Track Review: Beg for You // Charli XCX feat. Rina Sawayama

It feels as if this collaboration between Charli XCX and Rina Sawayama has been manifested by fans for a while now and has finally come to fruition. With both artists holding the title of modern ‘princesses of pop’, it is unsurprising that these two artists would band together to create the perfect powerful club track. ‘Beg for You’ is exactly the kind of song that you would expect these Charli and Rina to produce. 

By sampling the classic 2006 song ‘Cry for You’ by September, ‘Beg for You’ alters the overall energy of the track by substituting various lyrics to create a paradoxical song. The replacement of original lyrics “You’ll never see me again / so now who’s gonna cry for you?” to “Don’t you leave me this way / don’t make me beg for you” transforms the initial song about the inevitable end of a relationship into one of desperation and longing for someone. The track offers club-goers a purifying experience of being able to scream and cry in the middle of a drunk daze. 

Whilst the track does not venture far away from Charli XCX’s usual diva pop style, the addition of Rina Sawayama’s versatile vocals that blend immaculately into any genre that is presented to her gives first-time listeners an accurate introduction to the brilliance of Sawayama’s talent. The repetitive nature of the bridge provides a mesmerising rhythm that is perfect to dance to that matches the 2000s-esque production that the song keeps to. 

Overall, ‘Beg for You’ is the perfect track to set up Charli’s fifth studio album. The nostalgia evoked by the synth-pop energy is able to establish a classic club atmosphere wherever it is played. Previously having avoided the popular trend of remaking classic songs, the bold decision to construct a song that draws inspiration from another artist is one that seems to be paying off. 

Words by Amy Britton

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