True Blue (2023) – boygenius

Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus and Julien Baker

True Blue is a brutally honest look at a relationship, but it is sung with tenderness and warmth in Lucy Dacus’ laidback voice. The phrase “true blue” means loyalty and faithfulness, not sadness. The song moves through the highs and lows of a relationship. It is not always easy, but as Lucy suggests, it feels good to be known so well.

The storytelling is strong and full of vivid images. Some lines even raise a wry smile because of how blunt they are, like “You say you’re a winter bitch” and “You f&ck around and find out.” That kind of direct language, instead of soft and overly romantic words, feels refreshing and real.

boygenius (stylized in lowercase) is an American indie rock supergroup. They first appeared with their self-titled EP in 2018, then returned after a break with their debut album The Record (2023), which includes “True Blue.”

The Record was both a critical and commercial success. It won three Grammy Awards and also received a Brit Award. The album reached number one in the UK, Ireland, and the Netherlands, and peaked at number four on the U.S. Billboard chart. On March 30, 2023, boygenius released The Film, a short promotional film featuring the songs “$20,” “Emily I’m Sorry” and “True Blue.”

The group is currently on hiatus although the vocalist below Lucy Dacus currently resides in Los Angeles with her partner, fellow boygenius bandmate Julien Baker.

The video below shot by Kristen Stewart captures the mutual love and heartfelt connection between these three women. It transitions towards the end from Lucy kissing Phoebe to kissing Julien.

You said you wanted to feel alive
So we went to the beach
You were born in July ’95
In a deadly heat
You say you’re a winter bitch
But summer’s in your blood
You can’t help but become the sun

When you moved to Chicago
You were spinnin’ out
When you don’t know who you are
You fuck around and find out
When you called me from the train
Water freezin’ in your eyes
You were happy and I wasn’t surprised

[Chorus]
And it feels good to be known so well
I can’t hide from you like I hide from myself

Now you’re movin’ in
Breakin’ a sweat on your upper lip
And gettin’ pissed about humidity
And the leaky faucet
You already hurt my feelings three times
In the way only you could

[Chorus]
But it feels good to be known so well
I can’t hide from you like I hide from myself
I remember who I am when I’m with you
Your love is tough, your love is tried and true-blue
Blue

You’ve never done me wrong, except for that one time
That we don’t talk about
Because it doesn’t matter anymore
Who won the fight? I don’t know
We’re not keeping score

References:
1. Boygenius – Wikipedia

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“The more I live, the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize, the less I know.”- Michel Legrand

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2 comments on “True Blue (2023) – boygenius
  1. Steve's avatar Steve says:

    I’ve been enamoured with boygenius since, on a short driving trip with my son to a music gig of his an hour north of our city, he played boygenius’ track “Cool About It,” also from ‘The Record,’ and the only song of theirs I’ve shared so far on my site. There’s a sweet video of them performing it on Colbert’s Late Show a while back. Really nicely done profile here, Matt.

    • I’ve presented two other songs of them here, namely ‘Emily I’m Sorry’ and ‘Not Strong Enough’. I like all the music and videos from their short film for the record, but TBH I’m not that across much of their music and zero of their solo output. But I did see a live performance of them on the KEXP program and thought they were very talented.

      How wonderful your son performed ‘Cool About It’! And thanks for introducing me that lovely song. Once again – excellent harmonies. That’s a real keeper. Thanks Steve and also for your kind words

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