Beg for You

* Single
* A. G. Cook remix

## Music Video

"**Beg for You**" is a single recorded and released by English musician Charli XCX featuring Rina Sawayama, taken from Charli's fifth studio album *Crash* (2022). It was released on 27 January 2022 under Asylum Records as the third single off the album. The house-inspired dance-pop track marks the first collaboration between Sawayama and Charli XCX after a failed attempt in 2019. It samples 2006 song "Cry for You" performed by Swedish singer Petra Marklund as September.

The song received positive reviews from music critics, who praised the nostalgic vibe and its well execution of the "Cry for You" sample. Commercially, it entered on several charts around the world. It peaked at number 29 on the UK Singles Chart, becoming Sawayama's first entry ever on the chart. The song also reached top 10 on the US Euro Digital Song Sales chart and on the New Zealand Hot Singles chart.

A music video for the song, directed by Nick Harwood, was released on 11 February 2022 and features the women joined by a cult of friends, "ready to engage in a sacrifice led by the devil." A remix by A. G. Cook was released on 25 February 2022, featuring a new verse by rapper Vernon, member of the k-pop boy group Seventeen.

## Background and release

Both Rina Sawayama and Charli XCX had shown interest in working together before. In July 2019, Charli revealed that she and Sawayama had made a song for Charli's eponymous third album, but felt that her album was too long, so she had to scrap five songs that "still needed figuring out a little bit." She also revealed that Rina only had a small part in the song, and felt "like maybe we could do something more together."

On 10 April 2021, Charli posted a screenshot of a chat with Sawayama saying "Let's start something from scratch !". On 12 May 2021, Charli tweeted that she "woke up at 5.30am" thinking about Sawayama's purple dress at the 2021 Brits. Later, she quote replied her tweet with "and then we texted about making a song".

Following the announcement of her fifth studio album *Crash* on 4 November 2021, Charli revealed a collaboration with Sawayama on the album. That same day, Charli shared a snippet of Sawayama's verse on the song during a livestream on TikTok. On 20 January 2022, Charli and Rina made a TikTok post of a photo shoot with a snippet of the song.

## Development and composition

> Rina Sawayama and I had been talking about working together for years. Initially, we created a song for my 2019 album, titled *Charli*. It was a shimmering '80s-inspired emo ballad, which was gorgeous but felt a little too downtempo for our first splash together. Instead, we started going back and forth for a while, trying to work things out, until I stumbled upon a demo sent to me by my A&R guy at Atlantic Records [Brandon Davis].
>
> — Charli XCX Takes Us Behind the Scenes of Her “Beg For You” Video With Rina Sawayama, *Vogue*

The song was sent to Charli XCX by her A&R representative Brandon Davis. She forwarded it to Sawayama after "shooting" a few ideas between them. "I think this could be really right for two British artists," Charli said. Shortly after agreeing to do the song, Sawayama wrote and recorded her verse, and sent it to Charli.

> There's this one part where [Sawayama] says, 'separated by a degree,' and I just love the switch of the rhythm in that line. And it's more a tonal, phonetic thing than the actual lyric. I find that that rhythm is really catchy. So her verse is actually a part that I really freak out at, and feels oddly satisfying to me.
>
> — Charli XCX breaks down her Rina Sawayama duet "Beg For You", *Entertainment Weekly*

"Beg for You" is a dance-pop track written by Charli XCX, Rina Sawayama, Sorana Pacurer, Roland Spreckley and Nicholas Gale. It samples 2006 song "Cry for You" performed by Petra Marklund as September, written by Jonas von der Burg, Anoo Bhagavan and Niclas von der Burg.

It was composed using **4**
**4** common time in the key of A Major with a tempo of 128 beats per minute. Charli's and Sawayama's vocals span from the low note of F♯3 to the high note of E5.

## Chart performance

"Beg for You" debuted and peaked at number 29 on the UK Official Singles Chart on the 4 February–10 February 2022 chart, becoming Sawayama's first entry ever. It was positioned at number 3 on the UK Singles Downloads chart. Following the release of the album *Crash* on 18 March 2022, the single reached a new peak at number 24 on the week ending 31 March 2022.

In the United States, the song peaked at number 8 on the *Billboard* Euro Digital Song Sales chart and, following the release of *Crash*, it reached top 10 on the Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart on the week ending 2 April 2022. "Beg for You" also debuted at number 10 on the New Zealand Hot Singles chart. It also opened at number 33 on the Irish Singles Chart, and at number 29 on Tokyo Hot 100 for the week of 6 February 2022.

## Music video

A music video for the song was released on 11 February 2022. Directed by Nick Harwood, the music video was shot on 28 January 2022 in Lancaster, California, and it was edited three days later. On 10 February 2022, Charli XCX shared a 15-second-teaser of the music video. It stars Charli XCX and Rina Sawayama, along with Vincent Castellanos as "Cult Leader" and Aisha Hammond as "Henchwoman".

> The video references our lusting over a hot cult leader, played by an amazing extra who also had a small role in Mulholland Drive—an obsession that leads to us almost wanting to be him, which successfully happens as we eventually take over the cult and rise to leadership status after an excruciating blood ceremony conducted by a creepy person in a demonic-looking latex bunny mask. Before we climbed the cult hierarchy, Rina and I followed the sexy cult leader down a dirt path in custom L.A. Roxx, we whipped our hair around in the wind as we danced through the field fitted in Mugler trousers and Versace boots, and we finally performed our blood ceremony in custom Lemáine whilst stomping on a stone platform in Nodaleto boots. It was hot, it was fun, it was pop.
>
> — Charli XCX Takes Us Behind the Scenes of Her “Beg For You” Video With Rina Sawayama, *Vogue*

For the music video, Sawayama's hairstylist was Gregg Lennon, assisted by Dylan Ambro, and Nick Lennon did her makeup. Her friend Chester Lockhart also served as her creative director and styling consultant.

*Photos by Terrence O'Connor*[1][2][3]
1. Rina Sawayama wears custom outfit by L.A. Roxx, earrings by CHRISHABANA, and shoes by Nodaleto.
2. Sawayama wears outfit by Mugler and shoes by KNWLS.
3. Sawayama wears dress by LeMÁine and shoes by Nodaleto.

### Visualiser

A karaoke-inspired visualiser for the song was released on 28 January 2022. The visualiser was directed by London-based filmmaker and photographer Angela Stephenson, and features both Charli XCX and Rina Sawayama singing along with the song, with lyrics at the bottom of the visual.

The visualiser was teased on TikTok on 20 January 2022 by Sawayama and Charli XCX with a behind-the-scenes video.

Screenshots
## Remixes

A remix of the song by Scottish electronic music producer Pocket was released on 18 February 2022. On 4 March 2022, Charli XCX released *Beg for You (The Remixes)*, a single EP featuring the two remixes of "Beg for You", a new remix by Jodie Harsh, and the original song.

### A. G. Cook & Vernon remix

On 5 February 2022, Charli asked on Twitter "who should be on a beg for you remix????". After fans of South Korean boyband Seventeen recommended its member Vernon, who had previously shown admiration for Charli, she tweeted asking how to "get in touch" with him. Charli later quote-retweeted a fan asking for Vernon and A. G. Cook on the remix, to which she replied "this combination is still just a dream not a reality but what i will say is… a.g cook has received the files to begin the beg for you remix…"

On 23 February, Charli teased the "Beg for You" remix with Vernon of Seventeen and A. G. Cook, and it was released on 25 February 2022. The remix features a brand new verse by Vernon, which was written by him and South Korean singer-songwriter Bumzu.

## Live performances

The song was debuted live by Charli XCX on 6 March 2022 at *Saturday Night Live*, where she performed it with her single "Baby". On 18 March, Charli threw a party for the launch of her album, and performed the song with Rina Sawayama joining the performance.

## Track listing

Pocket remix

A. G. Cook & Vernon of SEVENTEEN remix

Beg for You (feat. Rina Sawayama) – The Remixes EP

## Lyrics

**Charli XCX:**

You know I go insane every time you have to catch a flight (Ah, ah-ah-ah)

Well, can I take you to the airport?

Make out under the bathroom lights (Ah, ah-ah-ah)

Put your lips on my lips

I'll remember your kiss on the nights when I miss you

Somethin' I can't forget when I'm restless in bed

Yeah, you got me obsessed (Mm)

Oh, don't you leave me this way

Won't you wait another hour or two?

You know I need you to stay

Don't make me beg for you 'cause I'll beg for you

Yeah, yeah, yeah, uh, yeah

**Rina Sawayama:**

Beg for you, beg for you (Yeah)

Beg for you, beg for you, mmm (Yeah)

Beg for you, beg for you (Yeah)

So don't you leave me this way (Uh, yeah)

You're like an ocean breeze, comin' and goin' just as you please (Ah, ah-ah-ah)

Separated by a degree, hesitate and I lose you

So far out of reach

(Ah, ah-ah-ah)

Oh, put your lips on my lips

I'll remember your kiss on the nights when I miss you

Somethin' I can't forget when I'm restless in bed

Yeah, you got me obsessin' now

**Charli XCX:**

Oh, don't you leave me this way

Won't you wait another hour or two?

You know I need you to stay

Don't make me beg for you 'cause I'll beg for you

My heart is achin', my breath you've taken

Oh, babe, I just want a taste

Don't you leave me this way

Don't make me beg for you

Don't leave me, don't leave me this way

This way, this way

Don't leave me, don't leave me this way

This way, this way

Don't leave me, don't leave me this way (Don't you leave me)

This way (Don't you leave me this way), this way (Don't you leave me)

Don't leave me, don't leave me this way (Don't you leave me)

This way (Don't you leave me this way), this way (Don't you leave me) (Yeah)

Don't you leave me

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

### A.G. Cook & VERNON remix

*Eh, eh, eh, X-C-X*

**Charli XCX:**

You know I go insane

Every time you have to catch a flight (Ah, ah-ah-ah)

Can I take you to the airport?

Make out under the bathroom lights (Ah, ah-ah-ah)

Put your lips on my lips

I'll remember your kiss on the nights when I miss you oh

Somethin' I can't forget when I'm restless in bed

Yeah, you got me obsessed (Mm)

Oh, don't you leave me this way

Won't you wait another hour or two?

You know I need you to stay

Don't make me beg for you 'cause I'll beg for you

Yeah, yeah, yeah, uh, yeah

Yeah, yeah, yeah, uh, yеah

**Vernon:**

I don't think I'll ever feel this type of way again (This way again; Yеah, uh, yeah)

I beg for you, please, don't let go of me, don't let go of me

All the endless conversations about us been going on in our head

In the night, we dream a future together and I feel bad in your bed

I beg for you, please stay, I can't go a day without

No, I can't go a day without you, hoo

**Charli XCX:**

Oh, don't you leave me this way

Won't you wait another hour or two?

You know I need you to stay

Don't make me beg for you 'cause I'll beg for you

My heart is achin', my breath you've taken

Oh, babe, I just want a taste

Don't you leave me this way

Don't make me beg for you

Don't leave me, don't leave me

**Rina Sawayama:**

You're like an ocean breeze

Comin' and goin' just as you please (Ah, ah-ah-ah)

Separated by a degree, hesitate and I lose you

So far out of reach

Oh, put your lips on my lips

I'll remember your kiss on the nights when I miss you, oh-oh

Somethin' I can't forget when I'm restless in bed

Yeah, you got me obsessin' now

**Charli XCX:**

Oh, don't you leave me this way

Won't you wait another hour or two?

You know I need you to stay

Don't make me beg for you

My heart is achin', my breath you've taken

Oh, babe, I just want a taste

Don't you leave me this way

Don't make me beg for you

**All:**

Don't leave me, don't leave me this

Don't leave me, don't leave me, don't leave me, don't leave me

Don't leave me, don't leave me

Don't leave me, don't leave me, don't leave me, don't leave me this way

This way (Yeah), this way (Yeah)

Don't leave me, don't leave me, don't leave me (Yeah), don't leave me this way (Uh, yeah)

Way, way (Yeah), way, way (Yeah), way, way (Yeah)

Don't leave me, don't leave me, don't leave me, don't leave me

This way (Yeah), this way (Yeah)

Don't leave me, don't leave me, don't leave me (Yeah), don't leave me this way (Uh, yeah)

Way, way (Yeah), way, way (Yeah), way, way (Yeah)

Don't leave me, don't leave me, don't leave me, don't leave me

This way, way, way, way, way, way

Don't leave me, way, way, way, way, way, way

It's Charli, it's Charli baby

Yeah

## Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of *Crash*.

* Charlotte Aitchison – lead vocals, writing
* Rina Sawayama – lead vocals, writing
* Sorana – additional backing vocals, writing
* Rollo – writing
* Nicholas Gale – writing
* Alexander Soifer – writing, vocal production
* Digital Farm Animals – production
* Jonathan Gilmore – Rina Sawayama's vocal production and engineering
* Kevin Grainger – mixing (at Wired Masters)
* Ben Hogarth – vocal engineering
* Antonio Tucci Jr. – Charli's vocals recording (at Atlantis Studios, Los Angeles)
* Randy Merrill – mastering

## References

1. ↑ Richards, Will (20 December 2021). "Charli XCX teases new music and Rina Sawayama collaboration in “2022 sneak peak”". *NME*. Retrieved on January 25, 2021.
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Lavin, Will (21 January 2022). "Charli XCX and Rina Sawayama share teaser for 'Beg For You' collaboration". *NME*. Retrieved on January 25, 2022.
3. ↑ Bowenbank, Starr (11 February 2022). "Charli XCX & Rina Sawayama Release ‘Beg for You’ Video: Watch". *Billboard*. Retrieved on February 11, 2022.
4. ↑ "Rina Sawayama Brasil on Twitter" (in portuguese). Twitter (12 July 2019). Retrieved on January 25, 2021. “Através do instagram, Charli XCX revela que tinha uma colaboração com Rina para seu álbum.”
5. ↑ "Rina Sawayama Brasil on Twitter" (in portuguese). Twitter (10 April 2021). Retrieved on January 25, 2021. “Durante um Q&A no instagram alguns dias atrás, Charli XCX respondeu a pergunta de um fã sobre uma colaboração com Rina Sawayama postando um print de uma conversa das duas. Apoiam o feat.”
6. ↑ "Charli on Twitter". Twitter (12 May 2021). Retrieved on January 25, 2021. “and then we texted about making a song”
7. ↑ Murray, Robin (4 November 2021). "Charli XCX Announces New Album 'CRASH'". *Clash*. Retrieved on January 25, 2021.
8. ↑ McNeal, Bria (4 November 2021). "Charli XCX's 'Crash': Tracklist, Features, Release Date". *Nylon*. Retrieved on January 25, 2021.
9. ↑ "Rina Sawayama Updates on Twitter" (4 November 2021). Retrieved on January 25, 2021. “Charli XCX teases Rina Sawayama’s verse on their new song together”
10. ↑ Charli XCX (11 February 2022). "Charli XCX Takes Us Behind the Scenes of Her “Beg For You” Video With Rina Sawayama". *Vogue*. Retrieved on February 11, 2022.
11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Jones, Marcus (28 January 2022). "Charli XCX breaks down her Rina Sawayama duet Beg For You". Retrieved on January 28, 2022.
12. ↑ Bowenbank, Starr (27 January 2022). "Charli XCX & Rina Sawayama Release ‘Beg for You’: Listen". *Billboard*. Retrieved on January 28, 2022.
13. ↑ "Key & BPM for Beg For You (feat. Rina Sawayama) by Charli XCX, Rina Sawayama". Tunebat. Retrieved on January 28, 2022.
14. ↑ "beg for you - full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved on February 4, 2022.
15. ↑ "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". www.officialcharts.com. UK Charts Company. Retrieved on February 27, 2022.
16. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100 (Week 18 March 2022 - 24 March 2022)". Official Charts Company. Retrieved on March 30, 2022.
17. ↑ Murray, Gordon (30 March 2022). "Charli XCX’s ‘Beg for You’ Hits Hot Dance/Electronic Songs Top 10". *Billboard*. Retrieved on March 31, 2022.
18. ↑ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ (7 February 2022). Retrieved on February 6, 2022.
19. ↑ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved on February 4, 2022.
20. ↑ "J-Wave Website: Tokyo Hot100". j-wave.co.jp. Retrieved on February 6, 2022.
21. ↑ Rina Sawayama (@rinasawayama) (28 January 2022). "RINA SAWAYAMA on Twitter". Twitter. “😏😏😏😏😏😏😏”
22. ↑ Rina Sawayama (@rinasawayama) (10 February 2022). "Charli on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved on February 10, 2022.
23. ↑ Charli XCX (11 February 2022). "Charli XCX Takes Us Behind the Scenes of Her “Beg For You” Video With Rina Sawayama". *Vogue*. Retrieved on March 28, 2022.
24. ↑ "Beg For You (feat. Rina Sawayama) [Pocket Remix - Single by Charli XCX on Apple Music"]. Apple Music. Warner Records UK Limited (18 February 2022).
25. ↑ Charli XCX (4 March 2022). "Beg For You (feat. Rina Sawayama) (The Remixes)". Spotify. Retrieved on March 4, 2022.
26. ↑ Charli (@charli\_xcx) (28 February 2022). "Charli on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved on March 2, 2022. “here’s this cute movie poster if u didn’t see it already”
27. ↑ Charli (@charli\_xcx) (5 February 2022). "Charli on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved on February 26, 2022.
28. ↑ Charli (@charli\_xcx) (7 February 2022). "Charli on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved on February 26, 2022.
29. ↑ Charli (@charli\_xcx) (9 February 2022). "Charli on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved on February 26, 2022.
30. ↑ Strauss, Matthew (25 February 2022). "Charli XCX Taps A. G. Cook and Seventeen’s Vernon for New “Beg for You” Remix: Listen". *Pitchfork*. Retrieved on February 26, 2022.
31. ↑ Richards, Will (6 March 2022). "Watch Charli XCX bring ‘Baby’ and ‘Beg For You’ to ‘SNL’". *NME*. Retrieved on March 18, 2022.
32. ↑ "Beg For You (feat. Rina Sawayama) - Single by Charli XCX, Rina Sawayama". Spotify. Asylum Records UK. Retrieved on January 28, 2022.