Charli XCX and Lorde Unite on The Girl, So Confusing Version: A Remix That Redefines Rivalry

23rd June, 2024

In an unexpected turn of events, Charli XCX has released a remix of her track TheGirl, So Confusing,” featuring none other than Lorde.

This collaboration, dropped on Thursday, June 21, 2024, marks a significant moment in pop music, addressing long-standing comparisons between the two artists.

“The Girl, So Confusing”: The Original Context

Girl, So Confusing initially appeared on Charli XCX’s sixth studio album, “Brat,” released just two weeks prior.

The song touched on themes of rivalry and insecurity in the music industry, particularly the tendency to pit female artists against each other.

A Surprise Announcement

Charli XCX teased the collaboration in dramatic fashion. On June 20th, she hosted a TikTok live stream showing the “Brat wall” in New York City being repainted to spell “lorde.”

Shortly after, she confirmed the remix would drop at midnight EST.

Further building anticipation, Charli shared a screen recording on Twitter/X, revealing Lorde’s lyrics sent via iMessage.

Charli’s visible reaction—a succinct “fucking”hell”—spoke volumes about the significance of this collaboration.

Addressing Past Comparisons

This remix is particularly noteworthy, given the history between the two artists.

In 2014, an interviewer mistakenly attributed Lorde’s hit “Royals” to Charli XCX.

While Charli played along with the mix-up, it sparked a running joke among fans, who would jokingly request “Royals” at Charli’s shows.

In a May 2024 interview with Rolling Stone, Charli reflected on this period: “When ‘Royals’ came out, I was super jealous of the success that song got, and that Ella got. You piece all this stuff together in your brain like: ‘She was into my music. She had big hair; I had big hair. She wore black lipstick, I wore black lipstick.’ You create these parallels and think, ‘Well that could have been me.’ But it couldn’t have been because we’re completely different people.”

Charli XCX The Girl, So Confusing with Lorde song cover

Lorde’s Contribution

The remix features a new verse from Lorde, adding depth to the original narrative.

Her lyrics address body image struggles and the insecurities that led to her sometimes distant behaviour:

“For the last couple years, I’ve been at war with my body / I tried to starve myself thinner / And then I gained all the weight back… I was trapped in the hatred / and your life seemed so awesome.”

This vulnerable addition transforms the song from a one-sided expression of confusion to a dialogue between two artists working through their insecurities.

“The Girl, So Confusing” Version: Lyrics Breakdown and Meaning

The remix of TheGirl, So Confusing offers a deeper look into the complexities of female relationships in the music industry. Let’s break down some key lyrics:

Charli’s Original Verses:

“Yeah, I don’t know if you like me
Sometimes I think you might hate me
Sometimes I think I might hate you
Maybe you just wanna be me”

These lines encapsulate the confusion and insecurity at the heart of perceived rivalries.

Charli expresses uncertainty about where she stands with her peer, highlighting the emotional toll of constant comparisons.

“People say we’re alike
They say we’ve got the same hair
We talk about making music
But I don’t know if it’s honest”

Here, Charli directly addresses the surface-level comparisons often made between female artists.

The last line suggests a sense of inauthenticity in their interactions, hinting at the strain these comparisons put on potential friendships.

Lorde’s New Verse:

“Well, honestly, I was speechless
When I woke up to your voice note
You told me how you’d been feeling
Let’s work it out on the remix”

Lorde’s opening lines acknowledge Charli’s feelings and express a willingness to address the situation head-on through their music.

“‘Cause for the last couple years
I’ve been at war with my body
I tried to starve myself thinner
And then I gained all the weight back”

This vulnerable admission provides context for Lorde’s behaviour, revealing that her own insecurities and struggles were behind her sometimes distant demeanour.

“I was trapped in the hatred
And your life seemed so awesome
I never thought for a second
My voice was in your head”

These lines offer a powerful perspective shift. While Charli was feeling insecure about their comparison, Lorde was battling her own demons and envying Charli’s apparent success.

“Forgot that inside that icon
There’s still a young girl from Essex”

This poignant line humanises both artists, reminding listeners (and perhaps the artists themselves) that behind the public personas are real people with real vulnerabilities.

The Chorus:

“Girl, it’s so confusing sometimes to be a girl
Girl, girl, girl, girl
Girl, how do you feel being a girl?”

The repetitive use of “girl” emphasises the shared experience of womanhood, particularly in the music industry.

It speaks to the confusion and pressure both artists face, not just in their relationships with each other but in navigating their careers and public images.

“The Girl, So Confusing Version” Meaning and Significance

This remix transforms TheGirl, So Confusing from a song about rivalry to one about understanding and solidarity.

By adding her perspective, Lorde completes the conversation Charli started, turning a monologue into a dialogue.

The track explores themes of comparison, insecurity, and the pressure to maintain a certain image.

It reveals how easy it is to misinterpret others’ actions when we’re caught up in our own insecurities.

Moreover, the song challenges the notion that successful women must be in competition with each other.

Instead, it presents a narrative of two artists coming together to address their issues directly, setting an example of how perceived rivals can become collaborators and supporters.

By being vulnerable about their struggles with body image, self-doubt, and the pressures of fame, Charli and Lorde have created a relatable anthem for anyone who’s ever felt confused about their place in the world or their relationships with others.

The Girl, So Confusing Version: Industry Impact

This collaboration represents more than just a new version of a popular song.

It’s a statement about female solidarity in the face of industry pressures.

By directly addressing their perceived rivalry, Charli XCX and Lorde have set an example for turning comparison into collaboration.

It reminds listeners that behind every chart-topping hit, there are real people navigating complex emotions and relationships.

For fans of both artists, this remix offers not only a fresh take on a popular track but also insight into the relationship between two of pop’s most intriguing figures.

The Girl, So Confusing Version with Lorde, is now available on all major streaming platforms, inviting listeners to engage with this nuanced exploration of artistry, rivalry, and ultimately, understanding.

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Charli xcx & Lorde The Girl So Confusing Version Lyrics

Chorus: Charli xcx
Girl, it’s so confusing sometimes to be a girl
Girl, girl, girl, girl
Girl, it’s so confusing sometimes to be a girl
Girl, girl, girl, girl
Girl, how do you feel being a girl?
Girl, girl, girl
How do you feel being a girl?
Girl, girl, girl
Man, I don’t know, I’m just a girl
Girl, girl, girl, girl

Verse 1: Charli xcx
Yeah, I don’t know if you like me
Sometimes I think you might hate me
Sometimes I think I might hate you
Maybe you just wanna be me
You always say, “Let’s go out”
So we go eat at a restaurant
Sometimes it feels a bit awkward
‘Cause we don’t have much in common

Pre-Chorus: Charli xcx
People say we’re alike
They say we’ve got the same hair
We talk about making music
But I don’t know if it’s honest
Can’t tell if you wanna see me
Falling over and failing
And you can’t tell what you’re feeling
I think I know how you feel

Verse 2: Lorde
Well, honestly, I was speechless
When I woke up to your voice note
You told me how you’d been feeling
Let’s work it out on the remix
You’d always say, “Let’s go out”
But then I’d cancel last minute
I was so lost in my head
And scared to be in your pictures
‘Cause for the last couple years
I’ve been at war in my body
I tried to starve myself thinner
And then I gained all the weight back
I was trapped in the hatred
And your life seemed so awesome
I never thought for a second
My voice was in your head
“Girl, you walk like a bitch”
When I was ten, someone said that
And it’s just self-defence
Until you’re building a weapon
She believed my projection
And now I totally get it
Forgot that inside the icon
There’s still a young girl from Essex

Pre-Chorus: Charli xcx & Lorde
People say we’re alike
They say we’ve got the same hair
It’s you and me on the coin
The industry loves to spend
And when we put this to bed
The internet will go crazy
I’m glad I know how you feel
‘Cause I ride for you, Charli (Charli, Charli)

Chorus: Charli xcx & Lorde
Girl, it’s so confusing sometimes to be a girl
Girl, girl, girl, girl
Girl, it’s so confusing sometimes to be a girl
Girl, girl, girl, girl
Girl, how do you feel being a girl?
Girl, girl, girl
How do you feel being a girl?
Girl, girl, girl
Man, I don’t know, I’m just a girl
Girl, girl, girl, girl

Outro: Charli xcx & Lorde
Girl, girl
(It’s so confusing)
Girl, girl, girl, girl
You know I ride for you, too
(It’s so confusing-ing)