Music Friday: Victoria Justice Expresses Empowerment in Her Debut Single, ‘Gold’

Welcome to Music Friday when we bring you fun songs with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the lyrics or title. Today former Nickelodeon star Victoria Justice expresses female empowerment in her 2013 debut single, “Gold.”

In the song, a girl is trying to tell a long-time buddy that she’d like to be more than just friends.

She sings, "Hey, boy, whatcha gonna do / If you want me like I want you, then man up and make your move / I’m Gold, Gold."

Justice explained to Artistdirect how the word "gold" in the lyrics is intended to convey empowerment, not conceit.

"It's not like I'm saying, 'I'm gold. You should love me because I'm amazing and awesome.' It's more like, 'I feel empowered about myself. I feel good as a woman. I have self-respect. You should go for me!'"

Called the “perfect summer tune” by MTV Buzzworthy, “Gold” combines flirtatious, confident lyrics with an upbeat, carefree vibe.

The 28-year-old Justice became a household name in 2010 when she starred on the hit Nickelodeon series Victorious. With the release of her debut single, she followed the leads of fellow Nickelodeon alumnae Ariana Grande and Miranda Cosgrove, who also transitioned from acting to music.

Born in Hollywood, FL, in 1993, Victoria Dawn Justice made her acting debut as a 10-year-old on The WB comedy series, Gilmore Girls. Two years later, she landed the role of Lola Martinez on Nickelodeon's comedy-drama series, Zoey 101. From 2010 to 2013, she played Tori Vega on Victorious.

After releasing "Gold" in 2013, Justice took a seven-year hiatus from the music industry, returning in December 2020 with her single, "Treat Myself."

Trivia: Justice's love interest in the official video for "Gold" is played by Colton Haynes, who starred in the MTV series, Teen Wolf.

Please check out the video of Justice performing "Gold." The lyrics are below if you’d like to sing along…

“Gold”
Written by Tove Nilsson, Peter Thomas, Jason Weiss, Sam Shrieve, Ben Camp, Jakob Jerlström and Ludvig Söderberg. Performed by Victoria Justice.

I’ve tried to let it go
But these butterflies I can’t ignore
‘Cause every time that I look at you
Know we’re in a catch-22
We’ve been friends for so long but I
Need to tell you what’s on my mind
I’m sick and tired of playing games
‘Cause I know that you feel the same

I know you inside out, so I’m asking now
Take a chance on me
How much clearer can I be?

Hey, boy, whatcha gonna do
If you want me like I want you, then man up and make your move
I’m Gold, Gold
You, me, good as can be, want to be more than your company
So bet your money on me
I’m Gold, Gold

Do I really need to spell it out?
My heart skips when you’re around
I got everything that you need
So come on baby get close to me
So confused that I’m not surprised
From greater bells, and rolled the dice
Know all your moves, don’t know why I fall
Should put me out, but I want it all

I know you inside out, so I’m asking now
Take a chance on me
How much clearer can I be?

Hey, boy, whatcha gonna do
If you want me like I want you, then man up and make your move
I’m Gold, Gold
You, me, good as can be, want to be more than your company
So bet your money on me
I’m Gold, Gold

Na ra ta la la
I’m Gold, Gold
Na ra ta la la
I’m Gold, Gold

Been to cool just to tell you straight out, but by now I wish you figured it out, I wish you figured it, I wish you figured it, I wish ya
You’re not a fool you see what I’m about, so by now I think you figured it out, I think you figured it out, I think you figured it out, I think ya!

Hey, boy, whatcha gonna do
If you want me like I want you, then man up and make your move
I’m Gold, Gold
You, me, good as can be, want to be more than your company
So bet your money on me
I’m Gold, Gold

Na ra ta la la
I’m Gold, Gold
Na ra ta la la
I’m Gold, Gold

Credits: Screen capture via YouTube.com.