| "My Boy" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single byBillie Eilish | ||||
| from the EPDon't Smile at Me | ||||
| Released | July 28, 2017 (2017-07-28) | |||
| Genre | Pop | |||
| Length | 2:50 | |||
| Label |
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| Songwriters | ||||
| Producer | Finneas O'Connell | |||
| Billie Eilish singles chronology | ||||
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| Audio video | ||||
| "My Boy" onYouTube | ||||
"My Boy" is a song by American singerBillie Eilish. It was released by Darkroom andInterscope Records as the sixthsingle from Eilish's debutextended play (EP),Don't Smile at Me (2017). Eilish and her brother,Finneas O'Connell, co-wrote the song, with the latter solely handling the production. Apop track withjazz-influenced instrumentation, the song was heavily inspired by boys who broke Eilish's heart.
"My Boy" has been awarded severalcertifications, including a platinum by theRecording Industry Association of America (RIAA), double platinum by both theAustralian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) andRecorded Music NZ, triple platinum byMusic Canada (MC), and gold by theBritish Phonographic Industry (BPI).[1][2][3][4][5] It was performed live by Eilish during her 2018 1 by 1 tour. A Troyboi remix was released on March 9, 2018.
"My Boy" was released on July 28, 2017, as the sixthsingle on Eilish's debutEPDon't Smile at Me.[6] The track was written by the singer andFinneas O'Connell, her brother and the track's sole producer.Mastering andmixing was handled by the studio personnel, John Greenham andRob Kinelski, respectively.[7] A remix of the song by TroyBoi titled "MyBoi" was released on March 9, 2018.[8] Claire Ruder writing forEarmilk praised TroyBoi's remix, saying it "was able to successfully transform a tempo-changing short-and-sweet pop song into bass-laden and explosive EDM." And further mentions "'MyBoi,' turns chopped vocals from Billie into an instrument for the chorus of the track, paired with intricate layers of hi-hats, heavy kicks, and bass."[9]
According to sheet music published byUniversal Music Publishing Group at Musicnotes.com, "My Boy" has a moderately slowtempo of 69-72 beats per minute (BPM) and is played in the key ofB minor. Eilish's vocals span a range ofF♯3 toB4.[10]Critical commentary described "My Boy" as ajazz-influencedpop track.[11][12] "My Boy" features a minimalist production consisting of ahi-hat andkeyboard.[12] According to Baeble Music's Olivia Lewis, the track begins with a "chiller, jazz-like vibe, and a layer of darkness and mystery": "My boy's being sus', he was shady enough, but now he's just a shadow/My boy loves his friends like I love my split ends."[11] After the lyrics: "And by that, I mean, he cuts 'em off", a "funky" tempo change happens.[12] The song soon becomes more upbeat while maintaining the heaviness of the intro: My boy's being sus' and he don't know how to cuss/He just sounds like he's tryna be his father (Who are you?)/My boy's an ugly crier but he's such a pretty liar/And by that I mean he said he'd 'change'".[11][12]
"My Boy" was praised byInsider's Callie Ahlgrim, who called the track "slow" and "mysterious" and felt its chorus "is so springy and elastic that it's almost distractingly danceable."[12] "My Boy" experienced limited success on record charts, only reaching number 20 on the USBillboardAlternative Digital Song Sales chart.[13] It, however, has been awarded severalcertifications; being certified triple platinum in Canada byMusic Canada (MC), double platinum in both Australia by theAustralian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) and in New Zealand byRecorded Music NZ (RMNZ), platinum in the United States by theRecording Industry Association of America (RIAA), and gold in the United Kingdom by theBritish Phonographic Industry (BPI).[4][2][3][1][5] "My Boy" was performed live during Eilish's North American 1 by 1 tour in 2018.[14]
In 2019, Americanpunk rock band, theSWMRS, covered "My Boy" at the Blondies in London for 50 of their biggest fans. The staff ofKerrang! called the SWMRS cover a "healthy dose ofsurfer punk rock".[15]
Credits adapted from theliner notes ofDon't Smile at Me.[7]
| Chart (2019) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Alternative Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[13] | 20 |
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[2] | 2× Platinum | 140,000‡ |
| Austria (IFPI Austria)[16] | Gold | 15,000‡ |
| Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[17] | Platinum | 60,000‡ |
| Canada (Music Canada)[4] | 3× Platinum | 240,000‡ |
| Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[18] | Gold | 45,000‡ |
| France (SNEP)[19] | Gold | 100,000‡ |
| New Zealand (RMNZ)[3] | 2× Platinum | 60,000‡ |
| Poland (ZPAV)[20] | Gold | 10,000‡ |
| Portugal (AFP)[21] | Gold | 5,000‡ |
| Spain (PROMUSICAE)[22] | Gold | 30,000‡ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[5] | Gold | 400,000‡ |
| United States (RIAA)[1] | Platinum | 1,000,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
| Region | Date | Format(s) | Version | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | July 28, 2017 | Original |
| [6] | |
| March 9, 2018 | TroyBoi Remix | [23] |
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)Billie Eilish songs | |
|---|---|
| Don't Smile at Me | |
| When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? | |
| Happier Than Ever | |
| Hit Me Hard and Soft | |
| Soundtrack songs | |
| Non-album songs | |
| Featured songs |
|
