"Boyfriend" is a song by American singer Dove Cameron, it was released on February 11, 2022, via Disruptor Records and Columbia Records as the lead single from her debut EP, Alchemical: Volume 1 (2023). The song was written by Cameron, Delacey, Evan Blair and Skyler Stonestreet, and produced by Evan Blair.
Background Cameron posted a video containing a portion of the song on TikTok that gained over 4.7 million likes. Although the song was not intended to be released in February, when it went viral, she later announced on Instagram that the song would be released on February 11, 2022.
Composition An electropop and power pop song, "Boyfriend" references Cameron's sexuality after she came out as queer in 2021, and explicitly describes a romantic relationship with a woman. Melody Heald of Glitter Magazine wrote that the song "hints that her love interest needs a girlfriend, thinking she would treat her better than her boyfriend" by "doing things he'd never do". Cameron said in a press release: "In writing 'Boyfriend,' I feel like I finally found my sound, my perspective, and myself in a way I wasn't sure I ever would. I am so immensely happy to have this song and this part of me out in the world".
Critical reception Isabella Vega of Euphoria Magazine commented that "Boyfriend" will become a big hit due to "its killer lyricism, or even its almost gothic production, but with its deeply embedded message of self-empowerment". Caitlin White of Uproxx described the song as "dramatic and dark, and hits like a queer James Bond anthem".
Credits and personnel Credits adapted from Tidal.
Evan Blair – producer, composer, lyricist, recording engineer Delacey – composer, lyricist Dove Cameron – composer, lyricist, associated performer Skyler Stonestreet – composer, lyricist Eric Legg – mastering engineer Alex Ghenea – mixing engineer
Charts
Weekly charts + Weekly chart performance for "Boyfriend" Chart (2022) Peakposition France (SNEP) 123 Greece International (IFPI) 8 Lithuania (AGATA) 13 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) 19 Norway (VG-lista) 10 Peru (UNIMPRO) 104 Singapore (RIAS) 30 Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100) 20 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) 23
Year-end charts +2022 year-end chart performance for "Boyfriend" Chart (2022) Position Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) 180 Canada (Canadian Hot 100) 57 Global 200 (Billboard) 145 Hungary (Stream Top 40) 87 Lithuania (AGATA) 99 US Billboard Hot 100 51 US Adult Top 40 (Billboard) 21 US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard) 17
Certifications
Release history + Release history for "Boyfriend" Region Date Format Label Various February 11, 2022 Italy March 4, 2022 Contemporary hit radio Sony United States March 7, 2022 Adult contemporary radio Columbia
References