Charli XCX and Billie Eilish’s ‘Guess’ Sparks Controversy: Is Taylor Swift the Target?

Charli XCX and Billie Eilish’s latest remix of “Guess” has sparked significant online debate, with fans convinced the lyrics contain subtle jabs at fellow pop star Taylor Swift. Released on August 2, 2024, the remix quickly garnered attention, especially for its closing lines.

The lyrics in question feature the duo whispering:
“You wanna guess what me and Billie have been textin’ about? (You’ve been disrespectful)/ Still tryin’ to guess the password to my Google Drive (Are you obsessed with me?)/ You wanna guess the address of the party we’re at (You really are not invited)”

These lines have led to widespread speculation that Charli XCX and Billie Eilish were indirectly addressing Taylor Swift. Theories emerged that the whispers might be referencing Swift’s frequent album releases, which have consistently dominated streaming charts, potentially overshadowing other artists like Charli and Billie.

The internet quickly divided over the potential diss. Some fans took the lyrics as a clear shot at Swift, with one tweeting:
“You wanna guess what me and Billie have texting about” “are u obsessed w me?” oh the Taylor shade I had to giggle”

Another fan stated:
“Beyoncé and Taylor Swift can kiss AOTY [Artist of The Year] goodbye! Charli XCX won.”

Others echoed this sentiment, referencing Swift’s extensive album variants and their impact on chart positions:
“That lady and her 45 album variants blocked them both from number one albums, but them having more cultural impact and critical acclaim than her in the end is most pleasing to me,” tweeted another fan.

However, not everyone was convinced that the lyrics were a direct attack on Swift. Some fans criticized the tendency to involve Swift in every major pop culture moment involving other female artists. One user tweeted:
“It’s never ‘wow Charli and Billie made a great song.’ You always just gotta bring up Taylor.”

Another commented:
“Would hate to be Billie and Charli and having fans who make their album rollouts and releases all about Taylor Swift.”

The discourse didn’t stop at the song’s lyrics. Charli XCX had previously found herself at the center of a Swift-related controversy following the release of her single “Sympathy is a Knife” in June 2024. Some fans speculated that the song contained veiled references to Swift, particularly lines about an insecure relationship and encounters backstage. This speculation was fueled by Charli’s engagement to George Daniel, drummer of The 1975, whose frontman Matty Healy once dated Swift.

Adding to the controversy, Charli XCX addressed her fans directly after an incident at her São Paulo concert on June 23, 2024, where fans chanted anti-Taylor Swift slogans. Disturbed by the negativity, Charli took to her Instagram story, urging her fans to stop the hostile behavior:
“Can the people who do this please stop. Online or at my shows. It is the opposite of what I want and it disturbs me that anyone would think there is room for this in this community. I will not tolerate it.”

Despite Charli’s clear stance against the animosity, the release of “Guess” and its provocative lyrics have reignited discussions about potential feuds and the culture of competition among pop stars. Whether the lyrics were a deliberate dig at Swift or simply a creative expression, the song has certainly managed to keep fans talking and speculating about the relationships between some of today’s biggest music icons.