A Whimsical Start
"Best Guess" by Lucy Dacus from her album Forever Is A Feeling is a stunning, introspective track that balances both vulnerability and certainty. Right from the start, Dacus’ gentle voice glides over a slow, bass-heavy rhythm, creating a dreamy and whimsical atmosphere. The soft, angelic quality of her vocals harmonizes beautifully with the subdued instrumentation, capturing an intimate mood that sets the tone for the song’s reflective themes. The track pulls you in with its slow pace, as if inviting listeners to sink into the emotion and anticipation embedded in every note.
A Gradual Build
As the song progresses, the tempo subtly quickens, adding a newfound urgency that elevates the second half. The shift in dynamics allows Dacus’ performance to truly shine, marking "Best Guess" as one of her most compelling tracks yet. The emotional intensity that builds through her lyrics and vocal delivery perfectly captures the delicate balance between love, uncertainty, and hope. It’s a transformative moment in the song, where the initially restrained energy blossoms into something more powerful, highlighting Dacus' skill as both a singer and storyteller.
Live Debut and Tease
The live debut of "Best Guess" at Julien Baker's Brooklyn Steel show in October 2024 gave audiences a raw glimpse into this heartfelt piece. The buzz surrounding the track grew when Dacus teased it on TikTok, fueling anticipation with a casting call for its music video. Fans were captivated by this brief snippet, eagerly awaiting the full release. The involvement of producer Bartees Strange, who played a key role in the song’s creation, adds another layer of intrigue. His insight into the recording process shows how "Best Guess" emerged from an impromptu moment, creating something spontaneous and fresh while staying true to the overarching themes of the album.
Poetic and Personal Lyrics
Lyrically, "Best Guess" is intimate and poetic, reflecting the complexities of relationships and personal growth. The song's verses paint vivid images of physical closeness and affection, juxtaposed with the knowledge that change is inevitable. Dacus speaks of love and connection as a gamble, uncertain but worth the risk. The chorus underscores this with the repeated refrain, “You are my best guess at the future,” a line that encapsulates the entire song’s emotional core. The lyrics are full of warmth and yearning, as Dacus navigates the tension between hope and the fear of loss.
A Standout Track
In "Best Guess," Lucy Dacus has crafted a beautifully nuanced song that speaks to the fragility of human connection. The combination of tender lyrics, gradually building instrumentation, and her ethereal voice makes it an unforgettable track. The song’s emotional depth, complemented by its live and online rollout, ensures it will resonate with fans both old and new. This is a standout moment on Forever Is A Feeling, highlighting Dacus’ growth as an artist and her ability to evoke powerful emotions through her music.
Listen to Lucy Dacus Best Guess
Lucy Dacus Best Guess Lyrics Meaning Explained
The meaning of Best Guess by Lucy Dacus is centered on the uncertainty of love and the willingness to embrace the unknown for the chance of a future together. Through intimate moments and vulnerable reflections, Dacus explores the complexities of relationships, where change is inevitable, but love remains worth the risk. By likening love to a gamble and using personal metaphors and cultural references, she portrays the emotional depth of choosing to trust in a partner despite the uncertainty that lies ahead. The song captures the balance between hope and fear, celebrating the act of placing faith in a future that is unpredictable but cherished.
Introduction to "Best Guess"
"Best Guess" by Lucy Dacus centers around a relationship filled with love and uncertainty, blending personal vulnerability with touching metaphors. The song’s lyrics explore intimacy, the inevitability of change, and the emotional risk of choosing to embrace love despite the unpredictability of the future.
Verse 1: Embracing Change and Intimacy
In the first verse, Dacus paints an intimate moment of affection: "Clasping your necklace / Zipping your dress / Hands on your waist / Kissing your neck," celebrating the physical and emotional connection she shares with her lover. She acknowledges the inevitable changes that both of their bodies and minds will go through, saying, "I love your body / I love your mind / They will change / So will mine," yet still sees her partner as her "best guess" at the future. This acceptance of change ties into the theme of embracing the unknown that pervades the song.
Chorus: Love as a Gamble
The chorus emphasizes Dacus’s willingness to take a chance on love, even though the future remains uncertain. She sings, "You are my best guess / If I were a gambling man, and I am / You’d be my best bet." Here, she likens herself to a gambler, betting on her partner as her "best guess" for the future despite the inherent risk of things not working out. The sentiment speaks to the heart of the song, as Dacus expresses her willingness to risk heartache for the potential joy of a future together.
Verse 2: Fear of Loss
In the second verse, Dacus deepens the emotional stakes, describing her fear of losing this connection: "Tracing your tan lines / Making you mine / If this doesn’t work out / I would lose my mind." Although she knows she could eventually move on—"And after a while / I will be fine"—she reveals that she doesn’t want to simply be fine; she wants to be with her lover: "I want you, you, you are." This line underscores the emotional intensity and desire she feels, despite the uncertainty of the relationship’s outcome.
Bridge: Cultural and Personal References
The bridge introduces several references and metaphors that enrich the song’s meaning. "Here is the church / Here is the steeple" evokes lyrics from The Moldy Peaches’ "Anyone Else But You," but Dacus subverts the innocence of the original by adding, "You were looking for saints / But you only found people." This line echoes the sentiment found in Julien Baker’s "Ziptie," where Baker expresses disappointment in the flawed nature of humanity: "I was disappointed to find out how much / Everybody looks like me." Dacus acknowledges the imperfections in her partner but accepts them nonetheless, recognizing that grace can still be present in imperfection: "I watched you fall from grace / You were graceful."
Metaphors of Love and Addiction
Furthering the intimacy, Dacus offers a tender confession: "You may not be an angel / But you are my girl." This line may reference the Boygenius song "Not Strong Enough," where the lyric "Always an angel, never a god" similarly grapples with the complex, sometimes contradictory feelings in relationships. Dacus continues, "You are my pack a day," possibly alluding to her Boygenius bandmate and girlfriend Julien Baker, who is a smoker. The metaphor speaks to the idea of being hooked or reliant on another person, much like an addiction. The line also calls back to the Dacus-penned Boygenius song "Afraid Of Heights," where Dacus sings, "I never smoked a cigarette," juxtaposing her non-smoking with Baker’s smoking habits.
The Bond of Friendship and Love
The final lines of the bridge express the deep emotional connection between the two: "You are my favorite place / You were my best friend before you were." This declaration suggests that their bond extends beyond romantic love, rooted in friendship and mutual understanding. It also reinforces the sense of safety and comfort Dacus finds in her partner, despite the uncertainties they face.
Best Guess Meaning: Betting on the Future
The chorus repeats, once again bringing home the theme of betting on love despite the risks. The phrase "best guess" appears multiple times, emphasizing Dacus’s understanding that the future is unknown, yet her lover remains her most confident choice in navigating it. "Best Guess" beautifully captures the delicate balance between hope and uncertainty, love and vulnerability, all while referencing personal connections and broader cultural touchstones to enrich its narrative.
Lucy Dacus Best Guess Lyrics
[Verse 1]
Clasping your necklace
Zipping your dress
Hands on your waist
Kissing your neck
I love your body
I love your mind
They will change
So will mine
But you are
[Chorus]
My best guess
At the future
You are my best guess
If I were a gambling man, and I am
You'd be my best bet
[Verse 2]
Tracing your tan lines
Making you mine
If this doesn't work out
I would lose my mind
And after a while
I will be fine
But I don't wanna be fine
I want you, you, you are
[Chorus]
My best guess at the future
You are my best guess
If I were a gambling man, and I am
You'd be my best bet
[Bridge]
Here is the church
Here is the steeple
You were looking for saints
But you only found people
Ain't that just the way it goes
I watched you fall from grace
You were graceful
After all, it's a small world
You may not be an angel
But you are my girl
You are my pack a day
You are my favorite place
You were my best friend before you were
[Chorus]
My best guess at the future
You are my best guess
If I were a gambling man, and I am
You'd be my best bet
You are my best guess at the future
You are my best guess
If I were a gambling man, and I am
You'd be my best bet