Not everyone knows that the American singer Billie Eilish almost ended up being named “Pirate.” She was still in her mother’s womb when her four-year-old brother, Finneas, picked this name for her. Her parents liked it, and they used it affectionately before she was born. Although “Pirate” didn’t become her first name, it was included in her full name: Billie Eilish Pirate Baird O’Connell. This quirky anecdote offers a glimpse into the unconventional environment in which Billie grew up. Her parents, who are actors and musicians, always encouraged her and her brother to express their creativity and individuality.

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An unexpected start

Billie Eilish began playing her first instrument, the ukulele, at six, and she wrote her first song, about a zombie apocalypse, at eleven. From early on, she shared this passion for music with her brother Finneas. Their collaboration took an unexpected turn in 2015, when Billie’s dance teacher asked them for a song to use for an end-of-year recital. Billie and Finneas posted their song “Ocean Eyes” on the streaming service SoundCloud so the dance teacher could access it. However, it quickly caught the attention of a much larger audience. The song went viral and propelled Billie to international fame. Her debut album, When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? was released in 2019, when she was only seventeen. The record, which she wrote with Finneas, confirmed her as one of the most significant singers of generation Z.

Singing the dark, vulnerable side

Billie Eilish’s musical style mixes various forms of pop, like goth-pop and electropop, with indie influences. Her voice has been described as ‘ethereal’, ‘whispery’ and ‘husky’. Her songs have a dark and intimate vibe. They address deep and personal topics, such as sadness, anxiety, heartbreak and self-doubt. To write them, Billie draws inspiration from her own life, transforming her experiences and insecurities, such as her problems with depression, into intense and sincere lyrics. More recently, another topic has emerged in her songs: the difficulties of dealing with her success. Billie confessed that at first she didn’t like becoming famous. “I hated going outside,” she said. “I hated going to events. I hated being recognized. I hated the internet having a bunch of eyes on me.” What she longed for, instead, was the freedom to simply live a normal teenage life.

Being oneself

Billie’s willingness to speak openly about her own emotional vulnerability is arguably the most important aspect of her success. Her honesty is a powerful reminder to her fans that the important thing is not to be flawless but to be authentic and to have the courage to confront one’s personal difficulties. The combination of honesty and self-expression has made Billie a role model for many young women, encouraging them to express themselves without fear of judgement. In this sense, Billie Eilish perfectly embodies the difficult art of being oneself in a world that often favors conformity. In a way, she is staying true to the spirit of the name her brother Finneas once chose for her: Pirate.

Vacuous fame and personal success

Billie Eilish precocious success should lead to another, more general consideration. Our society tends to glorify youth and success, but this can have tragic consequences. Many young musicians have succumbed to the pressures of fame. This pressure is not limited to celebrities; many young people feel that they need to achieve success early in their lives. This can lead to burnout, depression, addictions, and the search for reckless shortcuts to reach one’s goals. What should be more relevant than Billie Eilish’s chart-topping achievements is her commitment to her passion for music. True success isn’t synonymous with fame, nor is it bound to a specific age; rather, it comes from building a meaningful life, pursuing one’s passions, and fostering genuine connections with others.

(Carlo Dellonte)
(Images: People crowd rock live night event At Music Concert HD Background, sufiyan zuberii, Shutterstock; 16-18 augustus 2019)

Lowlands Festival, The Netherlands. Concert of Billie Eilish, Ben Houdijk, Shutterstock