Top 10 Best Billie Eilish Songs

If you haven’t heard Eilish’s debut EP, “Don’t Smile at Me,” you’re missing out on a truly remarkable display of young talent. Released when she was just 15 years old, “idontwannabeyouanymore” finds Eilish singing mournfully about negative feelings, such as low self-esteem. With its piano and R&B influence, this song doesn’t go as hard as some of her biggest hits. But its emotional honesty makes it riveting and relatable for anyone going through a tough time. It also makes one thing very clear: Billie Eilish might be young, but she is also very wise.

One of the best things about Billie Eilish is how versatile she is. She can pull off pop, rock, and in the case of “Your Power,” folk. This tender acoustic ballad from Eilish’s second album, “Happier Than Ever,” might not seem like an obvious choice for a single. But its power lies in Eilish’s ability to be so frank. Addressing manipulators and abusers in all their forms, Eilish shows the strength in her voice, both sonically and lyrically. “Your Power” has a minimal setup but a maximal payoff. Without ever raising her voice, Eilish delivers a truly passionate performance.

Billie Eilish’s rise to pop stardom came with plenty of scrutiny, with the media and others examining her like they knew her personally. But she wasn’t going to let them or anyone else speak for her, judging by this brooding single. Eilish’s tense vocals and spiteful lyrics mixed with brother Finneas’ beat-driven production might remind you of “Bad Guy.” But “Therefore I Am” stands out as a showcase of Eilish’s ability to claim her identity for herself, no matter what anyone else thinks she’s supposed to be. Oh, and the music video gets us plenty hungry.

Billie Eilish has made plenty of killer songs, but “Bellyache” is literally about a murderer. Eilish sings from the perspective of someone who has done some rather unsavory things. Inspired by Tyler, the Creator’s early work, “Bellyache” manages to be both catchy and haunting. While it starts out fairly innocuous, one line turns everything upside down. It’s both scary and a great examination of how guilt can eat away at you. In addition to proving Eilish a great singer and lyricist, “Bellyache” shows her knack for writing songs from unique perspectives, even ones that are rather unsettling.

Just because you’re on top of the world doesn’t mean everything is okay. This somber single came not long after the release of Eilish’s blockbuster debut album, and it brings us inside her head with uncompromising clarity. Over Finneas’ haunting production, Eilish sings breathily about mental duress in the face of achieving her supposed dreams. While there’s plenty of melancholy on this track, there’s also hope, with lyrics about protection, addressed to her brother, who provides backing vocals. It’s a song that can put a lump in your throat and tears in your eyes, and it reminds us that no matter what, it’s okay to not feel okay.

If you need any convincing that Billie Eilish is a true vocal talent, listen to this song, off her debut album, “When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?” While “When the Party’s Over” isn’t completely a capella, Eilish’s voice is at the center of everything, even more so than usual. Layered around 100 times, Eilish’s vocals manage to be both soft-spoken and commanding as she sings of the end of a relationship. With its mix of hums and digital effects, and tender piano, it hits both the ears and the heart with equal precision. We’re not lying when we say we like it like that.

Our first taste of Eilish’s second album showed that she wasn’t about to go through a sophomore slump, nor was she repeating herself. Recorded during quarantine, “My Future” starts off low-key with Eilish singing longingly over sounds of pouring rain and gentle electric piano. But it soon blossoms instrumentally and vocally, with energetic drums and beautiful vocal layering. It's a great balance of both somber and optimistic feelings, with Eilish expressing pain but also looking for the bright side. It's not quite happy, but it's also not quite sad. This song, like many others from Billie Eilish, is simply honest.

Not only is “Bury a Friend” one of Billie Eilish’s best songs, but it might also be her most sinister. Fusing pop melodies with industrial chaos, "Bury a Friend" is as chilling as its title. The beat pulsates, screeches, and thrills in equal measure. And Eilish, singing as the mythological "monster under the bed," gives one of her most impactful performances, even with a multitude of effects. The imagery is so visceral, you might get goosebumps just from listening. It's not every song that can work at both the club and in a haunted house.

At first, the title track of Eilish’s second album is a pleasant acoustic guitar number, sung sweetly with a tender melody. Then, it explodes into a true rock song and sends our excitement skyrocketing. It’s not just that Eilish gives herself a challenge by merging together two styles, it’s that she nails both parts of it. There's also purpose in the structure, as Eilish starts things off collected as she sings to an ex about how she's better off now. But the rage simmering inside her has to come out, and come out it does. Eilish might not actually be happier than ever here, but she knows how to make us feel what she feels.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“You Should See Me in a Crown” (2018), “WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO?” (2019)
Eilish Took Inspiration from “Sherlock” for This Creepy Banger

“No Time to Die” (2020), “No Time to Die: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack” (2021)
This Bond Theme Song Netted Eilish a Well-Deserved Oscar

“NDA” (2021), “Happier Than Ever” (2021)
A Powerful Song About Just How Isolating Fame Can Be

“My Boy” (2017), “Don’t Smile at Me” (2017)
Eilish Brought Some Jazz Flair to This Single

“Ocean Eyes” (2016), “Don’t Smile at Me” (2017)
A Dreamy & Romantic Early Standout from Eilish

Billie Eilish is the first artist born in the 21st century to top the Billboard Hot 100. If there’s any artist who deserves that distinction, it’s her, especially given how amazing the song in question is. “Bad Guy” takes cues from all sorts of genres, from pop to trap to goth. But the final product is all Eilish. With her voice somewhere between singing and a menacing whisper, Eilish lets a partner know just how far she'll go, relishing in her villain status. A commercial and critical success, which won Grammys for Record of the Year and Song of the Year, “Bad Guy” is her best song. Duh.