Girls Like Girls
| "Girls Like Girls" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
.jpg) Remixes single cover | ||||
| Single by Hayley Kiyoko | ||||
| from the album This Side of Paradise | ||||
| Released | June 24, 2015 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 3:49 | |||
| Label |
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| Songwriter(s) |
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| Producer(s) | James Flannigan | |||
| Hayley Kiyoko singles chronology | ||||
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"Girls Like Girls" is a song recorded by American singer and songwriter Hayley Kiyoko for her second extended play This Side of Paradise. The song was released with a music video as the second single on June 24, 2015, directed by Kiyoko and Austin S. Winchel.
Composition[edit]
"Girls Like Girls" is written by Kiyoko along with Owen Thomas and Lily-May Young; with production handled by James Flannigan. The concept of the song is based around writing about subjects that may not be in the spotlight.[2] In an interview in Us Weekly, Kiyoko stated: "I loved the idea of how all these guys always are stealing other guys’ girls and I was like, ‘There’s no female anthem for a girl stealing another guy's girl,' and that is the coolest thing ever, ['Girls Like Girls' has] become a universal video that brings out different kinds of emotions for different kinds of people."[3]
Music video[edit]
A music video, directed by both Kiyoko and Austin S. Winchell was released in August. It stars her Jem and the Holograms costar Stefanie Scott in the main role of Coley as the love interest of Sonya (played by Kelsey Chow).[3] The music video itself caused a big impact on microblogging website Tumblr and eventually went viral, reaching more than 145 million views.[4]
Synopsis[edit]
The music video follows Coley and Sonya as they realize their love for each other extends beyond friendship. The clip opens with Coley looking sad as she rides a bike through a suburban neighborhood with cuts on her face. Coley gets the cuts after Sonya's boyfriend catches them almost kissing by the pool and physically assaults her in a rage. Before the altercation takes place, Coley and Sonya hang out as friends. They smoke together at Sonya's house and Coley watches adoringly as Sonya dances freely in an outdoor open space. They exchange knowing looks and long stares as they change into swimsuits before the pool party. Another day, as Sonya is sitting by the pool, Coley approaches her and sits by her. They try to kiss, but Sonya's boyfriend assaults them. After Coley is hit by the boyfriend, she jumps on him as he yells at Sonya and continues punching him until Sonya manages to tear her off of him. The two finally kiss, and the video concludes with Coley riding happily on her bike in the same suburban neighborhood from the first scene.[5]
Critical reception[edit]
In 2019, Billboard included the song in its list of the "30 Lesbian Love Songs".[6]
Track listings[edit]
- Digital download (Remixes)[7]
- "Girls Like Girls" (Jenaux Remix) – 3:53
- "Girls Like Girls" (Oski Remix) – 3:44
- "Girls Like Girls" (Kuga Remix) – 2:56
- "Girls Like Girls" (Vali Remix) – 3:45
Certifications[edit]
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[8] | Gold | 500,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References[edit]
- ^ Rolling Stone Staff (June 28, 2023). "The 50 Most Inspirational LGBTQ Songs of All Time". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on June 29, 2023. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
The synth-pop track, in which she declares that "girls like girls like boys do, nothing" in its chorus...
- ^ Adelle Platon (October 12, 2015). "Hayley Kiyoko Debuts Dance-Ready Oski Remix of 'Girls Like Girls': Premiere". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 15, 2015. Retrieved October 17, 2015.
- ^ a b Rosenbloom, Ali (July 29, 2015). "Hayley Kiyoko's "Girls Like Girls" Music Video Tops 3.8 Million Views on Vevo, Reveals Inspiration for Song". Us Weekly. Archived from the original on October 15, 2015. Retrieved October 17, 2015.
- ^ Anna Menta (August 18, 2016). "Hayley Kiyoko On Her Hit 'Girls Like Girls' And Queer Representation In Music". Elite Daily. Archived from the original on April 11, 2021. Retrieved October 12, 2016.
- ^ Laura Donovan (August 26, 2016). "Why This Pop Song Is a Huge Win For LGBT Youth". Archived from the original on October 12, 2016. Retrieved October 12, 2016.
- ^ Russell, Erica (February 13, 2019). "30 Lesbian Love Songs: Women Singing About Women (Updated 2019)". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 21, 2023. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
- ^ "iTunes - Music - Girls Like Girls (Remixes) - EP by Hayley Kiyoko". iTunes Store US. Apple Inc. 11 December 2015. Archived from the original on 12 October 2016. Retrieved October 12, 2016.
- ^ "American single certifications – Hayley Kiyoko – Girls Like Girls". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 17 August 2020.