Here’s Why Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell Hesitated to Compose for ‘Barbie’
Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell took a moment to ponder their journey with the track ‘What Was I Made For?’ during a backstage chat at the Golden Globes. The song, which found an unexpected spot on the ‘Barbie’ movie soundtrack, added a surreal touch to their Golden Globe wins.
Both artists expressed their initial astonishment and joy at being involved in such a project, highlighting the dreamlike quality of the experience.
“We knew it would resonate with us, but the challenge was whether we could create something remarkable. That’s really all it is, I have to say,” shared Billie. The duo delved into their collaborative approach, underscoring the importance of bringing a distinctive perspective to a project.
Finneas recalled his initial excitement about the film, foreseeing its massive success with Greta Gerwig directing and Margot Robbie producing. “I just remember thinking, this movie is going to be huge.”
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However, it wasn’t until they witnessed an early screening that the true meaning of the song unfolded, surpassing their initial expectations. Billie discussed the songwriting process, reminiscing about the moment in Finneas’ studio when the lyrics unexpectedly flowed.
The emotional intensity, particularly in the second stanza involving the character Ken, caught them off guard. The songwriting process allowed them to be vulnerable, with Billie noting that the level of honesty achieved in ‘What Was I Made For?’ wouldn’t have been possible if they had set out to be intentionally open from the start. “I’ve said this before, but I 100% think that song would never have been able to be written had we not been able to be less vulnerable,” Billie remarked.
Finneas shared a candid post-COVID Grammy event anecdote, revealing their hesitancy to attend what seemed like a low-key gathering but turned out to be a lively rave. The event highlighted the bizarre nature of their sudden popularity during the pandemic, along with the unexpected twists in their journey.
Billie Eilish’s acknowledgement at the Palm Springs Film Awards, where she received the Chairman’s Award for ‘What Was I Made For?’ from the Barbie soundtrack, was a significant moment. In her acceptance speech, Eilish dedicated the award to those grappling with pessimism and existential dread, recognizing her privileges while candidly discussing her challenges in navigating her place in the world.
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Eilish encouraged those feeling lost to be patient, emphasizing that the journey was worthwhile.
Addressing inaccuracies, Eilish underscored the film’s emotive nature and its exploration of existential themes. The song, intended as Barbie’s heart song, contributes to the film’s poignant conclusion, representing the character’s human experience, concerns and mortality.
Reflecting on the composition process, Eilish and Finneas admitted that the initial connection to the character in the film wasn’t immediately apparent. Eilish only grasped the profound personal connection after the song was made.
