Just call Charli XCX and Billie Eilish The Tortured Poets Department at this point, because they cooked up some truly stunning poetry after being targeted by a certain blonde billionaire. Yup, pop stans are already connecting the “Guess” Billie remix to the recent Taylor Swift drama involving both Billie and Charli. As you may recall, the “Anti-Hero” herself has been called out for some sketchy chart practices, and she kinda fucked with Billie and Charli’s album drops. The “Guess” collaboration and timing alone are rather telling, but there’s also a subtle lyric that social media detectives think could be a message to Taylor.
Here’s why fans think Charli XCX’s “Guess featuring Billie Eilish” might be a response to Taylor Swift.
Is Charli XCX And Billie Eilish’s “Guess” A Response To Taylor Swift?
Why Do Fans Think Charli XCX’s “Guess” Featuring Billie Eilish Is A Response To Taylor Swift?
Well, Billie and Charli have notably both been victims of Taylor’s recent chart-blocking efforts. Taylor released three new versions of The Tortured Poets Department ahead of Billie dropping HIT ME HARD AND SOFT, and then the singers engaged in a pretty intense chart battle that involved way too many remixes and slightly different album versions. Taylor ultimately snatched the No. 1 Billboard slot and pushed Billie’s debut to No.2 — even though TTPD had been out for a full month already and HMHAS was brand new.
Considering it’s Brat Summer, not Tortured Poets Summer, Charli really deserved a No. 1, but Taylor intervened. Although BRAT was literally projected to reach No. 1 in the U.K. in mid-June, Taylor swooped in, dropped six U.K.-only album variants, and blocked BRAT from the top of the charts. Sigh.
Not to mention, Charli almost explicitly references feeling weird around Taylor in the BRAT track, “Sympathy is a knife.” She sings: “Don’t wanna see her backstage at my boyfriend’s show / Fingers crossed behind my back, I hope they break up quick / ‘Cause I couldn’t even be her if I tried / I’m opposite, I’m on the other side.” (Charli is engaged to 1975 member George Daniel, and who do we know who dated another 1975 member recently……..)
So yeah, the timing of Billie and Charli joining forces is definitely interesting.
Which “Guess” Lyrics Reference Taylor Swift?
Obviously, Charli and Billie don’t name drop Taylor in “Guess,” but fans think one line in the remix alludes to the chart wars and other recent moments of shade. “You wanna guess what me and Billie have been texting about,” Charli teases toward the end of the song. Right after that, Billie sings, “You’ve been disrespectful.” Hmm. These lyrics are a brilliant strategy because they’re super vague but they also leave just enough room for the “Bad Blood” avenue of speculation. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if this line is an intentional nod to the Taylor drama… after all, Charli does love to stir the pot. (“The girl, so confusing version with lorde,” anyone?)
