TALK TUESDAY / In Defense of Billie Eilish

Vogue Cover by Hassan Hajjaj

Article Written by Ryan Graham

“I had a dream, I got everything I wanted, Not what you'd think, And if I'm being honest, It might've been a nightmare.”

Over the past 12 months we’ve seen a, then seventeen--now eighteen, year old superstar blossom before our eyes. Billie Eilish and her brother FINEAS have gone from a brother/sister duo recording music in a bedroom for fun, to a brother/sister duo recording music in a bedroom for fun with 10 Grammy’s. Eilish and FINEAS have been at it for a while--”Ocean Eyes,” their 2016 debut effort, was a success by all means. Peaking at 84 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and amassing a cool 211 million views as of today. But it wasn’t until the March 2019 release of “When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?” that the duo were rocketed into the mainstream media(heh heh.)

“I like it when you take control, Even if you know that you don't, Own me, I'll let you play the role, I'll be your animal”

The flagship single “Bad Guy,” alone, brought a #1 spot on billboard and 2 Grammy’s. You could say they’re a pretty big deal and it would be an understatement.

All together, as a pair, the two brought home 10 grammy’s including Eilish winning all four generational awards. “Thought I could fly, So I stepped off the golden, mm, Nobody cried, Nobody even noticed” With the fame came a lot of harsh realities. During a youtube interview Eilish states that she couldn’t stop crying when she saw her 2020 touring schedule. Visibly distraught, she can be seen mouthing “please don’t be me” as she won her fourth Grammy. Everyone wants to be rich and Famous. Everybody wants a super successful career overnight. But what happens when you actually get it? What happens when you get all of things at 18 years old? What happens when you get to share the whole thing with your best friend and brother? I believe this is just the beginning for the Eilish Pirate Baird O’Connel clan. (side note: maybe it’s a good idea FINEAS is sticking to just FINEAS professionally.)

With a world tour and a sophomore project brewing--I think they’ll do just fine. Here’s to a new year--and 2 inch long neon green nails. Lots of 2 inch long neon green nails.

“As long as I'm here, No one can hurt you, Don't wanna lie here, But you can learn to, If I could change, The way that you see yourself, You wouldn't wonder why you're here, They don't deserve you.”