[nextpage title=”Intro” ]

Artists contributing to the overwhelming boyishness of “Songs About Boys, Vol. 1” include Charlie Puth, The Chainsmokers and Charli XCX among many others.

Sometimes the playlists are complex and hella nerdy.  Others times, the playlists are simple.  Obviously, “Songs About Boys, Vol. 1” has an incredibly simple premise.  Just in case it’s not already ‘clear as mud,’ each of the 12 songs that appear on this playlist have some form of the word boy in their song-title.  Furthermore, the songs are about boys.  Girls are allowed on this list mind you – as long as they sing about boys. Artists contributing to the overwhelming boyishness of this list include Charlie Puth, The Chainsmokers and Charli XCX among many others.

---

[/nextpage][nextpage title=”1-3″ ]

 

1. Charlie Puth, “BOY”

Voicenotes • Atlantic • 2018

And the most improved award goes to – *drum roll please* – Charlie Puth! Voicenotes marks a big step forward for Puth.  After the ultra-questionable Nine Track Mind, he honestly had nowhere to go but up (he might even admit that himself). On “BOY,” Puth exemplifies being both awkward and adorkable.  Give him credit for his honesty –  he’s a 90s baby and being viewed as a “boy” by an older, more mature woman, who he wants to take him seriously. The lyrics are a bit corny, but the production, sound, and vibe are excellent.

---

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.

---

3. Charli XCX, “Boys”

Boys – Single • Asylum • 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.

---

[/nextpage][nextpage title=”4-6″ ]

4. Rick Ross, “Florida Boy”

Ft. T-Pain & Kodak Black

Florida Boy – Single • Epic • 2018

Rick Ross continues to be prolific, even as he’s past the most lucrative part of his career. He returned in 2018 with a star-studded banger, “Florida Boy”, featuring T-Pain (hook and bridge) and Kodak Black (final verse). On the intro, Ross states, “It’s hard as hell for a young Florida boy / where we play football and sell dope…” An excellent use of sample fuels the fire for “Florida Boy,” adding an old-school, soulful flavor.  Notably, the drum programming is incredibly heavy, serving as a formidable anchor for the production. Returning the focus to Ross, he exhibits superb bite and overall energy, and ends up being the best part of “Florida Boy.”

---

5. Franz Ferdinand, “Lazy Boy”

Always Ascending • Domino • 2018

“Am I gonna get up? / Am I gonna get up, get up? / Never! / Never! / Never! / Never! / I’m a lazy boy, I’m a lazy boy.” After a five-year hiatus, alternative rock darlings Franz Ferdinand returned in 2018 with their fifth studio album, Always Ascending. Among highlights from Always Ascending is “Lazy Boy”, an advance single from the project. In the context of the album, “Lazy Boy” keeps the groove going strong. Chocked-full of repetition, lyrically, it’s limited.  Nonetheless, it’s infectious, and frontman Alex Kapranos remains ‘a force to be reckoned with’ vocally.

---

6. Tamar Braxton, “Wanna Love You Boy”

Bluebird of Happiness • LoganLand • 2017

Tamar Braxton didn’t receive the same commercial success from Bluebird of Happiness as she did on for her previous albums Love and War (2013) and Calling All Angels (2015).  Despite more modest numbers, Bluebird of Happiness has its fair share of magical moments. Among those is “Wanna Love You Boy” where Pharrell Williams and Robin Thicke provide fuel for the fire (via sample). Given the awesome sample, the production ends up being superb.  Backing vocals add additional lushness and warmth to the sound on the chorus.  The chorus isn’t profound, but catchy, lifting off of the original which is repetitive and simplistic.   

---

[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”7-9″ ]

 

7. 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.

---

8.Weezer, “Beach Boys”

Pacific Daydream • Atlantic • 2017

 “Turn it up / It’s the Beach Boys / Singing out in a sweet voice / On a roll like a twist toy / Keep cranking them Beach Boys.” Weezer, led by the ever-hip Rivers Cuomo, released their 11th studio album in 2017, Pacific Daydream. “Beach Boys” was one of multiple advance singles from the project. The record opens with a prominent bass line, paired with guitar chords.  On the first verse, a sick groove is gradually constructed, reaching full fruition by the chorus. As always, Cuomo has ample swagger, though lyrically, he’s ‘all-over-the-place.’ Among the selling points is the use of Beach Boys’ musical cues, giving the record more personality.

---

9. Paramore, “Rose-Colored Boy”

After Laughter • Atlantic • 2017

“Low-key, no pressure, just hang with me and my weather.” “Rose-Colored Boy” keeps the 80s-vibe of Paramore’s After Laughter going strong without a hitch.  The production is hella slick – maybe even a smidge too slick! Vocally, Hayley Williams shines, particularly on the high-flying chorus:

“Just let me cry a little bit longer / I ain’t gon’ smile if I don’t want to / Hey man, we all can’t be like you / I wish we were all rose-colored too / My rose-colored boy.”

Clearly, Williams has had her ups and downs, and she essentially states, not everyone is always in a good mood or place.

---

[/nextpage][nextpage title=”10-12″ ]

10. 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.

---

11. 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.

---

12.Childish Gambino, “Baby Boy”

“Awaken, My Love!” • Glassnote • 2016

“Baby Boy” ranks among the crème de la crème of “Awaken, My Love!”. Childish Gambino (Donald Glover) sounds incredibly raw and gritty, arguably delivering his best vocals of the album. Thematically, he tackles parenthood, potential custody issues, and the broken family in which the child is often the victim.

“I don’t wanna leave you, I don’t want him to see you

But oh, when mama cries from daddy’s lies

Oh my, please don’t take him away, no, no, no.”

---

Photo Credits: Asylum, Atlantic, Broken Bow, Columbia, Counter, Domino, Epic, Glassnote, LoganLand

[/nextpage]