| “ | I love [the original] song. I've always wanted to reimagine that song in some kind of way. [I got the idea] when I saw my fan's reaction to "Fantasize" because they love it so much. [...] I kind of was like 'this is a very bad idea, I think', but there is a large group of my fans that really do love a bad girl anthem and this is kind of an elevated version of that.
|
” |
–Grande on the song and "Fantasize" to Zach Sang | ||
"The Boy Is Mine" (stylized in all lowercase) is the third single and eighth track on Ariana Grande's seventh studio album, Eternal Sunshine. It was released on March 8, 2024, through Republic Records. It was later released as a single on June 7, 2024, alongside a music video, and then again on June 21, 2024, with a remix version with Brandy and Monica.
Background[]
On February 17, 2024, the title and track number of the song had been made out from a blurry track-list photo that was corrected by fans, but quickly becoming widespread. On February 27, 2024, it was announced that this song would be a part of Eternal Sunshine.
When talking about the song in her interview with Zach Sang, Grande stated, "I think it's just like, naughty, It's the version of "Fantasize" on the album that they wanted to have that, you know, it's just like a sexier, naughtier one and I think it's more provocative than the rest but it's not about what you think it was about and it's also a song that I've always wanted to interpolate, is that what the kids are calling now? Yeah, I have like, many different versions of it from like, years ago but this is like not that obviously."
The song was teased to be the third single on Eternal Sunshine on May 7, 2024,[1] when Grande put up the "brighter days longsleeve t-shirt" on her web store, which features six files on the back, with the first three being named "Yes, And?", "We Can't Be Friends", and "The Boy Is Mine", respectively.[2]
On May 17, 2024, the @sweetener Instagram account posted a collage with lyrics from the song along with images presumably from the music video, all captioned with "...trailer & official announcement coming soon"[3] or "...loading single 3".[4]
On May 27, 2024, a teaser for the song's music video was released to Grande's social media.[5]
On June 7, 2024, the single cover was revealed through the @sweetener Instagram account[6] and the "link to" share link.
On July 17, 2024, a digital bundle for the song including an acapella, instrumental, remix, and acapella remix was announced, to be released two days later on July 19.[7]
Music Video[]
The song's music video, directed by Christian Breslauer,[8] was released on June 7th, 2024.
The music video opens with a garbage man being attacked by a rat (voiced by Elizabeth Gillies). Peaches (played by Grande) returns in this video, making a love potion for the mayor, Max Starling (played by Penn Badgley). TV reporters (played by Brandy and Monica) then announce that the mayor will be addressing an ongoing issue with the media, which then begins to play after. Starling discusses the city's issue with rats and how he will deal with it while Peaches admires from TV. She then begins to sing the song as she walks up to her shrine she has made for the Starling and begins to sew an outfit that resembles Catwoman. Peaches then climbs onto rooftops until she reaches Starling's apartment, sneaking inside. Dragging Starling over by her whip, Peaches attempts to feed him her love potion, but he eventually takes it away from her and throws it on the wall as he already has fallen in love with Peaches, the pink liquid forming a heart smoke with a T letter on the inside. The video ends as the ending credits roll, showing Peaches and Starling playing with their cats.
Live Performances[]
On May 6, 2024 song was performed for the first time at 2024 Met Gala after party.[9]
On June 6, 2024, Grande performed the song on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.[10]
Merchandise[]
The "The Boy Is Mine" merchandise was unveiled on Ariana's webstore on July 27, 2024.[11] More styles were released on July 30, 2024.
Physical Releases[]
Remix[]
"The Boy Is Mine (Remix)" (stylized in all-lowercase) was released on June 21, 2024. On June 17, 2024, Grande took to Instagram to announce "The Boy Is Mine" remix would be released on June 21, 2024 and feature Brandy and Monica.[12]
Trivia[]
- This song is the "Fantasize" remake Grande mentioned in her interview with Zach Sang, as confirmed by Zane Lowe.[13]
- This was the second song recorded for the album.[13]
- This song interpolates "The Boy Is Mine" by Brandy and Monica.[13]
- While performing the song live, she used their melodies.
- The song's title is similar to the unreleased Positions song titled "Girl Is Mine"/"The Girl Is Mine (Playboy)".
- This song used the same synths as in the unreleased song "Gloss", "True Story", and "Eternal Sunshine".
- The song's background vocals are louder on Apple Music when Dolby Atmos is turned off.
- This is most obvious in the line "there's gotta be a reason why".
- Grande did her own makeup for the song's music video.
- She used her Essential Drip Glossy Balm, Sweetener Foundation in light 8n, Sweetener Concealer in light 4g, Hypernova satin matte bronzer in "cocoa-nut", Interstellar Highlighter Topper in "miss mercury", Midnight Shadows Eyeshadow ("midnight snack" and "babydoll" palettes), Flourishing Lengthening Mascara, Eternally Meowing Dream Lashes, "At The Borderline" Eyeliner Marker, "Practically Permanent" lip stain marker, On Your Collar Lip Gloss, and Mist Thing.
- NASA posted a photo to their Instagram account captioned "The stars, they aligned 🎶".
- This is Ariana's first single to have a physical release of multiple versions.
- A CD release of 34+35 (Remix) was issued in 2021, but the solo version of the song never saw a solo release, making "The Boy Is Mine" the second remix to have a physical version. (Although Ariana's remix of "Good As Hell" was released as a 12" vinyl, it was the B-side to Lizzo's solo version of the song.)
Lyrics[]
[Verse 1]
How can it be? You and me
Might be meant to be, can't unsee it
But I don't wanna cause no scene
I'm usually so unproblematic
So independent
Tell me why
'Cause the boy is mi-ine
[Pre-Chorus]
Somethin' about him is made for somebody like me
Baby, come over, come over (Over)
And God knows I'm tryin'
But there's just no use in denying
[Chorus]
The boy is mine
I can't wait to try him
Let-let's get intertwined
The stars, they aligned
The boy is mine
Watch me take my timе
I can't believe my mind
The boy is divinе
Boy is mine
[Verse 2]
Please know this ain't what I planned for
Probably wouldn't bet a dime or my life on
There's gotta be a reason why
My girls, they always come through in a sticky situation
Say, "it's fine" (It's fine)
Happens all the ti-ime
[Pre-Chorus]
Somethin' about him is made for somebody like me
Baby, come over, come over (Over)
And God knows I'm tryin'
But there's just no use in denying
[Chorus]
The boy is mine
I can't wait to try him
Let-let's get intertwined
The stars, they aligned
The boy is mine
Watch me take my timе
I can't believe my mind
The boy is divinе
Boy is-
[Bridge]
And I know it's simply meant to be
And I, I take full accountability for all these tears
Promise you I'm not usually
Like this, shit, it's like news to me
To me
But I can't ignore my heart, boy
[Chorus]
The boy is mine
I can't wait to try him
Let-let's get intertwined
The stars, they aligned
The boy is mine
Watch me take my timе
I can't believe my mind
The boy is divinе
Boy is mine
[Verse 1: Brandy, Ariana Grande, Both]
How can it be? You and me
Might be meant to be, can't unsee it
But I don't wanna cause no scene
I'm usually so unproblematic
So independent
Tell me why
'Cause the boy is mi-ine
[Pre-Chorus: Brandy, Ariana Grande, Both]
Somethin' about him is made for somebody like me
Baby, come over, come over (Over)
And God knows I'm tryin'
But there's just no use in denying
[Chorus: Brandy, Ariana Grande]
The boy is mine
I can't wait to try him
Let-let's get intertwined
The stars, they aligned
The boy is mine
Watch me take my timе (Watch me take my time)
I can't believe my mind (I can't believe my mind)
The boy is divinе
Boy is mine
[Verse 2: Monica & Ariana Grande]
Please know this ain't what I planned for
Probably wouldn't bet a dime or my life on
There's gotta be a reason why
My girls, they always come through in a sticky situation
Say, "it's fine" (It's fine)
Happens all the ti-ime
[Pre-Chorus: Monica & Ariana Grande]
Somethin' about him is made for somebody like me
Baby, come over, come over (Over)
And God knows I'm tryin'
But there's just no use in denying
[Chorus: Monica & Ariana Grande]
The boy is mine
I can't wait to try him
Let-let's get intertwined
The stars, they aligned
The boy is mine (mine)
Watch me take my timе (Watch me take my time)
I can't believe my mind (I can't believe my mind)
The boy is divinе
The boy is mine
[Bridge: Brandy, Monica, Ariana Grande, All]
And I know that this is meant to be and I
I'll show you accountability and empathy and sympathy
How could you still be so disillusioned after all of this time? (Time)
I told you one before, I'll tell you once more the boy is still mine, mine
Said he wanna make plans with me
But I don't fuck with affairs, you see
But listen what they say to me
"If it ain't broke, then it can't be broken" (ain't broke)
Well, he better sort out it business
'Cause I'll never be nobody's mistress
(I know, I know, I know)
But I can't ignore my heart
Boy!
[Chorus: All, Brandy & Monica]
The boy is mine (Mine)
I can't wait to try him (I can't wait to try him)
Let-let's get intertwined (Let-let's get intertwined)
The stars, they aligned
The boy is mine
Watch me take my timе
I can't believe my mind
The boy is divinе (Oh)
The boy is mine
Mine!
I can't wait to try him (I can't wait to try him)
Let-let's get intertwined (Let-let's get intertwined)
The stars, they aligned (The stars)
The boy is mine (Oh)
Watch me take my timе (Watch me take my time)
I can't believe my mind (I can't believe my mind)
The boy is divinе
The boy is mine
Gallery[]
“deep breaths, tight chest, life, death” To view the The Boy Is Mine gallery, click here.
|
Videos[]
Track Listing[]
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "The Boy Is Mine" (with Brandy & Monica) (Remix) | 3:33 |
| 2. | "The Boy Is Mine" | 2:53 |
| Total length: | 6:27 | |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "The Boy Is Mine" | 2:53 |
| 2. | "The Boy Is Mine" (a cappella) | 2:43 |
| 3. | "The Boy Is Mine" (Instrumental) | 2:53 |
| 4. | "The Boy Is Mine" (with Brandy & Monica) (Remix) | 3:33 |
| 5. | "The Boy Is Mine" (with Brandy & Monica) (Remix A Capella) | 3:32 |
| Total length: | 15:36 | |
References[]
- ↑ Twitter - @arianatoday: "it appears that ‘eternal sunshine’ will have a total of 6 singles, “the boy is mine” being next"
- ↑ Ariana Grande Shop - "brighter days longsleeve t-shirt"
- ↑ Instagram - @sweetener: "...trailer & official annoucement coming soon"
- ↑ Instagram - @sweetener: "...loading single 3"
- ↑ Instagram - @arianagrande: "meow"
- ↑ Twitter - @chartdata: "Ariana Grande reveals single cover for "the boy is mine"."
- ↑ Twitter - @teamariana: "THE BOY IS MINE digital bundle out friday..."
- ↑ Instagram - @christhedirector: "ACT III… soon 🎥 @arianagrande"
- ↑ TikTok - 🧚🏼♂️… the… boy… is…. mine … ♡ @Vogue thank you Sergio for these & for letting me share !!!!!!! (some of this is from rehearsal!) just wanted to find you as much I could from this number 🥹
- ↑ Instagram -@fallontonight: "@arianagrande is here to talk eternal sunshine + perform “the boy is mine” on #FallonTonight next Thursday, June 6th at 11:35/10:35c on @nbc! #eternalsunshine"
- ↑ Twitter - @teamariana: "the boy is mine merch avaliable now shop.arianagrande.com"
- ↑ Instragram - @arianagrande: "｡˚ ♡ ☼ THE BOY IS MINE REMIX with @brandy and @monicadenise june 21st .ﾟ*ꕤ ♾️..."
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 YouTube - @applemusic: "eternal sunshine Zane Lowe interview"
[]
| Eternal Sunshine | |
|---|---|
| March 8, 2024 • 35:26 • Republic Records | |
| Songs | |
| Released | Bye • Don't Wanna Break Up Again • Eternal Sunshine • I Wish I Hated You • Imperfect For You • Intro (End of the World) • Ordinary Things • Saturn Returns • Supernatural • The Boy Is Mine • True Story • We Can't Be Friends (Wait For Your Love) • Yes, And? |
| Unreleased | Eternally • Only When It Matters • Rainbow • Shoot My Heart • Soul Idea |
| Artists | |
| Ariana Grande • Brandy • Diana Garland • Mariah Carey • Marjorie Grande • Monica • Troye Sivan | |