Meaning of "Boys" by Sky Ferreira

The lyrics of "Boys" explore the narrator's contradictory feelings towards boys. Initially, there is a sense of disillusionment and annoyance, as the repeated lines "Boys they're a dime a dozen" and "Boys they ain't doing nothing for me any longer" suggest a lack of interest and a belief that boys are not worth the narrator's time or attention. The mention of "all the little things that you do ain't gonna make me sad" further emphasizes this indifference.

However, the tone of the song shifts when the narrator sees a particular boy looking at them from afar. This sighting sparks a realization that the narrator has been in love with this boy all along. The sudden change in perspective is captured through the repetition of "Then I knew it was you all along" and "Suddenly, I knew there was love." This shift in feelings suggests that the narrator's initial frustration with boys was perhaps a defense mechanism or a result of previous negative experiences. The specific boy mentioned in the lyrics is portrayed as unique and different from the rest, as he "put[s] my faith back in boys." This implies that this boy has restored the narrator's belief in the potential for love and happiness with boys.

Overall, the lyrics of "Boys" explore the complex and ever-changing nature of relationships and emotions. It highlights the idea that initial judgments and negative experiences can be overridden by a newfound love and faith in someone. The song expresses the transformative power of love and suggests that one person has the ability to change someone's perspective on an entire gender.