Grrrls

Single by [[Lizzo|Lizzo]]

## Singles Chronology

"**Grrrls**" is a song by American singer-songwriter and rapper Lizzo. It was released on June 10th, 2022 through Nice Life and Atlantic Records as the first promotional single to her upcoming fourth studio album, *Special*. The song samples "Girls" by American hip-hop group Beastie Boys, from their album *License to Ill*.

## Background

On June 7th, 2022, Lizzo posted a TikTok teasing a snippet with lyrics from the song "Grrrls". The next day, Lizzo posted a tweet with the caption:

> "⭐️GRRRLS⭐️GRRRLS⭐️GRRRLS
>
>
> AND
>
>
>
> @YITTY BITCH"
>
> — Lizzo via Twitter

 On June 9th, Lizzo posted an Instagram video with the caption:

> "PRE-SAVE SPECIAL TO HEAR THE WHOLE SONG FRIDAYYYYY"
>
> — Lizzo via Instagram

The next day on June 10th, "Grrrls" was released as the official first promotional single.

## Theme

"Grrrls" is an empowerment anthem that talks about female friendships and how girls have each other's backs. In a conversation with Rachel Brodsky from *Stereogum*, she stated,

> “It was like, ‘I want to write a song that the whole world sings back at me.’ [With] Watch Out For The Big Grrrls, I wanted to change the lives of the girls on my show, and my own life, and the lives of the people who watched it. So many people have watched and pointedly decided to speak to themselves better. To listen to and love their bodies. That is the greatest award anyone can ever hope for.”
>
> — Lizzo via Stereogum

## Controversy

A day after the song was released, fans on all social media platforms began calling out Lizzo and criticizing her use of the word "sp\*zz", a slur generally recognized in European countries, more specifically the UK, as meant to insult and degrade people on the autistic spectrum. A TikTok creator named @itsabigaillea posted a TikTok asking for Lizzo to remove the song and re-release it due to its use of the slur. On Monday, June 13th, Lizzo issued a statement on Twitter apologizing for her use of the word. The tweet in question said,

> "It’s been brought to my attention that there is a harmful word in my new song "GRRRLS". Let me make one thing clear: I never want to promote derogatory language. As a fat black woman in America, I’ve had many hurtful words used against me so I overstand the power words can have (whether intentionally or in my case, unintentionally). I’m proud to say there’s a new version of GRRRLS with a lyric change. This is a result of me listening and taking action. As an influential artist I’m dedicated to being part of the change I’ve been waiting to see in the world. Xoxo, Lizzo."
>
> — Lizzo via Twitter

 After publishing her statement, Lizzo pulled the original version of "Grrrls" from all streaming platforms and replaced it with a new version.

## Lyrics

**[Intro]**

(Girls) Bitches, uh

Bitches, uh, uh-huh

**[Verse 1]**

Hold my bag, bitch, hold my bag

Do you see this shit? Hold me back

I'm about to knock somebody out

Yo, where my best friend?

She the only one I know to talk me off the deep end

**[Pre-Chorus]**

'Cause that's my girl, we codependent

If she with it, then I'm with it

Yeah, we tussle, mind your business

Zu, zu, zu, zu, zu-su-lu

That's my girl, we CEOs

And dancin' like a C-E-ho

We about to throw them bows

Let's fuck it up

**[Chorus]**

Where my girls, where my girls at? (Woo-hoo)

Where my girls, where my girls at? (Woo-hoo)

Yeah, this the type of fight I'm lookin' for

Where my girls, whеre my girls at? (Woo-hoo, woo-hoo)

**[Verse 2]**

Let me takе these earrings off

And hit the boosie ratchet with my friends

Woah-oh, woah-oh (Whoop that ho)

Woah-oh, woah-oh

I'ma go Lorena Bobbitt on him, so he never fuck again

No-oh, now you can't fuck again, bro

**[Pre-Chorus]**

That's my girl, we codependent

If she with it, then I'm with it

Yeah, we tussle, mind your business

Zu, zu, zu, zu, zu-su-lu

That's my girl, we CEOs

And dancin' like a C-E-ho

We about to throw them bows

Let's fuck it up

**[Chorus]**

Where my girls, where my girls at? (Woo-hoo)

Where my girls, where my girls at? (Woo-hoo)

Yeah, this the type of fight I'm lookin' for

Where my girls, where my girls at? (Woo-hoo)

Where my girls, where my girls at? (Woo-hoo)

Where my girls, where my girls at? (Woo-hoo)

Yeah, this the type of fight I'm lookin' for

Where my girls, where my girls at? (Woo-hoo)

**[Outro]**

Uh-huh, okay, where my ladies at?

Uh-huh, okay, where my ladies at?

Uh, hold me down (Down)

Uh, hold me back (Back)

Uh-huh, okay, where my ladies at?

## Videos

Lizzo - Grrrls (Official Audio)Official Audio
## References

Template:Reference Scrollbox

1. ↑ https://twitter.com/lizzo/status/1534622160475410432
2. ↑ https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cejk7frFkuN/?utm\_source=ig\_web\_copy\_link
3. ↑ https://www.stereogum.com/2189598/lizzo-grrrls/music/
4. ↑ https://www.tiktok.com/@itsabigaillea/video/7108106398587800878?referer\_url=https%3A%2F%2Ftonedeaf.thebrag.com%2F&referer\_video\_id=7108106398587800878&refer=embed
5. ↑ https://twitter.com/lizzo/status/1536480260732047361