A Provocative Return to ’90s R&B Sounds
Ariana Grande’s latest release, the boy is mine sees the pop star reclaiming confident sexuality through an interpolation of the classic Brandy and Monica hit.
The seductive track, featured on her just-released Eternal Sunshine blends vintage R&B grooves with modern house-influenced production for an irresistible dance floor filler.
Behind the Scenes
The boy is mine was produced by Grande along with Max Martin, Shintaro Yasuda, DaviDior, and ILYA, with writing credits also going to Martin, Yasuda, and DaviDior.
In interviews, Ariana Grande revealed the song originated from an unreleased 2023 viral snippet nicknamed “fantasize” by fans.
Feverishly demanded, the official version takes that viral moment as inspiration while elevating it into what Grande describes as “a sexier, naughtier” offering.
The Backstory
In interviews, Ariana Grande revealed The boy is mine originated from an unreleased 2023 viral snippet nicknamed “fantasize” by fans.
Feverishly demanded, the official version takes that viral moment as inspiration while elevating it into what Grande describes as “a sexier, naughtier” song.
“It’s the version of ‘Fantasize’ that they wanted to have,” she told Apple Music’s Zane Lowe.
The song pairs with the album track “true story” to form “sister” anthems, with the latter being the set-up and “the boy is mine” the full embrace of playing “the bad girl.”
An Irresistible Blend of Vintage and Modern
Musically, the boy is mine is a dazzling fusion of classic and contemporary.
The beat blends pulsing house grooves with smooth R&B rhythms, creating an intoxicating retro-futuristic vibe.
Ariana Grande’s vocals glide from breathy murmurs to sky-scraping belts, pouring desire and confidence into each lyrical proclamation.
The lyrics find Grande lusting after an unavailable love interest, an unholy attraction she can’t deny despite moral misgivings.
“How can it be? You and me / Might be meant to be, can’t unsee it,” she begins, instantly setting the deliciously deviant tone.
A Bold Declaration of Desire
Lines like “The boy is mine, I can’t wait to try him” make it clear that this is no demure pleading; Ariana Grande is taking full ownership of her wants and needs.
The bridge even finds her acknowledging, “I take full accountability for all these tears,” making peace with the potentially messy consequences.
The Music Video for “The Boy Is Mine”
On June 7, 2024, Ariana Grande dropped the music video for The Boy Is Mine, directed by Christian Breslauer, who previously worked on the visuals for both “Yes, And?” and “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)” from Eternal Sunshine.
The video features Penn Badgley and guest appearances by Brandy and Monica as news reporters, who starred in the original “The Boy Is Mine” hit from the ’90s.
The Catwoman-inspired video adds a fresh, bold visual narrative to the song, complementing its themes of desire and unrestrained confidence.
With the boy is mine, Ariana Grande has crafted a bold, intoxicating anthem of unrestrained desire.
By channelling classic R&B through a contemporary pop lens, she’s created a truly irresistible future funk gem that’s destined to be a highlight of the album cycle and live shows to come.
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Ariana Grande the boy is mine Lyrics
Verse 1
How can it be? You and me
Might be meant to be, can’t unsee it
But I don’t wanna cause no scene
I’m usually so unproblematic
So independent
Tell me why
‘Cause the boy is mine, mine
Pre-Chorus
Somethin’ about him is made for somebody like me
Baby, come over, come over (Oh my)
And God knows I’m tryin’, but there’s just no use in denying
Chorus
The boy is mine
I can’t wait to try him
Le-let’s get intertwined
The stars, they aligned
The boy is minе
Watch me take my time
I can’t bеlieve my mind
The boy is divine
Boy is mine
Verse 2
Please know this ain’t what I planned for
Probably wouldn’t bet a dime or my life on
There’s gotta be a reason why
My girls, they always come through in a sticky situation
Say, “It’s fine” (It’s fine)
Happens all the ti-ime
Pre-Chorus
Somethin’ about him is made for somebody like me
Baby, come over, come over (Oh my)
And God knows I’m tryin’, but there’s just no use in denying
Chorus
The boy is mine
I can’t wait to try him
Le-let’s get intertwined
The stars, they aligned
The boy is mine
Watch me take my time
I can’t believe my mind
The boy is divine
Boy is—
Bridge
And I know it’s simply meant to be
And I, I take full accountability for all these years
Promise you I’m not usually
Like this, shit, it’s like news to me, to me
But I can’t ignore my heart, boy
Chorus
The boy is mine
I can’t wait to try him (Oh)
Le-let’s get intertwined
The stars, they aligned
The boy is mine
Watch me take my time
I can’t believe my mind
The boy is divine
Boy is mine