Beg for You explained

Beg for You
Type:single
Cover:Charli XCX - Beg For You (feat. Rina Sawayama).jpg
Artist:Charli XCX, Digital Farm Animals featuring Rina Sawayama
Album:Crash
Released:[1]
Genre:
Length:2:48
Label:
Producer:Digital Farm Animals
Chronology:Charli XCX
Prev Title:New Shapes
Prev Year:2021
Next Title:Baby
Next Year:2022

"Beg for You" is a song by English singer Charli XCX featuring Japanese-British singer Rina Sawayama. It was released on 27 January 2022 as the third single from XCX's fifth studio album, Crash (2022). The song interpolates Swedish singer September's 2006 single "Cry for You". The song received widepsread acclaim from music critics. It peaked at number 3 in Malta and number 24 in the UK.

Background

Charli XCX first teased a collaboration with Rina Sawayama in May 2021 on a TikTok live in which she discussed details about her upcoming album Crash and played multiple snippets of upcoming tracks from the album, including a 45-second-long one of the then-untitled collaboration with Sawayama.[5] [6] In December 2021, screenshots of text messages between XCX and Sawayama discussing a collaboration were posted on Instagram.[7] On 21 January 2022, Sawayama revealed the title of the single on her TikTok account.[8] The song premiered on 27 January 2022 on BBC Radio 1.[9]

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, XCX discussed her inspiration behind "Beg for You". She stated that "It feels to me like one of those songs that comes on at the height of a party where you are a little bit [fucked] up, you maybe want to cry, but you also want to dance. When I was driving through L.A. listening to this beat for the first time, I felt a real sense of euphoria - but also this quite nostalgic thing. Because it's a garage beat, it reminded me of being at home in the U.K., at a house party with my friends who I've known since I was 12 years old." Additionally, she revealed that her and Sawayama first collaborated on a ballad for XCX's 2019 studio album Charli, but the track was scrapped after Sawayama expressed a desire to create a pop track instead. The song's demo was pitched to XCX, who "changed a few lyrics here and there, and sang it", and then forwarded it to Sawayama.[10]

Music and lyrics

"Beg for You" is a UK garage[11] [12] song which "evokes the bubblegum sweetness of early 2000s pop"[13] and features a beat "evocative of '90s house music",[5] "wistful" piano riffs and a drop.[9] The beat, along with the melody and hook are interpolated from Swedish singer September's hit single "Cry for You".[14] [15] Lyrically, it is a "clubby and poignant message to a leaving lover"[9] in which the singers "exchange verses about missing their respective loves when they depart, reminiscing about intimate moments when they're gone".[16]

Critical reception

"Beg for You" received critical acclaim. The track was placed on NMEs NME Radio playlist and highlighted as "On the A List", with Karen Gwee calling it "perfect for a cathartic cry on the dancefloor".[17] It was also placed on Papers list of "10 New Songs You Need to Hear Now" by writer Shaad D'Souza, who lauded it as the "apotheosis of the [2000s rave revival] trend",[18] as well as MTV's weekly "Bop Shop" selection, where XCX and Sawayama were praised for "turn[ing] a blast from the past into a fresh new dance-floor banger".[19] Jason Lipshutz of Billboard also had a positive view of the song and opined that "you'd be hard-pressed to find two artists in their shared genre with more personality on the microphone, and they each leave a lasting impression while hoisting up a pristine melody".[20] "Beg for You" was celebrated by Steffanee Wang of Nylon as "outstanding", a "sparkling gem", "an absolute smash" and "infinitely more swoon-worthy and addictive" compared to September's "Cry for You".[14] Consequence selected it as their "Song of the Week", citing it as "a worthy collaboration between two artists who know what pop music needs to go from good to great".[21] The release's use of a "Cry for You" sample, dubbed "one of [its] secret weapons",[21] was also praised. Justin Curto of Vulture thought it to be "extremely well-executed",[9] Steffanee Wang deemed the interpolation "ingenious: keep all the best parts of the nostalgia, and update enough of it to bring it into the new age".[14]

Music video

Backstage teasers for a music video have been posted on TikTok by Sawayama.[9] The music video was later released on February 11, 2022.[22]

Track listing

Digital download and streaming

  1. "Beg for You" – 2:48

Streaming – bonus tracks[23]

  1. "Beg for You" – 2:48
  2. "New Shapes" – 3:20
  3. "Good Ones" – 2:16

Digital download and streaming – Pocket Remix[24]

  1. "Beg for You" (Pocket Remix) – 3:00
  2. "Beg for You" – 2:48

Digital download and streaming – A. G. Cook and Vernon Remix[25]

  1. "Beg for You" (A. G. Cook and Vernon of Seventeen Remix) – 4:09
  2. "Beg for You" (Pocket Remix) – 3:00
  3. "Beg for You" – 2:48

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2022)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Global Excl. US (Billboard)[26] 195
Malta (Radiomonitor)[27] 3
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[28] 10
Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)[29] 32

Year-end charts

Chart (2022)! scope="col"
Position
US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (Billboard)[30] 67

Release history

Various27 January 2022Original
18 February 2022Pocket remix
25 February 2022Vernon remix

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Beg For You (feat. Rina Sawayama) . 1 February 2022 . . 27 January 2022.
  2. D'Souza. Shaad. Sound Off: 10 New Songs You Need to Hear Now. Paper Mag. 28 January 2021. 7 February 2022. collision of eurodance and hyperpop.
  3. Web site: Jones. Abby. Sound Off: 10 New Songs You Need to Hear Now. Consequence. 27 January 2021. 7 February 2022. Eurodance bliss.
  4. Billboard Staff . The 100 Best Songs of 2022: Staff List . . December 7, 2022 . “Beg For You” combines two artists that excel at dance-pop on a club-ready romp.... January 8, 2023.
  5. Web site: Doria. Matt. 28 December 2021. Charli XCX shares new preview of Rina Sawayama collab. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20220207100520/https://www.nme.com/en_asia/news/music/charli-xcx-shares-new-preview-of-rina-sawayama-collab-3126762. 7 February 2022. 7 February 2022. NME.
  6. Web site: Moen. Matt. 21 January 2022. Charli XCX and Rina Sawayama Tease Collab "Beg For You". live. https://web.archive.org/web/20220207101136/https://www.papermag.com/charli-xcx-rina-sawayma-collab-2656442706.html?rebelltitem=6https://web.archive.org/web/20220207101136/https://www.papermag.com/charli-xcx-rina-sawayma-collab-2656442706.html?rebelltitem=6. 7 February 2022. 7 February 2022. Paper.
  7. Web site: Richards. Will. 7 February 2022. Charli XCX teases new music and Rina Sawayama collaboration in "2022 sneak peak". live. https://web.archive.org/web/20220207112319/https://www.nme.com/news/music/charli-xcx-teases-new-music-and-rina-sawayama-collaboration-in-2022-sneak-peak-3123042. 7 February 2022. 7 February 2022. NME.
  8. Web site: Lavin. Will. 21 January 2022. Charli XCX and Rina Sawayama share teaser for 'Beg For You' collaboration. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20220207112740/https://www.nme.com/news/music/charli-xcx-and-rina-sawayama-share-teaser-for-beg-for-you-collaboration-3143752. 7 February 2022. 7 February 2022. NME.
  9. Web site: Curto. Justin. 27 January 2022. Charli XCX and Rina Sawayama Answer Our Begging, Drop 'Beg for You'. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20220204023800/https://www.vulture.com/2022/01/charli-xcx-rina-sawayama-beg-for-you.html. 4 February 2022. 7 February 2022. Vulture.
  10. Jones. Marcus. 28 January 2022. Charli XCX breaks down her Rina Sawayama duet 'Beg For You': 'It was a long time coming'. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20220207112840/https://ew.com/music/charli-xcx-breaks-down-beg-for-you/. 7 February 2022. 7 February 2022. Entertainment Weekly.
  11. Web site: Farrell. Margaret. 27 January 2022. Charli XCX and Rina Sawayama Modernize a Late-'00s Hit on "Beg for You". live. https://web.archive.org/web/20220204133051/https://floodmagazine.com/98349/listen-charli-xcx-rina-sawayama-beg-for-you/. 4 February 2022. 4 February 2022. Flood Magazine.
  12. Web site: Leah. Degrazia. 28 January 2022. Charli XCX And Rina Sawayama Flip A 2000s Club Anthem On New Song "Beg For You". live. https://web.archive.org/web/20220205130520/https://genius.com/a/charli-xcx-and-rina-sawayama-flip-a-2000s-club-anthem-on-new-song-beg-for-you. 5 February 2022. 7 February 2022. Genius.
  13. Web site: Natanawan. Grace. 27 January 2022. Charli XCX Unveils New Single 'Beg For You' Featuring Rina Sawayama. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20220204143210/https://www.spin.com/2022/01/charli-xcx-unveils-new-single-beg-for-you-featuring-rina-sawayama/. 4 February 2022. 7 February 2022. Spin.
  14. Web site: Wang. Steffanee. 1 February 2022. Charli XCX & Rina Sawayama's "Beg For You" Is Nostalgia Done Right. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20220204133719/https://www.nylon.com/entertainment/charli-xcx-rina-sawayamas-beg-for-you-review. 4 February 2022. 4 February 2022. Nylon Magazine.
  15. Web site: Kenneally. Cerys. 27 January 2022. Charli XCX and Rina Sawayama release highly-anticipated collaboration "Beg For You". live. https://web.archive.org/web/20220204095558/https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/latest-news/charli-xcx-and-rina-sawayama-release-new-collaboration-beg-for-you. 4 February 2022. 4 February 2022. The Line of Best Fit.
  16. Legaspi. Althea. 27 January 2022. Charli XCX and Rina Sawayama Plead for Love to Stay in 'Beg for You'. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20220207093050/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/charli-xcx-rina-sawayama-beg-for-you-song-1291506/. 7 February 2022. 7 February 2022. Rolling Stone.
  17. Web site: Gwee. Karen. 31 January 2022. NME Radio Roundup 31 January 2022: Charli XCX & Rina Sawayama, Years & Years and more. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20220205113311/https://www.nme.com/features/music-features/radio-roundup-31-january-charli-xcx-rina-sawayama-years-and-years-3150639. 5 February 2022. 5 February 2022. NME.
  18. Web site: D'Souza. Shaad. 28 January 2022. Sound Off: 10 New Songs You Need to Hear Now. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20220204132728/https://www.papermag.com/sound-off-beg-for-you-2656501528.html. 4 February 2022. 4 February 2022. Paper.
  19. Web site: Manzella. Sam. 28 January 2022. Bop Shop: Songs From Joy Oladokun, Denzel Curry, Euphoria, And More. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20220131032123/http://www.mtv.com/news/3183828/bop-shop-denzel-curry-joy-oladokun-lana-del-rey/. 31 January 2022. 5 February 2022. MTV.
  20. Lipshutz. Jason. 28 January 2022. First Stream: New Music From The Chainsmokers, Sebastián Yatra, Ella Mai and More. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20220207110026/https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/first-stream-the-chainsmokers-sebastian-yatra-ella-mai-1235024465/. 7 February 2022. 7 February 2022. Billboard.
  21. Web site: Siroky. Mary. 28 January 2022. Song of the Week: Charli XCX and Rina Sawayama Aren't Going to "Beg For You". live. https://web.archive.org/web/20220130065219/https://consequence.net/2022/01/charli-xcx-rina-sawayama-beg-for-you-song-of-the-week/. 30 January 2022. 7 February 2022. Consequence.
  22. Web site: 2022-02-12. Charli XCX and Rina Sawayama Share New "Beg for You" Video. 2022-02-15. Pitchfork. en-US.
  23. Web site: Beg For You (feat. Rina Sawayama). 27 January 2022. Spotify. 2 February 2022.
  24. Web site: Beg For You (feat. Rina Sawayama) [Pocket Remix] – Single by Charli XCX]. Apple Music. February 24, 2022.
  25. Web site: Beg For You (A. G. Cook & VERNON OF SEVENTEEN Remix) [feat. Rina Sawayama] – Single by Charli XCX]. Apple Music. February 24, 2022.
  26. Charli XCX Chart History (Global 200 Excl. US). Billboard. February 8, 2022.
  27. Web site: Malta - Radio Airplay Chart - Settimana 11.2022 - dal 11/03/2022 al 17/03/2022. Radiomonitor. Italian. September 1, 2022.
  28. Web site: NZ Hot Singles Chart. Recorded Music NZ. 7 February 2022. 5 February 2022.
  29. Web site: Beg For You (feat. Rina Sawayama) - Charli Xcx Rádio Top 100 Chart History. IFPI ČNS. Czech. January 8, 2023.
  30. Hot Dance/Electronic Songs – Year-End 2022. Billboard. 5 December 2022.

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