"Boyfriend" is a song by English singer Mabel, released on 26 February 2020. The song is featured as a bonus track on the iTunes Store edition of Mabel's debut studio album High Expectations (2019).[2] The song additionally serves as the lead single from her upcoming second studio album.[3] "Boyfriend" samples "Remember Me" (1997) by Blue Boy which in turn sampled "Woman of the Ghetto" (1969) by Marlena Shaw.[4]
Background
Mabel announced the song's release on 21 February 2020.[5] She described the song as "wanting someone in your life doesn't mean you can't still be dat bitchh".[6]
Composition
Musically, "Boyfriend" is an empowering upbeat pop anthem with a bumping production.[7][8][1] Lyrically, the song sees Mabel wanting a boyfriend, but saying how she doesn't necessarily need one "I want a boyfriend... Even though a man ain't something I need".
Music video
The song's accompanying music video was directed by Isaac Rentz and was released on 26 February 2020.[9][10] According to Mabel the video for "Boyfriend" was inspired by late American singer Aaliyah. [11] It sees Mabel make her ideal boyfriend in an underground computer laboratory.[7] It is a gender-reverse flip of the 1985 film Weird Science.[7]
* Sales figures based on certification alone. ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. ‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
^"ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – RADIO – TOP 100 and insert 202030 into search. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
^Arvunescu, Victor (27 April 2020). "Top Airplay 100 - Saint Jhn face legea!" [Top Airplay 100 – Saint Jhn makes the rules!] (in Romanian). Un site de muzică. Retrieved 29 April 2020.