Question: the meaning of the song if i were a boy

title: If I Were a Boy
text: `` If I Were a Boy '' was written by BC Jean and Toby Gad . It is the opening ballad of the I Am ... disc of the double album I Am ... Sasha Fierce . It is the only song on either disc that Beyoncé did not co-write . Most of the lyrics were written by Jean , who was inspired by the break - up of a romantic relationship . One day Jean and Gad visited a pizzeria in Times Square in New York City . Although tempted , Jean refrained from eating pizza because she was dieting . She then thought that if she were a boy , she would have eaten without regret . After reflecting on the idea , she concluded that she would have been a better man than her past lover . Gad captured Jean 's ideas on a pocket recorder , and they went to the studio the same day . Once there , she wrote the lyrics and melody in about 15 minutes . She then recorded the song in less than half an hour , with Gad on the guitar . 

Answer: answer: It was inspired by the break - up of a romantic relationship.  It is a reflection of the idea that she would have been a better man than her past lover.