Everybody Dies

Album: Happier Than Ever (2021)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Everybody Dies" finds Billie Eilish ruminating on the inevitability of death. Over four verses (and no chorus), the singer discusses our reluctance to face up to our unavoidable demise.

    Everybody dies, surprise, surprise
    We tell each other lies, sometimes, we try
    To make it feel like we might be right


    Her own preoccupation with when it's her time to go:

    Everybody dies
    And when will I?


    And taking comfort in death as a unifying experience.

    But you are not alone
    You are not unknown
  • In her Spotify commentary, Eilish said this track is "a big bummer" on the surface level. "It's really about how everybody dies. You can't change it and it's a horrible thought."

    Eilish also takes comfort knowing she's going to die. "I don't know why," she said. "I've talked about it since I was a kid. It makes me happy that all things end. It's also very sad and sentimental. This song is really just about knowing that you only have so long to do what you want so just do it. Enjoy your life."
  • Eilish has sung about death before. Both "Listen Before I Go" and "Everything I Wanted" on her debut album were inspired by her struggles with suicidal feelings when she was younger. Here, Eilish adopts a slightly more positive tone.
  • Billie Eilish recorded the song for her second album, Happier Than Ever. Like the other tracks on the record, she penned it with her producer brother Finneas. The same sibling duo was also behind Eilish's 2019 debut album, When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?

Comments: 1

  • Piper from San Franciscothis song is whack, when we walk around frisco we sing and play the drums on cars. we can usually find dirty needles in the street which we wash out at the park, I think about these lyrics and sing about how infinite we all are, "shooting up in the alley, smoking ice in the park, I drink coffee on Tuesday but only after dark", love is a battle field, I heard that before, hmm bop.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Eric Burdon

Eric BurdonSongwriter Interviews

The renown rock singer talks about "The House of the Rising Sun" and "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood."

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"They're Playing My Song

The Nails lead singer Marc Campbell talks about those 44 women he sings about over a stock Casio keyboard track. He's married to one of them now - you might be surprised which.

Jon Anderson of Yes

Jon Anderson of YesSongwriter Interviews

From the lake in "Roundabout" to Sister Bluebird in "Starship Trooper," Jon Anderson talks about how nature and spirituality play into his lyrics for Yes.

Is That Song Public Domain?

Is That Song Public Domain?Fact or Fiction

Are classic songs like "Over The Rainbow" and "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" in the public domain?

Brenda Russell

Brenda RussellSongwriter Interviews

Brenda talks about the inspiration that drove her to write hit songs like "Get Here" and "Piano in the Dark," and why a lack of formal music training can be a songwriter's best asset.

Van Dyke Parks

Van Dyke ParksSongwriter Interviews

U2, Carly Simon, Joanna Newsom, Brian Wilson and Fiona Apple have all gone to Van Dyke Parks to make their songs exceptional.