BOY, These Songs Are About You, Part 3 | Playlist 🎧

BOY, These Songs Are About You, Part 3 features songs by bbno$, Elliot James Reay, [Kyle Davis], Lil Nas X, SZA, and Taylor Swift.

In case you didn’t know, and there’s a good chance you didn’t, bbno$ informs us, “Bitch, I’m him.” Who? “I-T B-O-Y!” As for Lil Nas X, “I been down but I need that boy / Oh-oh, I’ll shut shit down for you, East Side Boy.” I assume this boy is nothing short of beautiful inside and out.  Oh, and there’s SZA who sings “Diamond boy, why so shiny,” adding “I like your soft side, I like you on top / You make my thoughts stop.” If you couldn’t tell, this list is about a beloved, important topic: boys!

BOY, These Songs Are About You, Part 3 is the third installment of my boy-driven playlist series.  It follows up BOY, These Songs Are About You (2023) and BOY, These Songs Are About You, Part 2 (2024). It is one of many playlists about those beloved, yet frustrating beings known as boys. BOY, These Songs Are About You, Part 3 features songs by bbno$, Elliot James Reay, [Kyle Davis], Lil Nas X, SZA, and Taylor Swift.  So, without further ado, let’s embrace the good and, unfortunately, the bad, about boys through song!

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~ Table of Contents ~

1. [Kyle Davis], “BOY”	2. bbno$, “it boy”	3. SZA, “Diamond Boy (DTM)”	4. Lil Nas X, “need dat boy”
5. Elliot James Reay, “Boy In Love”	6. Kylie Cantrall, “Boy For a Day”	7. Matt Rogers, “santa boy”	8. Taylor Swift, “My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys”
9. Rod Wave, “Boyz Don’t Cry”	10. Mad Tsai, “Boys Beware”	11. Bryce Bowyn, “Boyfriend for the Night”	12. Dominic Fike, “Mama’s Boy”
13. James Mac & Vall, “The Boy Is Mine” (Ft. Rosalie)  – Brandy & Monica Cover	14. Lil Peep & Nedarb, “beamer boy”	15. David Bowie, “Boys Keep Swinging”

 

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1. [Kyle Davis], “BOY”

“BOY” // [Kyle Davis] // 2024

There is no better way to commence BOY, These Songs Are About You, Part 3 than with a surefire banger that is boy-approved! “BOY” by DJ/producer [Kyle Davis] commences with a bang that lingers throughout the entirety of the track. Stylistically, the adventurous cut encompasses Nola, bounce music, hip-hop, rap, and dance. Davis constructs a masterpiece using some sickening samples – collaging them melodiously. Some of the vocal samples are profane, giving this joint an edge and ample attitude. “Boy” is repeated over and over, fittingly. The “Boy” originates from the Rose Royce oldie, “I’m Going Down”, which Cam’Ron sampled in his hip-hop classic, “Oh Boy”. As for the beat that anchors “BOY” down, it kicks ass and takes names. [Kyle Davis] does the damn thing on “BOY,” PERIOD!

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2. bbno$, “it boy”

“it boy” // bbno$ // 2024 

​“bbno$, who the fuck do you think you are? / Bitch, I’m him (Him, him, him, him, him, him, him).” You heard the man, and bbno$ is a character! That is an understatement.  The self-described “Gen-Z Eminem” brings ample confidence and rizz to his comedic, house-driven rap single, “it boy”.  Admittedly, the Canadian rapper has racked up some RIAA-certified singles. bbno$ penned “it boy” alongside producers Pink Slip (Kyle Buckley) and inverness (Rob Nelsen).

Following the bitchin’ introduction (excerpted above), bbno$ drops the infectious chorus, the centerpiece of “it boy.”

“I-T B-O-Y, B-B-N-O-dollar sign

That’s me, that’s right (That’s me, that’s right)

That’s me, that’s right (That’s me)

I-M H-I-M, the Gen-Z Eminem

That’s me, that’s right (That’s me, that’s right)

That’s me, that’s right (That’s me).”

Ooh-wee, bbno$! He doesn’t stop charming us in the chorus, backed by a sickening music backdrop.  The beat and those synths are a prime catalyst for dancing! bbno$ drops no shortage of potent rhymes, even if they are utterly ridiculous.  “Two hundred K got me jumpin’ on stage / All white Benz, see me whippin’ mayonnaise,” he raps in the first verse, continuing, “She lookin’ at me, she wanna ta-ta-taste / Shorty got a boyfriend, get out my face.” Woo! Of course, bbno$ makes it clear that he is well-endowed… you knew that was cumming… 🍆 💦 🤭 😈 Continuing with the silliness, bbno$ spits in the second verse, “Tiffany from Perth, she nice, she thunder-fuck me, AC/DC.” Let that sink in! Wrapping things up, bbno$ dropped an infectious, unforgettable banger with “it boy”. Indeed, “Bitch, he’s him!”

Appears in 🔻:

• bbno$, it boy: Bangerz N Bopz 🔥 5 (2025) 

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3. SZA, “Diamond Boy (DTM)”

SOS Deluxe: LANA // Top Dawg Entertainment / RCA // 2024 

“When the dick hit, that’s just how you gotta do / I’m addicted, that’s why I keep callin’ you.” Ooh-la-la, SZA! “Diamond Boy (DTM)” is the fourth track from SOS Deluxe: LANA.  The smooth R&B joint was produced by Michael Uzowuru, Carter Lang, Declan Miers, The Antydote, and Solomonophonic.  The track features warm musical accompaniment, including a guitar and a robust bass line.  SZA sounds incredibly smooth and expressive as she sings about this “Diamond boy, why so shiny.” In the first verse, she asserts, “I like your soft side, I like you on top / You make my thoughts stop.” In the second, she admits, “Usually, I can’t let down my guard (No) / It’s the way you say shit smooth that got you far with me.” Oh, snap! There is also a third verse, where SZA sings, confidently, “Gotta pop my shit, made fifty mil’ off of my feelings / Throw it back like chiropract’, I’m hanging from the ceiling, yeah.” Word.  Beyond the pre-chorus, with its constant mentions of this diamond boy, the chorus is infectious:

“Baby, if it’s OD, tell me

Am I sayin’ too much? (Sayin’ too much)

And, baby, if it’s OD, tell me

Am I sayin’ too much? (Boy, I’m too much).”

Ultimately, “Diamond Boy (DTM)” is very much a SZA song.  If you are familiar with the R&B singer’s catalog, you know the minute you hear this joint it fits perfectly.

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4. Lil Nas X, “need dat boy”

“need dat boy” // Columbia // 2024

Gays, no need to worry! Lil Nas X (Montero Hill) is still G-A-Y judging by “need dat boy”, the second single from his sophomore LP, DREAMBOY.  The lyrics and the hot single cover art where he’s ‘having fun’ with a fine-ass boi in the car confirm he is still gay and not bi.  Well, some of “need dat boy” is gay.  The first verse encompasses his hiatus since his Grammy-nominated 2021 album, MONTERO.  Sure, he asserts, “I been lookin’ for a muse, need a new persona,” but it seems related to his career and the direction of his music.  Still, by the chorus, he goes gay! “Oh-oh, yeah, I been down but I need that boy / Oh-oh, I’ll shut shit down for you, East Side Boy.” Word.  In the second verse, he’s also less concerned about ‘the boy’ than his career.  He bites, “Fuck all you niggas, y’all do not support nobody / Show up for y’all, but y’all don’t show up for Lil Nassy.” Shots fired, but, let’s get to the gay, shall we? That’s what you’ve all been waiting for! Post-chorus, Nassy embraces his sexuality full throttle: “I think I love that boy / I think I wanna get up on him, ride upon that boy.” Yeah, it’s giving power bottom.  And for good measure, in the bridge, we get “Bend over, that ass too fat.”  Self-explanatory. “Need dat boy” is an intriguing listen, as often songs by Lil Nas X are.  It features several writers including Hill, while Jahnei Clarke produced this gay little joint.  The musical accompaniment is pleasant, gaining more steam during the bridge, where Montero is ‘true to self.’ The hyper-rhythmic beat seems to match Hill’s desire for “dat boy!”

Appears in 🔻:

• Lil Nas X, need dat boy: Beaming with Pride 🏳️‍🌈 77 (2024)

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5. Elliot James Reay, “Boy In Love”

“Boy In Love” // Elliott James Reay LTD / Interscope / EMI // 2024

“I didn’t think I could care, but now I wait by the phone / She got me good, I feel like a boy in love.” Gen-Z British singer/songwriter Elliot James Reay sings about the effects and power of love in “Boy In Love”.  All the things he didn’t do as a bachelor, he does now thanks to being taken with her.  That includes whistling along to Sam Cooke. After all, “Darling you, send me”.  Reay, Annielle Lisiuk, Josh Noble, and Karl Ziegler penned “Boy in Love.” SOAP produced it. 

“I used to act like a man, but what did I ever know? / She got me good, I feel like a boy in love.”  I love this lyric because far too often, men are overly concerned with masculinity, which can be hella toxic.  Here, Reay suggests his girlfriend has ‘softened him up’ which is not a bad thing.  The centerpiece of “Boy in Love” is the chorus:

“Mercy please

Suddenly, I’m crawling to her on my knees

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh, mercy please

Suddenly, I need her like a harmony

She is the subject of all my desire

Until I found her, I was merely a liar

Oh, she got me good, I feel like a boy in love.”

Beyond the relatable, well-rounded lyrics, Elliot James Reay sings sensationally, bringing the tuneful melodies to life. His voice is distinct, rich, and ‘old-school.’ That’s right, Reay gives off this vintage, retro vibe that separates him from most musicians his age.  Likewise, the sound of “Boy In Love”, a sickening song, is retro, hearkening back to the 1960s with its music cues.  The timbre of the guitars, from the onset, and the classic, Motown-like groove make this 2024 gem incredibly special.

Appears in 🔻:

• Elliot James Reay, Boy In Love: Bangerz N Bopz 🔥 6 (2025)

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6. Kylie Cantrall, “Boy For a Day”

“Boy For a Day” // Artist Partner Group, Inc. / Heroine Music, LLC // 2024

“Oh, if I could be a boy for a day / I would play hearts just like video games.” Kylie Cantrall has spoken! In the escapist pop joint “Boy For a Day,” she expresses what she’d do as the opposite sex if given a chance. Boys, we get away with a lot, after all! In the infectious chorus, the first major section of the song, she continues singing, “I would slide on all your friends / Like there ain’t no consequence, no / If I could be a boy for a day.” Cantrall penned “Boy” alongside Lisa Scinta and Jim Lavigne, Rodney Jerkins, Sermstyle, Will Grands, and House of Wolf produced it. The single is exciting beyond its boyish chorus! “I’d go around braggin’ about my body count,” Cantrall asserts in the first verse, adding, “Ghost you all day, then I come through / Isn’t that what being a boy is all about?” The second verse also criticizes the opposite sex’s ways: “I’d get an award for how many times I made you cry.” Noted, Kylie.  Boys are something else, and “Boy For a Day” clearly proves the point that we need to do better.  As for Kylie, she slays vocally while the production/sound of the record hearkens back to the glorious R&B of the 90s and early 00s. Boys take the L, but the song is a bop!

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7. Matt Rogers, “santa boy”

“santa boy” // Dripping Wet // 2024

Matt Rogers – whatta handsome, talented man 😍! Rogers dropped an entertaining, utterly gay Christmas song with “santa boy”.  Can we all agree that Santa is LGBT? If not, Rogers convinces us in this naughty little ditty (“Santa, come out, be with me / U-N-I, L-G-B-T / U-R gay, B true 2 Q / Love yourself like I love you”)! Rogers, Henry Koperski, and Ethan Christopher penned this unforgettable Santa song that you probably, rather, definitely should NOT play for the kids! The sexual innuendo is turned. Santa is a sex-positive boy these days! “I count the days ‘til Christmas time / That’s when he comes back in my life,” Rogers sings in the first verse. “He slides down like a chimneysweep / Walks past the tree / And kisses me / We make love bathed in Christmas lights / He makes me scream, ‘O Holy Night.’” Blasphemy 😳, but, dare I say, hot 🥵 😈! What about Mrs. Claus? If Santa comes and fools around with Matt, where does she fall in this?

“Santa, I respect your wife

What I can’t accept  tonight

Is other boys, far and near

Getting all your Christmas cheer

Santa, why you gotta do me like other boys?

Take a bite of my cookie and go

Now I feel like a ho.” 

Wow 😮! Also, Santa is a ‘HO.’ “Santa boy” is a trip, but a merry, merry one performed by a fine man with a gorgeous voice.  Also, that musical backdrop is lit 🔥 like the Christmas tree Rogers and Santa are fooling around under! Sometimes, it feels so good to be a “Ho, ho, ho” 😝!

Appears in 🔻:

• Matt Rogers, santa boy: Bangerz N Bopz 🔥 95 (2024)

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8. Taylor Swift, “My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys”

THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT: THE ANTHOLOGY // Taylor Swift // 2024

“But you should’ve seen him when he first got me.” That is a statement, Taylor Swift.  Things went south for ‘her boy’ on “My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys,” the third track from THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT: THE ANTHOLOGY. As always, the Grammy-winning pop superstar delivers lyrics that capture the full attention of the ears.  The first verse is poetic, concluding with the thought-provoking “Rivulets descend my plastic smile.” What is a rivulet? A small stream. Understanding what it means creates an incredibly impressive lyric. The second verse does not contain rivulets, but the “litany of reasons” is sweet, as are the concluding lines, “But first, pull the string / And I’ll tell you that he runs / Because he loves me.”  Expectedly, the chorus carries weight as we hear about what Swift’s ‘boy’ does with those toys!

“My boy (My boy), only breaks his favorite toys, toys, oh

I’m queen (I’m queen), of sand castles he destroys, oh, oh

‘Cause I knew too much, there was danger in the heat of my touch

He saw forever, so he smashed it up, oh, oh

My boy (My boy), only breaks his favorite toys, toys, oh.”

The lyrics are thought-provoking – revelatory. Her ex-boyfriend broke things off because of commitment issues for whatever reason. Swift provides a sound vocal, while the production alongside Jack Antonoff is pleasant, though nothing game-changing.  Ultimately, “My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys” marks one of the better moments from THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT: THE ANTHOLOGY.

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9. Rod Wave, “Boyz Don’t Cry”

Nostalgia // Alamo / Sony Music Entertainment // 2023 

“I love you, but I’m full of rage, our past is full of pain / On a planet of my own, livin’ like an alien.” Rod Wave showcases his emotional, vulnerable side in “Boyz Don’t Cry.” “Boyz Don’t Cry” is the 11^th track from his 2023 album, Nostalgia.  A sweet, instrumental intro sets the tone. Soon enough, the slick trap beat anchors a gentle, warm backdrop produced by BeatsByTrain, EgonBeUp, AYOKXNZO, and JLH. Even though the musical accompaniment is kinder and gentler, Rod has ample pain and trauma. Throughout one verse, followed by the chorus, Wave pours his heart into his melodic rhymes.  He admits that he keeps a lot to himself, including the fact that his “heart is on a shelf” and “I keep my problems to myself.” Furthermore, in the verse, Rod asserts, “And I keep my mouth closed ‘cause my thoughts sometimes can get too deep / My heart cold, my eyes closed, but I never go to sleep.” In the closing section, the chorus, he urges, “Take away my fame, let me keep my soul /… Listenin’ to a grown man cryin’ / Oh-woah, oh-woah.” Rod Wave keeps it a buck, filled with authenticity on “Boyz Don’t Cry.” No cap!

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10. Mad Tsai, “Boys Beware”

“Boys Beware” // Mad Tsai // 2023

“I met a boy from out of town / Oh, he was perfect, and he turned me upside down.” Oh, snap 🫰, Mad Tsai! In “boys beware”, the handsome pop standout continues to captivate.  First and foremost, it is with his lovely singing and pure tone.  However, the sexy cover art for “boys beware” doesn’t hurt either. Look at him – that chiseled physique, and that cute face! Mad Tsai didn’t even show us much skin on the cover art, but what he did show us was enough to make us ooh and aw! Picture it: a hot boy with his jeans unbuttoned, the waistband of his undies 🩲 showing (with MAD printed on them), and he’s lifting his shirt to reveal his chiseled midriff (there’s V lines, baby). Holy sugar honey iced tea, that’s hot!

Mad Tsai knows exactly what he’s doing, and what these boys do! “Boys beware ‘cause he just toys with your emotion / Makes you feel like you’ve become insane,” he sings in the pre-chorus, adding, “He’ll hug you with a knife behind his back and smile / Surprise you with a little trip to Hell.” Damn! Of course, the centerpiece of this slickly produced (Tsai, Andrew Luce, and Drew Polovick), contemporary pop joint is the chorus, where the bisexual pop musician sings:

“That boy might be the worse, but damn he looks fine

He makes the devil wet his bed at nighttime

He makes them fall down to their knees and cry

Don’t say I didn’t warn you when you die.”

Those boys are hella dangerous.  The good news is, “Boys beware” isn’t dangerous – it’s just another cute ☺️, Mad Tsai bop 💪!

Appears in 🔻:

• Male Album Cover Art That’ll Make You Thirsty (2024)

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11. Bryce Bowyn, “Boyfriend for the Night”

“Boyfriend for the Night” // Bryce Bowyn // 2020

“You’re looking real good / Think you’re my remedy / Tonight.” On “Boyfriend for the Night”, D.C.-based electropop singer Bryce Bowyn (Bryce Sulecki) has found ‘him,’ if only temporarily.  The boy seems to check off all the boxes. Even if he didn’t, Bowyn admits, “I’m trying to get over my own misery.” Bowyn penned this infectious, sexy queer bop while Zach Benson produced it.  The sound and vibe are everything: big, bright drums and a 1980s aesthetic with detuned synths. The instrumental is sweet, but it is Bowyn who ‘steals the show.’ He sings expressively, bringing ample personality to the table.  He wants this boy, and who can blame him?! The melodies are tuneful, accentuating the yearning Bryce has. “So, baby, let’s ride / On the back of your bike /  We’ll go so fast we’ll forget our past / Tonight.” In other words, the sex they’ll have will be so electric that nothing else matters. Bowyn acknowledges their fun will be for naught come tomorrow via the centerpiece, the chorus:

“Baby be my boyfriend for the night

We can fall in love on your motorbike

By tomorrow we’ll be strangers again

But for now, baby let’s pretend

(Let’s pretend)

We’re meant to be together for life

Baby be my boyfriend for the night.”

Monogamy can be difficult to come by, particularly in the gay community. Bowyn wants more than the fun of one night, but, he understands ‘how it goes.’ His romance may be temporary, but the excellence of “Boyfriend for the Night” lasts longer than an evening rendezvous.

Appears in 🔻:

• Bryce Bowyn, Boyfriend for the Night: Midnight Heat 🕛 🔥 86 (2024)

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12. Dominic Fike, “Mama’s Boy”

Sunburn // Sandy Boys, LLC / Columbia // 2023

“You’re such a doll and I’m a boy / Where did my parents go? (Oh, oh) I’m not in Italy…” Initially, I found “Mama’s Boy”, an advanced single from Sunburn, the 2023 sophomore album by Dominic Fike, to be an acquired taste.  The sound is ear-catching, particularly how Fike sings,  prompting several listens to discern what’s happening. As unique as the sound is, the theme and lyrics are arguably the bigger story. “Mama’s Boy” finds Dom singing about a doll, as well as his mother. “You’re made of plastic, I’m just blood,” Fike sings regarding the doll in the pre-chorus, continuing, “When I was born, you were produced.” Typically, when one is referred to as a mama’s boy, they are closest with their mother.  There are various references to Fike’s childhood.  In the chorus, he asserts, “I wish I was a toy / You say, ‘Hahahahahaha’ / And you laugh / And I cry.” Very intriguing.  There is something deeper here, which makes “Mama’s Boy” thought-provoking. The second verse also catches the ear, as Dom contradicts independence and reliance on Mama.  Another unique aspect of “Mama’s Boy” is the outro, where mama’s boy is spelled out – fitting given the concept.  Although quirky, the 13^th track is, nonetheless, intriguing.

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13. James Mac & Vall, “The Boy Is Mine” (Ft. Rosalie) – Brandy & Monica Cover

“The Boy Is Mine” // Sweat It Out // 2023

“You need to give it up, had about enough / It’s hard not to see, the boy is mine.” James Mac (James MacCallum) and Vall (Valentine Leveille), assisted by Rosalie, unveiled “The Boy Is Mine” in 2023.  Even with marvelous production by Mac and Vall behind the boards, “The Boy Is Mine” is a cover of the beloved, 1998 Brandy and Monica classic, “The Boy Is Mine.” The original was a multiplatinum single that appeared on two multiplatinum albums (The Boy is Mine by Monica and Never Say Never by Brandy). LaShawn Daniels, Brandy, Rodney Jerkins, Fred Jerkins III, and Japhe Tejeda composed the Grammy-winning duet.  A cover of such a massive hit has huge shoes to fill.

Mac and Vall superbly update the sound while preserving some of the classic cues of the original. The beat (giving Afrobeat and house) is nothing short of electrifying – lit to the nth degree. The percussive touches are magnificent.  The rhythmic guitars and keys also make the remix sweet. A quicker tempo helps establish the dance persona on the remake. Even so, the vocals by Rosalie are firmly planted in R&B. The singing is lush, playful, smoky, sultry, and warm. There are fewer vocals on this take, with intentionally repeated lyrics and omitted lyrics.  That also fits the dance aesthetic and differentiates it from the original.  What is not altered is the signature chorus – the big reason we all love “The Boy Is Mine”:

“You need to give it up, had about enough

It’s not hard to see, the boy is mine

I’m sorry that you seem to be confused

He belongs to me, the boy is mine.” 

Brandy and Monica’s “The Boy Is Mine” is irreplaceable but James Mac, Vall, and Rosalie ‘put in work’ on their spirited, vibe-laden remake.

Appears in 🔻:

• James Mac & Vall, The Boy Is Mine: Covers No. 1 (2025) 

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14. Lil Peep & Nedarb, “beamer boy”

CALIFORNIA GIRLS (EP) // Death Note Music, LLC / AWAL Recordings America, Inc. // 2016

“Ain’t nobody, nobody was talkin’ to me like a few months ago / And now everybody hittin’ my phone up and shit.” No doubt, Lil Peep (Gustav Åhr)! As a member of Schemaposse, the emo rapper experienced a massive come-up.  Sadly, the once ascending rapper and singer saw his career and life cut short in 2017 when he died of an accidental overdose at 21 years old.  “Beamer boy” arrived in 2016 as the fourth track from the deceased rapper’s CALIFORNIA GIRLS (EP).  Nedarb produced the highlight, which commences with a scream, followed by rhythmic guitar accompanying the spoken word by the rapper (excerpted above).  Soon enough, a synth brightens the backdrop.  With the entrance of the sole verse (or however you’d like to name it), repeated twice, “beamer boy” is anchored by a badass beat. Lil Peep radiates with energy, amped up by sickening vocal production.  In the hella energetic verse, he proclaims, “I’m a motherfuckin’ Schema’ boy, I’m a dreamer boy / I love a girl that don’t even fuckin’ need a boy / Baby I’m a beamer boy, I need a beamer, boy / I want a Z3, that’s a two-seater, boy.” Woo! It doesn’t stop there, of course as Lil Peep drops his fair share of dope bars like “I got death notes, where my list at?” and “You see me doin’ shows now, I’m a pro now / I got hoes now and I got some dough now / But they don’t wanna hear that, they want that real shit / They want that ‘drug talk,’ that ‘I can’t feel shit’.” Lil Peep may be dead, but his fierce bangers like the multiplatinum “Beamer boy” endure.

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15. David Bowie, “Boys Keep Swinging”

Lodgers // Jones / Tintoretto Entertainment Company LLC // 1979 

“Nothing stands in your way when you’re a boy.” That sounds accurate, David Bowie, fair or not. On “Boys Keep Swinging”, the late, great musical icon sings about all the things boys can do.  The possibilities are endless and sexual. Boys enjoy fun! Bowie and Brian Eno penned the classic” while Bowie and Tony Visconti produced.  What stands out about the sound is the rhythmic intensity and the robustness.  The guitars particularly catch the ear. Even with the sound contributing to the allure of “Boys Keep Swinging,” the bold, outlandish, and unapologetic lyrics ‘take the cake.’ “Life is a pop of the cherry when you’re a boy,” Bowie sings in the first verse. The double entendre is intentional and unavoidable.  Boys seem to be able to have sex whenever they desire; that’s the perception.  In the second verse, Bowie also speaks the truth: “They’ll never clone you, you are always first on the line / When you’re a boy.” While girls have seen progress today, they still aren’t prioritized over boys in many ways.  The double standard is real. In the pre-chorus, he boldly asserts, “(When you’re a boy) Other boys check you out,” a line deemed controversial, aka gay, at the time.  To this day, the reference sounds queer.  Also, Bowie was bisexual. The chorus is sexed up too: “Boys / Boys / Boys keep swinging / Boys always work it out.” What are the swinging? Use your imagination. “Boys Keep Swinging”, in all its masculine glory (and highlighting toxic masculinity in the process) is a timeless rock classic.

Appears in 🔻:

• David Bowie, Boys Keep Swinging: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 180 (2024) 

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BOY, These Songs Are About You, Part 3 (2025) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Alamo, Artist Partner Group, Inc., AWAL Recordings America, Inc., bbno$, Bryce Bowyn, Columbia, Death Note Music, LLC, Dripping Wet, Elliott James Reay LTD, EMI, Heroine Music, LLC, Interscope, Jones, [Kyle Davis], RCA, Sandy Boys, LLC, Taylor Swift, Tintoretto Entertainment Company LLC, Top Dawg Entertainment; Andy Coffie, andresilva5,  Bruno Curly, damla selen demir, Guilherme Simão, Ivan Rojas, Leonardo Goncalves wild, rao qingwei, Sergey Romanenko, Tolgraw Photography, YESENIA MORA from Pexels; AcatXlo from Pixabay]

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