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in: Songs, R&B songs, Hip hop songs,
and 9 more
This article is part of the Believe era
Boyfriend is certified platinum 6x in the US
Boyfriend is certified platinum in the UK
English

Boyfriend

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“Boyfriend” is a song by Justin Bieber, released as the first single from his third studio album, Believe. It was written and produced by Mike Posner, Matthew Musto and Mason Levy, with additional writing by Bieber. Bieber explained that the track would surprise people in different ways, since it is a musical departure from his previous material. A snippet of "Boyfriend" was previewed on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on March 1, 2012. On March 11,2012 Justin Bieber tweeted "i could be a gentlemen, anything u want . #15DAYS". The song was announced as a single on the same day, and was released on March 26, 2012. The cover art was released on March 19, 2012.

Musically, "Boyfriend" is a R&B and hip-hop influenced song that features club beats reminiscent of American record producer Pharrell Williams and pop band 'N Sync. The instrumentation is kept in a lower sound to highlight Bieber's vocals. The lyrics of "Boyfriend" features Bieber singing about being "everything you want", and have references to songs by Beyoncé Knowles, Britney Spears and Janet Jackson. The song received generally mixed reviews from contemporary critics, who praised its composition, but dismissed its lyrical content. They also noted that it is too similar to early works by Justin Timberlake.

Background[]

Mike_Posner_-_Making_of_Justin_Bieber's_"Boyfriend"

Mike Posner - Making of Justin Bieber's "Boyfriend"

Mike Posner started working on the song and called it “Bedroom” with Blackbear on November 29, 2011. It was meant to be Mike's next big single with Rick Ross.[2] Originally they had these lyrics that went, 'Inside of your bedroom, no one has to know. Inside of your bedroom, that's where we should go. Girl take off your clothes.'" However, Posner disliked it and then they came up with the title "Boyfriend".[3][4][5]

Posner told MTV News that he ran into Bieber's manager Scooter Braun at a LA Clippers game and said he would love to work with the Biebs. [6] When Posner played the song for Justin Bieber, he wrote his own lyrics in the verses.[7]

Performances[]

Justin Bieber performed the song multiple times. For these concerts a dance break was added to the song, which is produced by Bei Maejor.[8]

Date Event City Notes
May 8, 2012 The Voice Universal City
May 20, 2012 2012 Billboard Music Awards Belfast
May 22, 2012 The Ellen DeGeneres Show London
May 30, 2012 Justin Bieber live i Oslo Oslo
May 31, 2012 Live@Home Paris
June 1, 2012 Le Grand Journal
NRJ Music Tour
June 2, 2012 Believe Party Milan Acoustic
Arena di Verona 2012 Verona
June 4, 2012 El Hormiguero Madrid Acoustic
June 6, 2012 Alan Carr: Chatty Man London
June 7, 2012 Germany's Next Topmodel Cologne
June 8, 2012 BILD Meets Justin Bieber Berlin Acoustic
June 9, 2012 2012 Summertime Ball London
June 10, 2012 London Live
June 11, 2012 México Suena Justin Bieber Mexico City
June 15, 2012 The Today Show New York City
June 17, 2012 MuchMusic Video Awards Toronto
June 18, 2012 Justin Bieber: All Around the World - Presented by Macy's New York City
June 19, 2012 The View
June 20, 2012 Late Show with David Letterman
June 27, 2012 The Tonight Show with Jay Leno Burbank
July 10, 2012 LIQUIDROOM Tokyo
July 11, 2012 Mezamashi Live Odaiba
SMAP×SMAP Tokyo
July 14, 2012 MTV World Stage: Live in Malaysia 2012 Kuala Lumpur
July 16, 2012 Australia's Got Talent Melbourne
July 17, 2012 Justin Bieber: ‘Believe’ – Live + Intimate Sydney Acoustic
July 18, 2012 Sunrise Acoustic
July 19, 2012 Acoustic Live! Auckland Acoustic
July 22, 2012 Teen Choice Awards 2012 Universal City
November 25, 2012 100th Grey Cup Toronto
December 7, 2012 Z100 Jingle Ball New York City

Date Event City
May 9, 2015 2015 Wango Tango Carson
June 11, 2015 Calvin Klein Live Hong Kong
August 23, 2015 Billboard Hot 100 Music Festival Wantagh

Date Event City
December 31, 2020 T-Mobile NYE Live Los Angeles

Tour Date Performances
Believe Tour 2012-2013 (All dates) 162
Purpose World Tour 2016-2017 (All dates) 164
Justice World Tour 2022 (All dates) 49

Music video[]

The music video was first directed by Colin Tilley. A sneak peak premiered on The Voice on April 17, 2012. Later it was reported that the music video was scrapped and re-shot with Director X on April 21, 2012.

The second version of the video premiered on May 3, 2012 on MTV. Director X summarized the synopsis of the video saying, "it was just cars and the simplicity that they liked. Cars, girls, just young people hanging out, having fun, that kind of thing. When I heard it, I thought that's what it should be."

Director X told MTV: "So we got this rooftop here in L.A., starting our day with Justin and he's pulling up. We got all the cool kids hanging out," X said. "Justin's new look, he's kind of got a James Dean thing going on here. That's really Justin driving that Mustang ... and he did all the stunts by himself, completely. That's all him," X joked. "Actually, that's us holding the car. We put the car on these wheels and we pushed it around in circles while Justin pretended to drive."

Justin's "smooth" driving moves are matched only by the real ones he uses on his female co-star, Rachel Barnes. "We got Justin with the girl, pulling [her] around [with the] kids dancing, 'cause you know how kids do. That's what goes on [at these get-togethers]: Someone brings out their guitar and the party happens," he explained.

"The idea really was to show a lifestyle piece — Justin hanging out — to show that he's older ... just to see this new vibe," the director added. "We get to see that he's growing into his manhood. [We] just [wanted] to get in an environment where we can show that naturally, just have fun and get the vibe of who he is." [9]

Remixes[]

Lyrics[]

[Verse 1]
If I was your boyfriend, I’d never let you go
I could take you places you ain’t never been before
Baby, take a chance or you’ll never ever know
I got money in my hands that I’d really like to blow
Swag, swag, swag, on you
Chillin’ by the fire while we eatin’ fondue
I know about me but don’t know about you
So say hello to falsetto in three, two, swag

[Pre-Chorus]
I’d like to be everything you want
Hey girl, let me talk to you

[Chorus]
If I was your boyfriend, never let you go
Keep you on my arm girl, you’d never be alone
I can be a gentleman, anything you want
If I was your boyfriend, I’d never let you go, I’d never let you go

[Verse 2]
Tell me what you like yeah tell me what you don’t
I could be your Buzz Lightyear, fly across the globe
I don’t ever wanna fight yeah, you already know
Imma make you shine bright like you’re laying in the snow
Burr
Girlfriend, girlfriend, you could be my girlfriend
You could be my girlfriend until the w-w-world ends
Make you dance, do a spin and a twirl and
Voice goin’ crazy on this hook like a whirlwind
Swaggie

[Pre-Chorus]
I’d like to be everything you want
Hey girl, let me talk to you

[Chorus]
If I was your boyfriend, never let you go
Keep you on my arm girl, you’d never be alone
I can be a gentleman, anything you want
If I was your boyfriend, I’d never let you go, I’d never let you go

[Bridge]
So give me a chance, ‘cause you’re all I need girl
Spend a week with your boy I’ll be calling you my girlfriend
If I was your man (If I was your man), I’d never leave you girl
I just wanna love and treat you right

[Chorus]
If I was your boyfriend (Woo, oh yeah), never let you go
Keep you on my arm girl, you’d never be alone (Never be alone)
I can be a gentleman (A gentleman, oh), anything you want
If I was your boyfriend (Boyfriend), I’d never let you go (Never let you go girl), never let you go

[Outro]
(Uh) Na na na (Yeah), na na na (Uh), na na na
Yeah girl
(Uh) Na na na (Yeah), na na na, ey
If I was (Sexy) your boyfriend
(Uh) Na na na (Yeah), na na na (Uh), na na na, yeah
(Uh) Na na na (Yeah), na na na, ey
If I was your boyfriend


Trivia[]

  • "Boyfriend" is part of the movie "Sing 2" (2021) as it is sung by Darius.

Charts[]

Billboard Hot 100[]

"Boyfriend" debuted at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, and spent 20 weeks on chart. 

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Awards and nominations[]

Year Award Nomination Result
2012 J-14 Teen Icon Awards Iconic Song Won
Kids' Choice Awards México Favorite Song Nominated
MTV Video Music Awards Best Pop Video Nominated
Best Male Video Nominated
Most Share-worty Video Nominated
MuchMusic Video Awards Video of the Year Nominated
International Video of the Year by a Canadian Won
Rockbjörnen Foreign Song of the Year Nominated
Teen Choice Awards Choice Music: Single by a Male Artist Won
VEVO Certified Awards Certified
2013 Myx Awards Favorite International Video Nominated
People Choice Awards Favorite Music Video Nominated
Premios Telehit Video del Año Won


Credits[]

Credits adapted from Tidal.[10]

10_Seconds_of_BOYFRIEND_-_Full_Song_out_MONDAY_March_26th

10 Seconds of BOYFRIEND - Full Song out MONDAY March 26th

0:08

In the 10 Seconds of BOYFRIEND - Full Song out MONDAY March 26th video you can see the original text of Boyfriend.[11] Justin did not record this version as it was rewritten. A cover with the original lyrics was released by Pop Tracks on March 26, 2012. [12]

Mike Posner performed the song on May 2, 2017 at StAndrews in Detroit.

Audio[]

Lyrics[]

[Verse 1]
If I was your boyfriend, never let you go
Put you on to shit that I bet you didn't know
We could take a trip bae all around the globe
Send you pic's of my XXX if you keep it on the low
Shh shh ey, can you keep a secret
I got a super size, you wanna see it
Yes please, I thought so, brains up
Rep a swag but my voice goes way up

[Pre-Chorus]
I’d like to be everything you want
Hey girl, let me talk to you

[Chorus]
If I was your boyfriend, never let you go
Keep you on my arm girl, you’d never be alone
I can be a gentleman, anything you want
If I was your boyfriend, I’d never let you go, I’d never let you go

[Verse 2]
Tell me what you like girl, tell me what you don’t (Uh)
I could make you cum girl
I could make you blow (Yeah)
Speed it up, eat it all
Even do it slow (Yeah)
I can make you rain babe
I can make it snow (Word)
Boyfriend, boyfriend, let me be your boyfriend
Dr. Feelgood
Don't be late for your appointment
I see your friends, let them join in
Come on, I'm about to sin
Come and join in

[Pre-Chorus]
I’d like to be (To be) everything you want (Everything)
Hey girl, let me talk to you (Uh)

[Chorus]
If I was your boyfriend (Woo), never let you go (Never let you go)
Keep you on my arm girl (Uh), you’d never be alone (Never be alone)
And I could be a gentleman, anything you want (Anything you want)
If I was your boyfriend, I’d never let you go, I’d never let you go

[Bridge]
So give me a chance, ‘cause you’re all I need girl
Spend a week with your boy I’ll be calling you my girlfriend, uh
If I was your man, I’d never leave you girl
I just want to love and treat you right

[Chorus]
If I was your boyfriend, never let you go
Keep you on my arm girl, you’d never be alone
I can be a gentleman, anything you want
If I was your boyfriend, I’d never let you go, I’d never let you go

Na na na, na na na, na na na
Yeah
Na na na, na na na, na na na ey
If I was your boyfriend
Na na na, na na na, na na na ey
Na na na, na na na ey
If I was your boyfriend

References[]

  1. ↑ Vena, Jocelyn (March 22, 2012). "Justin Bieber's 'Boyfriend' Single Is 'Definitely Edgier'". MTV. 
  2. ↑ "Yesterday shot two videos and came up with like a hundred song ideas with @iamblackbear .....Here I come Singapore http://instagr.am/p/WpUav/". Twitter. November 30, 2011. 
  3. ↑ Lakshmin, Deepa (September 7, 2016). "Justin Bieber’s ‘Boyfriend’ Wasn’t Always About Boyfriends". MTV. 
  4. ↑ "How I Wrote That Song: Mike Posner "Boyfriend"". YouTube. September 7, 2016. 
  5. ↑ "Justin Bieber's "Boyfriend" Was Originally Meant For Rick Ross & Mike Posner". YouTube. August 31, 2022. 
  6. ↑ Gonzalez, John (March 26, 2012). "Mike Posner co-writes, co-produces Justin Bieber's 'Boyfriend' (audio)". MTV. 
  7. ↑ "RT @justinbieber today i was asked at the radio station what my favorite song on the album was... http://bit.‏ly/4C1l76<< Co wrote by Us!!!". Twitter. December 4, 2009. 
  8. ↑ Maejor, Bei (May 20, 2012). "Justin Bieber - Boyfriend (Live @ 2012 Billboard Music Awards) Dance Break ...beat by me.". Twitter. 
  9. ↑ Vena, Jocelyn (May 7, 2012). "Justin Bieber's 'Boyfriend' Video: Frame By Frame". MTV. 
  10. ↑ Bieber, Justin. "Credits / Believe (Deluxe Edition) / Justin Bieber – TIDAL". Tidal. 
  11. ↑ "10 Seconds of BOYFRIEND - Full Song out MONDAY March 26th". YouTube. March 23, 2012. 
  12. ↑ "Boyfriend (Justin Bieber Cover)". Spotify. Retrieved February 26, 2016. 
v - e
1 All Around the World feat. Ludacris

2 Boyfriend
3 As Long As You Love Me feat. Big Sean
4 Catching Feelings
5 Take You
6 Right Here feat. Drake
7 Fall
8 Die in Your Arms
9 Thought of You
10 Beauty and a Beat feat. Nicki Minaj
11 One Love
12 Be Alright
13 Believe
14 Out of Town Girl
15 She Don't Like the Lights
16 Maria

Love Me Like You Do
Boyfriend (Vice Remix)
Hey Girl
Fairytale feat. Jaden Smith
Just Like Them

Discography
Albums Believe • Believe Acoustic
EPs Boyfriend (Remixes) • As Long As You Love Me (Remixes) • Beauty and a Beat (Remixes) • The New Age Marvin & Michael
Singles Live My Life • Turn to You (Mother's Day Dedication) • #thatPOWER (with will.i.am)
Features Beautiful (with Carly Rae Jepsen)
Covers Trust Issues (Remix) • How to Love
Freebies Wind It (Remix) (with Tory Lanez) • Ladies Love Me (with Chris Brown) • Make You Believe • Love Me Like You Do (Remix) (with Jaden Smith) • Actin' Up (with Asher Roth, Chris Brown and Rye Rye)
Unreleased songs Can't Wait (with Diggy Simmons) • Cannonball (with Taylor Swift) • Circles • Flawless • Happier When We're Together • I Am the Best (Remix) (with 2NE1) • I Just Wanna Be Loved • I Remember • I Want You • Maserati (featuring Jaden Smith) • Move Your Body Girl (featuring Big Sean) • Off My Mind • One Girl (featuring Big Sean) • Over and Over • Slave 2 The Rhythm (with Michael Jackson) • Sunday Morning • Wherever You Are (with Lil Twist) • You and Me (with will.i.am) • You're The One
Events
Tours All Around the World Promo Tour • Believe Tour
Broadcasted Arena di Verona 2012 • Justin Bieber live i Oslo • Justin Bieber: All Around the World • London Live • MTV World Stage: Live in Malaysia 2012 • México Suena Justin Bieber • Justin Bieber: ‘Believe’ – Live + Intimate • Justin Bieber: MTV Live Vibrations • Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2012 • Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve 2014
Filmography
Movies/series Men in Black 3 • Katy Perry: Part of Me • Bad 25 • The Simpsons • Justin Bieber's Believe
Shows El Hormiguero • The F Word • Waratte Iitomo! • SMAP×SMAP • Oprah's Next Chapter • Real Change - Artists for Education
Talk shows Ellen • Alan Carr: Chatty Man • The View • Late Show with David Letterman • Bethenny • The Tonight Show with Jay Leno • The Jonathan Ross Show
Competition shows The Voice • Germany's Next Topmodel • America's Got Talent • Dancing with the Stars • Australia's Got Talent
Music shows The Today Show • MTV's Bieber Live • 106 & Park • Saturday Night Live
Collectibles
Merchandise Justin Bieber Toys • Cellairis • Girlfriend • Just Getting Started • Panini • InsideHisWorld: Behind The Scenes With Justin Bieber
Entertainment
Magazines Billboard • Bliss • Capricho • Complex • Fabulous • Forbes • Girlfriend • GQ • INROCK • La Onda • Lighting & Sound America • NME • Rollacoaster • Rolling Stone • Seventeen • Sunday Independent Life • Teen Vogue • The Sunday Times Magazine • Tiger Beat • US Weekly • V Magazine • XXL
Awards
2012
2013
2014
Certifications


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