Buckle Up: John Duff Wants To “Be Your Girl”

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Ben Nelson
Jun 6, 2024
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6 minutes read

John Duff’s new single, “Be Your Girl,” is a celebratory anthem from another time. Simultaneously harkening Tom Jones, Cher, and Frank Sinatra, the song is warm and timeless.

Written by Duff, Eren Cannata and Koil PreAmple, the explosive disco number with its 1940’s inspired arrangement and top line is a romantic showstopper about unrequited love. Classic as it may sound, there’s a twist.

“In today’s modern world, when so many queer artists are releasing authentically queer music, I thought it would be fun to retroactively go back and design a legacy artist that never got a chance to exist,” Duff explains. “In this song, I’m imagining a classic-that-never-happened from the point of view of a queer artist-that-never-was.”

John Duff stars in the “Be Your Girl” music video

John Duff produced the song with Koil PreAmple and Eren Cannata. The glamorous and theatrical visual pays homage to movie musicals. It was creative directed by John Duff and Shawn Adeli with choreography by Duff and Nico O’Connor.

Duff also costumed the entire video. “It may seem like I micromanage, but I have a vision. My personal success is contingent upon its execution.”

John Duff attended Syracuse University. After graduating, he made his way to the bright lights of New York City, where he worked professionally as an actor – performing regionally, Off-Broadway, and commercially for six years. He even directed a short-lived off-Broadway musical KatDashian’s – a hybrid of Cats and The Kardashian’s. The musical closed early after Andrew Lloyd Webber took legal action.

Since that time, John Duff has released multiple singles and music videos that have gone viral on social media including “House on Fire” and “Hokie Pokie”.

“Be Your Girl” is the first single from his upcoming concept album that will focus on musicianship and nostalgia. “There’s a reason people don’t make songs like this anymore,” he reflects. “It ain’t easy. If I can do this, I can do anything.”