If you’ve listened to the radio or browsed social media in the past year, chances are you’ve heard or seen the phrase “hot girl bummer”. It’s the title of a catchy and sarcastic song by American singer-songwriter and producer blackbear, who has been making waves in the music industry with his genre-bending and internet-savvy style.
But how did blackbear come up with this viral hit? What does it mean? And what are some of the secrets behind its lyrics? In this article, we’ll explore the story of hot girl bummer and why it resonates with so many people.
The Origin of Hot Girl Bummer
The phrase hot girl bummer is a play on the popular internet trend of hot girl summer, which encourages women to have fun and be confident in themselves. The term was coined by rapper Megan Thee Stallion, who released a song with the same name in August 2019.
blackbear, however, had a different idea. He decided to use the phrase ironically to describe his cynical and rebellious attitude towards life and relationships. He told Genius:
I just wanted to make something that was anti-everything. Anti-social media, anti-relationships, anti-being cool, anti-being happy all the time.
He also clarified that he was not trying to diss Megan Thee Stallion or her song, but rather to create his version of an anthem for people who feel out of place or misunderstood.
The Making of Hot Girl Bummer
blackbear wrote and recorded Hot Girl Bummer with his longtime collaborator Andrew Goldstein, who is also a songwriter and producer who has worked with artists like Demi Lovato, Selena Gomez, and 5 Seconds of Summer.
The song came together quickly in three days at blackbear’s home studio. Goldstein told Variety:
We go into the session at his studio at his house, and I played him a voice note of something and I was like ‘I have this really dumb idea but you might be able to make it good.’
The idea was the hook of the song: “Fuck you, and you and you / I hate your friends and they hate me too“. blackbear liked it and added his verses and melodies. The pair also decided to move the first part of the first verse to the end of the chorus, which gave the song its punchy and memorable structure.
They sent the song to blackbear’s label, Interscope, who loved it and decided to release it as soon as possible. The song came out on August 23, 2019, along with a low-budget music video directed by Gilbert Trejo, who is the son of actor Danny Trejo. blackbear and his best friend, Cesar Silva, also helped with the creative direction of the video, which features blackbear crashing various parties and causing chaos.
The Success of Hot Girl Bummer
The song was a commercial success, reaching the top 10 in several countries, including the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. It also became Blackbear’s highest-charting single on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 11.
The song also received mixed reactions from critics and fans, with some praising its catchy hook and sarcastic tone and others criticising its misogynistic and offensive lyrics. Some also compared it to Lil Nas X’s viral hit Old Town Road, as both songs use genre-bending elements and internet memes to create viral hits.
blackbear, however, defended his song and said that it was not meant to be a hate song or a parody but rather a self-deprecating and humorous anthem for people who feel out of place or misunderstood. He also said that he does not hate anyone or anything in the song except for himself.
The Meaning of Hot Girl Bummer
The lyrics of Hot Girl Bummer are full of references to pop culture and social media, such as:
- Birkin bag: a luxury handbag brand that is often seen as a status symbol
- Buy your lips and buy your likes: a critique of cosmetic surgery and online validation
- College Dropout music: a nod to Kanye West’s debut album The College Dropout
- Trojan: a brand of condoms
- Who’s all there?: a common question asked by people who are invited to parties or events
The lyrics also reflect blackbear’s personal experiences and feelings, such as:
- His struggles with mental health and substance abuse
- His disdain for fake and superficial people
- His preference for emo girls and alternative music
- His frustration with his ex-girlfriends and their friends
- His desire to be different and rebellious
The song is a blend of hip-hop, pop, and alternative rock, with influences from emo and trap music. blackbear has described his style as “R&B-influenced dark pop”.
The song is also a contrast to the upbeat vibe of Hot Girl Summer, which blackbeard said he respects but does not relate to. He told PAPER:
I think it’s great that people are having a hot girl summer, but I’m just not one of those people. I’m having a hot girl bummer.
The Impact of Hot Girl Bummer
Hot Girl Bummer is not only a catchy and sarcastic song but also a cultural phenomenon that reflects the mood and attitude of many people in the age of social media and the pandemic.
The song has inspired memes, TikTok videos, merchandise, and even Halloween costumes. It has also been covered or remixed by other artists, such as:
- Our Last Night: an American post-hardcore band that released a rock version of the song in January 2020
- YUNGBLUD: an English singer-songwriter who performed an acoustic version of the song for BBC Radio 1’s Live Lounge in February 2020
- Alle Farben: a German DJ and producer who released a dance remix of the song in March 2020
The song has also become a mantra for people who feel out of place, misunderstood, or just want to have fun and be themselves. blackbear told Genius:
I hope that people can relate to it in some way. I hope that people can laugh at it. I hope that people can cry to it. I hope that people can do whatever they want to it.
Hot Girl Bummer is more than just a song. It’s a statement, a lifestyle, and a mood. And it’s here to stay.
