Boyfriend
Best Coast
Unrequited Love and Yearning in Best Coast's 'Boyfriend'
Best Coast's song 'Boyfriend' delves into the emotional turmoil of unrequited love and the longing for a deeper connection with someone who is currently just a friend. The lyrics express a deep desire for the friend to become a romantic partner, highlighting the pain and frustration of being stuck in the friend zone. The repetition of the line 'I wish he was my boyfriend' underscores the intensity of this longing and the emotional weight it carries for the narrator.
The song also touches on themes of insecurity and self-doubt. The narrator compares herself to another girl who is 'prettier and skinnier' and has a college degree, while she dropped out at seventeen. This comparison amplifies her feelings of inadequacy and the belief that these perceived shortcomings are barriers to her romantic aspirations. The line 'If only I could get her out of the picture' reveals a sense of desperation and a wish to eliminate the competition, further emphasizing the depth of her feelings.
Despite the melancholy tone, there is a glimmer of hope in the lyrics. The narrator fantasizes about a future where she and her friend are together, watching the sunrise and gazing into each other's eyes. This hopeful vision suggests that she believes in the possibility of their relationship evolving, even if it seems unlikely at the moment. The song captures the universal experience of yearning for someone who may not feel the same way, making it relatable to anyone who has ever experienced unrequited love.