If I were a boy
Even just for a day
I'd roll out of bed in the morning
And throw on what I wanted and go

Drink beer with the guys
And chase after girls
I'd kick it with who I wanted
And I'd never get confronted for it
'Cause they'd stick up for me

If I were a boy
I think I could understand
How it feels to love a girl
I swear I'd be a better man
I'd listen to her
'Cause I know how it hurts
When you lose the one you wanted
'Cause he's taken you for granted
And everything you had got destroyed

If I were a boy
I would turn off my phone
Tell everyone it's broken
So they'd think that I was sleeping alone

I'd put myself first
And make the rules as I go
'Cause I know that she'd be faithful
Waiting for me to come home, to come home

If I were a boy
I think I could understand (ohh)
How it feels to love a girl
I swear I'd be a better man
I'd listen to her
'Cause I know how it hurts
When you lose the one you wanted (you wanted)
'Cause he's taken you for granted (granted)
And everything you had got destroyed

It's a little too late for you to come back
Say it's just a mistake
Think I'd forgive you like that
If you thought I would wait for you
You thought wrong

But you're just a boy
You don't understand (yeah, you don't understand, oh)
How it feels to love a girl someday
You wish you were a better man
You don't listen to her
You don't care how it hurts
Until you lose the one you wanted
'Cause you've taken her for granted
And everything you have got destroyed

But you're just a boy


Lyrics submitted by Iantuition, edited by isabel1132

If I Were a Boy Lyrics as written by Tobias Gad Brittany Jean Carlson

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

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If I Were a Boy song meanings
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100 Comments

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  • +11
    General Comment

    If I were a boy is a commentary on the double standards that that often exist between men and women and a story of role reversal. She explores what it would be like if she did all the things he did to her every day. The woman in the song has been taken for granted but at the same time she doesn't want to let go and lose everything that she once had. It's unclear at the end whether she is final about not taking him back or if there is a note of hope that someday he'll realize what he's been doing to her and become a better man.

    princessfluffy57on October 21, 2008   Link
  • +4
    General Comment

    the first time i heard this song i was like "what is this about, is she a lesbian or something?" but then i saw the music video and i totally understood. great song and one of her best music videos.

    stabbyripstabstabon October 12, 2008   Link
  • +4
    General Comment

    she's talking about how if she would be aboy for a day she would be equipped witht he mind of a girl so she'd be able to love a woman better becausee she knows how it feels to have her heart broken, i guess a boyfriend cheated on her and is crawling back to her,but she doesnt want him back cause hes just a boy ...so like he cant love?or possibly aswell as a girl could.

    thatsjustcakeon October 16, 2008   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    this song struck home for me. i could totally relate to her and the pain in her lyrics. he doesn't understand how his behavior is hurting her or how its destroying the relationship. he thinks that what he's doing is his god-given right, to drink with the guys or chase after girls, whenever and however he wants. yet she is waiting at home, loyal and loving only him. its only too often that a guy will do that. but its not to say that there are girls who will do that too. for a guy to understand the hurt he could bestow on his girlfriend, takes sensitivity. its hard for him to even understand how hanging out with a girl late at night and not answering his phone would be offensive. but thats what beyonce is trying to say; if she were a boy, she would understand that and she wouldn't do anything to hurt her significant other, because they didn't deserve that. to treat your boyfriend/girlfriend with love, loyalty, and appreciation is something that takes sensitivity. and all too often the guy [or girl] will not have it. thumbs up to beyonce for this song; its amazing.

    astarloston October 24, 2008   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    I think that this is the best 'he's a cheating bastard' song ever. It just puts such a clever spin on the whole concept. Beyonce is fantastic!

    SNEEZEon October 16, 2009   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    Loved it🔥💯💯Beyonce is speaking about how she would act if she were a boy, she would treat his girl in a very respectful manner, giving love, honesty ,time and all the attention the girl deserves

    Neliswa014on April 15, 2024   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I actually think this song is one of Beyonce's best, perhaps on par with Irreplaceable. In the verses, she's singing about how she'd be like as a boy if she had the mind of a boy; whilst in the chorus she's saying what she'd be like as a boy if she had a girl's mind if you get what I mean LOL.

    hectopascalon October 10, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    She knows about all those typical guy activities (chasing the girls, staying out late with the guys, etc.) and how they usually tend to hurt the girl they are in a relationship with. So she's saying that if she were a boy, even for just a day, she would be the best man she could be because she knows from personal experience how it feels to be hurt by the man she's in love with.

    I usually don't like Beyonce's songs, but this one has a really special place in my heart. (:

    xSakuraon October 24, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I agree with what other people are saying about this song, that it means that she is saying if she were a boy she wouldnt treat a gf like that.

    However, my personal experience puts a different spin on the lyrics.

    For me, this song is speaking about a boy who isnt man enough to step up to the plate and recognize whats standing right in front of him. And she's saying that if he dosnt stop acting like a boy, dosnt stop disregarding her....she's gonna leave and she's in effect trying to give him a little wisedom when she says "and everything you had got destroyed" - because SHE knows what they could have together, and she knows that he's not going to realize it until its too late. Thus, she's saying that at the end of the day, I'm going to be fine, its YOUR world thats gonna come crashing down.

    sarasmusicon December 05, 2009   Link
  • +1
    My Interpretation

    The song's pretty sexist in a way. In the sense that Beyonce's reasoning is that because he's a boy and all that. I totally agree with teh song. But objectively if you see its pretty sexist.

    Molly30on July 17, 2010   Link

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