Here's Pussycat Dolls commander in chief Nicole Scherzinger on the bold sociosexual chess match that is PCD's new single, "Beep":

"It flips the whole women-are-objects thing. It's another girl-empowerment song. It's fun. We're not taking it too seriously. It's like, 'I don't give a "beep"! Keep lookin' at my "beep," 'cause it don't mean a thing if you're looking at my "beep." I'mma do my thing while you're playin' with your "beep." ' It's a good time."

Well said, Nicole. Of course, complex male-female sparring matches rarely become pop-chart heatseekers, so the Dolls were careful to couch "Beep" 's message in a stomping, custom-made beat, courtesy of producer Will.I.Am.

"We were lucky enough to work with Will, and that kid is a monster," Scherzinger said. "He just came in, spit his verses and then got to work on the beat. And the whole time, we were like, 'Wow, we can't believe this is happening!' We're fans of the Black Eyed Peas for a long time, and we always wanted to do a collaboration with them."

If "Beep" 's rather unique take on female empowerment -- ogle me all you want, I'm gonna keep doing my thing -- sounds a bit familiar, it's probably because Will knows a thing or two about "statement" tunes (ahem, "My Humps").

"Will was a big fan of the message of the song," Scherzinger said. "He was just the perfect person to work with."

The partnership between the Peas and the Pussycats didn't stop in the studio. The Dolls have been tapped as the opening act on the Peas' spring headlining tour (see [article id="1522899"]"Black Eyed Peas Unveil Dates For Headlining Trek, Tap Pussycat Dolls As Openers"[/article]). With the Benny Boom-directed "Beep" clip having just been added to MTV's rotation, and with another all-star MC, Snoop Dogg, already committed for their next single (see [article id="1523797"]"Snoop Dogg Pushing The Pussycat Dolls' 'Buttons' "[/article]), it's shaping up to be a big year for the group.

Scherzinger said the Dolls are just taking things as they come. After all, as she's maintained time and time again, you don't want to get too serious about things.

"We've got all the best producers and all the best beats, but no matter what song we're talking about, it's going to be fun," she said. "Like on 'Beep,' rather than cursing in the hook, we just go 'beep' because you can't say the words. We just want people to laugh, dance and have a good time."