Girls on Boys

Album: The Aviary (2017)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This feel-good anthem features guest vocals by Rozes over Galantis' shiny synth-based production. "It's a style of songwriting that's been a part of Galantis from the start, but we never really had the chance to show you," Galantis said in a joint statement via press release. "We had our battles with this one. It took a million turns, but it also forced us to go somewhere we haven't been before, and we're stoked to be sharing."

    "The upbeat vibe of the song masks the darker lyrics," Rozes added, "which reveal that the money, diamonds and champagne won't fix the feeling of missing the person you love and feeling alone."
  • Rozes expanded on the song's meaning: "'Girls On Boys' is about attempting to fix a broken heart with a night of flashy distractions, which is only a short-term remedy. One of my co-writers went though a break-up and we were talking about how he was coping, which was mostly by keeping busy, hanging out with friends, and partying like everything was fine."
  • It all started with girls on boys, girls on girls
    Red heels on the table and I didn't care


    Rozes told Genius: "Though this sounds like some sort of strip club, when i wrote this line, I actually pictured myself in one of my drunk superhero moments where I decide I wanna dance on countertops and tables. It’s not as graceful as it seems."
  • Philadelphia songstress Rozes is best known for her vocal contribution to The Chainsmokers' 2015 hit "Roses."
  • Rozes had already written the song with Josh Cumbee prior to meeting Galantis. She told Pop Crush: "They heard it through… I guess my manager - and loved it. It was just piano at that time. That's when their production came into play."
  • The song's theme of heartbreak was inspired by a recent break-up that Josh Cumbee had been through. Rozes recalled:

    "I really wanted to play on his feelings and draw from his experience. He was saying one way he was trying to cope was going out with friends and getting back out there and drinking and going to clubs. In the end, he was kind of realizing that it did make him feel empty, like I have all these things but I just want to share them with this one person."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots

Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple PilotsSongwriter Interviews

Stone Temple Pilots bass player Robert DeLeo names the songs that have most connected with fans and tells the stories behind tracks from their Tiny Music album.

Carl Sturken

Carl SturkenSongwriter Interviews

Hitmaker Carl Sturken on writing and producing for Rihanna, 'N Sync, Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, Donny Osmond, Shakira and Karyn White.

British Invasion

British InvasionFact or Fiction

Go beyond The Beatles to see what you know about the British Invasion.

Carol Kaye

Carol KayeSongwriter Interviews

A top session musician, Carol played on hundreds of hits by The Beach Boys, The Monkees, Frank Sinatra and many others.

80s Video Director Jay Dubin

80s Video Director Jay DubinSong Writing

Billy Joel and Hall & Oates hated making videos, so they chose a director with similar contempt for the medium. That was Jay Dubin, and he has a lot to say on the subject.

Kiss

KissFact or Fiction

Kiss is the subject of many outlandish rumors - some of which happen to be true. See if you can spot the fakes.