Charlotte Lawrence Explores the Pain of Falling in Love With Your Best Friend in "Boys Like You"


Photo: Clare Gillen

LA-based pop songstress Charlotte Lawrence laments the line between friendship and romance in her newest single “Boys Like You,” Produced by Nick Long and Dallas Caton and co-written by Lawrence, Ali Tamposi, Roman Campolo, Long, and Caton, the singer-songwriter flips assumptions made from the title by revealing she’s actually singing about a girl, who to her dismay, only likes boys. To make it even worse, boys reciprocate that love right back. The subversive songwriting adds a cheeky element to an otherwise heart-wrenching track that details the loneliness of watching the person you desire give and receive love from others.

Although “Boys Like You” is an upbeat record, Lawrence’s soft vocals deliver an underlying sense of melancholia felt throughout. When the tempo builds during the explosive choruses, elevating the extremely catchy melody and simply put lyricism, it’s hard to not bop your head along.

The lyricism in "Boys Like You" may be straightforward, but there are gems of detail littered throughout that add context and relatability to the situation. Lawrence details her anxious thoughts of “Are you mad at me?” and writes about the pair sharing a spliff, the closest she sees them ever getting to a kiss. She reads into friendly comments like “I’m your favorite place to be,” trying to decipher if they mean more. It’s an all-around relatable track for anyone who has had a crush on a friend who either might not like them back or is unsure of what it would mean to risk exploring that connection.

At the end of the day, it’s a classic friends or more scenario, with an added layer of discouragement thrown into the mix. When talking about the track, Lawrence provides an uplifting perspective to the disappointment, “We’ve all been there. It hurts, but it doesn’t have to pull you under. I’m dancing through the ache, and I hope you can dance with me.”

“Boys Like You” is a breezy banger, perfect for drives to the beach with friends, as long as one of them isn’t your unrequited love. In her second release of 2023, Lawrence showcases a knack for pop songwriting and utilizes her borderline country twang vocal delivery for a memorable summer smash.

Watch the "Boys Like You" video below:


Related Articles

Katherine Li Creates an Intimate Diary of Self-Growth with Debut Album ‘I Love You, or Whatever’

Katherine Li Creates an Intimate Diary of Self-Growth with Debut Album ‘I Love You, or Whatever’

October 23, 2026 Katherine Li has already proven her resonant skill of capturing the familiar anxieties of wondering whether someone will love back, but now in her debut album I Love You, or Whatever, she unapologetically steps into the more nuanced sides of connection and personal growth.
Author: Alysa Benson
pop
K/DA Make the Six-Year Wait Worth It With FIRESTARTER

K/DA Make the Six-Year Wait Worth It With FIRESTARTER

October 23, 2026 With FIRESTARTER, the virtual pop supergroup makes its return with four tracks that hit like a jolt of electricity.
Author: Alessandra Rincon
pop
How Whitney Whitney Lost Her Voice And Found A New Sound On ‘1.3’ [Q+A]

How Whitney Whitney Lost Her Voice And Found A New Sound On ‘1.3’ [Q+A]

October 23, 2026 Loss is a part of life, but what do you do when it feels like you’ve lost yourself? How do you figure out where to go from there? If you’re Whitney Whitney, you keep going — and make an excellent new EP, 1.3.
Author: India McCarty
pop
EP
1.3