Girls

2:56 (RAYE & Charli XCX Version)

### Songwriter(s)

Pardison Fontaine • Jonny Coffer • Brian Lee • Rita Ora • Ali Tamposi • watt • Klenord Raphael • Ben Billions • Cardi B

### Producer(s)

Ben Billions • Jonny Coffer • Andrew Wyatt

## Music video

"**Girls**" is a song by British singer Rita Ora, featuring American rapper Cardi B, American singer Bebe Rexha and British singer Charli XCX.

## Background

The song was released as the third single from Ora's upcoming second studio album on May 11th, 2018. The song is considered a sequel to "Boys" released by Charli XCX in 2017.

Initially, Rita debuted a version of the song live at the BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend on May 28, 2017 with fellow British artists, RAYE and Charli XCX. The three previously collaborated on the VIP mix of Charli’s “After The Afterparty.” Another earlier version of the song features Starrah, MØ & Charli XCX and have slightly different lyrics.

In a November interview with The Big Top 40, Rita confirmed Bebe Rexha and Charli XCX as collaborators on the track. Bebe then teased a third featured artist. In December, this was leaked by ThatGrapeJuice to be Cardi B, which was later confirmed by Rita herself as she unveiled the release date along with an alternate promotional cover art for the song two days prior to the song’s release.

## Theme

The song tackles themes of female empowerment, self-love, and bisexuality.

Rita Ora explained to People that she wanted to express a sense of freedom: *"I definitely said it because I can - and it was one of those things where, if I was 50/50...I'm not saying I'm '70/30.' ... 'I'm 50/50, and I'm not gonna hide it, I'm not hiding what I am, who I am, if I wanna do this, if I wanna do that. That's just how it's gonna be."*

In another interview for Legend Magazine, Ora said that despite its bi-curious undertones, "Girls" is about her close relationships with her fellow singers rather than any romance women. *"At the first listen, you'll be, like, 'Oh, wow. She's definitely letting us know that she likes girls, but it's not that. It is called 'Girls' because I have features with my actual friends on it, like Charli XCX, who is one of my bestest friends. The song is basically about females complimenting other females and supporting each other."*

## Critical Reception

The song was met with mixed to negative reviews from critics upon release. "Girls" was called 'tone-deaf', and NME did a whole article explaining how the song "feels damaging and hurtful to queer women". About the production, many critics said the song was blend and falls flat.

### Criticism and Controversy

American singers Hayley Kiyoko and Kehlani, who identify as gay, criticized the song for being "harmful" to the LGBTQ community. Kiyoko referred to the song in a tweet she posted as being "tone-deaf", stating that the song "fueled the male gaze while marginalizing the idea of women loving women." Kehlani voiced her opinion in a series of tweets, "I have an incredible song out with one of the artists, and would love to work with the other three as well. I have met them all and respect them. There. Were. Harmful. Lyrics." She concluded her tweets with: "Every artist on the song is fantastic, and very much loved and supported by me... by all of us. But this isn't about talent, it's about choice."

Several days later, Ora apologized for unintended offense. Ora responded to criticism, as she wrote: *"Girls was written to represent my truth and is an accurate account of a very real and honest experience in my life... I have had romantic relationship with women and men throughout my life and this is my personal journey".*

Speaking to Rolling Stone about the backlash the song received for its 'tone-deaf' lyrics, Charli XCX said she "could totally relate" to the ensuing conversation, adding there was never any intention to hurt anybody. *"Rita had never confirmed her sexuality. She basically felt like she had to come out [as a result of the controversy]. I know that Rita's had extremely meaningful relationships with both men and women, she really does have every right to tell her story because she's not doing it from an exploitative viewpoint… I don't understand why her story is less valid than anybody else's."* Charli concluded that she wants to move on from the controversy in a positive way: *"I just really want to learn from this situation, we can all learn from this conversation."*

## Music Video

The music video for "Girls" was released on June 6th, 2018. It was directed by Helmi. Each of the artists appears in the video separately, taking place in a forest, beach, space, and more. Each of the features shot their appearences separately.

## Lyrics

[Verse 1: Rita Ora]

Her name is Lara, we learned a lot, ah

How to do it, like we do it like we wanna

We just know, we just know

I ain't one-sided, I'm open-minded

I'm 50/50 and I'm never gonna hide it

You should know, eh, you should know, ayy

[Pre-Chorus: Charli XCX]

All summer, we've been in the 'Bu

'68 Chevy with nothin' to do

Just rollin' J's, kush lovin'

And last night, yeah, we got with the dude

I saw him, he was lookin' at you

So I said, "Hey," kush lovin'

[Chorus: Rita Ora & Charli XCX]

Sometimes, I just wanna kiss girls, girls, girls

Red wine, I just wanna kiss girls, girls, girls

Sometimes, I just wanna kiss girls, girls, girls

Red wine, I just wanna kiss girls, girls, girls

Girls, girls, girls, girls, girls

[Verse 2: Bebe Rexha & Charli XCX]

Yeah, you know I tamed it, and then I named it

I put the lion in the cage and then I laid with

Her all night (All night), her all night, yeah

I'm the hunter and she the prey, yeah

I'm the thriller and the killer and the saviour

Up all night, we up all night, yeah (Do it one more time)

[Pre-Chorus: Rita Ora, Bebe Rexha & Both]

All summer, we've been in the 'Bu (Oh)

'68 Chevy with nothin' to do

Just rollin' J's, kush lovin' (Roll it out, roll it out)

[Chorus: Bebe Rexha, Rita Ora & Charli XCX]

Sometimes, I just wanna kiss girls, girls, girls

Red wine, I just wanna kiss girls, girls, girls

(Yeah-yeah, yeah-yeah)

Sometimes, I just wanna kiss girls, girls, girls

(You know that I do)

Red wine, I just wanna kiss girls, girls, girls

Girls, girls, girls, girls, girls

[Bridge: Charli XCX, Rita Ora, Both & (Cardi B)]

She gettin' down with me, yeah-ah

She gettin' down with me, yeah-ah

She gettin' down with me, yeah-ah

Oh, we can go up

She gettin' down with me, yeah-ah

She gettin' down with me, yeah-ah

She gettin' down with me, yeah-ah (Rita, look, Cardi)

[Verse 3: Cardi B]

Now I could be your lipstick, just for one night (One night)

Girls just wanna have fun and have their funds right (Yeah)

I mean, say my name, say my name, say my name (Say my name)

It tastes good just rollin' off your tongue, right? (Hurrr)

I put this MAC on your lips, so pucker up (Mwah)

We ain't never heard of you 'cause you ain't done enough (No)

And I don't gotta introduce myself (Cardi!)

I'm too sexy, I seduce myself (Bardi!)

Seven-figure, never need a n\*\*\*\* (Nope)

I steal your bitch, have her down with the scissor

Tonight, I don't want a dog, I want a kitten (Eeeow)

I might French a girl from Great Britain

[Chorus: Rita Ora, Bebe Rexha, Charli XCX & Cardi B]

Sometimes, I just wanna kiss girls, girls, girls (Oh yeah)

Red wine, I just wanna kiss girls, girls, girls (Uh, yeah)

Sometimes, I just wanna kiss girls, girls, girls (Red wine, red wine)

Red wine, I just wanna kiss girls, girls, girls (Oh, oh, oh)

Girls, girls, girls, girls, girls

[Outro: Rita Ora, Bebe Rexha, Charli XCX & Cardi B]

She gettin' down with me, yeah-ah

(Down with me)

She gettin' down with me, yeah-ah

(She gettin' down on me, ahh)

She gettin' down with me, yeah-ah (Yeah)

(Down with me, yeah)

She likes what she likes (Aha)

She gettin' down with me, yeah-ah (Yeah)

She gettin' down with me, yeah-ah (Ah-ha)

She gettin' down with me, yeah-ah

Girls, girls, girls, girls, girls

Hehehehe-aha (Hahahaha)

## Remixes

The song got 2 official remixes released as separed singles the same month of it's release:

1. "Girls" (featuring Cardi B, Bebe Rexha and Charli XCX) (Martin Jensen Remix) – 4:20
2. "Girls" (featuring Cardi B, Bebe Rexha and Charli XCX) (Steve Aoki Remix) – 3:45

## Live Performances

Ora performed the song live for the first time at BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend on 28 May 2017, with Charli XCX and Raye, one year before its release as an official single. Her first televised performance was on the season finale of Germany's Next Topmodel on May 24th, 2018.

Rita Ora - Girls Feat. Raye & Charli XCX (Live at BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2017)

## Certifications

 Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)
 Poland (ZPAV)
 United Kingdom (BPI)

## References

<references>

1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XfOkxzjloM
2. ↑ https://genius.com/Rita-ora-girls-scrapped-version-lyrics
3. ↑ https://twitter.com/BigTop40/status/927242525970259974
4. ↑ https://thatgrapejuice.net/2017/12/exclusive-rita-ora-teams-cardi-girls-girls-girls/
5. ↑ https://www.songfacts.com/facts/rita-ora/girls
6. ↑ https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/pride/8455687/hayley-kiyoko-rita-ora-girls-response-cardi-b-charli-xcx-bebe-rexha
7. ↑ http://www.complex.com/music/2018/05/hayley-kiyoko-criticizes-rita-ora-new-track-girls
8. ↑ https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/blakemontgomery/rita-ora-responded-to-critics-of-her-song-girls-by-saying
9. ↑ https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/charli-xcx-on-girls-controversy-i-want-to-learn-from-this-experience-628600/