The singer also shares her handwritten lyrics for Barbie’s “heart song.”
The end result the stirring ballad What Was I Made For?
surprised even Eilish, who unexpectedly produced her most personal song yet.
Finneas and Billie Eilish at the Los Angeles premiere of ‘Barbie’.Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
EW caught up with the dynamic duo to discuss the song.
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: How does it feel to be in the Oscar conversation a second time?
BILLIE:Its surreal.
Billie Eilish’s handwritten notes and lyrics for ‘Barbie’ song ‘What Was I Made For?'.Courtesy of Billie Eilish
The fact that we were nominated in the first place for No Time to Die was insane.
FINNEAS:We feel lucky to be a part of any of it at all.
The Academy Awards is peer-voted.
The idea that any other artist is voting for your art is moving.
Thats a huge honor.
Youve spoken about how this Barbie opportunity came at a time when you couldnt have been less inspired.
What was going on?
BILLIE:It was a dark, slow period of time.
I was also in a weird place mentally in my life.
We were in the studio and did come up with stuff, but nothing felt right.
I dont think I was able to be vulnerable and self-aware about my life and surroundings.
That makes it hard to write sometimes.
Rhea Perlman and Margot Robbie in ‘Barbie’.Lara Cornell/Warner Bros.
I didnt have to worry about how I felt.
I could just write from the perspective of this character.
What was amazing is immediately after, I realized it was absolutely about me and my life.
I didnt even mean to do that.
At what point did things finally click?
As soon as we started writing it, we were locked in.
FINNEAS:The imagery in the movie is so poetic and metaphoric.
Everything lyrically became that kind of double-meaning metaphor.
Courtesy of Billie Eilish
The song and the scene its featured in inspired a TikTok trend celebrating girlhood.
Were you expecting the impact that its had?
BILLIE:No, I was pleasantly surprised.
That happens every time.
Every time we make a song, its still, Oh my God, I hope people like it.
FINNEAS:The only difference is how a song moves you as a person.
This struck a chord with us.
Youre never like, Theyre going to love it!
Youre just like, I hope theyre moved by this.
Lara Cornell/Warner Bros.
What were your relationships to Barbies growing up?
Any mutilation, setting them on fire?
BILLIE:Oh yeah, all of the above.
I am so grateful for Barbie, and for this whole process.
How has your collaborative process evolved since working on Billies debut EP, 2017sDont Smile at Me?
BILLIE:A lot.
I mean, were talking 13 and 17 to 22 and 26.
So much changes with those ages.
Its different each time.
Ive always found it hard to trust the process, and Im learning to trust it more.
FINNEAS:Ive watched Billie get so much more skilled.
I feel better at making music than I felt when I was 21.
Weve grown as artists, and thats satisfying.
