"Selfish Girl" explores themes of self-preservation, independence, and the … Read Full Bio ↴"Selfish Girl" explores themes of self-preservation, independence, and the importance of prioritizing personal growth and happiness. The song serves as an anthem for those who have felt the need to put themselves first, challenging societal expectations and encouraging the pursuit of individuality and genuine connection. Charli XCX uses her introspective lyrics and infectious melodies to empower listeners to embrace their own self-centeredness in order to find their place in the world.

Selfish Girl
Charli XCX Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Romance never seems to be roses
Never happy endings, unless someone pretending
But sometimes it feels good to be lonely
Call it independence, done with this pretending

I cut you off, don't call my line
It's not 'cause I'm on guard, but I
Been hurt one too many times

And that's the reason why

I'm a selfish girl
I've gotta put myself first
'Cause I'm a selfish girl
I only want the whole world, oh, oh, yeah

Can you handle that?
Can you handle that? Can you handle that?
Can you handle that?
No one really can, no, no
Can you handle that?
Can you handle that? Can you handle that?
Can you handle that?
No one really can, no, no

One hand in the air at the party
Stuck in sound and vision, something like religion, oh
Don't try to light something I've started
Yeah, you might be different, but I told you that we're finished, oh

Cut you off, don't call my line
It's not 'cause I'm on guard, but I
Been hurt one too many times
And that's the reason why

I'm a selfish girl
I've gotta put myself first
'Cause I'm a selfish girl
I only want the whole world, oh, oh, yeah

Can you handle that?
Can you handle that? Can you handle that?
Can you handle that?
No one really can, no, no
Can you handle that?
Can you handle that? Can you handle that?
Can you handle that?
No one really can, no, no

Hands up if you're selfish (woo)
Put your hands up if you're selfish, selfish (put 'em up, put 'em up, put 'em up)
Put your hands up if you're selfish (put 'em up, put 'em up)
Put your hands up if you're selfish, selfish (woo)
Put your hands up if you're selfish (put 'em up, put 'em up, put 'em up)
Put your hands up if you're selfish, selfish
Put your hands up if you're selfish (put 'em up, put 'em up)
Put your hands up if you're selfish, selfish (one more time)

I'm a selfish girl
I've gotta put myself first

'Cause I'm a selfish girl
I only want the whole world

Overall Meaning

The song "Girls Night Out" by Charli XCX is a celebration of female camaraderie and the power of friendship. The lyrics describe the excitement of getting ready for a girls' night out, with the singer describing the process of putting on lip gloss, perfume, and platforms. The singer and her friends then go out to the club, where they sing along to the music and scream out the words together, feeling like they wrote the song themselves. The chorus repeats the phrase "It's a girls' night out, let's have a girls' night out tonight" several times, emphasizing the joy that comes from spending time with your best girlfriends.

The song is also notable for its rejection of the male gaze - the singer declares that there will be "no boys" on this night out, creating a safe and supportive space for female friendship. At the same time, however, the song is not exclusively aimed at a straight female audience - the use of gender-neutral pronouns like "we" and "our" suggests that the song is meant to be inclusive of non-binary and queer individuals as well.

Overall, "Girls Night Out" is a fun and empowering song that celebrates the importance of female friendship and the joy that comes from spending time with your best gal pals.

Line by Line Meaning

Goin' out on the weekend
Going out with friends on the weekend to have fun.

Gettin' dressed with my girls
Getting ready for the night out with friends.

Put on my favorite lip gloss
Applying a favorite lip gloss for the night out.

Cherry Garcia swirl
A specific flavor of lip gloss that is being used.

Perfume, pleasure, and platforms
Using perfume and wearing platform shoes for pleasure.

Livin' that kind of world (Ooh-ooh)
Enjoying oneself in the world of partying and having fun.

We're gonna live it up tonight
Planning to enjoy oneself to the fullest extent during the night out.

So, if you're out with your girls
Addressing the listener who is also out with their female friends.

And if you feel on top of the world
If you are feeling confident and happy with yourself.

It's a girls' night out
Referring to the night out with only female friends.

Let's have a girls' night out tonight
Encouraging everyone to have fun tonight during the girls' night out.

No boys, no boys
Asserting that there are no boys allowed on this night out.

R.I.P to the club (Bang, bang)
Suggesting that the group will party so much that the establishment will feel the impact.

'Cause we walk in and kill it (Mwah!)
Asserting that they are confident and will make a big impact when entering the club.

DJ, hey, turn it up (Oh, yeah!)
Requesting the DJ to increase the volume of the music to a level that will make them dance more.

Sing along like we wrote it (La la la lala la)
Singing along to the songs with complete passion, as if the group wrote them themselves.

We're gonna live it up tonight
Affirming once again that they will have a great time tonight.

It's a girls' night out, it's a girls' night out
Repeating the notion of girls' night out to enforce that the time out is exclusively for women.

Throw your hands up if you feel alright
Encouraging everyone to dance and have fun by raising hands in the air.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Charlotte Emma Aitchison, Deaton Chris Anthony, Linus Wiklund, Noonie Bao

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

tHaANk yoOu

2y↑94

LYRICS:

[Verse 1]
Romance never seems to be roses
Never happy endings, unless someone pretendin'
But sometimes it feels good to be lonely
Call it independence, done with this pretendin'

[Pre-Chorus]
I cut you off, don't call my line
It's not 'cause I'm on guard, but I
Been hurt one too many times
And that's the reason why

[Chorus]
I'm a selfish girl
I've gotta put myself first
'Cause I'm a selfish girl
I only want the whole world, oh, oh, yeah

[Post-Chorus]
Can you handle that?
Can you handle that? Can you handle that?
Can you handle that?
No onе really can, no, no
Can you handle that?
Can you handle that? Can you handlе that?
Can you handle that?
No one really can, no, no

[Verse 2]
One hand in the air at the party
Stuck in sound and vision, something like religion, oh
Don't try to light something I've started
Yeah, you might be different, but I told you that we're finished, oh

[Pre-Chorus]
I cut you off, don't call my line
It's not 'cause I'm on guard, but I
Been hurt one too many times
And that's the reason why

[Chorus]
I'm a selfish girl
I've gotta put myself first
'Cause I'm a selfish girl
I only want the whole world, oh, oh, yeah

[Post-Chorus]
Can you handle that?
Can you handle that? Can you handle that?
Can you handle that?
No one really can, no, no
Can you handle that?
Can you handle that? Can you handle that?
Can you handle that?
No one really can, no, no

[Bridge]
Hands up if you're selfish (What?)
Put your hands up if you're selfish, selfish
Put your hands up if you're selfish (Put 'em up, put 'em up)
Put your hands up if you're selfish, selfish
Put your hands up if you're selfish (Put 'em up, put 'em up)
Put your hands up if you're selfish, selfish
Put your hands up if you're selfish (Put 'em up, put 'em up)
Put your hands up if you're selfish, selfish

[Chorus]
I'm a selfish girl
I've gotta put myself first
'Cause I'm a selfish girl
I only want the whole world

All comments from YouTube:

Christopher Lewis

2y↑115

Crash is Charli's best record IMO. It's very different from her other work and that's why I love it.

James

2y↑1

@enzo cabanas What?!?!?

enzo cabanas

2y↑16

@James faqs when a song doesn’t have pots banging against metal 😭😩😭😩😩😭😭😩😩😭😭😭😩😩😭😩😩😭😭😟😭😟😟😩😟😭😟😟😭😟😭😭😭😭😟😭😭😟😭😟😩😟😭😟😭😟😟😭😟😭😭😩😩😟😭😟😟

James

2y↑1

@Flynn Hooper It's commercial sellout mainstream pop, end of story.

Flynn Hooper

2y↑21

it truely is. it’s like all of her albums had to happen to lead her to here. crash borrows elements from every one of her past albums

bellyache

2y↑243

um yes queen skinny legend versace boots the house down slay queen hunty mama and oop daddy work charli xcx snatch my wig

James

@Rogério Gomes YASSSS QUEEN!!!

Rogério Gomes

2y↑3

@James that's the funny

kany

2y↑3

was heißt das

the.caracal.cat.101

2y↑4

Periodt purr💅🏻

James

2y↑3

@ZVAVIE- -MSMSMSMS yassss queen slay i cant believe charli invented pop music the director said how much coolness do you want and she said yes, nobody: literally nobody: charli: slay boss queen snatch my wig take my money she gives all the feels dem vibez tho.

9 More Replies...

E. BB

2y↑20

There’s something so nostalgic about this track. Can’t stop replaying it. Thanks char

Owen Watt

2y↑75

PUT YOUR HANDS UP IF YOU'RE SELFISH

r.e.m

🤚🙌👐🦶

Beastie Boys Fan Edits Archive

WOOOH!!

pupila

2y↑7

🙋‍♀️🙋‍♀️🙋‍♀️🙋‍♀️

1 More Replies...

tHaANk yoOu

2y↑94

tHaANk yoOu

2y↑4

@i have no idea also adore the pun you did with my username 🤭

tHaANk yoOu

2y↑3

@i have no idea you're welcome~ I thought since no one else did it so far I might as well

i have no idea

2y↑8

"tHaANk yoOu" for the lyrics under every new song

William Robert

2y↑74

If Charlie is a selfish girl why did she share this masterpiece with us? 😱😍😍😍😍😍✌🏼✌🏼✌🏼🤩

James

2y↑1

@Ichimatsu I would love it if Charli did an "Erotica" type album! Especially if she had a similar picture on the back cover that Madonna had!

Ichimatsu

2y↑2

@James Sorry for calling you that, and the delay. We may be diverging here though. I didn't know of anything on the album to be parody? I thought that she literally wanted to make the album sound mainstream sincerely. However, I guess it would be fine if she were doing it ironically. I'll have to think more about that. But no matter what her intentions, if you ask me "Did the music sound good?" I'd still say yes. Personally it doesn't matter to me if the style has been done before. I care more if it was executed well.

[Now that I think of it, if she picked a Janet or Madonna album, and just did her own album with the same style, that would interest me. I'd like to hear her do an "Erotica", "janet.", or honestly even "Hard Candy."]

That's something I like about this album, it gives me hope she can just dip in to any old style she wants and revamp it and execute it well. To be honest, I feel like niche musicians and their fans (and Charli's fans) have gotten this idea that if a sound has already been tried by an artist and it's been popular for no less than 6.47 months... then it's illegal and not art. [Specific number just to emphasize how mechanical the thinking is.] That is narrow minded and it must be tiring. And it's self-defeating. If someone is truly inventive they would not be afraid to do "basic" styles because nothing would be off limits to them. And I believe Charli is such a person.

Regardless, concerns about Charli staying mainstream for clout, would only become apparent over the next few albums. So for awhile there is nothing to worry about. I think she deserves a good deal of faith that she will continue to be artistic. And maybe Crash will become more complex to you when viewed from her next era.

James

2y↑2

@Ichimatsu I was with you until you called me "Queen" at the end. Please don't call me that. As for everything else you said, yeah I am a true Charli fan and I like everything she does, but it does seem like she wants to be more popular with this album and she's just using the excuse of wanting to make fun of pop tropes or whatever. She knows that songs and videos like "Baby" are going to be huge regardless of what her intent is. Most pop fans won't see it as a parody. I know I wouldn't see it that way if I didn't know anything about Charli. I've seen this happen with many artists before, all under the guise of "lampooning pop music" or whatever, but it's just a cheap attempt at making more money and being more famous. I expect more from Charli than that.

Caleb Belkin

2y↑1

selfish people are always crying for some attention and popular approves

Ichimatsu

2y↑3

@James Thank you for posing this question. Other fans (besides you or I) often repost stale compliments but they don't ever ask the hard questions "Why is Charli such a good artist?" Personally I don't even necessarily disagree that she wants attention. Thought she herself said she wants more mainstream appeal with this album.
However, I don't know if she meant "I want it to be successful" (validation) or "I want it to sound like mainstream artists" (regardless of validation)). Knowing her actually, it is definitely the latter, but like you suggest it could be both. I happen to know at least that Crash is sometimes referred to as her "Janet album." Adding in the musical references to past hits, I think we can agree that whether or not Charli craves attention, this album is certainly designed to receive it, and it is certainly deserved.

But so few people really think about that kind of thing in YT comments (except you of course). Don't let it bother you if no one else understands you, I know you are a true Charli fan. Thank you for bringing this important topic up 😊 and have a nice day queen!

5 More Replies...

ぼじん

2y↑64

I love its 90s garage vibes

fabrizio d'ambrosio

2y↑16

I wish the whole album was more 2step like this. I love this song!

The Turquoise Dream

2y↑36

Pure style absolute class.

GameThrone

2y↑28

One of the best songs on Crash!

S. tiaira

2y↑48

Best pop album since Fame & Fame Monster by GaGa. I SAID WHAT I SAID

GaryLaneM

2y↑1

wtf soo reductive

Milano A

@Saakshi Shetty it’s gonna become one of the most talked about albums of the 20s for sure. It’s already showing that’s it’s the most dominant female pop album since the 2010s.

Saakshi Shetty

@Milano A love it but honestly it doesn't stand a chance near many 2010s pop albums.

Milano A

2y↑1

Dua ‘Future Nostalgia’ is another contender as well.

S. tiaira

2y↑2

@CUB 4EVER that is a good one with a lot of commercial success but the Fame & The Fame Monster are better in my opinion.

3 More Replies...

Alexandra Klein

2y↑41

Gosh hearing this song more than two years after that short snippet she shared on Instagram Live... can't get more satisfying than that.

Alexandra Klein

@Flynn Hooper It was a tweet from January 2020 posted by the CHARLI XCX UPDATES twitter account. I tried posting it on here but it got deleted.

Flynn Hooper

2y↑5

@Alexandra Klein hell yeah. this is the best deluxe track

Alexandra Klein

2y↑11

@Flynn Hooper Yep she was initially working on Crash before the pandemic. This is one of the songs on the album that were already written and recorded at the time, before she shifted gears by focusing on How I'm Feeling Now instead.

Flynn Hooper

2y↑1

if you have the first snippet she posted please send it to me.

Flynn Hooper

2y↑3

has charli had this song for two years now???

Polardo

2y↑33

GURRL YOU DID IT WITH THIS ALBUM

Your Cover Partner | Acoustic Instrumentals

2y↑26

Charli is getting me through these though times!

Dani in the sky

2y↑24

CHARLI NO SE CANSA DE BENDECIRNOS CON SU ARTE 🛐

Josue Echers Minaya

2y↑11

Favorite track for the deluxe version 😍

ArcadianSoul

2y↑5

Selfish Girl IS THAT GIRL! Love the bop Charli

KNKY Official

2y↑9

THIS IS THE BEST CUT.
She BODIED this vibe.
Goddamnit can she wrire a hook!!

coffe 0202

2y↑13

PERFECT! A LITERAL PIECE OF ART!!!

GameThrone

2y↑10

Please make this in Dolby atmos!! ☺️☺️

Jazmin Ratzlaff

Love the visualizer, the zoom in and out of those hands and nails. It suits the beat and lyrics of Selfish Girl. Forever a versatile diverse talented pop queen and dancer Charli! ❤️♥️🖤🤍🏆🎵🎶

joaquin calt

2y↑17

PUT YOUR HANDS UP IF YOURE SELFISH

ぼじん

2y↑1

Woohooo

Andy A

2y↑2

A bop. An Anthem. A lifestyle

Beastie Boys Fan Edits Archive

2y↑3

Love that 90s two-step beats!

KNKY Official

2y↑5

2:09 i love this. the house party vibes !!!

Antonio Aguilar

2y↑1

Amo mucho esto

Bulle Dorée

2y↑6

Very 2step/UK Garage vibes... Love it !

Марк Сламт

2y↑4

Son unos SEXBABY.Uno de los mejores conciertos ❤️ Son unos de los mejores conciertos, no puede ir pero de tan solo verlos desde pantalla 9, se que estuvoy sorprendente...

Kyle CampBEE

2y↑2

I just got my CD today. Only bummed this song isn't on it!

Lorenzo Porzio

2y↑7

I LOVE THIS SONG OMG

Íde Hughes

2y↑12

this song gives me such a RUSH

Sucesso Para Você

2y↑9

Amoooo

miguel

2y↑3

A melhor do álbum!!!!!

José Andrade

2y↑2

OMG THIS ONE TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE

Sxmxpxpmxsxc Xndmxrx

2y↑3

Deserved to be on the main album instead of a deluxe bonus track

Alyssa Rosanne

2y↑5

SO GOOD ON LEVELSSSS

Sxmxpxpmxsxc Xndmxrx

2y↑17

No, I don't think you understand... I'm OBSESSED

Michael Veras

2y↑2

🤍Omg si hubiese estado escuchando esta canción con una peluca me la hubiese volado❣️
#Crash #CharliXCX #SelfishGirl #CRASH ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🖤🤍🤎

hollyken3

2y↑1

OBSESSED ❤️‍🔥💙🖤🖤🤍❤️‍🔥

Shelo nabel nlt

2y↑8

Love You Charli xcx

Josue Echers Minaya

Lit my new obsession ❤️

EddyGraphic

2y↑2

This is main album worthy

Mariana

The twin flame album 🔥

_ Aitilefa _

Yesss, u gave us the Visualizers of crash 's Deluxe tracks ❤️❤️😍😍😍😍

Kayden Reece

2y↑6

XCX 4EVER <3

prod5ve

2y↑5

Charli XCX is a huge inspiration to me and I WILL produce a song for her one day.

Cordial_Lump

2y↑3

All i ever wanted was the world <3

brooke

2y↑3

PUT YOUR HANDS UP IF YOURE SELFISH!!!!

Elizabeth Noonan

So much RuPaul "Supermodel" energy, the vibes just don't stop.

Yessin Harroy

2y↑1

❤️❤️

YOUNΞS A

QUEEN

travy trav

2y↑1

Song of the year!

IVxN

2y↑10

Charli XCX is an all time inspiration for me and I WILL create one of the hardest EDM tracks of all time with her. I feel like we can create a masterpiece the world needs to hear.

Bastián Silva

2y↑2

Rlly like this more of the half of the album

lara riesco lacal

First is Sorry If I Hurt You and then it's THAT 2:40 ending for SELFISH GIRL AMAZING

kmax max

2y↑1

please make video for this song..i liked it so much

Flo T.

niiice 🎵🙂

V1CT0R F3RRAR1

Vem pro Brasil charli

cody

2y↑1

SO GOOD STOPPPP 😮‍💨

Josue Echers Minaya

Thankssss Charli baby 🥰

Kristina Gomez

2y↑1

CHARLIIIIIII 😍😍

LolaZola

✨💙💙VIBES💙💙✨

geo

2y↑2

best track on deluxe ver

yojan

she ate this up omg

Codesis

2y↑1

HANDS UP BABBBE 💔🧡💛💚💙💜😭❤️🎶🌹🎵😘💨

The Aquadolls

slay

EAZTHARLEM

🌹

Marina Ivanova

Felicidades, es un buen ejemplo. 433 sentadillas son unos YOURGIRLS.Uno muchas y un buen ejercicio. Se deja ver que hay muy buenos resultados 😍👍 Saludos desde la Cd.. de world 🌹😉💖 los mortalesj abian apreciado tan hermosa mujer.k

ilay _ Nakash

loveeeeeeeee

avarice

2y↑1

slay

yojan

2y↑1

best song on crash wbk

Lily Alien

2y↑1

SELFISH GIRL

dear barbie 💞

2y↑3

You sell fish girls

LolaZola

2y↑1

Reminds me of Pink Panthress,👀

Andy A

2y↑2

Why did I think this was produced by disclosure

i have no idea

2y↑1

Historia Reiss vibes

Henry III

KHAKI XKXXX
A new writing adventure from the minds of zombies...
   Godly Zani Pn. Tickle Tila got me hooked and then I saw the canny-bulls eating Raoul but these days I'm worried about Pickle Putin and Lex Love so I'm Pushin Ps like Gunna gunna ditta. Preprints plucked apart per publishers er platforms xor phukeva.
   Anyway, the Madonna effect was the first major example of a wicked rewrite, a false memory implanted in the minds of the masses and amplified by falsely naming the originator of the "false memory fallacy" and ensuing widespread panic. Naturally, when she spoke out in defense of the truth, falsities only spread faster. Consider Stigler's law of eponymy. Paraphrazing WickyPetals:

   Stigler’s law of eponymy: No scientific discovery is named for its first best author. Stigler named Robert K. Merton for "Stigler's law" as a fun demonstration.

   Merton's typologies are under-rated and unexplored, in my opinion. The Madonna effect will make it seem like Merton was publishing yesterday and this post may never read the same way twice. She never changed her name, it was always Madonna, yet many are saying she was Louisa Marie first before fame. Most people aren't aware of the original title of this fallacy but it doesn't matter much. OK I'll catch you folks later, I need to return some frying pans. Don't think twice, good advice!

duy grande

2y↑2

imma selfish grull

James

2y↑2

Is this a new album or what?

James

@atheabstract Thanks.

atheabstract

2y↑2

deluxe version

Daniella

2y↑2

that froot looks familiar

McKenzie Sullivan

2y↑1

Eighty Theere babbe!!

McKenzie Sullivan

2y↑1

SEXBABYL>UNIO concierto <333

McKenzie Sullivan

2y↑1

yasss!! Slaie
gh
charli!! Come to Brasil

dkdkjjfjfhjdjskskoosodkckdjnsnsnsnnsnskdkkxkckcjc

Yazz

Pierre Miniggio

2y↑1

22nd comment :P

Idk_bv

2y↑1

Firsttt

James

What a way to squeeze even more money out of you suckers. Put out a "deluxe" version of the album just a few days after you all spent money on the original one.