Download

Billie Eilish: The Story Behind “Bad Guy”

Billie Eilish is one of the most popular and influential artists of the 21st century. She has won multiple Grammy Awards, broken several streaming records, and amassed a loyal fanbase around the world. But how did she create her biggest hit, “Bad Guy”? In this article, we will explore the story behind this catchy and controversial song, from its inspiration and meaning to its success and impact.

Who is Billie Eilish?

Before we dive into the song, let’s get to know the artist behind it. Billie Eilish is an American singer and songwriter who was born on December 18, 2001 in Los Angeles, California. She grew up in a musical family, with her parents being actors and musicians, and her older brother Finneas being a singer, songwriter, and producer.

Her early life and musical influences

Billie Eilish started singing at a young age, joining the Los Angeles Children’s Chorus when she was eight years old. She also learned to play the piano, guitar, and ukulele. She was homeschooled by her parents, who encouraged her to pursue her creative interests and exposed her to a variety of music genres, from pop and rock to hip-hop and jazz. Some of her musical influences include Lana Del Rey, Avril Lavigne, Tyler, the Creator, Amy Winehouse, and The Beatles.

Her breakthrough with “Ocean Eyes” and “Don’t Smile at Me”

Billie Eilish’s career took off in 2015, when she uploaded her debut single “Ocean Eyes” to SoundCloud. The song was written and produced by her brother Finneas, who originally wrote it for his band. The song went viral online, attracting millions of streams and catching the attention of music labels. Billie Eilish signed with Darkroom and Interscope Records in 2016, and released her debut EP “Don’t Smile at Me” in 2017. The EP featured songs like “Bellyache”, “Copycat”, and “Idontwannabeyouanymore”, showcasing her unique voice, dark lyrics, and genre-blending sound.

Her debut album and global success

In 2019, Billie Eilish released her highly anticipated debut album “When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?”. The album was co-written and co-produced by her brother Finneas, who also played several instruments on it. The album received critical acclaim and commercial success, topping the charts in several countries and becoming one of the best-selling albums of 2019. It also won five Grammy Awards in 2020, including Album of the Year, making Billie Eilish the youngest artist to win in that category. The album featured songs like “You Should See Me in a Crown”, “When the Party’s Over”, “Bury a Friend”, and of course, “Bad Guy”.

What is “Bad Guy” about?

“Bad Guy” is the second track and lead single from Billie Eilish’s debut album. It is a playful, bass-heavy song that sees Billie Eilish taunting her lover, flaunting her tough nature while questioning his own.

“Bad Guy” also had a significant impact on the music industry and culture. It helped to establish Billie Eilish as one of the most influential artists of her generation, challenging the norms and conventions of mainstream pop music. It also inspired many other artists and musicians to experiment with different sounds and styles, as well as to express themselves more freely and authentically. The song also sparked a lot of discussions and debates about the topics of gender, sexuality, and power dynamics in relationships.

How did “Bad Guy” become a hit?

“Bad Guy” was not only a critically acclaimed song, but also a commercially successful one. But how did it manage to reach such a wide and diverse audience? Here are some of the factors that contributed to its popularity and virality.

The viral TikTok challenge and memes

One of the platforms that helped to boost the exposure and reach of “Bad Guy” was TikTok, a social media app that allows users to create and share short videos, often with music and filters. The app has millions of users, especially among young people, who use it for entertainment, creativity, and socialization. “Bad Guy” became one of the most popular songs on TikTok, with many users creating videos using the song as a soundtrack. One of the most popular trends was the “Bad Guy Challenge”, where users would lip-sync to the song while changing their outfits and poses to match the lyrics. The challenge was fun, easy, and catchy, and attracted many celebrities and influencers to join in. Some examples of famous TikTokers who participated in the challenge are Charli D’Amelio, Addison Rae, James Charles, and David Dobrik.

Besides the challenge, “Bad Guy” also inspired many memes and parodies on TikTok and other social media platforms, such as Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Reddit. Some of the memes involved editing the song or the video to make it sound or look funny, absurd, or ironic. For example, some users replaced the bass line with other sounds, such as animal noises, car horns, or farts. Some users also changed the lyrics or the title of the song to make jokes or references to other topics, such as politics, movies, or games. Some examples of popular memes are “Bad Guy but it’s Google Translate”, “Bad Guy but every time she says ‘bad’ it gets faster”, and “Bad Guy but it’s Minecraft”.

The remix with Justin Bieber

Another factor that helped to increase the popularity and appeal of “Bad Guy” was the remix version that featured Justin Bieber, one of the biggest pop stars in the world. The remix was released on July 11, 2019, as a surprise for both fans of Billie Eilish and Justin Bieber. The remix added a new verse by Justin Bieber, where he sang from the perspective of the bad guy that Billie Eilish was singing about. He also harmonized with her on some parts of the song, creating a contrast between their voices and styles.

The remix was a dream come true for Billie Eilish, who was a huge fan of Justin Bieber since she was a kid. She revealed that she used to have posters of him on her wall and that she cried when she met him for the first time at Coachella in 2019. She also said that she was honored and grateful that he agreed to collaborate with her on her favorite song from her album. She posted a photo of her younger self wearing a Justin Bieber shirt on Instagram, along with a caption that thanked him for his support and love.

The remix was also a success for Justin Bieber, who was making his comeback after taking a break from music for personal reasons. He said that he loved Billie Eilish’s music and that he was proud of her for being herself and making a difference in the world. He also said that he related to her song and that he wanted to add his own twist to it. He posted a photo of him and Billie Eilish hugging on Instagram, along with a caption that said that he was happy to be a part of her journey. The remix was well received by fans and critics, who praised the chemistry and collaboration between the two artists. The remix also helped to boost the streaming and sales of the original song, as well as to introduce it to new audiences and markets.

The record-breaking Billboard Hot 100 achievement

Another factor that helped to cement the status of “Bad Guy” as a hit was its performance on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, which ranks the most popular songs in the US based on streaming, sales, and radio airplay. “Bad Guy” debuted at number seven on the chart on April 13, 2019, and steadily climbed up the ranks in the following weeks. However, it faced a strong competition from another song that was dominating the chart: “Old Town Road” by Lil Nas X featuring Billy Ray Cyrus, a viral country-rap crossover that blended elements of trap, rock, and cowboy culture.

“Old Town Road” was on its way to break the record for the longest-running number one song on the Billboard Hot 100, which was previously held by “One Sweet Day” by Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men (16 weeks in 1995-1996) and “Despacito” by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee featuring Justin Bieber (16 weeks in 2017). “Bad Guy” was the only song that posed a serious threat to “Old Town Road”, as it was gaining momentum and popularity among listeners and fans. The two songs were locked in a tight race for several weeks, with “Old Town Road” barely holding on to its lead.

Finally, on August 19, 2019, after 19 weeks at number one, “Old Town Road” was dethroned by “Bad Guy”, which rose to the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100. “Bad Guy” became Billie Eilish’s first number one song on the chart, as well as the first number one song for Darkroom and Interscope Records. It also made Billie Eilish the first artist born in the 2000s to have a number one song on the chart, and the youngest artist to have a number one song since Lorde with “Royals” in 2013. “Bad Guy” also ended the longest reign of a number one song on the chart, making history and headlines in the music world.

Conclusion

“Bad Guy” is a remarkable song that showcases Billie Eilish’s talent, creativity, and personality. It is a song that defies expectations, challenges conventions, and expresses emotions. It is a song that resonates with millions of people, who find it catchy, relatable, and empowering. It is a song that has made an impact on the music industry and culture, inspiring other artists and influencing trends. It is a song that has achieved success and recognition, breaking records and winning awards. It is a song that deserves to be celebrated and appreciated.

FAQs

• What genre is “Bad Guy”?
  “Bad Guy” is a pop song that incorporates elements of trap and electro. It has been described as minimalist, experimental, and genre-bending.
• Who wrote and produced “Bad Guy”?
  “Bad Guy” was written and produced by Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas O’Connell in their home studio.
• What is the meaning of “duh” in “Bad Guy”?
  “Duh” is an interjection that expresses sarcasm, annoyance, or obviousness. In “Bad Guy”, Billie Eilish uses it to mock her lover’s claim of being a bad guy.
• How many awards did “Bad Guy” win?
  “Bad Guy” won several awards, including two Grammy Awards for Record of the Year and Song of the Year in 2020.
• How long did “Bad Guy” stay at number one on the Billboard Hot 100?
  “Bad Guy” stayed at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for one week, ending the 19-week run of “Old Town Road” by Lil Nas X featuring Billy Ray Cyrus.

bc1a9a207d

The lyrics and meaning of the song

The lyrics of “Bad Guy” are full of sarcasm, irony, and humor. Billie Eilish sings from the perspective of a bad girl who likes to challenge and tease her partner, who claims to be a bad guy but is not as bad as he thinks. She mocks his clichéd image of a bad boy, such as wearing leather jackets, driving motorcycles, and having tattoos. She also implies that she is the dominant one in the relationship, and that he is secretly submissive and insecure. She sings:

I’m that bad type
Make your mama sad type
Make your girlfriend mad tight
Might seduce your dad type
I’m the bad guy, duh

The song also has a twist at the end, where the tempo slows down and the music changes to a softer, piano-driven melody. Billie Eilish switches her tone from confident and cocky to vulnerable and sad, revealing that she is not really a bad guy, but rather a lonely and hurt person who is trying to cope with her feelings. She sings:

I’m only good at being bad, bad
I like when you get mad
I guess I’m pretty glad that you’re alone
You said she’s scared of me?
I mean, I don’t see what she sees
But maybe it’s ’cause I’m wearing your cologne

The song is a clever and catchy way of exploring the themes of identity, power, and love, as well as subverting the stereotypes of gender roles and expectations.

The musical style and production of the song

“Bad Guy” is a minimalist and experimental song that combines elements of pop, trap, and electro. It has a simple structure, consisting of four verses and four choruses, with no bridge or pre-chorus. The song is driven by a thumping bass line, a syncopated kick drum, and a synth melody that sounds like a whistle. The song also features some distorted vocal samples, such as “duh” and “I’m the bad guy”. The song has a low-fi and raw sound quality, creating a contrast with Billie Eilish’s soft and whispery vocals.

The song was written and produced by Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas in their home studio. They used a variety of instruments and equipment, such as an electric guitar, a bass guitar, a keyboard, a synthesizer, a drum machine, and a microphone. They also used some unconventional sounds, such as dental equipment, traffic noises, and cereal boxes. Finneas explained that they wanted to create a song that was “fun and weird” and that “sounded like nothing else”.

The reception and impact of the song

“Bad Guy” was released on March 29, 2019, along with the rest of the album. The song received positive reviews from critics, who praised its originality, production, lyrics, and vocals. The song also became a huge hit among fans and listeners, who found it catchy, relatable, and meme-worthy. The song topped the charts in several countries, including the US, the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. It also received several awards and nominations, such as two Grammy Awards for Record of the Year and Song of the Year in 2020.

“Bad Guy” also had a significant impact on the music industry and culture. It helped to establish Billie Eilish as one of the most influential artists of her generation, challenging the norms and conventions of mainstream pop music. It also inspired many other artists and musicians to experiment with different sounds and styles, as well as to express themselves more freely and authentically. The song also sparked a lot of discussions and debates about the topics of gender, sexuality, and power dynamics in relationships.

How did “Bad Guy” become a hit?

“Bad Guy” was not only a critically acclaimed song, but also a commercially successful one. But how did it manage to reach such a wide and diverse audience? Here are some of the factors that contributed to its popularity and virality.

The viral TikTok challenge and memes

One of the platforms that helped to boost the exposure and reach of “Bad Guy” was TikTok, a social media app that allows users to create and share short videos, often with music and filters. The app has millions of users, especially among young people, who use it for entertainment, creativity, and socialization. “Bad Guy” became one of the most popular songs on TikTok, with many users creating videos using the song as a soundtrack. One of the most popular trends was the “Bad Guy Challenge”, where users would lip-sync to the song while changing their outfits and poses to match the lyrics. The challenge was fun, easy, and catchy, and attracted many celebrities and influencers to join in. Some examples of famous TikTokers who participated in the challenge are Charli D’Amelio, Addison Rae, James Charles, and David Dobrik.

Besides the challenge, “Bad Guy” also inspired many memes and parodies on TikTok and other social media platforms, such as Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Reddit. Some of the memes involved editing the song or the video to make it sound or look funny, absurd, or ironic. For example, some users replaced the bass line with other sounds, such as animal noises, car horns, or farts. Some users also changed the lyrics or the title of the song to make jokes or references to other topics, such as politics, movies, or games. Some examples of popular memes are “Bad Guy but it’s Google Translate”, “Bad Guy but every time she says ‘bad’ it gets faster”, and “Bad Guy but it’s Minecraft”.

The remix with Justin Bieber

Another factor that helped to increase the popularity and appeal of “Bad Guy” was the remix version that featured Justin Bieber, one of the biggest pop stars in the world. The remix was released on July 11, 2019, as a surprise for both fans of Billie Eilish and Justin Bieber. The remix added a new verse by Justin Bieber, where he sang from the perspective of the bad guy that Billie Eilish was singing about. He also harmonized with her on some parts of the song, creating a contrast between their voices and styles.

The remix was a dream come true for Billie Eilish, who was a huge fan of Justin Bieber since she was a kid. She revealed that she used to have posters of him on her wall and that she cried when she met him for the first time at Coachella in 2019. She also said that she was honored and grateful that he agreed to collaborate with her on her favorite song from her album. She posted a photo of her younger self wearing a Justin Bieber shirt on Instagram, along with a caption that thanked him for his support and love.

The remix was also a success for Justin Bieber, who was making his comeback after taking a break from music for personal reasons. He said that he loved Billie Eilish’s music and that he was proud of her for being herself and making a difference in the world. He also said that he related to her song and that he wanted to add his own twist to it. He posted a photo of him and Billie Eilish hugging on Instagram, along with a caption that said that he was happy to be a part of her journey. The remix was well received by fans and critics, who praised the chemistry and collaboration between the two artists. The remix also helped to boost the streaming and sales of the original song, as well as to introduce it to new audiences and markets.

The record-breaking Billboard Hot 100 achievement

Another factor that helped to cement the status of “Bad Guy” as a hit was its performance on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, which ranks the most popular songs in the US based on streaming, sales, and radio airplay. “Bad Guy” debuted at number seven on the chart on April 13, 2019, and steadily climbed up the ranks in the following weeks. However, it faced a strong competition from another song that was dominating the chart: “Old Town Road” by Lil Nas X featuring Billy Ray Cyrus, a viral country-rap crossover that blended elements of trap, rock, and cowboy culture.

“Old Town Road” was on its way to break the record for the longest-running number one song on the Billboard Hot 100, which was previously held by “One Sweet Day” by Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men (16 weeks in 1995-1996) and “Despacito” by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee featuring Justin Bieber (16 weeks in 2017). “Bad Guy” was the only song that posed a serious threat to “Old Town Road”, as it was gaining momentum and popularity among listeners and fans. The two songs were locked in a tight race for several weeks, with “Old Town Road” barely holding on to its lead.

Finally, on August 19, 2019, after 19 weeks at number one, “Old Town Road” was dethroned by “Bad Guy”, which rose to the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100. “Bad Guy” became Billie Eilish’s first number one song on the chart, as well as the first number one song for Darkroom and Interscope Records. It also made Billie Eilish the first artist born in the 2000s to have a number one song on the chart, and the youngest artist to have a number one song since Lorde with “Royals” in 2013. “Bad Guy” also ended the longest reign of a number one song on the chart, making history and headlines in the music world.

Conclusion

“Bad Guy” is a remarkable song that showcases Billie Eilish’s talent, creativity, and personality. It is a song that defies expectations, challenges conventions, and expresses emotions. It is a song that resonates with millions of people, who find it catchy, relatable, and empowering. It is a song that has made an impact on the music industry and culture, inspiring other artists and influencing trends. It is a song that has achieved success and recognition, breaking records and winning awards. It is a song that deserves to be celebrated and appreciated.

FAQs

• What genre is “Bad Guy”?
  “Bad Guy” is a pop song that incorporates elements of trap and electro. It has been described as minimalist, experimental, and genre-bending.
• Who wrote and produced “Bad Guy”?
  “Bad Guy” was written and produced by Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas O’Connell in their home studio.
• What is the meaning of “duh” in “Bad Guy”?
  “Duh” is an interjection that expresses sarcasm, annoyance, or obviousness. In “Bad Guy”, Billie Eilish uses it to mock her lover’s claim of being a bad guy.
• How many awards did “Bad Guy” win?
  “Bad Guy” won several awards, including two Grammy Awards for Record of the Year and Song of the Year in 2020.
• How long did “Bad Guy” stay at number one on the Billboard Hot 100?
  “Bad Guy” stayed at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for one week, ending the 19-week run of “Old Town Road” by Lil Nas X featuring Billy Ray Cyrus.

bc1a9a207d