songwriter, and, producer, Nile Rodgers, and gorgeous Jamaican singer, Shenseea. Purple Dance Machine, Rodgers, and Hampus Lindvall produced this infectious bop.

ย 

In verse one, Benjamin references his social awkwardness against an unawkward, groovy AF instrumental.ย  โ€œI never said a single word to any girl / I was afraid that I would fuck it up,โ€ he sings, adding, โ€œBut then one day I saw her face and the old me wouldโ€™ve walked away / But then I took a chance.โ€ Aww, Benjamin, way to be brave! However, she says, โ€œHoney boy, youโ€™re too young, but let me give you a night you wonโ€™t forget.โ€ Oh, snap ๐Ÿซฐ ๐Ÿ˜ˆ! Shenseea puts her sexy two cents in during the pre-chorus (โ€œBet you like, bet you like how itโ€™s feeling, ohโ€ ๐Ÿ˜ˆ) and joins in during the chorus.ย  Ingrosso serves up a second ear-catching verse, including a jealous friend (โ€œYou should have seen the jealous look on his Dannyโ€™s faceโ€) and this nameless woman taking Ben under her wing (โ€œAll your friends will never know the things that you will learnโ€). Oh, snap! The melodies are tuneful, and the lyrics are F-U-N. The music is sweet, too, thanks to Rodgerโ€™s guitar playing and his production/writing skills alongside Purple Disco Machine.ย  โ€œHoney Boyโ€ is an infectious, kickass, must-hear contemporary dance / dance-pop / disco cut.

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3. Chlรถe, โ€œBoy Byeโ€

Trouble In Paradise // Parkwood Entertainment LLC / Columbia // 2024

Chlรถe, Trouble In Paradise [๐Ÿ“ท: Parkwood Entertainment LLC / Columbia]โ€œBoy, bye / Bye / I wonโ€™t even cry / You stupid motherfucker.โ€ Chlรถe (Chlรถe Bailey) exhibits plenty of attitude on โ€œBoy Byeโ€, the third track from her sophomore album, Trouble In Paradise. She penned this โ€˜anthemโ€™ alongside Carter Lang, Yeti Beats, jesse saint john, Kurtis McKenzie, Rogรฉt Chahayed, and Soraya LaPread.ย  Yeti Beats, Chahayed, Lang, and McKenzie produced it. One thing is clear โ€“ sheโ€™s kicking this lame-o to the curb! โ€œBoy Byeโ€ contrasts previous records from Bailey.ย  While it still falls under the R&B umbrella, itโ€™s poppier. The groove kicks ass, helping to fuel the narrative she paints about this no-good dude. Lyrically, itโ€™s familiar territory but it never gets old.ย  In the first verse, Chlรถe states, โ€œIf we beinโ€™ honest, it was never my fault / You just gave a little while I gave my all.โ€ In the second, she says, โ€œYou can go back to the girl you fuckinโ€™ on the low /โ€ฆ I think by now that you should know you a silly ho.โ€ Woo! In the pre-chorus, heโ€™s got her messed up, but in the chorus, she lets that stupid mofo walk! Chlรถe has received some justified criticism as a solo artist, but on โ€œBoy Byeโ€ things click.ย  She sings well, brings feistiness and sassiness, the lyrics are relatable (and profane), and the record sounds incredible.ย 

ย 

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4. Zee Machine, โ€œGood Boyโ€

CAN I BE HONESTโ€ฆ? // ZEE MACHINE // 2024ย 

ZEE MACHINE, CAN I BE HONESTโ€ฆ? [๐Ÿ“ท: ZEE MACHINE]โ€œIโ€™m making your eyes roll back, so, youโ€™ll answer my call (answer my call) / Baby, say it out loud / Being such a good boy for me now.โ€ Talented, LA-based musician ZEE MACHINE (Joe Bissell) brings midnight and musical heat on their naughty, slickly produced โ€œGood Boyโ€ (CAN I BE HONESTโ€ฆ?). Bissell penned this sexy record and produced it alongside Moises Zulaica. The awesome sounds that grace โ€œGood Boyโ€ include rhythmic, scintillating synths, pummeling drums (including sweet drum runs), and electrifying guitars. This record features a fabulous blend of electronic, pop, and rock. The biggest claim to fame is the high-flying, powerful vocals by Bissell. Their upper register = everything. Given the flirty, fun, and playful writing and the ear-catching accompanying instrumental, itโ€™s easy for ZEE MACHINE To bring the heat.ย  Sex is inspiring, and Bissell leans into it. Per ZEE, โ€œYour bodyโ€™s a highway, Iโ€™d travel every mile / Now that I got you wearing nothing but a smile.โ€ This boy is doing a number on Bissellโ€™s nether: โ€œDriving me, driving me, driving me crazy (whoa!) / Waking my neighbors up all night long / And I know youโ€™re just a temporary thrill / But the moment I feel you around me, Iโ€™m going for the kill.โ€ Bissell enjoys the pleasure: โ€œI feel like sinning baby / I got something to confess / I know Iโ€™m winning โ€˜cause I found me the best, weโ€™re the best.โ€ This โ€œGood Boyโ€ is more like a bad boy!

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5. Isabel LaRosa, โ€œPretty Boyโ€

โ€œPretty Boyโ€ // Slumbo Labs / RCA // 2024ย 

Isabel LaRosa, Pretty Boy [๐Ÿ“ท: Slumbo Labs / RCA]โ€œI want your name forever / Behind mine.โ€ Isabel LaRosa is thinking about marriage before she turns 20 years old! The Gen-Z, Cuban American pop musician has a โ€œPretty Boyโ€ in mind. With the help of her older brother, Thomas LaRosa, they penned this boy-loving pop joint. Thomas, alongside Lucas Sim, produced it. Brief, just clocking past the two-minute mark, Isabel speaks her peace about this pretty boy.ย  Thereโ€™s trouble in relationship paradise, thoughโ€ฆ โ€œBoy, Iโ€™m holding on for lifeโ€ฆโ€ The negativity is โ€˜negativingโ€™ in the first verse: โ€œAngry wordsโ€ฆ / Feel their worstโ€ฆ / When we try it one more time.โ€ Hmm, can they successfully reunite? In the second verse, LaRosa remains perturbed, while singing with a breathy tone: โ€œWatch me cry, drowning eyes / Are you running from the truth?โ€ The chorus is the centerpiece, where Isabel implores him to be hers, again!

โ€œBaby, be my pretty boy (Pretty boy, pretty boy)

Iโ€™m so obsessed, itโ€™s not a choice (Not a choice, not a choice)

Iโ€™m melting when I hear your voice

I belong to you.โ€

Oh, snap, itโ€™s serious! All told Isabel LaRosa drops a short but sweet pop bop with โ€œPretty Boyโ€. We buy what sheโ€™s selling. Besides her breathy, fierce, and indulgent vocals, the instrumental backdrop is sweet too. Set in a minor key, with dark, rhythmic vibes, โ€œPretty Boyโ€ is the stuff.

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6. Conan Gray, โ€œBoys & Girlsโ€

Found Heaven // Republic // 2024ย 

Conan Gray, Found Heaven [๐Ÿ“ท: Republic]โ€œYou wouldnโ€™t care if I fell over and died / Sigh, Iโ€™m not the only.โ€ Oh, snap, Conan Gray.ย  So, whatโ€™s the problem in โ€œBoys & Girlsโ€? โ€œHe wants ya, he wants ya / You donโ€™t even see me / She wants ya, she wants ya / Thereโ€™s no point competing.โ€ In other words, in the highlight from his third studio album, ย Found Heaven, this person he โ€˜reallyโ€™ likes is liked by everybody. Bummer! Gray penned โ€œBoys & Girlsโ€ alongside juggernaut songwriter and producer Max Martin and Oscar Holter. Conan sounds terrific, wowing with a brilliant falsetto and playful vocal performance. In the second verse, the vocal effects used are incredibly cool and fit the tenor of the track (โ€œYou got a face thatโ€™s technologic / Nobody cares that youโ€™re psychoticโ€). Heโ€™s supported by a rhythmic accompaniment. The production is sleekly produced. The sound of the record is giving 1980s new wave. The synths are ear-catching, and the percussion runs colorful.ย  The melodies Gray sings are tuneful, particularly the simple but potent chorus:

โ€œBoys and girls

Boys and girls

Boy and girls

They want ya, they want ya

Boys and girls

B-boys and girls.โ€

Found Heaven was slept on. It shouldnโ€™t have been. There are no shortage of bops including โ€œBoys & Girls.โ€

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7. Tinashe, โ€œNo Broke Boysโ€

Quantum Baby // Tinashe Music Inc. / Nice Life Recording Company // 2024

Tinashe, Quantum Baby [๐Ÿ“ท: Tinashe Music Inc. / Nice Life Recording Company]โ€œEx on the line, just as I suspected / No one really gets over me.โ€ Oh, snap! Tinashe โ€˜comes out swingingโ€™ on โ€œNo Broke Boysโ€, the seventh track from her 2024 album, Quantum Baby.ย  Unbothered, rather โ€œunaffectedโ€ by his poor decisions, she is โ€œout here single, and I need somethinโ€™ realโ€ and sheโ€™s โ€œGot standards, give a fuck how you feel.โ€ Damn! Tinashe penned the fierce, unapologetic โ€œNo Broke Boysโ€ alongside Phoelix and Ricky Reed. Phoelix and Reed, alongside Zack Sekoff, produced the pop bop that swears off dumbass boys! The chorus is the crowning achievement, where Tinashe embraces being a โ€˜badass bitchโ€™ and is picky about who she dates or does:

โ€œNo broke boys, no new friends

Iโ€™m that pressure, give me my tens

Ainโ€™t no lie, ainโ€™t no shade

Fuck on me, then you know he paid.โ€

Team Tinashe all day! F them broke boys!

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8. Parsa Sleighter, โ€œA Playboyโ€™s Bluesโ€

โ€œA Playboyโ€™s Bluesโ€ // Parsa Sleighter // 2024

Parsa Sleighter, A Playboyโ€™s Blues [๐Ÿ“ท: Parsa Sleighter]โ€œNo one talk to me in โ€˜cause Iโ€™m in love.โ€ The extraordinarily fine Parsa Sleighter knows what heโ€™s doing to us with those shirtless pics and gorgeous eyes ๐Ÿ”ฅ ๐Ÿฅต ๐Ÿ˜ฎโ€๐Ÿ’จ.ย  But, the focus is on his musical talent that shines like a beacon on his single, โ€œA Playboyโ€™s Bluesโ€. That said, this song fueled by infatuation is hot ๐Ÿฅต too.ย  Itโ€™s the music, the voice, and the vibe.ย  Parsa wrote a bop that is distinct and sounds very Californian. โ€œA Playboyโ€™s Bluesโ€ is indulgent (positively), hypnotic, and mesmerizing.ย  The first time you hear it, beginning with the stellar instrument intro, it sucks you in.ย  The production is unique sounding amorous, bright, and warm โ€“ itโ€™s otherworldly. The sound palette is marvelous โ€“ the groove, keys, synths, rich guitar, and robust bass line. Not only does the record give indulgent vibes, but so do the yearning vocals by Parsa. His tone is beautiful and clearly, the love heโ€™s experiencing is impenetrable, at least from his perspective.ย  โ€œYou raise me up, and take me closer towards heaven,โ€ he sings in the second verse, adding, โ€œAnd when your lips touch mine / It makes me feel like a kid again.โ€ Damn ๐Ÿ˜ฎโ€๐Ÿ’จ. His honesty and memorable melodies are a big selling point.ย  The section to beat is the chorus (arguably, you can label it otherwise) where there is a change of feel compared to the verses. The guitar riffs rachet up while chilling vocal harmonies complement Sleighterโ€™s lead.

โ€œHeโ€™s backwoods on fire and Iโ€™m in love

Dancing on the patio

Now his shirt is off

Moving his hips and his hands are up

He whispers in my ear, and it sounds like a song

Swaying to the beat under the moon above

No one talk to me โ€˜cause Iโ€™m in love.โ€

Relatableโ€ฆ at least, the fantasy of it, sigh. โ€œA Playboyโ€™s Bluesโ€ is a song that becomes even more special with successive listens.ย  Itโ€™s magical initially but unveils more excellence as the ears pick up on all the musical brilliance Parsa Sleighter puts in.ย  A beautiful song from a beautiful man ๐Ÿคญ.

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9. Tems, โ€œBoy O Boyโ€

Born in the Wild // RCA / Since 93โ€™ // 2024

Tems, Born in the Wild [๐Ÿ“ท: RCA / Since 93']โ€œYou raise my blood pressure / My headaches, my trust aches / My heartbeat.โ€ Boys do that, Tems! On โ€œBoy O Boy,โ€ the 10th track on her 2024 album, Born in the Wild, the Nigerian singer expresses her misgivings about the opposite sex.ย  โ€œSometimes I want to strangle you / But I have to sit and look,โ€ she sings in the second verse, adding, โ€œSometimes, I wanna choke you out / and maybe even brush you up.โ€ At least sheโ€™s the bigger person and doesnโ€™t resort to violence. Despite her honesty about boys, she serves up smooth vocals flaunting a gorgeous. ย The vocals arenโ€™t the only smooth thing about โ€œBoy O Boy.โ€ The guitar accompaniment is buttery smooth, characteristic of contemporary R&B. Eventually, the backdrop becomes fuller but without drums. ย Theyโ€™re not needed for this ballad which is relatively simple but utterly relatable.

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10. Nejure, โ€œBOYFRIENDโ€

โ€œBOYFRIENDโ€ // Nejure // 2024

Nejure, BOYFRIEND [๐Ÿ“ท: Nejure]Italian singer Nejure is Che bell’uomo! He is a certified hottie who rocks hard without a shirt and is also alluring as a musician.ย  He raised the temperature on his โ€˜damn gay songโ€™, โ€œBOYFRIENDโ€, ย written by Matteo Scarabicchi, and produced by Nejure and Pashabeats. The instrumental is one of many selling points regarding โ€œBOYFRIEND.โ€ The accompaniment is colorful, superbly embracing the American pop aesthetic.ย  The backdrop is a fabulous mixture of cool and exuberant synths, anchored by a sick groove.ย  Beyond the instrumental, Nejure slays vocally.ย  He sounds as beautiful as he looks. His accent is charming and sexy.ย  The sexiness is fitting given the romantic theme.ย  Furthermore, warm vocal production ups the ante.ย  The simple, repetitive lyrics of the chorus leave doubt in my mind about what Nejure desires, as well as his โ€“ wait for it โ€“ boyfriend: โ€œI wanna be your boyfriend / You wanna be my boyfriend / I wanna be your boyfriend / You wanna be my boyfriend.โ€ย  No extensive analysis is necessary here.ย  Nejure is a handsome, talented individual who easily tickles my fancy with his sophomore single, โ€œBOYFRIENDโ€. Itโ€™s well-produced, well-performed, and lyrically and thematically, itโ€™s simple and relatable. Eccezionale!

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11. M the Myth, โ€œPin-up Boyโ€

โ€œPin-up Boyโ€ // Blonde // 2024

M the Myth, Pin-up Boy [๐Ÿ“ท: Blonde]โ€œI got thighs thicker than a woman / All eyes looking me up and down.โ€ Oh, snap, M the Myth. The fearless non-binary musician (they/them pronouns) comes out swinging on โ€œPin-up Boyโ€, a queer-pop sex song everybody needs to hear. The thrilling, clubby joint benefits from its naughty, risquรฉ-sounding backdrop.ย  The production is lit.ย  The accompaniment is the perfect soundtrack for an unapologetic, lustful, and pleasing experience M the Myth alludes to. They deliver a playful vocal performance. The innuendo is lit throughout โ€œPin-up Boy,โ€ which makes it more titillating.ย  M the Myth sings, โ€œYou and me / On the bathroom floor / Look into my eyes / Every lie, every lie.โ€ย  The only truth that seems to be important is whatโ€™s going down on that bathroom floor ๐Ÿ˜ˆ.ย  The chorus is the section to beat, filled with masterful double entendre:

โ€œIโ€™m your pin-up boy

Keep stroking my ego

Iโ€™m the centerfold

With my whole heart open

Stick it in me, stick it in meโ€ฆโ€

Stroking, huh ๐Ÿ˜ˆ? Whole versus holeโ€ฆ ๐Ÿ˜ˆ? โ€œStick it in meโ€โ€ฆ ย ๐Ÿ˜ˆย  We see what youโ€™re doing M the Myth! โ€œPin-up Boyโ€ is a marvelous, spicy, queer pop sex bop!

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12. The Waitresses, โ€œI Know What Boys Likeโ€

Wasnโ€™t Tomorrow Wonderful? // UMG Recordings, Inc. // 1982

The Waitresses, Wasn't Tomorrow Wonderful? [๐Ÿ“ท: UMG Recordings, Inc.]Per The Waitresses โ€“ specifically Patty Donahue: โ€œI know what boys like / I know what guys want / I know what boys like / Iโ€™ve what boys like.โ€ Word.ย  โ€œI Know What Boys Likeโ€ is the sole hit by the American new-wave band.ย  As infectious as the song is, it didnโ€™t ignite the pop charts, peaking modestly at no. 62 on the Billboard Hot 100.ย  Still, this Chris Butler-penned gem is considered a classic from the 1980s, appearing as the fifth track on their 1982 album, Wasnโ€™t Tomorrow Wonderful?. The lyrics arenโ€™t deep.ย  Donahue continues singing in the first verse, โ€œI see them looking / I make them want me / I like to tease them / They want to touch me / I never let them.โ€ The second verse is similar to the first, where sassy Patti mentions her โ€œcat moves,โ€ singing, โ€œFun to frustrate them / They get so angry / Like pouty children / Denied their candy / I laugh right at them.โ€ In the bridge, she acts as if sheโ€™ll let the boys indulge, but itโ€™s hard to believe anyone who asserts, โ€œYou can trust me / Sucker.โ€ Besides the simple but entertaining lyrics, and Donahueโ€™s fun, tongue-in-cheek performance, the instrumental delivers the goods too.ย  Itโ€™s the prickly guitar, the big bass line, the quirky groove, and the unconventional phrases. Thereโ€™s also a raucous saxophone in the mix enhancing the timbre.ย  โ€œI Know What Boys Likeโ€ is a classic that deserves wider recognition.

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13. Bentley Robles, โ€œGod is a Fuckboyโ€

UGLY CRIER (DELUXE) // Bentley Robles Music // 2024

Bentley Robles, UGLY CRIER (DELUXE) [๐Ÿ“ท: Bentley Robles Music]Matters of the heart can fuck you up, badly, particularly at the hands of a fuckboy. The term, albeit vulgar, elicits a worthwhile conversation regarding dating, however. In the case of fearless pop artist Bentley Robles (Bruno Pazzi Robles), an UGLY CRIER, love, or the illusion of love, has done a number on him, courtesy of fuckboys.ย  โ€œMy friends always say that I ruin new things cause of you,โ€ he sings in the first verse of โ€œGOD IS A FUCKBOYโ€, adding, โ€œSpend all my time blaming myself / But I donโ€™t really think itโ€™s my fault / Itโ€™s just that Iโ€™m built like this / Iโ€™m clinically a romantic guy.โ€ Fair enough. So, whoโ€™s to blame for you โ€œcry-ing about boys that donโ€™t deserve it?โ€ The ultimate fuckboy โ€“ God, apparently ๐Ÿซข. In the second track of UGLY CRIER (Deluxe), Robles has an epiphany โ€“ one considered blasphemous by some!

โ€œI never thought much about him before this

But in this moment on one thing, Iโ€™m focused

If God led me straight to you

Then God must be a fuckboy too.โ€

Robles is boldly honest, which makes him captivating as a musical artist.ย  It doesnโ€™t stop there. He adds, โ€œI wish that someone could see / That the big guy is picking on me / Wish I could just send him a text like / โ€˜Daddy, just give it a restโ€™.โ€ Thereโ€™s also, โ€œAnd they say, I can do all things in God but / Heโ€™s doing a really bad job, yeah / I donโ€™t know why / He spends his time / Sending me so many bad guys.โ€ Over the exuberant, synth-driven production (FLORIO), Robles states that He (aka God) โ€œis a fuckboyโ€ repeating it numerous times.ย  Associating God with fuckery take some stones. Robles, all told, delivers an ear-catching, PRIDE beaming, pop song.

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14. Dan Jarman, โ€œboys hurting boysโ€

โ€œboys hurting boysโ€ // Dan Jarman // 2024

Dan Jarman, boys hurting boys [๐Ÿ“ท: Dan Jarman]โ€œBoys hurting boys / Itโ€™s the vibe of summer.โ€ The vibe is questionable Dan Jarman but you speak the truth. The pop singer/songwriter wrote his sunny-sounding debut song, โ€œBoys hurting boysโ€. Olli Daffarn and SoundSetters produced.ย  Even with the โ€˜hurtโ€™ happening between boys, specifically him and his ex-bf, Jarman seems at peace with the breakup. โ€œUp late-night drinking / Midnight and falling / In the dark in your flat,โ€ he sings nostalgically, continuing, โ€œNow youโ€™re back in Chicago / Iโ€™ve got your heart though / Bet you miss dancing like that.โ€ Notably, these recurrent lyrics find Jarman ascending into his powerful upper register.ย  Heโ€™s more dynamic as he recollects the past. โ€œTime to leave the past / In the past.โ€ Truer words have never been spoken.ย  Dan sings more cool, calm, and collected in the verses.ย  He sounds breezy โ€“ โ€˜cool like summerโ€™ โ€“ never breaking a sweat.ย  He sings tuneful melodies with ease, confessing the end of their romance.ย  โ€œMy obsession with you / Is slowly dying,โ€ he admits. Oh, snap! Later, he provides perfect evidence of their incompatibility beyond the past:

โ€œItโ€™s meant to be, meant to be

What, like Jekyll and Hyde?

You and me, you and me

Scorpio, Gemini

Canโ€™t you see, canโ€™t you see

Itโ€™s time for new storylines.โ€

โ€œBoys hurting boysโ€ is delightful, benefitting from warm production, strong songwriting, and a sublime vocal performance.

Appears in ๐Ÿ”ป:

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15. Rose Royce, โ€œOoh Boyโ€

In Full Bloom // Warner // 1977ย 

Rose Royce, In Full Bloom [๐Ÿ“ท: Warner]โ€œOoh boy, I love you so / Never, ever, ever gonna let you go / Once I get my hands on you.โ€ Rose Norwalt (Gwen Dickey), the lead vocalist of Rose Royce, serves up elegant vocals on โ€œOoh Boyโ€.ย  โ€œOoh Boyโ€ is the third track on the R&B/soul/funk collectiveโ€™s 1977 LP, In Full Bloom.ย  Dickey continues singing in the unforgettable chorus, โ€œOoh boy, I love you so / Never, ever, ever gonna let you go / I hope you feel the same way too.โ€ The fabulous song was written and produced by the one-and-only Norman Whitfield.ย  Whitfield put his foot into this hit that modestly impacted the pop charts (no. 72 on the Billboard Hot 100).ย  It fared better on the R&B charts, reaching no. 3. The theme of โ€œOoh Boyโ€ is simple: a girl is infatuated with a boy and doesnโ€™t even know his name! Despite this, as Dickey asserts, โ€œInfatuation, love at first sight / I donโ€™t know, I just know that the feeling is right.โ€ย  In the second verse, Gwen sings, โ€œBut I want you to know that deep down in my soul / Iโ€™m experiencing something wonderful and new.โ€ Aww! โ€œOoh Babyโ€ is groovy from the beginning.ย  It thrives off stellar, tuneful melodies and infectious, memorable, and relatable lyrics.ย  The instrumental accompaniment is the catโ€™s meow.ย  The horn riffs are funky. Itโ€™s also alluring and sweet when the riff is carried in the strings.ย  Additionally, the rhythm section is locked-in โ€“ on-point, baby!

 

Appears in ๐Ÿ”ป:

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ intro ~

BOY, These Songs Are About You, Part 2 (2024) [๐Ÿ“ท: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Bentley Robles Music, Blonde, Columbia, Dan Jarman, Nejure, Nice Life Recording Company, Parkwood Entertainment LLC, Parsa Sleighter, RCA, Republic, Since 93โ€™, Slumbo Labs, Tinashe Music Inc., UMG Recordings, Inc., Warner, ZEE MACHINE; andresilva5, Angelo Esslinger, anonymous afro portrait, Dasha Kartavtseva, ernestflowerss, Km Nazrul Islam, Masoud Mostafaei, Matty Rogers, Raman Spirydonau, Robiul Islam Pailot, sai peaky, Trung Tรญn, William Adams from Pixabay]

 

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the musical hype

the musical hype (Brent Faulkner) has earned Bachelor's and Master's degrees in music (music education, music theory/composition respectively). A multi-instrumentalist, he plays piano, trombone, and organ among numerous other instruments. He's a certified music educator, composer, and freelance music blogger. Faulkner cites music and writing as two of the most important parts of his life. Notably, he's blessed with a great ear, possessing perfect pitch.