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"Boyfriend" (stylized in all lowercase) is a song by Ariana Grande and Social House.[1] It was released on August 2, 2019, through Republic Records. It is the second single from Social House's debut EP, Everything Changed..., which was released on August 9, 2019.

Background[]

On July 29, 2019, Grande posted a teaser for the song revealing the title and release date on her Twitter and Instagram accounts.[1]

Grande talked about the song on Twitter:[2]

I feel like this song captures a common theme in the lives of so many people I know! People want to feel love but don't want to define their relationship [and] have trouble fully committing or trusting or allowing themselves to fully love someone. Even [though] they want to.

On a different tweet, she stated:[3]

We wanted to make something uplifting that captures that feeling of being afraid to take the leap [and] trust, being afraid of being hurt or feeling like you won't be enough for that person, but also how it feels to have a crippling crush on someone.

The full sessions leaked on January 4, 2024, along with several other unreleased songs and sessions.

Recording Dates[]

  • May 9, 2019 ("Boyfriend (Demo 1, 2 & 3)")
  • May 10, 2019 ("Boyfriend (Mikey, Scootie & Ariana Vocal Takes)")
  • May 11, 2019 ("Boyfriend (Demo 4)")
  • May 15, 2019 ("Boyfriend (Scootie Vocal Takes)")
  • May 16, 2019 ("Boyfriend (Ariana & Scootie Vocal Takes)"
  • May 17, 2019 ("Boyfriend (Demo 5, 6 & 7)")
  • May 23, 2019 ("Boyfriend (Demo 8)")
  • May 24 2019 ("Boyfriend (Demo 9, 10, 11, 12)")
  • May 25, 2019 ("Boyfriend (Demo 13, 14, 15)")

Audios[]

Music video[]

A music video was released accompanying the song. It was directed by Hannah Lux Davis.[4][5]

Live performances[]

Grande and Social House debuted the song live at the Lollapalooza on August 4, 2019.

Trivia[]

  • The song was nominated at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards for "Best Pop Duo/Group Performance".
  • In the music video, Grande appears to be wearing R.E.M Beauty's laugh-in eyeshadow from the ch_02 gogo boots palette.

Merchandise[]

Physical Releases[]

Gallery[]

Lyrics[]

[Verse 1: Ariana Grande]
I'm a motherfuckin' train wreck
I don't wanna be too much
But I don't wanna miss your touch
And you don't seem to give a fuck
I don't wanna keep you waiting
But I do just what I have to do
And I might not be the one for you
But you ain't allowed to have no boo

[Pre-Chorus: Ariana Grande]
'Cause I know we be so complicated
But we be so smitten, it's crazy
I can't have what I want, but neither can you

[Chorus: Ariana Grande]
You ain't my boyfriend (Boyfriend)
And I ain't your girlfriend (Girlfriend)
But you don't want me to see nobody else
And I don't want you to see nobody
But you ain't my boyfriend (Boyfriend)
And I ain't your girlfriend (Girlfriend)
But you don't want me to touch nobody else
Baby, we ain't gotta tell nobody

[Verse 2: Mikey]
Even though you ain't mine, I promise the way we fight
Make me honestly feel like we just in love
'Cause, baby, when push comes to shove
Damn, baby, I'm a train wreck, too (Too)
I lose my mind when it comes to you
I take time with the ones I choose
And I don't want a smile if it ain't from you, yeah

[Pre-Chorus: Mikey]
I know we be so complicated
Lovin' you sometimes drive me crazy
'Cause I can't have what I want and neither can you

[Chorus: Ariana Grande]
You ain't my boyfriend (Boyfriend)
And I ain't your girlfriend (Girlfriend)
But you don't want me to see nobody else
And I don't want you to see nobody
But you ain't my boyfriend (Boyfriend)
And I ain't your girlfriend (Girlfriend)
But you don't want me to touch nobody else
Baby, we ain't gotta tell nobody

[Verse 3: Scootie and Ariana Grande]
I wanna kiss you (Yeah), don't wanna miss you (Yeah)
But I can't be with you 'cause I got issues
Yeah, on the surface, seem like it's easy
Careful with words, but it's still hard to read me
Stress high when the trust low (Mmm)
Bad vibes, where'd the fun go? (Oh)
Try to open up and love more (Love more)
Try to open up and love more

[Bridge: Scootie and Ariana Grande]
If you were my boyfriend
And you were my girlfriend
I prolly wouldn't see nobody else
But I can't guarantee that by myself

[Chorus: Ariana Grande]
You ain't my boyfriend (Boyfriend, you ain't my boyfriend)
And I ain't your girlfriend (Girlfriend, I ain't your girlfriend)
But you don't want me to see nobody else (Nobody)
And I don't want you to see nobody
But you ain't my boyfriend (Boyfriend, you know you ain't my boyfriend)
And I ain't your girlfriend (Girlfriend, yeah, mmm)
But you don't want me to touch nobody else (Nobody)
Baby, we ain't gotta tell nobody (Oh yeah)
You ain't my boyfriend (Boyfriend)
And I ain't your girlfriend (Girlfriend)
But you don't want me to see nobody else
And I don't want you to see nobody
But you ain't my boyfriend (Boyfriend)
And I ain't your girlfriend (Girlfriend, yeah)
But you don't want me to touch nobody else (Nobody)
Baby, we ain't gotta tell nobody

References[]

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