Album: When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? (2019)
Charted: 79
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This lullaby-like track was originally a slow, bare-boned song titled "See Through," featuring just Billie Eilish's raw vocal and the ukulele. Eilish's producer Finneas felt it needed to be quicker. He told Vulture the whole song is sped up 20 BPM, including the ukulele, "which is why it has that strange, kind of kooky feeling."
  • The song finds Billie Eilish singing about a boyfriend who looks at her "like I'm see-through." She realizes he doesn't love her so decides not to pursue the relationship any longer.
  • This is the eighth track on When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? Billie and Finneas decided to change the title to "8" as they felt it was a song that people would be more likely to click on and listen to with that name rather than calling it "See Through."

Comments: 7

  • Billie Fan from Princeton, Nj, UsaBillie Eilish and Finneas peed in their pants! Everyone, save them.
  • Lwnsky from SwedenTbh i only searched up why its calles 8 becuz my as my nearest relization is in wish u were gay she said (12)step just for you (11) heys (10) fingrr tearin oit my hair (9) timrs you never made it there then she skipped 8 its so cool and so nice
  • Munaa from LondonHow did she come up with some good song. I literally felt it. Literally.
  • Smk from Atlanta, Ga@Amy - She uses a play on words for “8” - “I ATE (8) alone at 7; you were six minutes away.”
  • Amy from GermanyI have a question that has been bugging me for months. In "wish you were gay" the lyrics have every number from twelve to one and the only number that's missing is eight...which just happens to be the title of another song of hers which has no connection to its lyrics and meaning at all. I'm just confused.
  • Jazzyb from EnglandI love Billie Eilish a lot but I always have questions.
    8. Turn it on its side: infinity. Is this a sign or clue to something?
  • Anonymous from UsaIn an interview she actually says that she wrote the song from the perspective of a past boyfriend. It’s not about how someone hurt her, it’s about how she hurt someone.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

The Girl in That Song

The Girl in That SongFact or Fiction

Billie Jean, Delilah, Sara, Laura and Sharona - do you know who the girls in the songs really are?

David Paich of Toto

David Paich of TotoSongwriter Interviews

Toto's keyboard player explains the true meaning of "Africa" and talks about working on the Thriller album.

John Parr

John ParrSongwriter Interviews

John tells the "St. Elmo's Fire (Man In Motion)" story and explains why he disappeared for so long.

Oliver Leiber

Oliver LeiberSongwriter Interviews

Oliver Leiber talks about writing and producing hits for Paula Abdul, and explains his complicated relationship with his father, the songwriter Jerry Leiber.

The 10 Bands Most Like Spinal Tap

The 10 Bands Most Like Spinal TapSong Writing

Based on criteria like girlfriend tension, stage mishaps and drummer turnover, these are the 10 bands most like Spinal Tap.

Justin Hayward of The Moody Blues

Justin Hayward of The Moody BluesSongwriter Interviews

Justin wrote the classic "Nights In White Satin," but his fondest musical memories are from a different decade.