Billie Eilish has redefined pop music for a generation, crafting haunting soundscapes that blur the lines between bedroom pop intimacy and arena-ready production. Since her breakthrough with “ocean eyes” in 2015, the Los Angeles-born artist has consistently delivered tracks that challenge conventional pop structures while maintaining undeniable commercial appeal. Her whisper-soft vocals paired with brother Finneas’s minimalist production have created a signature sound that’s spawned countless imitators but never quite been replicated. This collection showcases the tracks that have defined her career, from early SoundCloud uploads to Grammy-sweeping masterpieces and recent chart-toppers that continue pushing creative boundaries.
“bad guy” – The Cultural Phenomenon That Defined 2019
The bass line alone tells you everything you need to know about why this track dominated 2019. “bad guy” is a masterclass in less-is-more production, with Finneas building an entire sonic world around stuttering synth hits, that iconic bass drop, and Billie’s smirking vocal delivery. The song’s structure deliberately toys with expectations—just when you think you’ve figured out the pattern, it shifts into that piano-driven outro that feels like a completely different track. It topped the Billboard Hot 100, won Record and Song of the Year at the Grammys, and became one of those rare pop moments where critical acclaim and mainstream success perfectly aligned. The lyrics cleverly subvert the “bad boy” trope, with Billie claiming power through playful menace rather than overt aggression.
“ocean eyes” – The Song That Started Everything
Originally uploaded to SoundCloud in 2015, “ocean eyes” remains the most elegant introduction to an artist’s career in recent memory. The track showcases a different side of Billie’s vocal range, with her voice floating over dreamy production that feels more Bon Iver than conventional pop. What’s remarkable is how fully formed her artistic identity already was at just 13 years old—the melancholic atmosphere, the vulnerability in the lyrics about falling for someone despite knowing better, and that effortless melodic sense. The song was originally written by Finneas for his band, but Billie’s interpretation transformed it into something more intimate and emotionally resonant. Listening back now, you can hear the DNA of everything that would follow.
“when the party’s over” – Stripped-Back Heartbreak
This might be Billie’s most emotionally devastating track, and it achieves that impact with almost nothing. The production is intentionally sparse—just Billie’s multi-tracked vocals creating their own haunting harmonies against minimal instrumentation. The song builds almost imperceptibly, adding subtle layers without ever breaking into the cathartic release you expect from a heartbreak ballad. That restraint makes it hit harder; there’s something profoundly lonely about the way her voice echoes in the empty space. The accompanying music video, featuring Billie drinking black liquid that pours from her eyes, became instantly iconic. It peaked at number 31 on the Billboard Hot 100 and showcased her ability to make radio-friendly music without compromising her artistic vision.
“bury a friend” – Dark Pop at Its Finest
Speaking of not compromising artistic vision, “bury a friend” might be the most aggressively unconventional lead single from a major pop album in years. The track sounds like a panic attack set to music, with skittering hi-hats, industrial clangs, and Billie’s voice processed into something genuinely unsettling. She’s written from the perspective of the monster under her bed, turning childhood fears into a meditation on her own mental state. The production choices are bold—that moment where everything drops out except for her whispered vocals is legitimately chilling. It’s the kind of song that makes you appreciate good headphones because there are so many subtle textural details buried in the mix that cheap speakers just can’t reproduce.
“everything i wanted” – A Letter to Finneas
The sibling bond between Billie and Finneas has always been central to her music, but “everything i wanted” makes it explicit. The song addresses a nightmare about achieving fame but losing her brother’s support, wrapping existential dread about success in a surprisingly gentle sonic package. The production feels like floating underwater—muffled, dreamlike, with that pulsing bass keeping you tethered. It’s one of her most autobiographical tracks, written during a period when the rapid ascent to superstardom was taking its psychological toll. The song won Record of the Year at the 2021 Grammys, and its themes of anxiety and impostor syndrome resonated deeply during the pandemic. That final line—”as long as I’m here, no one can hurt you”—still gets me every time.
“happier than ever” – The Explosive Title Track
The title track from her second album is a masterclass in dynamic range. It starts as a gentle, jazzy meditation on a toxic relationship, with Billie’s voice barely above a whisper. Then, around the two-minute mark, everything explodes into distorted guitars and one of the most cathartic vocal performances of her career. The contrast is shocking—going from intimate confessional to full-throated rock catharsis feels like watching someone finally snap after holding it together too long. The lyrics directly address someone who mistreated her, with lines like “you ruined everything good” landing with brutal honesty. It’s the sound of someone who’s done performing emotional labor for people who don’t deserve it, and that makes it deeply satisfying.
“Therefore I Am” – Confidence on Full Display
Built around a sample from a 1950s educational film, “Therefore I Am” is Billie at her most dismissive and confident. The production is minimal but punchy, with that descending piano riff creating a sense of inevitable conclusion. She’s addressing people who think they know her based on her public persona, essentially telling them to mind their own business with considerably more style. The song’s philosophy-referencing title (playing on Descartes’s “I think, therefore I am”) adds an intellectual layer to what could have been a simple kiss-off track. It peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and proved that her appeal extended well beyond the WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP era.
“my future” – Looking Forward Through Uncertainty
Released during the pandemic in August 2020, “my future” captured a specific moment when everyone was forced to slow down and reconsider their priorities. The song shifts from melancholic introspection to hopeful R&B groove halfway through, mirroring the emotional journey from loneliness to self-assurance. Billie’s vocal delivery adapts to match these shifts—starting vulnerable and ending confident. The production incorporates live instrumentation in ways her earlier work often avoided, with warm bass and gentle guitar creating a more organic feel. It’s a song about falling in love with yourself and your own potential, which felt particularly resonant when social isolation forced that kind of self-reflection.
“Lovely” (with Khalid) – Haunting Duet Perfection
Originally featured on the 13 Reasons Why soundtrack, “Lovely” pairs Billie’s ethereal vocals with Khalid’s smooth delivery over minimal piano and strings. The song addresses depression and feeling trapped by mental illness, with both artists bringing genuine emotional weight to the performance. What makes the collaboration work is how their voices complement each other—Khalid’s warmth provides a counterpoint to Billie’s more ghostly presence. The production is sparse enough to let the vocals breathe, with just enough orchestral swell to emphasize the emotional peaks. It became one of Billie’s longest-charting songs, spending over a year on the Hot 100 and demonstrating her ability to thrive in collaborative contexts.
“No Time To Die” – Bond Meets Billie
Writing a James Bond theme is a career-defining moment for any artist, and Billie became the youngest person ever to do so at 18. “No Time To Die” honors the Bond tradition of dramatic, orchestral ballads while maintaining her artistic identity. The strings are lush and cinematic, but that’s still recognizably her voice, still Finneas’s production sensibility underneath the big-budget orchestration. The song builds to a genuinely epic climax, with Billie’s vocals soaring over the full arrangement in ways we hadn’t heard before. It won the Oscar for Best Original Song, adding an Academy Award to her growing collection of accolades and proving she could operate at the highest levels of film composition.
“What Was I Made For?” – Barbie’s Emotional Core
The most emotionally vulnerable moment in the Barbie movie came courtesy of this devastating ballad. “What Was I Made For?” strips away almost all production polish, presenting Billie’s voice and piano in their most naked form. The song addresses identity and purpose with childlike directness, asking questions that feel universal despite being written from a doll’s perspective. There’s something particularly affecting about hearing such existential uncertainty expressed so simply. The track earned Billie her second Academy Award and became a massive streaming hit, proving that audiences still respond to genuine emotional honesty even in an age of overproduction. The way her voice cracks slightly on certain phrases feels intentional, adding to the sense of someone barely holding themselves together.
“BIRDS OF A FEATHER” – Recent Excellence
From her most recent album HIT ME HARD AND SOFT, “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” showcases Billie’s continued evolution as a songwriter. The track blends her signature intimate vocals with more upbeat production, creating something that feels both familiar and fresh. The lyrics explore devotion and loyalty with the kind of specificity that makes her writing so compelling—these aren’t generic love song platitudes, but real observations about wanting to remain close to someone through everything. The production incorporates subtle Latin influences in the percussion, adding rhythmic complexity without overwhelming the core melody. It’s proof that even as her sound expands, she’s maintaining the emotional directness that made her special in the first place.
“idontwannabeyouanymore” – Self-Image Struggles
One of the more undersold tracks from her debut EP, “idontwannabeyouanymore” addresses body dysmorphia and self-hatred with uncomfortable honesty. The production is minimal—just her vocals, light percussion, and atmospheric keys creating a sense of isolation. The lyrics cut deep: “If teardrops could be bottled, there’d be swimming pools filled by models” acknowledges the absurdity of beauty standards while recognizing their psychological impact. Billie’s vocal delivery shifts between resigned and desperate, never quite settling into one emotional state. It’s the kind of song that benefits from being heard through quality earbuds where you can catch every subtle vocal inflection and breathy moment.
“wish you were gay” – Humor Meets Heartbreak
The title caused some controversy, but “wish you were gay” is actually a clever take on unrequited feelings. Rather than accepting rejection at face value, the narrator invents an excuse that has nothing to do with their own inadequacy. The production is playfully bouncy, with ukulele and finger snaps creating an almost childlike atmosphere that contrasts with the emotional complexity of the lyrics. Billie’s delivery is knowing—she’s clearly aware of how ridiculous the fantasy is, but that doesn’t make the feelings less real. It’s one of her more traditionally “catchy” songs without sacrificing the emotional nuance that defines her best work.
“you should see me in a crown” – Sinister Confidence
Inspired by the TV show Sherlock, “you should see me in a crown” is Billie at her most menacing. The production is dark and heavy, with distorted bass and industrial elements creating a sense of impending chaos. The lyrics are about power and dominance, delivered with the kind of theatrical flair that makes you believe she could actually pull off the villain role. The song works as both a genuine threat and a commentary on how we perceive power—Billie subverting expectations by claiming the throne through strangeness rather than conventional charisma. The spider-filled music video became iconic, cementing the song’s status as one of her most visually and sonically memorable moments.
“all the good girls go to hell” – Environmental Apocalypse
Climate anxiety has rarely sounded so sonically interesting as it does on “all the good girls go to hell.” The track uses religious imagery to discuss environmental destruction, with Billie positioning herself as a fallen angel surveying the damage. The production builds gradually, adding layers of distortion and chaos to mirror the lyrical themes of collapse. That bridge, where everything breaks down into glitchy vocals and fractured beats, sounds like the world actually ending. It’s one of her more overtly political songs, though she delivers the message through metaphor rather than direct preaching. The accompanying music video featured her being covered in oil, making the environmental commentary impossible to miss.
“ilomilo” – Gaming-Inspired Whimsy
Named after a puzzle game, “ilomilo” has some of the most playful production in Billie’s catalog. The instrumental features toy-like sounds and childlike melodies, creating an atmosphere of innocent nostalgia. But the lyrics reveal darker themes beneath the whimsical surface—fear of losing someone, of being separated and unable to find your way back. That tension between the upbeat production and anxious lyrics is what makes the song so effective. The vocal melody is sticky and memorable, one of those choruses that lodges in your brain immediately. It’s a perfect example of how Billie and Finneas use production choices to add layers of meaning to relatively simple lyrics.
“Bellyache” – Murder Ballad as Pop Song
“Bellyache” is Billie’s take on the murder ballad tradition, dressed up as indie pop. The narrator has killed their friends and stolen their money, and the “bellyache” is guilt manifesting as physical discomfort. The juxtaposition of dark subject matter with light, almost playful production is quintessential Billie—refusing to let music be just one thing. The ukulele-driven instrumental feels almost tropical, which makes the lyrics about disposing of bodies even more jarring. It showcases her teenage fascination with morbid subject matter, filtered through pop songcraft that keeps it from feeling exploitative or try-hard. The track helped establish her aesthetic of dark themes presented without theatrical gloom.
“watch” – Collaboration with Emotional Weight
From her debut EP, “watch” features production contributions from both Finneas and X Ambassadors, giving it a slightly fuller sound than some of her other early work. The song addresses feeling invisible in a relationship, watching someone you care about pay attention to everyone except you. The production is moody and atmospheric, with reverb-heavy guitars and distant percussion creating a sense of emotional distance. Billie’s vocal performance is more delicate here than on her later work, showing an earlier stage of her artistic development while still demonstrating the core qualities that would define her career. It’s worth revisiting this track to appreciate how much she’s grown while maintaining her essential identity.
“LUNCH” – Current Exploration
Another standout from HIT ME HARD AND SOFT, “LUNCH” finds Billie exploring more sensual themes with characteristic cleverness. The production is groovy and rhythmically complex, incorporating elements that feel influenced by contemporary R&B and indie pop. Her vocal delivery shifts between breathy intimacy and confident assertion, navigating the song’s themes with maturity and playfulness. The track showcases her continued willingness to push into new sonic territories while maintaining the production aesthetic that makes her music immediately identifiable. It’s the kind of song that reveals new details with repeated listens, with layered vocals and subtle textural elements that reward close attention. For more insights into how different songs utilize production techniques to create specific moods, exploring various genres can expand your appreciation of musical craft.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Billie Eilish’s most successful song?
“bad guy” remains Billie Eilish’s most commercially successful song, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and winning both Record of the Year and Song of the Year at the 2020 Grammy Awards. The track spent multiple weeks at the top of charts worldwide and became a cultural phenomenon, spawning countless TikTok videos and memes while maintaining critical respect. Its success marked the moment Billie transitioned from rising star to genuine pop icon, proving that alternative pop production and unconventional song structures could dominate mainstream radio.
What was Billie Eilish’s breakthrough song?
“ocean eyes” served as Billie Eilish’s breakthrough song when it was uploaded to SoundCloud in 2015. Originally written by her brother Finneas for his band, the track was recorded for Billie’s dance teacher and uploaded almost as an afterthought. The song went viral, eventually leading to a record deal with Interscope Records and launching her career. Its dreamy, melancholic sound established the aesthetic that would define her early work and introduced audiences to her distinctive whisper-soft vocal delivery.
How many Grammy Awards has Billie Eilish won?
Billie Eilish has won nine Grammy Awards as of 2024. At the 2020 ceremony, she became the youngest artist to win all four major categories in a single year—Best New Artist, Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Album of the Year. She won additional Grammys for “everything i wanted” in 2021 and her work on the Barbie soundtrack in 2024. This remarkable achievement by age 22 places her among the most awarded artists of her generation.
Who produces Billie Eilish’s music?
Finneas O’Connell, Billie’s older brother, produces virtually all of her music. The sibling duo work together in Finneas’s home studio, creating the intimate, detailed productions that define her sound. Finneas has won multiple Producer of the Year Grammy Awards for his work with Billie and other artists. Their collaborative process is unusually close—Finneas writes or co-writes most songs with Billie, handles all production and engineering, and contributes instrumental performances. This partnership has been central to her artistic identity and success.
What genre is Billie Eilish’s music?
Billie Eilish’s music primarily falls under alternative pop, bedroom pop, and electropop, though she frequently incorporates elements from various genres. Her sound blends minimal electronic production, indie pop sensibilities, trap-influenced beats, and occasional rock elements. The intimate, whisper-soft vocal delivery and ASMR-influenced production techniques have become signature elements. Rather than fitting neatly into one category, her music represents a hybrid approach that draws from multiple influences while maintaining a cohesive aesthetic vision.
What album made Billie Eilish famous?
WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO? released in March 2019, catapulted Billie Eilish to global superstardom. The debut album featured hits like “bad guy,” “bury a friend,” and “when the party’s over,” debuting at number one on the Billboard 200. It became the best-performing album of 2019 in the United States and won Album of the Year at the Grammys, making Billie the youngest artist to win the category. The album’s success transformed her from internet sensation to mainstream pop star.