The Real Meaning Behind Billie Eilish's 'Halley's Comet'
Billie Eilish has released plenty of hits despite the fact that she's still relatively young. Now, as her second album has dropped on July 30, fans are eagerly checking out the star's new music. Frankly, they've already surely added singles like "Therefore I Am," "Your Power," "Lost Cause," and "NDA" to their playlists. But what else can they expect to find on the collection that's been deemed "Happier Than Ever" ... is the album as cheerful as the name suggests?
"Almost none of the songs on this album are joyful," Eilish explained to Rolling Stone. That might make sense to fans who fell in love with the singer's dark debut, "When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?" Yet, with seemingly hopeful tunes like "My Future" in the mix of the star's sophomore album — not to mention the equally optimistic name of the collection — many may have assumed that her new songs would be much lighter and perhaps peppier.
Granted, Eilish may indeed have left the bulk of her earlier goth-like vibe behind, however, when you take a closer look (and listen) to songs like "Halley's Comet," you realize that there are still hints of the star's former (and still existing?) cynical stance amid the arguably upbeat lyrics. Read on to find out just what that might be as well as what the singer herself has to say about this particular tune.
Billie Eilish says she was 'silly' to fall in love on 'Halley's Comet'
"Halley's Comet" certainly sounds like it was inspired by an astrological body. However, the eighth song on Billie Eilish's "Happier Than Ever" album, per Genius, has more to do with coming down to earth, so to speak, after falling hard for someone.
"I don't want it / And I don't want to want you / But in my dreams, I seem to be more honest / And I must admit you've been in quite a few," Eilish sings in the tune, which she penned alongside her co-writer, producer, and brother Finneas, per Genius. While that certainly sounds like the star was resisting facing the truth when it comes to whoever she's singing about, she's finally upfront with both herself and the other person when she adds, "Halley's Comet / Comes around more than I do / But you're all it takes for me to break a promise / Silly me to fall in love with you."
Although it's clear that Eilish is resistant and yet perhaps helpless when it comes to this (inevitable?) relationship, it turns out that there's even more to the lyrics than you might have realized.
Billie Eilish doesn't know what to do with this love and that's 'a drag'
While opening up about "Halley's Comet," Billie Eilish explained that the song is "about falling in love and feeling a feeling of euphoria and life kinda feeling like you're floating," according to Spotify (via Genius). While also claiming that it's "just a sweet, little, romantic song," she added that "[l]ove is a crazy, crazy thing." While there's certainly no doubt about her latter point, many fans might disagree with the claim that it's a "sweet, little" song. Instead, this tune seems to be layered with honest emotions and conflicting admissions.
"I haven't slept since Sunday / Midnight for me is 3 a.m. for you," Eilish sings, noting a time difference between where she is and where the person she's thinking about might be. She then confesses that her "Sleepless nights are better / With you than nights could ever be alone," however, things take a turn when she adds, "I was good at feeling nothin', now I'm hopeless / What a drag to love you like I do."
While the verses see Eilish noting that even though she's "been loved before," she says that she feels like she "was made" for this certain someone. That's why she's forced to both admit and ask, "I think I might havе fallen in love / What am I to do?" And that's certainly the real question here!