Why I hate Billie Eilish
May 15, 2019
It’s no secret that 17 year-old singer-songwriter Billie Eilish has seen a meteoric rise in the past few years. With several hit singles and a notable teenage following, Eilish has climbed her way to the top of the charts time and time again. I myself can recall my own infatuation with the singer, and what I liked about her at the height of my obsession. About two years ago, when Eilish was one of those barely-heard-of artists that occasionally popped up on a Spotify playlist, I really enjoyed her music at first listen. And as one who is never opposed to discovering new artists, I decided to dive into her catalog more deeply.
Initially, I admired her sound: the harmonies, easy beats, and her consistently mesmerizing, siren-like voice were all likable. My fascination with Eilish’s songs was kind of like eating potato chips: I couldn’t have just one. I’d listen to one song, crave another, and soon enough, I’d be through her entire discography in a matter of hours. In no time, I’d curated a playlist of her best songs to listen to on loop, turned on post notifications for her Instagram, and even made the arbitrary discovery that “Eilís,” is the Irish name for Elizabeth—we had something (sort-of) in common! For a few short weeks, I was enamored. But the obsession was short-lived—and even our similar name couldn’t keep me a fan.
I really don’t make it a habit of flat-out rejecting an artist after seeing a few questionable or distasteful interviews. If the music’s good, of course I’ll stick around—but only for the music. With Eilish, that’s exactly what she’s lacking: killer music that compensates for her inane theatrics. First, you have the issue of her “I don’t care” attitude. In all honesty, I think half her appeal has to do with the brand she created for herself; everyone loves a good brand, a distinct aesthetic that someone can claim their own. That’s the entire appeal of Eilish. It seems as though she employs the dark, moody, mysterious persona in an attempt to set her apart from the crowd. Of her personality, she says: “I’m really different from a lot of people, and I kind of try to be. I don’t like to follow the rules at all…If somebody starts wearing something a certain way, I’ll wear the complete opposite of that. I’ve always worn what I wanted to and always said what I wanted to say. I’m super, super out there…I like to be remembered, so I like to look memorable. I think I’ve proved to people that I’m more important than they think…I’m kind of intimidating, so people will listen up. I’m kind of scary. A lot of people are just terrified of me.”
Gimmicky, no? She’s clearly given a lot of thought to her outward presentation, but I can’t help but feel like she’s taking herself a little too seriously. In any other scenario, I’d be able to overlook the self-aggrandizing speech and focus on an artist’s music, but here, the music simply isn’t captivating enough to make me a Billie convert.
Given the timeline of Eilish’s success, it’s easy to root for her just because she’s young. While her extensive background in dance and music is impressive, I’d hardly call her prodigal. The notion that Eilish is a “breath of fresh air” or “a real change in the music industry” seems like a decidedly narrow scope of things; minimalist music is popular, and has been for quite awhile. But Eilish’s music is only vaguely different from mainstream pop. True, the juxtaposition of her whimsical vocals with headier beats is something you don’t hear every day, but it’s not really enough to warrant all the praise. She’s no maverick.
The fact of the matter is that Eilish is signed with Interscope records. For context, this is the label of Eminem, Lana Del Rey, Kendrick Lamar, Guns N’ Roses, The 1975, and dozens more. If you’re signed with Interscope, you’re going to be heard. That’s the way it works. Eilish has also had a lot of help from her brother, Finneas O’Connell, a musician, producer, and singer-songwriter. (O’Connell originally wrote Eilish’s debut single “ocean eyes” for his band.) I’m not one to knock someone’s work ethic or discredit their creative process, but given her label, and the influence of her brother, it doesn’t seem so irrational to believe that her popularity was just kind of handed to her by default of her record label.
Thematically, Eilish’s music seems match up with her edgy facade. While artists obviously have artistic license over their work and can decide what their music is about and what themes to draw from, Eilish seems to exploit sadness and depression, painting them as nothing more than personality traits. While it’s true that growing up comes with its fair share of hardships, it’s clear that she feels called to separate herself from others in a dramatic way, which means appealing to the sadness “trend.” The self-deprecating lyrics and unsettling music videos are clear indicators of this, yet somehow, everyone loves it.
The biggest faux-pas in Eilish’s career is that it seems like her audience isn’t actually invested in her music, but rather her appearance and actions. It’s as if her personality is what’s informing the value of her music; the shock factor of her music and visuals give the illusion that she’s different and ambiguous, and is precisely what leads fans to overestimate her talent.
I don’t wish to criticize young talent. Finding something you love at a young age is admirable, and being able to do it as a career is even better. More power to the young visionaries of the world who are making their dreams happen, Eilish included. While I hardly believe that Eilish’s music alone is special, the fact remains that music is subjective, and nobody’s taste aligns perfectly with someone else’s. Different artists appeal to different musical preferences. My most favorite artist could be your least favorite. And that’s the beautiful thing about music.

Elizabeth Johnston lives in Paris, France, working as a master instructor at the Paris Opera Ballet. When she is not teaching or writing for Clarion, she...
This is truly pathetic, truly.
_gorillazfreak.inc_ i would just like to say yes correct this is a school newspaper but oh well stop moaning over people spelling stuff wrong it happens. And, maybe all the arguments against Billie up above this comment does seem to be from teens. But I laugh everytime I hear someone whine “its all fake depressed teens listening to her omg” HAH LOL really would you bet your life that everyone who likes her music is under the age of 18, cuz I wouldn’t. Billie Eilish is a successful, beautiful, talented, and amazing young women, and you can’t stop her from being like that. The amount of people these days that still hate on successful women is just embarrassing.
OK I NEVER THOUGHT ID EVER HEAR THESE WORDS IN MY LIFE.IF YAL DONT HAVE ANY THING NICE TO SAY ABOUT BILLIE THEN DONT SY ANYTHING .FIRST OF ALL SHE IS SO TALENTED HER VOICE IS LIKE AN ANGEL AND HER SONGS R SOOOO UNIQUE.SECONDLY YOU PROBALY DONT LIKE HER CAUSE YOU NEVER GOT TO KNOW HER THAT WELL MOST PEOPLE HATE HER BECAUSE OF THIS REASON .
Uh, no. Billie EIlish’s music SUCKS. Its all repeated. She gives her audience (10-15 yrs old) a depressing melody and those “fans’ think they are all depressed. Smh
it is ok if you don’t like Billie but it is wrong to write about a young adult who is still growing I love Billie she is my idol but is so wrong to say things which can be wrong she has feelings too so please stop
I didn’t have the patience to read this whole thing. I’m sorry. But- it’s tedious. Here’s my opinion on Billie though:
I’m not trying to change your opinion. Some people like things/people while other people don’t. That’s fine.
But… most teens, they don’t- Billies music doesn’t make them more sad. It lets them feel more like “I’m not alone. People have depression too”. I do agree, her voice is BEAUTIFUL. I do agree, her music is a little DARK. But I disagree that you should hate her for that. I know you aren’t saying others should hate her. But I’m saying, give her a chance. The darkness makes people feel like they can RELATE to someone. It’s not her fault she has depression.
Also, I’d recommend if you can to delete this, unless you want to get attacked by Billie’s fans. And people seeing this- CHILL. people have DIFFERENT opinions, please RESPECT them. Thanks.
Reading the comments on here is crazy. You can really tell that most were written by teenagers, which is cool, I’m a teen too, but it’s really pretty weird how defensive some of these people are. We get it, you like Billie Eilish. That’s fine, and the author of this article even said that she thinks that it’s great to like an artist that others don’t. But the fact that some of the commenters on here are shaming the author for expressing her opinions on the matter is disappointing, to say the least. I saw a few comments saying that the author is essentially not allowed to criticize Billie Eilish because she’s probably a 30-year-old with no life, or that she’s jealous, or that she doesn’t get to say her opinion because she isn’t as successful as the person she’s criticizing. I’m sorry, but we don’t all get the luxury of making millions from a few songs and a pretty face. Attacking the author for writing this when it is well within her rights is honestly just straight-up mean.
I get it, it’s hard to hear it when someone criticizes you or someone you admire, but that’s the beauty of free speech. You can express whatever opinions you want. So, please stop commenting that the author of this article is a terrible person for writing this while also literally screaming in all caps how great Billie Eilish is. You tell the author to keep her opinions to herself but you scream yours even louder. The title of this article is a little weird, yes, but the content of the piece simply states that the author does not like Billie Eilish’s work for many reasons which are explained in a calm and non-aggressive manner. This is labeled as an opinion piece anyway.
In exercising the freedom of speech I have, I’ll share my opinion. Please move past this comment if you are prone to defensiveness and aggression around Billie Eilish criticism. My opinion is very similar to that of the author of this article anyway, so I’ll keep it short. In my opinion, Billie Eilish is just another pretty white girl being over validated for doing the bare minimum work. She came from a family in the industry and clearly had an advantage from the beginning. Her music isn’t that different from today’s pop, just more edgy, which is something that many, many artists have done before. Billie Eilish is essentially the Gen Z Linkin Park. Her music reminds me of a 14-year-old’s poetry, which isn’t necessarily bad, but it does make her 14-year-old fans seem very shallow for saying that her music is “deep” when it’s not only been done before, but it’s just derivative. (I’m absolutely not saying that it is her fault that some of her fans are overly-defensive, just pointing it out.) The point is, she had a clear advantage from the beginning of her career, being that her family is closely tied to the music industry, and it doesn’t hurt that she’s a white girl who looks like a model.
In any case, regardless of my opinion, I still respect her fans’ choice to support her and like her music. Just please don’t be a jerk about it. And don’t actively insult others who don’t agree with you.
Hi, I am a Billie Eilish fan personally and I don’t kick down your opinions at all. I don’t agree with some things you said but everyone has there own music taste. As a Billie Eilish Fan, I enjoy her music , very much. The lyrics of her songs , deeply connect with many of the problems this generation faces. As you know, her brother (Finneas O’Connell) is her producer and helps with the songwriting. Yes, she is very lucky to have such a talented family to help and support her but she puts in as much work as anyone else to do with her. Her style is unique and recognisable and some people do follow her for the way she dresses and her personality but a good amount of her fans connect with her music and admire her for it. This is not to discredit anything you have said, this is just how I view Billie Eilish and her career. Thank you for understanding.
Not only are all the things you highlighted true, she also does the standard white teenager using black culture as a costume for popularity and money that will absolutely be discarded when she’s in her mid 20’s and wants to be “taken seriously” ala Miley Cyrus, if she even makes it that far. It seemed like only yesterday when stanning Lorde and Adele was all the rage. She too will pass. Mostly because her music is very uninspired and generic. She’s Vanilla Ice for a new generation of girls.
people have opinions and thats fine. i personally dont care about what others say, its their opinion and I doesn’t really matter much if you think about it.
I dont understand why everyone is going back and forth about love and hate on Billie Ellish. Everyone has their own opinion. If they want to share their opinion let them share it. No,maybe you wont agree but get over it. If they wanna say they hate her then let them. If they wanna say they love her then dont give them crap about it. If you disagree thats your problem dont pick a fight about it juct because you dont agree.
This opinion piece was so well-articulated and profound that I could hardly believe I was reading a high school editorial. Until I came to the comments section, of course.
Y’all Eilishites are more blindly zealous than all the Ariana fanatics combined. I don’t care whether you enjoy Billie’s music or not…. these comments were not worthy of this article, period.
I am not really a fan of her, but i believe she is able to change. I do pray the she does maybe be a little more…well, less….what’s the word for it? Not to be rude, but be less strange and not make her songs so depressing. That would help a lot. And this christian artist, Lauren Daigle, i am not impressed with because she likes Billie and that is not like her…I just wish that she would find the Lord and let it change her life. James 1:19-20 says here:
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
BLESS THE LORD, YES! What you say is very true 🙂
Although well written, this post is bull. Who are you to claim she wasn’t depressed?? The fact that she is so vulnerable to her emotions has helped numerous fans become more comfortable with their own insecurities. She has transformed my life and I am a 27-year-old mom of twins. She is the ONLY thing that got me through my postpartum depression. It’s fine if you don’t love her but “Why I hate Billie Eilish”… really? Guess your tactic worked. You got some traffic on your post at her expense. Congrats.
I used to be her fans. but some fans are taking it seriously. ” she’s the queen” yes she is but for what reason? ” she speaks her mind”. you all are also forgetting OTHER QUEENS, Victoria Beckham talking about world hunger, Emma Watson talking about Feminism and Female Equality, Greta Thunberg talking about Environmental, Dalia Mogahed talks about Islamophopic and The danger of The Threat. My point is you guys EXTOLLING her so much that you forgot other leading female. ” she is very talented” but she is not a proper prodigy.. can she play any classical opus in symphony? I’m not saying she is not good but her song are all made of 1-5 notes least. she has a great harmony of course but she lacks of melodies.. at the age of 16 you guys say ” she is so underrated”.. Sigrid a Norwegian singer has been around for quiete sometime but she never had a change tho. also LP Laura Pergolizzi, she has been around for a long time i think.. and she didnt get recognize well. what im saying is give a change to evolve or praise other artist too. sorry if i’m mistaken. forgive my mistake if i had any. peace. 🙂
I am crazy over Billie Eilish. I love her so much and she is just amazing. I mean, when her ring got stolen she just stayed chill, I would of, well, not done the same thing. Billie Eilish is a big example because she also works with her brother A.K.A FINNEAS, meaning that younger fans can take that example and succeed in life as much as Billie.
Please don’t hate Billie, she is so kind and loving. She is different, and so what? It’s expression, and it’s a right too. Don’t you express yourself? Billie lets us know “Hey, I see you, and I know that you’re there. I love you all.” Don’t be mean to her, don’t be a hater.
#BillieEilish
I don’t want to take anyones side here, but here’s what I think: Billie eilish is an awesome singer. She sings in her own unique style, and you can’t blame her because that’s just how she is. You can’t write this kind of stuff about a young adult. She is still growing. If she wants to sing about depression, let her do it. Because other people, like me, enjoy her music the way it is. No one has the right to blame someone because of their attitude, their likes and their dislikes. Many teens and people enjoy Billie Eilishs music, and many don’t. So it’s okay not to like someone. But please don’t write these kind of stuff. It is hurtful to many fans. On the other hand, the author is allowed to express her opinion. But next time, why not write positive things and not write why you hate someone? Thanx
ok, so i don’t really have an issue with the article itself but I do have one with the comment section here. I myself enjoy Billie’s music, she’s a good role model in many ways even if you think she’s making her fans “depressed” and think they are “depressed”. Look, her music doesn’t make people depressed, society and life does, Billie has nothing to with that. Also, talking in that kind of an attitude is quite unacceptable, what if someone’s really depressed and they read that? Mental health doesn’t get enough attention, even today, and thats really really bad. Can’t lie, some of the comments here defending Billie make me laugh a little, but some comments here against Billie make me roll my eyes as well. Stereotyping her fans is a big no no, its kinda obvious her fan base doesn’t solely consist of the shallow fake depressed 14 year olds yall talk about. I would say tho, her music doesn generally appeal to the younger generation, the edginess and darker meanings appeal to us. Even if her fame dies out later, so what? She’s famous now, people like her, so stop flaming them. Just addressing some of the comments here that I thought were kind of…..never mind. Article was alright though, other than that, i hope everyone reading this has a great day. 🙂
That’s honest. I only hope you’re not the fan of Frank Mortenson. He is even worse than Billie Eilish.
Hello, To everyone who posted a comment with anything to do with HATING Billie, you are terribly wrong, she is depressed, yes, but she is so talented, her voice is so beautiful and angelic, she’s my hero and her music is just remarkable. she is soo beautiful she is a model, her voice is angelic, I never even got to meet her but just listening to her music is all you need to get to know her. she doesn’t care what other people think and isn’t some stupid boy obsessed, pink, jumpy, stick girl, she made her own style, she taught us we don’t need to be super skinny and to love ourselves, she made her own music, she used her own natural beautiful tone of voice and you can’t even tell when it is or isn’t autotuned cause it is so pretty. please leave her alone and think twice before talking mean about her. I beg you guys to stop hating on her, she is so beautiful, and she is different but that’s what makes her unique, she’s such a loving young singer and deserves all the love she gives. she is such an inspiring singer, She and her brother FINNEAS are rocking the music industry. I am 13 and want to be a singer, she taught me I don’t have to follow fashion trends to make it in music, I do not have to be skinny and perfectto make it in music and most of all I don’t have to pretend and be someone I’m not. she is King. please stop being mean, her music is amazing and she is an angel. #Billieeilish💚 #wherearetheavocados🥑💚
Billie can make music how she wants.Billie love to make depressed music and what?If you dont like it then not her problem.If you dont like her its okay but Billie never deserved hate.She is trying to make people happy.Billie isn’t interessed about what you will say or anyone else.She is doing what she wants.
Ok I’m not trying to be rude, but it’s just rude to qrite a whole intire script about why you hate Billie Eilish. Billie inspires people and just because you hate her doesn’t mean that you just make a whole script to try and change peoples minds. You might not read thins but it’s the truth so get it straight just because you hate her doesn’t mean that other people have to do the same.