Released: 2024Charli XCX’s “Guess” is a bold dive into themes of curiosity, privacy, and the blurred lines between personal and public. It wraps the modern obsession with knowing every intimate detail about celebrities and each other in catchy, provocative lyrics. This song swings between teasing insinuations and outright invitations to invade her personal space, challenging listeners to question their own boundaries.
The opening lines, “You wanna guess the colour of my underwear”, immediately throw us into the deep end of curiosity and voyeurism. Here, Charli confronts the listener with a direct question about her intimacy, hinting at the absurdity of such personal inquiries becoming casual conversation. The mention of “pretty in pink or all see-through” and a “brand new lower back tattoo” further plays with the idea of revealing secrets as a form of teasing or flirtation.
The chorus, “You wanna put ’em in your mouth, pull ’em all down south”, takes the song’s exploration of intimacy a step further. It’s not just about guessing or knowing anymore; it’s about physical interaction and taking actions that are usually considered private or intimate. Charli’s assertive tone suggests she’s in control, flipping the script on expectations of privacy and consent. The repetitive nature of these provocative commands emphasizes the song’s confrontational stance on personal boundaries and the desire to shock.
In the latter parts, Charli shifts the focus from personal intimacies to broader curiosities like “Guess how much money I just took from this deal” or “Wanna guess the password to my Google Drive”. This mirrors the societal obsession with the minutiae of celebrities’ lives, not just their physical intimacies but their financial and digital ones as well. The repetition of “Guess, guess, guess…” mimics the relentless questioning and speculation that people, especially public figures like Charli, face.
Ultimately, “Guess” is Charli XCX’s playful yet pointed commentary on privacy, consent, and the celebrity culture of oversharing and overreaching curiosity. It challenges listeners to think about the boundaries of what is personal and what is public, all while keeping them hooked with its catchy, provocative lyrics and beats.
