Boyfriend (Ariana Grande and Social House song)

Summary

"Boyfriend" is a song by American singer Ariana Grande and American musical duo Social House. It was released by Republic Records on August 2, 2019.[3] It is the second single from the latter's debut extended play, Everything Changed... (2019). It became Grande's 14th and Social House's first top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also became the first song by a woman, and third overall, to top the Rolling Stone Top 100 Songs chart, achieving it in its debut week.[4] It won the MTV Video Music Award for Song of Summer, and was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.

"Boyfriend"
Cover art for "Boyfriend": a washed-out photo of Ariana Grande and Social House, with the song title and their names written over their faces
Single by Ariana Grande and Social House
from the EP Everything Changed...
ReleasedAugust 2, 2019 (2019-08-02)
Genre
Length3:06
LabelRepublic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Ariana Grande singles chronology
"Monopoly"
(2019)
"Boyfriend"
(2019)
"Don't Call Me Angel"
(2019)
Social House singles chronology
"Haunt You"
(2019)
"Boyfriend"
(2019)
"Electric"
(2020)
Music video
"Boyfriend" on YouTube

Background edit

The song was first teased by Grande on her social media on July 24, 2019, when she posted a picture of herself on a video set.[5][6][7] She followed up the posts with pictures from the same video set, revealing the song to be a collaboration with Social House.[8] Grande hinted at the title of the song on July 29, 2019, with the caption "u ain't my boyfriend".[9] The first teaser was posted a day later.[3][10] The cover art was revealed by Grande on her social media on July 30, 2019, and the song was simultaneously made available for pre-save.[11]

Composition edit

The song is written in the key of B minor, and it follows the chord progression of Gmaj13—F7—Bm11—Em9—F7. Grande's vocals span from a low A3 to a high F5.[12]

Critical reception edit

Billboard's Jason Lipshutz called "Boyfriend" an "elastic pop track, a lovably low-stakes ode to romantic attraction but resistance to traditional labels".[1] Amanda Mitchell of O, The Oprah Magazine opined that the song's lyrics "will hit home for anyone who's ever wanted to be coupled-up, but also enjoyed the freedom of not being in a relationship. It's the theme song for those who fear commitment—despite wanting to be someone's girlfriend".[13] Writing for Esquire, Gabrielle Bruney stated that it is "a completely undeniable bop", adding that it is "an effortlessly hooky R&B-pop hybrid" which "captures that torturous liminal phase in relationships, before boundaries and definitions have been set in stone, but when feelings are still very much on the line".[14]

Music video edit

The music video was directed by Hannah Lux Davis and was released alongside the song on August 2, 2019.[15] In the video, Grande and Foster portray a dysfunctional couple seeking counseling from Anderson as they sing the song. Intermittent scenes show Grande and Foster at a party and both seeing the other flirt with other people. They each jealously fantasize about violently attacking their partner's other love interests: Grande tackles and beats one girl and pins another girl to a door by shooting an arrow into her palm; Foster kicks a guy in the face and pulls out his still-beating heart, giving it to Grande. Another sequence involves Grande pulling open her blazer and firing lasers shaped like pink hearts out of her bra, getting Foster's attention. The video ends with the couple passionately making out in the bathroom and subsequently destroying it. Anderson finds them, seemingly giving up on the couple and leaving them to their own devices.[16] The video has since received over 245 million views as of February 2024.[16]

Accolades edit

Year Organization Award Result Ref.
2019 MTV Video Music Award Song of Summer Won [17]
2020 Grammy Awards Best Pop Duo/Group Performance Nominated [18]

Live performances edit

The song was first performed live by Grande and Social House at Grande's performance at Lollapalooza on August 4, 2019, with Social House.[19] Grande later added the song to the European leg of her Sweetener World Tour.[20]

Credits and personnel edit

Credits adapted from Tidal.[21]

  • Ariana Grande – vocals, songwriter, vocal producer, vocal arranger
  • Charles Anderson – vocals, songwriter
  • Michael Foster – vocals, songwriter
  • Edgar Barrera – producer, songwriter, programmer
  • Anthony M. Jones - producer, songwriter, programmer
  • Steven Franks – producer, songwriter, programmer
  • Tommy Brown – producer, songwriter, programmer
  • Tarron Crayton – bass guitar
  • Serban Ghenea – mixer, studio personnel
  • John Hanes – mix engineer, studio personnel

Charts edit

Certifications edit

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[78] 3× Platinum 210,000
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[79] Diamond 160,000
Canada (Music Canada)[80] Platinum 80,000
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[81] Gold 45,000
New Zealand (RMNZ)[82] Gold 15,000
Norway (IFPI Norway)[83] Gold 30,000
Poland (ZPAV)[84] Platinum 50,000
Portugal (AFP)[85] Gold 5,000
United Kingdom (BPI)[86] Gold 400,000
United States (RIAA)[87] Platinum 1,000,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history edit

Release dates and formats for "Boyfriend"
Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various August 2, 2019 Republic [21]
Australia Contemporary hit radio [88]
Canada
[89]
Italy Contemporary hit radio Universal [90]
United States August 6, 2019 Republic [91]
Rhythmic contemporary [92]
Various December 6, 2019 [93][94][95][96]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b Lipshutz, Jason (August 2, 2019). "First Stream: New Releases From Ariana Grande, Drake, Haim & More". Billboard. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
  2. ^ Bruner, Raisa (August 3, 2019). "The 5 Songs You Should Listen to Now From Haim's 'Summer Girl' Ode to Ariana Grande's Low-Key Jam". Time. Retrieved August 4, 2019.
  3. ^ a b "Ariana Grande – Instagram". Archived from the original on 2021-12-24. Retrieved July 29, 2019 – via Instagram.
  4. ^ "RS Charts: Ariana Grande and Social House's 'Boyfriend' is Number One on Top 100". 12 August 2019.
  5. ^ "i even wear @givenchyofficial in my videos ☺️". Archived from the original on 2021-12-24. Retrieved July 29, 2019 – via Instagram.
  6. ^ Aniftos, Rania (July 24, 2019). "Ariana Grande Teases Potential Music Video & Fans Are Speculating What it Could Be". Billboard. Retrieved July 29, 2019.
  7. ^ "Ariana Grande Dropping New Music Video? '7 Rings' Singer Drops Huge Clue She's Filming Something New Amid Rumours 'Summer Single' is Coming". Capital FM. July 26, 2019. Retrieved July 29, 2019.
  8. ^ Nied, Mike (July 29, 2019). "Ariana Grande Reunites With Social House On 'Boyfriend'". Idolator. Retrieved July 30, 2019.
  9. ^ "u ain't my boyfriend @socialhouse". Archived from the original on 2021-12-24. Retrieved July 29, 2019 – via Instagram.
  10. ^ Shafer, Ellise (July 29, 2019). "Ariana Grande Teases New Song 'Boyfriend' With Social House: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved July 30, 2019.
  11. ^ "you can now presave #boyfriend on @spotify & @applemusic 🏹 link in bio". Archived from the original on 2021-12-24. Retrieved July 30, 2019 – via Instagram.
  12. ^ "Boyfriend". 2 August 2019.
  13. ^ Mitchell, Amanda (August 5, 2019). "The Lyrics to Ariana Grande's 'Boyfriend' Are for Anyone Who's Ever Feared Commitment". O, The Oprah Magazine. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
  14. ^ Bruney, Gabrielle (August 2, 2019). "Ariana Grande's 'Boyfriend' Is a Late Entry to Be Song of the Summer". Esquire. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
  15. ^ Boucher, Ashley (August 2, 2019). "Ariana Grande Dramatically Takes Out Her Love Rivals in New 'Boyfriend' Video with Social House". People. Retrieved August 3, 2019.
  16. ^ a b "Ariana Grande, Social House - boyfriend". August 2, 2019. Retrieved February 12, 2024 – via YouTube.
  17. ^ Bennett, Anita (August 26, 2019). "MTV Video Music Awards – Complete Winners List". Deadline. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
  18. ^ "2020 GRAMMY Awards: Complete Nominees List". GRAMMY.com. November 18, 2019. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  19. ^ Ramli, Sofiana (August 5, 2019). "Watch Ariana Grande perform new song 'Boyfriend' live for the first time at Lollapalooza". NME. Retrieved August 5, 2019.
  20. ^ Yeates, Cydney (August 18, 2019). "Ariana Grande takes us to confetti and rainbow heaven as Sweetener World Tour arrives in London". Metro. Retrieved August 18, 2019.
  21. ^ a b "Try the TIDAL Web Player". Tidal. Retrieved 2019-08-04.
  22. ^ "Ariana Grande Chart History (Billboard Argentina Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
  23. ^ "Ariana Grande & Social House – Boyfriend". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
  24. ^ "Ariana Grande & Social House – Boyfriend" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved August 15, 2019.
  25. ^ "Ariana Grande & Social House – Boyfriend" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
  26. ^ "Ariana Grande & Social House – Boyfriend" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
  27. ^ "Ariana Grande Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
  28. ^ "China Airplay Chart/Foreign Language - 18/08/2019". Billboard China (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 2019-08-23. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
  29. ^ "Top 100 Colombia – Semana 49 del 2019 – Del 29/11/2019 al 05/12/2019" (in Spanish). National-Report. Archived from the original on December 7, 2019. Retrieved December 7, 2019.
  30. ^ "Croatia ARC TOP 100". HRT. Archived from the original on August 6, 2021. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  31. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – SINGLES DIGITAL – TOP 100 and insert 201933 into search. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
  32. ^ "Ariana Grande & Social House – Boyfriend". Tracklisten. Retrieved August 14, 2019.
  33. ^ "EESTI TIPP-40 MUUSIKAS: nädala kõrgeim uus tulija - Ariana Grande uue "boyfriendi" ja boyfriendiga" (in Estonian). Eesti Ekspress. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
  34. ^ "Ariana Grande,Social House: Boyfriend (With Social House)" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved August 12, 2019.
  35. ^ "Ariana Grande & Social House – Boyfriend" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
  36. ^ "Ariana Grande & Social House – Boyfriend" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
  37. ^ "Greece Digital Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2019-08-27. Retrieved August 19, 2019.
  38. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
  39. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Stream Top 40 slágerlista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
  40. ^ "TÓNLISTINN – Vika 36 – 2019; Plötutíðindi". Archived from the original on 2019-06-03. Retrieved 2019-08-31.
  41. ^ "Year 2018, Week 36". Media Forest Israel. Archived from the original on October 2, 2017. Retrieved August 26, 2019.
  42. ^ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Ariana Grande". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
  43. ^ "Ariana Grande & Social House – Boyfriend". Top Digital Download. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
  44. ^ "Billboard Japan Hot 100 2019/8/19". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved August 15, 2019.
  45. ^ "Mūzikas Patēriņa Tops/ 32. nedēļa" (in Latvian). LAIPA. Archived from the original on October 10, 2019. Retrieved November 27, 2019.
  46. ^ "Savaitės klausomiausi (TOP 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. August 9, 2019. Retrieved December 2, 2019.
  47. ^ "The official lebanese Top 20 - Ariana Grande".
  48. ^ "Top 20 Most Streamed International & Domestic Singles In Malaysia" (PDF). Recording Industry Association of Malaysia. Recording Industry Association of Malaysia. Retrieved August 22, 2019.
  49. ^ "Ariana Grande Chart History (Mexico Ingles Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 13 August 2019.
  50. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 35, 2019" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
  51. ^ "Lijst van 17-08-2019 – Mega Top 50" (in Dutch). Mega Top 50. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  52. ^ "Ariana Grande & Social House – Boyfriend" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
  53. ^ "Ariana Grande & Social House – Boyfriend". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
  54. ^ "Ariana Grande & Social House – Boyfriend". VG-lista. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
  55. ^ "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved August 12, 2019.
  56. ^ "Ariana Grande & Social House – Boyfriend". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved August 15, 2019.
  57. ^ "Airplay 100 – 27 octombrie 2019" (in Romanian). Kiss FM. October 27, 2019. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  58. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
  59. ^ "RIAS International Top Charts Week 32". Recording Industry Association (Singapore). Archived from the original on August 15, 2019.
  60. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 20191 into search. Retrieved September August 13, 2019.
  61. ^ "Digital Chart – Week 32 of 2019". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Retrieved August 15, 2019.
  62. ^ "Ariana Grande & Social House – Boyfriend" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
  63. ^ "Ariana Grande & Social House – Boyfriend". Singles Top 100. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
  64. ^ "Ariana Grande & Social House – Boyfriend". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved August 11, 2019.
  65. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
  66. ^ "Ariana Grande Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
  67. ^ "Ariana Grande Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  68. ^ "Ariana Grande Chart History (Dance Mix/Show Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved September 11, 2019.
  69. ^ "Ariana Grande Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  70. ^ "Ariana Grande Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  71. ^ "Ariana Grande Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  72. ^ "Top 100 Songs". Rolling Stone. August 8, 2019. Archived from the original on August 9, 2019. Retrieved August 12, 2019.
  73. ^ "Canadian Hot 100 – Year-End 2019". Billboard. Retrieved December 5, 2019.
  74. ^ "Stream Top 100 - 2019". Mahasz. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
  75. ^ "Digitālās Mūzikas Tops 2019" (in Latvian). LAIPA. Retrieved January 4, 2020.
  76. ^ "Billboard Hot 100 – Year-End 2019". Billboard. Retrieved December 5, 2019.
  77. ^ "Pop Songs – Year-End 2019". Retrieved December 5, 2019.
  78. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2023 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
  79. ^ "Brazilian single certifications – Ariana Grande – Boyfriend" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  80. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Ariana Grande and Social House – Boyfriend". Music Canada. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
  81. ^ "Danish single certifications – Ariana Grande and Social House – Boyfriend". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved July 6, 2022. Scroll through the page-list below until year 2022 to obtain certification.
  82. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Ariana Grande and Social House – Boyfriend". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved September 28, 2019.
  83. ^ "Norwegian single certifications – Ariana Grande, Social House – Boyfriend" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  84. ^ "Wyróżnienia – Platynowe płyty CD - Archiwum - Przyznane w 2021 roku" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  85. ^ "Portuguese single certifications – Ariana Grande and Social House – Boyfriend" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  86. ^ "British single certifications – Ariana Grande – Boyfriend". British Phonographic Industry.
  87. ^ "American single certifications – Ariana Grande – Boyfriend". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
  88. ^ "Singles To Radio - The Music Network". The Music Network.
  89. ^ "Ariana Grande & Social House - Boyfriend - Daily Play MPE®Daily Play MPE®". daily.plaympe.com. August 2, 2019.
  90. ^ "ARIANA GRANDE & SOCIAL HOUSE "Boyfriend" | (Radio Date: 03/08/2019)". radiodate.it.
  91. ^ "Top 40/M Future Releases". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on August 2, 2019. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
  92. ^ "Top 40/R Future Releases". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on August 2, 2019. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
  93. ^ "Boyfriend 12" + Digital Single – Ariana Grande | Shop". Archived from the original on August 5, 2019. Retrieved August 5, 2019.
  94. ^ "Boyfriend 7" + Digital Single – Ariana Grande | Shop". Archived from the original on August 5, 2019. Retrieved August 5, 2019.
  95. ^ "Boyfriend CD + Digital Single – Ariana Grande | Shop". Archived from the original on August 5, 2019. Retrieved August 5, 2019.
  96. ^ "Boyfriend Cassette + Digital Single – Ariana Grande | Shop". Archived from the original on August 5, 2019. Retrieved August 5, 2019.