Listening to her music, it can be hard to remember how young Billie Eilish is. Her empowering lyrics are so self-aware and raw, detailing her struggles with mental health, her relationships, and the unsettled state of the world. Eilish was the first artist born in the 21st century to release a chart-topping single, among many other awards and accolades. As of 2022, she has won seven Grammys, two American Music Awards, three MTV VMAs, and broken two Guinness records. Both of her studio albums — 2019's When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? and 2021's Happier Than Ever — have reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 Albums chart, and she also holds Billboard’s record for the most No. 1 songs on the Alternative Airplay chart for a solo artist.
Clearly, there is something deeply resonant about Eilish’s personal, candid, and sometimes gut-wrenching songs, and her transparency about mental health and fearless authenticity have made her a role model for millions of fans. Here are some of Eilish’s most insightful and inspirational quotes, covering everything from the transition into adulthood to persevering on the world stage.
I think change is one of the best gifts in the world.
I just have loved growing up and loved changing and getting older. It’s just been the best thing ever to grow up.
I hope for joy and happiness and love and that’s really what I want. I don’t really care about anything else.
I want to hear how people feel about my music and how it’s affected them. It’s so selfless and very raw to do.
It’s hard to translate an idea that you have in your own head — to make somebody else understand it — and then make it come to life. Sometimes you’ve just got to do it yourself, even if it’s hard.
Women have to have a million backup dancers and a million costume changes and their hair done, and crazy costumes and stage setup… I remember thinking that I would never be able to headline anything because of those expectations.
I think that you just have to keep going and not be scared of living… You can change, and you can change your mind.
Time is kind of an amazing thing because you can do so much with it. I think people underestimate time… I don’t want to just sit on my phone for hours.
I’ve always done whatever I want and always been exactly who I am.
It's really about not wishing away the present and the past and wishing you were in the future, but just being hopeful and content with the idea of change.
There are always going to be bad things. But you can write it down and make a song out of it.
I don’t know how to function without music. When I’m not making it, I’m listening to it. It gives me courage and takes care of my mind.
Take care of the people around you.
I’m not going to say I’m cool, because I don’t really feel that. I just don’t care at all, and I guess that’s what people think is cool.
I’m gonna make what I want to make, and other people are gonna like what they’re gonna like. It doesn’t really matter.
I'm trying to show everybody that I'm a girl, and I'm five-foot-four, and you can do anything you want, no matter your gender. It's your world, too!
Photo credit: Scott Dudelson via Getty Images
