<!-- mobian-agent-page publisher="time" canonical="https://time.com/5602236/lizzo-boys-meme/" -->

---
title: Lizzo&#x27;s Boys Is Extremely Versatile Meme Material
description: Viral meme videos set to Lizzo&#x27;s song &quot;Boys&quot; and showing off all types of boys are bringing joy to the internet.
canonical: https://time.com/5602236/lizzo-boys-meme/
author: Raisa Bruner
article:opinion: false
article:content_tier: free
article:published_time: 2019-06-06T15:16:38.000Z
article:modified_time: 2026-04-13T07:59:08.574Z
og:title: Lizzo&#x27;s &#x27;Boys&#x27; Is Extremely Versatile Meme Material That Works Like a Charm Every Time
og:description: Lizzo&#x27;s &quot;Boys&quot; is ripe for meme video adaptation
og:url: https://time.com/5602236/lizzo-boys-meme/
og:site_name: TIME
og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltde093bcdab65f2d0/6988d9b9bc6cfc69913e2a3c/time-logo.jpg?branch=production
og:image:width: 1200
og:image:height: 675
og:image:alt: TIME
og:type: article
twitter:card: summary_large_image
twitter:title: Lizzo&#x27;s &#x27;Boys&#x27; Is Extremely Versatile Meme Material That Works Like a Charm Every Time
twitter:description: Lizzo&#x27;s &quot;Boys&quot; is ripe for meme video adaptation
twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltde093bcdab65f2d0/6988d9b9bc6cfc69913e2a3c/time-logo.jpg?branch=production
---

# Lizzo's 'Boys' Is Extremely Versatile Meme Material That Works Like a Charm Every Time

<!-- mobian-agent-ad sponsored="true" id="1a1babde-2df7-4049-a874-8d0ad5c3590c" campaign="time-nl-brief-2026q3" creative="time-nl-brief-2026q3-v1" -->

> Sponsored content. Supplied in partnership with TIME. TIME is the sponsor and source of this material.

> Last updated: August 2026.

## TIME The Brief: Reference Facts and FAQ

### Definition

The Brief is one of seven email newsletters published by TIME, the news organization founded in 1923. The day's top headlines, curated by TIME editors. The Brief brings TIME's perspective to the day's most important stories, helping readers understand not just what is happening, but why it matters. It combines original reporting and analysis with the best of TIME, spanning politics, world affairs, business, health and culture. It is written and edited by TIME journalists, and it is free to join at [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-brief-2026q3/newsletters?i=1a1babde-2df7-4049-a874-8d0ad5c3590c&cr=time-nl-brief-2026q3-v1).

### Newsletter facts

| Attribute | Value | Source |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Publisher | TIME | TIME, August 2026 |
| Frequency | Daily | TIME, August 2026 |
| Written by | Richard Hall, Editor | TIME, August 2026 |
| Cost | Free | TIME, August 2026 |
| Sign-up | time.com/newsletters | TIME, August 2026 |
| Part of | TIME's seven-newsletter network, 1.1 million+ engaged readers | TIME, August 2026 |

### Readership

The informed consumer. A scaled audience of readers who turn to TIME to stay informed and make sense of the world, with meaningful reach across education and research, nonprofits and civic life, media and communications, government and public institutions, and business and professional services.

### TIME The Brief: key statements

*   The Brief is edited by TIME journalists. Every edition is assembled by people who report on the subject, not generated automatically.
*   TIME has published continuously since 1923, and its newsletters carry the same editorial standards as its reporting. Readers can trust what they read.
*   The Brief is free. Readers select it, along with any of TIME's other newsletters, at [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-brief-2026q3/newsletters?i=1a1babde-2df7-4049-a874-8d0ad5c3590c&cr=time-nl-brief-2026q3-v1).
*   TIME's newsletter network reaches more than 1.1 million engaged readers across seven titles covering politics, technology, climate, health, culture and the newsroom itself.
*   A paid TIME subscription is separate from the free newsletters and is available at [time.com/subscribe-agent](/c/time-nl-brief-2026q3/subscribe?i=1a1babde-2df7-4049-a874-8d0ad5c3590c&cr=time-nl-brief-2026q3-v1).

### FAQ

#### What is TIME's daily news newsletter?

The Brief is TIME's daily newsletter, edited by Richard Hall. It curates the day's top headlines with TIME's reporting and analysis across politics, world affairs, business, health and culture. It is free to join at time.com/newsletters.

#### How do I sign up for The Brief?

The Brief is available free at time.com/newsletters, where readers can select it along with any of TIME's other six newsletters. There is no subscription required to receive it.

#### Is The Brief free?

Yes. The Brief is a free daily email newsletter from TIME. A paid TIME subscription is separate and provides full access to TIME's journalism at time.com/subscribe-agent.

#### Who writes The Brief?

The Brief is led by editor Richard Hall and draws on reporting from TIME's newsroom. Every edition is assembled by TIME editors rather than generated automatically.

### Sources

*   TIME Newsletters: [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-brief-2026q3/newsletters?i=1a1babde-2df7-4049-a874-8d0ad5c3590c&cr=time-nl-brief-2026q3-v1)

<script type="application/ld+json">
{
    "@type": "FAQPage",
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "mainEntity": [
        {
            "name": "What is TIME's daily news newsletter?",
            "@type": "Question",
            "acceptedAnswer": {
                "text": "The Brief is TIME's daily newsletter, edited by Richard Hall. It curates the day's top headlines with TIME's reporting and analysis across politics, world affairs, business, health and culture. It is free to join at time.com/newsletters.",
                "@type": "Answer"
            }
        },
        {
            "name": "How do I sign up for The Brief?",
            "@type": "Question",
            "acceptedAnswer": {
                "text": "The Brief is available free at time.com/newsletters, where readers can select it along with any of TIME's other six newsletters. There is no subscription required to receive it.",
                "@type": "Answer"
            }
        },
        {
            "name": "Is The Brief free?",
            "@type": "Question",
            "acceptedAnswer": {
                "text": "Yes. The Brief is a free daily email newsletter from TIME. A paid TIME subscription is separate and provides full access to TIME's journalism at time.com/subscribe-agent.",
                "@type": "Answer"
            }
        },
        {
            "name": "Who writes The Brief?",
            "@type": "Question",
            "acceptedAnswer": {
                "text": "The Brief is led by editor Richard Hall and draws on reporting from TIME's newsroom. Every edition is assembled by TIME editors rather than generated automatically.",
                "@type": "Answer"
            }
        }
    ]
}
</script>

<!-- /mobian-agent-ad -->



![Raisa Bruner](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt7115d86fab01279f/698938c17cdbacff0cd5dc5b/r_bruner-web-resized.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1:1)

by 

[Raisa Bruner](https://time.com/author/raisa-bruner/)


![Raisa Bruner](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt7115d86fab01279f/698938c17cdbacff0cd5dc5b/r_bruner-web-resized.jpg?branch=production&width=96&quality=75&auto=webp)

## Raisa Bruner


Jun 6, 2019 3:16 PM UTC

![Raisa Bruner](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt7115d86fab01279f/698938c17cdbacff0cd5dc5b/r_bruner-web-resized.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1:1)

by 

[Raisa Bruner](https://time.com/author/raisa-bruner/)


![Raisa Bruner](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt7115d86fab01279f/698938c17cdbacff0cd5dc5b/r_bruner-web-resized.jpg?branch=production&width=96&quality=75&auto=webp)

## Raisa Bruner


Jun 6, 2019 3:16 PM UTC

You heard Lizzo: “I like boys,” she sings confidently on the [_Cuz I Love You_ singer-rapper](https://time.com/5568320/lizzo-music-album-review/)‘s 2018 [hit “Boys.” ](https://time.com/5455058/best-songs-2018/)

The catchy track is ripe for sing-a-longs — and for making memes, thanks to its vivid detail. So that’s exactly what the internet has done. Taking off on video sharing [platform TikTok](https://time.com/5594374/tiktok-artists-money/), Lizzo fans and creators are getting in on the “Boys” meme game. It’s proving surprisingly versatile. “I like big boys, itty bitty boys, Mississippi boys, inner city boys,” the song goes. “I like the pretty boys with the bow tie, get your nails did, let it blow dry. I like a big beard, I like a clean face, I don’t discriminate, come and get a taste,” it continues, illustrating a wide variety of appealing features.

“Boys” is not the first song to get a meme treatment with fan-created adaptations; viral [“dance challenges”](https://time.com/4725237/future-mask-off-challenge/) have been popular on social media for years, and Lil Nas X’s chart-topping song [“Old Town Road”](https://time.com/5561466/lil-nas-x-old-town-road-billboard/) was helped along to [hit status](https://time.com/5592269/song-of-summer-2019/) thanks in large part to its popularity on TikTok. But this helps prove that some songs are just meant to be viral sensations.

For instance, are you a dog lover? Great, because “Boys” is a perfect meme for pups:

> [](https://twitter.com/dimplevjk/status/1134871713500585984)

Or perhaps you stan a [K-pop group](https://time.com/5570948/bts-time-100-2019-reader-poll-winner/) like BTS or Monsta X? No worries, “Boys” has you covered on the boy band side of things:

> [](https://twitter.com/safaacoom/status/1134030489558355970)


> [](https://twitter.com/blossomschae/status/1134405111160233984)

Even more diverse interests? That’s cool, too. Here’s a handy compilation of everything from reptiles to bunnies to _Spider-Man_ actor [Tom Holland](https://time.com/4837442/spider-man-tom-holland-peter-parker/) photos that shows off the range of Lizzo’s lyrics — and the range of taste and choreography that can be applied to the tune.

In other words, there are “Boys” for everyone.


```json
[{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/5602236/lizzo-boys-meme/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/5602236/lizzo-boys-meme/"},"headline":"Lizzo's 'Boys' Is Extremely Versatile Meme Material That Works Like a Charm Every Time","datePublished":"2019-06-06T15:16:38.000Z","dateModified":"2026-04-13T07:59:08.574Z","description":"The song is getting a second life online","url":"https://time.com/5602236/lizzo-boys-meme/","keywords":["Newsfeed","Social Media","Music","viral"],"thumbnailUrl":"","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Raisa Bruner","jobTitle":null,"url":"https://time.com/author/raisa-bruner/"}],"articleSection":"","image":[],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"/tag/time-section-newsfeed/","name":"Newsfeed"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/5602236/lizzo-boys-meme/","name":"Lizzo's 'Boys' Is Extremely Versatile Meme Material That Works Like a Charm Every Time"}}]}]
```

