Guess featuring Billie Eilish
Charli xcx
Playful Provocation and Intimacy in Charli Xcx's 'Guess'
The song 'Guess', now featuring Billie Eilish, addresses privacy, obsession, and the invasion of personal space in a provocative and direct way. The lyrics begin with what seems to be a conversation between Charli and Billie. Then, Charli challenges Billie and the listeners to guess intimate details about her, such as the color of her underwear. This initial approach already sets a tone of provocation and curiosity, which unfolds throughout the song.
The repetition of suggested actions such as 'try it, bite it, lick it, spit it' suggests an intense and almost obsessive exploration of personal details, as well as the very sexual fantasies that Charli stimulates in those around her. The lyrics also mention the idea of 'remixing' and 'posting', which can be interpreted as a criticism of the culture of oversharing and the lack of privacy on social networks, especially with artists. The reference to 'The Dare' and the idea of 'eating for lunch' add a layer of pop references, such as Billie's song 'LUNCH'.
The final verse, 'Still tryin' to guess the password to my Google Drive (are you obsessed with me?)', is a direct criticism of those who try at all costs to leak your music, calling them obsessed. This verse is particularly significant considering Charli Xcx's history of leaking music. Her third studio album, 'XCX WORLD', was leaked before its official release, which led to the album's cancellation. This incident reflects the frustration and invasion of privacy that Charli has experienced, and the song 'Guess' serves as a response to these experiences, highlighting the obsession and lack of respect for artists' privacy.