“Bad Guy” is one of Billie Eilish’s biggest hits from her album When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go. Photo courtesy of Darkroom and Interscope Records.
Billie Eilish is known for her quick success in the pop genre: She kicked off her music career with the song “Ocean Eyes,” which was released when she was only 13 years old.
She has since gained over 66 million listeners on Spotify and has won nine Grammys. Her music brings an edgy and indie aspect to the pop genre and has influenced many artists.
Eilish has many popular songs, but these are five that stand out.
Top 5: Billie Eilish
“Watch” is a song from the Don’t Smile at Me album. Photo courtesy of Darkroom and Interscope Records.
Watch
“Go ahead and watch my heart burn / With the fire that you started in me / But you never came back to put it out.”
The song is one of the less popular songs on EIlish’s EP “Don’t Smile At Me,” but it should be better known.
This vulnerable song speaks about pain caused by others and the anger that comes from it, focusing on the emotional rollercoaster of healing from bad relationships.
Throughout the song, Eilish uses metaphors to describe her feelings of anger and revenge involving a relationship. She talks about a car burning and how it symbolizes the “fire” that was started within her.
Starting with a soft beginning and transitioning to anger, “Watch” is the perfect example of her musical style. Eilish’s gentle vocals create an ethereal feeling and the loud instrumentals and vocals that follow shortly after encapsulate the anger that Eilish is trying to portray.
“Wish You Were Gay” is a track from the album When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go. Photo courtesy of Darkroom and Interscope Records.
Wish You Were Gay
“To spare my pride / To give your lack of interest, an explanation.”
This is a nearly perfect song with outstanding pacing and vocals. Eilish tries to rationalize why someone she likes doesn’t reciprocate those feelings in the song.
She speaks about her feelings of anger and sadness and how she tries to rationalize her feelings.
Throughout the song, she uses a numerical “countdown” for her frustration toward this person, which paints the picture that she is telling. “Baby I don’t feel so good, six words you never understood / I’ll never let you go, five words you’ll never say.”
“Wish You Were Gay ” was originally teased on Instagram, but when it was finally released, it did not become a hit. Though it isn’t one of Eilish’s most popular songs, it portrays her vocals and ability to sing more than her typical quieter songs.
The three-minute song provides just enough vocals and instrumentals to tell an interesting story.
“Getting Older” is a song from the album Happier Than Ever.
Getting Older
“Can’t shake the feeling that I’m just bad at healing / And maybe that’s the reason every sentence sounds rehearsed.”
“Getting Older " is the emotional opening song of Eilish’s second studio album, Happier Than Ever . The song talks about her feelings growing up with stardom and being thrown into the music industry at such a young age.
Eilish also speaks about struggles with self-identity and mental health, as well as her inner battles and her struggles to feel happy with her life. The song also mentions how Eilish struggles with stalkers and the public eye's view of her.
The song includes her signature softer vocals with gentle instrumentals, but the message provides much more than her average song. “Things I once enjoyed / Just keep me employed now.”
A unique aspect associated with “Getting Older” is the childhood video collage that Eilish displayed during her Happier Than Ever tour, which made the song even more emotional.
“Come Out and Play” is a single released by Billie Eilish in 2018. Photo courtesy of Darkroom and Interscope Records.
Come Out and Play
“Look up, out of your window / See snow, won’t let it in though.”
"Come Out and Play not a popular song, but it adds a nice playful song to her collected work. This track was produced by her and her brother, Phineas.
The song has a lullaby-type tune to it, and her ethereal vocals add to the soft song. Many aspects of the song have a cartoon-like style to it.
Throughout the song, Eilish talks about vulnerability and shyness despite her outgoing persona. It connects to her feelings about struggling to socialize.
“Yeah, I know it makes you nervous / But I promise you, it’s worth it,” she sings.
While it is one of Eilish’s earlier songs, it shows her potential and foreshadows her skyrocketing music career. Though some aspects of the song might seem slow, the storytelling and calming pacing add to its effect on the listener.
“When the Party’s Over” is a track from the album When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go. Photo courtesy of Darkroom and Interscope Records.
When the Party’s Over
“Tore my shirt to stop you bleeding / But nothing ever stops you leaving.”
“When the Party’s Over ” is Eilish’s hit song off her debut album, When We All Fall Asleep Where Do We Go.
The song talks about Eilish’s feelings of neglect and betrayal in a relationship. She talks about the sacrifices and unconditional love she gave to her significant other, but the love was not reciprocated.
The message of the song is how Eilish views her past relationships and how she often felt abandoned and left in the dark with her strong feelings. Her sad and low vocals alongside the piano and melancholic instruments go together perfectly.
A unique aspect to Eilish’s “When The Party’s Over” is her emotional music video featuring black tears and amazing videography, which perfectly portrays Eilish’s feelings within the song.
