Boygenius: A Revolution of Expression
Graphic by Louden Johns
Boygenius recently appeared on Saturday Night Live and dropped an exclusive dainty jewelry collection with Catbird a day later; and may I add ready to “fight Dave Grohl in the parking lot,” after their 2024 Grammy Nomination (without a doubt the boys will win). I initially became a fan because I had never seen a band brand a staple piece and make it into a statement advocating gender expression and neutrality in clothing.
“The boys'' refers to the three band members: Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus, and Julian Baker. The band spoke to me initially because of their construct-breaking nature and dedication to Thom Browne Suits, an apparent nudge to how men and boys easily receive praise and are “geniuses” for even mundane accomplishments. So, come along with the boys and me to review and attach meaning to some of my favorite songs.
“Bite the Hand that Feeds Me”
Each night, a tooth button (as an ode to their matching tooth tattoos) is attached to their matching suit jackets or bomber jackets. The tooth is symbolic of the boys's song: “Bite the Hand.” The song’s repeated lyric is "I'll bite the hand that feeds me,” which speaks to an inability to love someone in your desired way in a language that feeds your soul. The song begins with the line, “I can’t love you how you want me to,” nodding to individuality and distance in love that values, morals, and a lack of communication can attenuate. Their fashion choices and embellishments add to the depth, symbolism, and dedication to their songs in a way (I would argue) no band has done before.
“Trying to be Cool About It”
My favorite song on the album, “The Record”, is “Cool About It,” because the last verse speaks to a strong desire and longing to want to be close to someone emotionally when they struggle with mental illness. The line, “Once I took your medication to know what it’s like, and now I have to act like I can’t read your mind,” represents the struggles and isolation that mental illness can bring while highlighting the humanity in wanting to understand and lead with empathy. The song emphasizes the importance of mental health awareness and support and the struggle of not loving but feeling alongside someone.
“Not Strong Enough to Be Your Man”
Featured on former president Barack Obama’s summer playlist for 2023 is “Not Strong Enough.” In a recent interview on DailyMotion, the boys sat down and identified the song's lyrical meaning. The song opens with, “Black hole opens in the kitchen…every clock is a different time…It would only take the energy to fix it…” Dacus said the kitchen is a domestic symbol, and the clocks represent things that should be easy in life- but they are tied to emotions that make it near impossible to touch them because of dealing with mental illness and a lack of motivation.
My favorite verse (verse 2) holds the line, “drag racing through the canyon…singing boys don’t cry,” highlighting society's disapproval for wallowing and being in touch with your emotions, as it portrays weakness. If you listen further, the chorus brings a positive light to the complexity and capability to be who you dream to be for you and your partner.
If you are a person of sentiment and love breaking fashion “rules,” I urge you to listen to Boygenius. Their songs artistically portray the hardships and marginalization you face as an individual with mental illness and the beauty in sensitivity, empathy, and emotional rawness.