Girls Like Girls by Hayley Kiyoko Lyrics Meaning – Unraveling Love’s Age-Old Narrative
Lyrics
Boys
Boys
Boys
Boys
Stealin’ kisses from your misses
Does it make you freak out?
Got you fussing, got you worried
Scared to let your guard down
Boys
Boys
Boys
Boys
Tell the neighbors I’m not sorry
If I’m breaking walls down
Building your girls second story
Ripping all your floors out
Saw your face, heard your name
Gotta get with you
Girls like girls like boys do
Nothing new
Isn’t this why we came?
Gotta get with you
Girls like girls like boys do
Nothing new
Girls like girls like boys do
Nothing new
Boys
Boys
Boys
Always gonna steal your thunder
Watch me like a dark cloud
On the move, collecting numbers
Imma take your girl out
We will be everything that we’d ever need
Don’t tell me, tell me what I feel
I’m real and I don’t feel like boys
I’m real and I don’t feel like boys
Saw your face, heard your name
Gotta get with you
Girls like girls like boys do
Nothing new
Isn’t this why we came?
Gotta get with you
Girls like girls like boys do
Nothing new
Girls like girls like boys do
Nothing new
I’ve been crossing all the lines, all the lines
Kissed your girls and made you cry, boys
Boys
Boys
Saw your face, heard your name
Gotta get with you
Girls like girls like boys do
Nothing new
Isn’t this why we came?
Tell me if you feel it too!
Tell me, girls like girls like boys do
Nothing new
Girls like girls like boys do
Nothing new
Hayley Kiyoko’s anthem ‘Girls Like Girls’ isn’t just a track; it’s a cultural moment. The song, which presents an unabashed declaration of same-sex love, has propelled itself not just through the speakers of the young and hopeful, but into the fabric of modern pop culture dialogue. Kiyoko, often hailed as ‘Lesbian Jesus’ by her fans, has carved a niche for herself as a voice for LGBTQ+ narratives in music—a sector that has been yearning for such representation.
At first glance, the lyrics may seem to mirror the countless love songs dedicated to heterosexual affection, with their trope of desire and conquest. But Kiyoko’s repetition of ‘Girls like girls like boys do’ reframes the conversation, nullifying the novel in favor of the natural. It’s a musical statement that love and attraction are universal experiences, unconcerned with gender, and it’s this assertion that resonates with legions of fans around the globe. Let’s dive into the layers of meaning behind this seminal pop revelation.
Subverting the Status Quo: A New Love Language
The repeated allusion to ‘Boys’ in the song serves as a powerful juxtaposition – one that juxtaposes the traditional narrative of love songs and reasserts the legitimacy of queer relationships. It is not a novel concept, as the tune maintains, but a fundamental truth being sung out loud. With the societal backdrop where same-sex love has often been marginalized or sensationalized, Kiyoko’s song normalizes it through lyrical repetition, as if to wear down the shock value and replace it with a simple nod to reality.
When Kiyoko sings ‘Stealin’ kisses from your misses,’ she dives headlong into the realm of romantic transgression, but with a playful, rebellious twist. It’s the dismantling of heteronormative boundaries, and the promotion of a narrative where girls loving girls is as commonplace and unquestioned as any other form of romantic expression.
A Triumph of Authenticity Over Heteronormativity
Within the raw honesty of ‘I’m real and I don’t feel like boys,’ lies the crux of Kiyoko’s message of self-acceptance and the reality of one’s personal truth. This line is a celebration of authenticity, an anthem for those who have ever felt the pressure to conform to societal norms.
Kiyoko’s lyrics illuminate the struggle of living an unauthentic life and the liberation that comes with embracing one’s genuine identity. It’s not just a song; it’s a reaffirmation of identity for anyone who has ever been coerced into denying their own feelings to accommodate the status quo.
More Than a Lesbian Anthem – A Universal Declaration
While ‘Girls Like Girls’ is undeniably an anthem for the LGBTQ+ community, its hook, ‘Girls like girls like boys do, nothing new,’ transforms it into a universal declaration that transcends sexuality. This lyric serves as a reminder that the capacity to love is not predicated on gender—it’s a human experience, shared and understood by all.
This universality is what allows the song to resonate with people of all backgrounds. It fosters empathy and understanding by centering on emotions common to the human condition, rather than isolating a singular experience.
Decoding the Hidden Rebellion in Every Verse
The subtext of resistance in ‘Girls Like Girls’ reveals itself through the unapologetic seizing of one’s narrative. When Kiyoko sings about ‘Building your girl’s second story, ripping all your floors out,’ she visualizes a dismantling of preconceived notions about love and gender. It’s a construction of a new space – safe, accepting, and without judgment.
Her confrontation with these themes is brash, yet it’s delivered with a casual defiance that normalizes the resistance. It’s not just about loving freely but about demanding and reclaiming the space to do so without judgment or retribution.
Can’t-Miss Lines That Articulate a Cultural Shift
‘I’ve been crossing all the lines, all the lines. Kissed your girls and made you cry, boys.’ These lines are emblematic of transformation—a fearless crossing of boundaries that have long been the silent sentinels of gender norms. Here, Kiyoko acknowledges the pain and disruption that often accompany personal and social change, embodying the bittersweet symphony of progress.
She is not just crossing lines but blurring them, creating a space for healing and understanding through love’s most basic language. The lyrics, combined with her confident delivery, craft a narrative that’s both personal and deeply intertwined in the broader struggle for LGBTQ+ visibility and acceptance.
