Billie Eilish is one of the most buzzed-about artists in the music industry. Her unique sound and style have gained millions of fans worldwide, but many still wonder what genre Billie Eilish falls into. Is she pop, indie, or something else entirely?
Billie Eilish falls into the alternative pop category and has been described as a mix of indie, alternative, and electropop. Her songs are often described as dark, introspective, and moody, but they also have a sense of playfulness, making them uniquely engaging.
Read on to learn more about the genre of Billie Eilish, where it fits into the musical landscape, her popular songs, and a list of artists with similar genres and styles.
What Genre Is Billie Eilish?
Billie Eilish is a hybrid of many different styles, making it difficult to pinpoint what genre she falls into. But people most commonly identify her as an alternative pop artist. Her music is easy to listen to and catchy, which is why it’s so popular.
Most people describe Billie Eilish’s music as “dark” or “weird,” and it’s easy to see why: her songs have macabre imagery and themes like death, heartbreak, and isolation. Her voice is also distinctive: it’s gentle, soft, and dream-like but a bit dark and occasionally ominous.
She has pop, alternative rock, and indie elements that blend to create something unique. Billie Eilish has also been described as a pop artist because most of her songs are in the pop genre. Her style is generally chill, with a hint of mystery and sadness.
She’s also categorized as electropop — a genre that combines electronic and pop music. Billie Eilish has been compared to artists like Lorde, Halsey, and Lana Del Rey. But her music is a mix of genres that makes her stand out from other artists.
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What Are Billie Eilish’s Songs About?
When you’re listening to Billie Eilish’s music, it’s hard not to get swept up in the emotion of the lyrics. But what do they mean? Her songs are often deep, thought-provoking, and sometimes even dark.
The singer-songwriter has said that she finds writing music is a great way to cope with her depression and anxiety.
Some of the topics she’s talked about in interviews include love, loss, mental health issues like anxiety and depression, death (including suicide), and self-confidence.
Billie has also said that some of her songs are inspired by real-life events, like the song “Everything I Wanted.” The song, written in response to a nightmare, is about Eilish’s trusting relationship with Finneas (her brother) and his efforts to keep her safe.
Here’s a YouTube video of the song, showing her introspective and emotional side.
What Are the Most Popular Songs of Billie Eilish?
Billie Eilish is one of the most famous artists of the last few years. Her songs have been streamed billions of times, and she has a dedicated fan base that keeps growing. If you’re looking to get into Billie Eilish’s music, check out our list of her most popular songs:
1. Bad Guy (2019)
This is Billie Eilish’s most famous song to date. It was released in 2019 and reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. “Bad Guy” also won a 2020 Grammy Song of the Year Award and has been streamed around 2 billion times on Spotify alone!
2. Happier Than Ever (2021)
This song is classic Billie Eilish: angry, regretful, and defiant. It’s so stoically raw and specific that it’s hard to envision other musicians, especially those whose lives are constantly written about, releasing a song like this.
This track was inspired by the Beatles’ song called “A Day in the Life.” Its first half (2.5 mins.) is an emo, folky ballad about being happier without a neglectful partner.
And by the end, she’s screaming, “I’d never treat me this shitty / You made me hate the city.” It’s a shift from the usually cool-headed singer-songwriter style and channels that Green Day flavor.
3. Bury A Friend (2019)
“Bury a Friend” fused industrial rumble, predatory mumble, goth-jazz swing, and the joyful wooziness of a teen-pop fantasy coming into focus.
And when her voice slips suddenly into Billie Holiday, the tension between modern and old is almost unnerving. It suggests an artist ready to twist mainstream pop music into her helpless plaything.
4. When I Was Older (2019)
Eilish says the Mexican film “Roma” inspired the song’s lyrics. Yalitza Aparicio stars in this Alfonso Cuarón film. The song’s lyrics deal with misery and heartbreak, which the film Roma similarly explores.
Finneas O’Connell (also known as just Finneas), who is Billie Eilish’s brother, co-wrote “When I Was Older.”
Aside from helping write the song, he also produced it and handled the production alone.
Interscope and Darkroom Records released the track on January 9, 2019, making it Eilish’s 1st single in 2019.
5. When The Party’s Over (2019)
This piano ballad without the hip-hop beats and ominous musical flourishes that would distinguish Billie’s first album. “When The Party’s Over” combined eye-popping visuals with melancholic yearning lyrics to showcase her talents beyond music.
6. Bellyache (2017)
Bellyache is a song by Billie Eilish that combines folk-pop and emo genres. It’s a twisted, dark song about the guilt you feel when you do terrible things and don’t know why.
This song also combines folk-pop and emo genres. The song’s mood is self-guilt, with lyrics inspired by the childhood experience of stealing toys from friends.
The lyrics also take on a new dimension as she adopts the mindset of a teenage killer slaughtering her nearest and dearest. It shows she’s not afraid to push boundaries with a pinch of wry humor.
7. everything i wanted (2019)
Billie Eilish’s “everything i wanted” (stylized in lowercase) is a downtempo electronica song that draws on the singer’s bond with her brother, Finneas O’Connell.
The lyrics are contemplative and introspective, nodding to Eilish’s career and her relationship with her brother. It’s about having each other’s backs, protecting one another from the outside world, or helping change their perceptions of themselves.
8. You Should See Me in A Crown (2018)
In her song, “You Should See Me in A Crown,” Billie Eilish has created a commanding and intimidating track, unlike anything she’s offered in the past.
The song perfectly blends electropop and industrial music with its haunting lyrics. It’s dark and scary — much like the characters who inhabit this world. The goal here is to freak everybody out with her powerful vocals, layered over a bed of industrial-sounding beats.
9. &Burn (2017)
Eilish teamed up with American rapper Vince Staples for &Burn, a hip-hop-influenced track about escaping a toxic relationship and getting revenge on an ex.
The genre of this song is hip-hop-influenced alternative pop. It has a beat reminiscent of trap music, but the lyrics are more like a rap song. The song’s mood is dark and angry, fitting with its collaborators’ reputations for being edgy artists.
10. Therefore I Am (2020)
The song is dark pop and R&B with some electropop elements thrown in for good measure. In “Therefore I Am,” Billie sings about rising above all haters, enemies, and body shamers.
It’s a good song, with a catchy hook and exciting production choices. Although it’s not quite as strong as some of Billie Eilish’s earlier singles, it works well enough on its terms.
11. Ocean Eyes (2015)
Billie Eilish’s “Ocean Eyes” is a classic pop song with a dreamy, ethereal mood. It’s slow and unhurried, with minimalist beats and vulnerable vocals whisper. The lyrics are filled with longing, hope, and loneliness.
The song has been viral among listeners who like its softness and unhurried pace. It offers an instant escape from the stress of everyday life into something that feels purer — a place where it feels okay to be alone with your thoughts and feelings.
12. No Time To Die (2020)
“No Time To Die” is a slow-building orchestral pop ballad with R&B influences. This James Bond song starts slow, with an ominous tone that builds to a dramatic chorus.
The shimmering orchestral production gives the song a dreamy, ethereal feel. Also, the track features a powerful vocal performance from Eilish, who delivers a heartfelt message about betrayal and unsure motives.
13. Lovely (2018)
Billie Eilish and Khalid’s “Lovely” is a hauntingly beautiful song that deals with depression in a relatable way without being too heavy-handed or preachy. The lyrics are about owning your depression, which makes it easy for fans to relate to them.
Billie Eilish makes you feel like you’ve got something in common with her, and this song shows it off perfectly!
14. idontwannabeyouanymore (2017)
The song “idontwannabeyouanymore” (stylized in one word and all lowercase) by Billie Eilish belongs to the pop, R&B, and neo-soul-influenced genres. It talks about struggling with self-doubt while dealing with how society wants you to be.
People like this song because it makes them feel heard. It provides an outlet for emotions they might not otherwise have words for or feel comfortable expressing themselves.
15. Your Power (2021)
Billie Eilish’s “Your Power” is a song about people who abuse their authority, especially vulnerable women.
The song itself is in an indie-folk style, with heavy use of strings throughout. The mood is pleading and sad as Billie pleads for people to stop abusing their authority.
Listeners like this song because it speaks out against coercion and abuses of power. It’s an important message that people need to hear in today’s culture.
Again, what music genre is Billie Eilish? Billie Eilish’s music falls into the alternative/indie/electropop genre. Her songs are often dark, reflective, moody, playful, and lastly engaging.
Artists Similar to Billie Eilish Genre
Billie Eilish is a young singer-songwriter who’s blowing up the music scene with her unique sound for years. Her dark and moody vibe has earned her comparisons to artists like Tove Lo, AURORA, and Birdy — all of whom have had their success in the industry.
If you’re looking for other artists in this vein, here are some artists to check out:
1. Tove Lo
If you’re a fan of Billie Eilish, you might also like Tove Lo. Both artists are known for their dark lyrics and ability to create such a unique sound that listeners cannot help but be drawn in.
The Swedish singer-songwriter is best known for her singles “Habits (Stay High)” and “Talking Body,” which have climbed the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
2. Halsey
If you listen to Halsey’s music, you’ll notice that it has much in common with Billie Eilish’s. Both artists are known for their unique style and sound, blending pop, electropop, and R&B.
The two artists have similar styles because they both use their voices to explore themes of grief, loss, and heartbreak while exploring traditional musical genres such as pop or hip hop.
3. AURORA
AURORA is a Norwegian singer, songwriter, and producer. Besides Eilish, she’s also been compared to Lorde for her singing style. Her genre has been described as “electro dream pop.”
She is known for her ethereal falsetto, which she uses to convey emotion and vulnerability in her songs.
Billie Eilish’s music is also characterized by its combination of sounds, with influences from pop and hip-hop that create an unusual combination of genres. Because of their shared interest in genre-blending, Billie Eilish’s fans may also enjoy AURORA’s music and vice versa.
4. Lana del Rey
Like Billie Eilish, Lana del Rey sings about love, heartbreak, and beauty in a way that feels both nostalgic and contemporary. She is an American singer-songwriter whose music is typically described as “Hollywood sadcore.”
Del Rey is known for her sometimes minimalist approach to writing lyrics and her use of repetition in her songs. This makes it easy for listeners to get lost in their music and imagine themselves as part of the story they’re telling.
5. Birdy
Birdy is a British singer-songwriter best known for her acoustic, piano-based songs. Billie Eilish’s genre and style are also acoustic, piano-based pop music. Both artists have a similar voice quality, making their songs very emotional and easy to connect with.
6. Lorde
If you like Billie Eilish, you’ll love Lorde. Lorde is an alternative pop singer from New Zealand whose style and genre are similar to Billie Eilish’s.
Both are young female performers who sing about complicated topics like anxiety, depression, and heartbreak. But they manage to do so in a way that doesn’t feel overly dark or angsty. They also both have a sort of “cool girl” vibe that makes them relatable to listeners of all ages.
7. King Princess
King Princess is a young alternative pop singer who describes herself as “gender non-conforming.” Her music has been described as “sadcore,” which means it’s very emotional but still has a pop sensibility.
King Princess’s sound is similar to Billie Eilish’s in that both artists are known for their unique voices and interesting lyrics.
8. Grace Mitchell
If Billie Eilish’s music is your jam, you’ll probably like Grace Mitchell. She is a rising singer-songwriter who uses her music to explore the complexity of human relationships and the emotions that come with them.
Grace Mitchell is often compared to Billie Eilish, who also explores these themes in her music.
9. Mitski
Billie Eilish and Mitski are similar because they both have a sad indie vibe that still has a pop element.
Mitski is an indie-rock singer and songwriter from New York. She is known for her raw, emotional lyrics, which often deal with loneliness, depression, and heartbreak themes.
Her style has been described as “brave and honest,” drawing comparisons to artists like Billie Eilish and Courtney Barnett. Her music has also been described as “poignant and powerful.”
10. Låpsley
Låpsley is an English singer, songwriter, and producer who has released music since 2015. Her first single was released in January 2015, and her debut album was released in March 2016.
Låpsley’s music is often compared to Billie Eilish’s since both artists have similar styles and sounds. Their songs are dreamy and atmospheric, with soft beats and smooth vocals that you can easily get lost in.
Frequently Asked Questions – Billie Eilish Genre Type
Is Billie Eilish Indie?
Billie Eilish is a popular indie artist. Her debut album has hit #1 in many countries. Eilish has over a million Twitter followers and millions of YouTube views for each of her songs.
Is Billie Eilish Genre Pop?
Her music includes pop, dark pop, electropop, emo pop, experimental pop, goth-pop, indie pop, and teen pop. Eilish’s brother Finneas contributes to songwriting. Also, her brother writes, produces, and performs in Eilish’s live shows.
Is Billie Eilish Alt Pop?
She’s had songs in alt-rock and mainstream music, and her newest win cements her image as a rare success story who can rule radio in both genres.
Why Is Billie Eilish’s Music Sad?
Billie Eilish has struggled with anxiety and depression since she was a child, which contributes to the gloomy tone of her music. Also, Billie has Tourette syndrome, which explains her self-esteem issues.
What Is Billie Eilish’s Most Famous Song?
“Bad Guy” was one of the most popular songs of 2019 and has been viewed more than 1 billion times on YouTube. Eilish and her brother Finneas wrote the song.
Conclusion – Genre of Billie Eilish
Billie Eilish is a unique artist who can be hard to classify. Her music has been described as falling into the category of alternative pop with a mix of indie, alternative, and electropop. Her songs are dark, moody, and introspective but simultaneously catchy, fun, and uniquely engaging.
This combination of elements makes her music a perfect fit for the teen market and those who enjoy darker or edgier music. She attracts listeners with a mix of catchy choruses, emotional lyrics, and an alternative sound that is still accessible to everyone.
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