"Boyfriend" is a song by English singer Mabel, released on 26 February 2020. The song appears as a digital and streaming bonus track on Mabel's debut studio album High Expectations (2019).[2] "Boyfriend" samples "Remember Me" (1997) by Blue Boy which in turn sampled "Woman of the Ghetto" (1969) by Marlena Shaw.[3]
Background
Mabel announced the song's release on 21 February 2020.[4] She described the song as "wanting someone in your life doesn't mean you can't still be dat bitchh".[5]
Composition
Musically, "Boyfriend" is an empowering upbeat pop anthem with a bumping production.[6][7][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".
This song is written in the key of B minor and has a tempo of 100 beats per minute.
Music video
The song's accompanying music video was directed by Isaac Rentz and was released on 26 February 2020.[8][9] According to Mabel the video for "Boyfriend" was inspired by late American singer Aaliyah.[10] It sees Mabel make her ideal boyfriend in an underground computer laboratory.[6] It is a gender-reverse flip of the 1985 film Weird Science.[6]
^ a b c d"Mabel Releases Brand New Single, "Boyfriend"". Umusic. Archived from the original on 2020-02-27. Retrieved 2020-02-27.
^High Expectations by Mabel, archived from the original on 2020-03-03, retrieved 2020-02-27
^"Mabel delivers powerful message of self empowerment on 'Boyfriend'". NME Music News, Reviews, Videos, Galleries, Tickets and Blogs | NME.COM. 2020-02-26. Archived from the original on 2020-02-27. Retrieved 2020-02-27.
^@Mabel (February 21, 2020). "NEW MUSIC LOADINGGGGGG ARE YOU READY?! 26.02 https://Mabel.lnk.to/BoyfriendPreSave ...pic.twitter.com/GO2iaHvtmh" (Tweet). Retrieved 27 February 2020 – via Twitter.
^"Mabel explains message behind new single Boyfriend". www.officialcharts.com. Archived from the original on 2020-02-26. Retrieved 2020-02-27.
^ a b cStavropoulos, Laura (2020-02-26). "Mabel Releases Anthemic New Single "Boyfriend" | uDiscover". uDiscover Music. Archived from the original on 2020-02-27. Retrieved 2020-02-27.
^Roth, Madeline. "Mabel Makes Her '90s Aaliyah Dreams Come True In "Boyfriend" Video". MTV News. Archived from the original on 2020-02-27. Retrieved 2020-02-27.
^"Pick Up the Phone: Mabel Wants a 'Boyfriend'". MuuMuse. 2020-02-26. Archived from the original on 2020-02-27. Retrieved 2020-02-27.
^"Mabel - Boyfriend (Official Video)". MabelVEVO. Feb 26, 2020. Archived from the original on 1 March 2020. Retrieved 28 February 2002 – via YouTube.
^"Mabel Makes Her '90s Aaliyah Dreams Come True In 'Boyfriend' Video". MTV News. 2020-02-26. Archived from the original on 2020-03-15. Retrieved 2020-03-12.
^ a b"Boyfriend (Tiësto Remix) - Single by Mabel on Apple Music". Apple Music. 27 March 2020. Archived from the original on 27 March 2020. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
^ a b"Boyfriend (Endor Remix) - Single". Apple Music. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
^ a b"Boyfriend (Digital Farm Animals & Franklin Remix) - Single". Apple Music. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
^ a b"Boyfriend (Remixes) - EP by Mabel on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
^ a b"Boyfriend (Acoustic) - Single by Mabel on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
^"Boyfriend / Mabel". Tidal. Archived from the original on 27 February 2020. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
^"Mabel %5BUK%5D – Boyfriend" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
^"Mabel %5BUK%5D – Boyfriend" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
^"Croatia ARC TOP 100". HRT. Archived from the original on 24 March 2020. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
^"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.
^"Mabel Chart History (Euro Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
^"Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
^"Mabel Chart History: Mexico Ingles Airplay". Billboard. Archived from the original on 4 December 2019. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
^"NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 9 March 2020. Archived from the original on 19 March 2020. Retrieved 7 March 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.
^"Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
^"ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 202016 into search. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
^"Veckolista Heatseeker, vecka 10". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 7 March 2020.