I remember years ago when Billie Eilish was aggressively being pushed as the new IT girl. She was very young, and rocking green hair and a tomboy style, I think–I didn’t really pay attention since at least one of my eyes got stuck rolling. Here we go again–the boost of a certain type of female entertainer; the anti-Britney/Christina, etc. version. If there’s one thing America’s gonna do, it’s hype up a young white girl. Talent optional. So I looked away; I’ve seen this before, though usually in blonde.
The machine kept churning, and since I’m a casual SNL viewer, Billie was the guest singer at some point. Once I actually heard her, I went, Ohhh… This is a real one. She’s actually the kind of singer/artist I like! Both performances were beautiful, and I felt honored to hear her voice. I finally got the hype–no need for smoke and mirrors there! But still no urge to seek out her offerings or examine any noise I heard about her in the background from entertainment news.
The Hook
And then came Swarm (2023). Billie didn’t even sing in her role, but it hit me HARD and with finality: Billie Eilish is an actual siren among us. The casting was inspired–she had a seductive quality about her, so it made perfect sense she was a cult leader. Those entrancing eyes… She emanated hidden power, despite what ultimately happened to her character.
Once my eyes were opened to her true nature, I couldn’t go back.
I was so excited when I binged a couple of The Simpsons shorts this year, and discovered she was featured in one of them (When Billie Met Lisa). See! They know it too! I pointed out to my partner. She’s a siren! Because by the end of the episode, her voice had literally hypnotized everyone.
Siren Songs
Who could get away from What Was I Made For? It’s an enchanting song that I appreciated every time I heard it. Thankfully, I was not at risk for saturation; I don’t listen to the radio, and I have only recently returned to having playlists, which I painstakingly curate.
Which brings me to this week. A few days ago, I came across one of Billie’s songs on YouTube. My partner had clicked on a Top 100 playlist, and the first song that played was by Billie. I stood hypnotized the whole time.
The song hooked me enough to seek it out on Spotify, and I hadn’t caught the name of the song, but once I pulled up her profile, resigned to hitting play as many times as I needed to find it, the very first song–the most played–turned out to be the one I sought.
The album cover is an image of Billie underwater looking at a door leading to the surface. I smirked.
All this to say Birds of a Feather currently has me in a chokehold.
I was even driven to find out more about Billie Eilish herself, wondering if she had Irish blood (IYKYK). In a way–though all completely different artists–she reminded me of Enya, Sinead O’Connor. Even Scottish Annie Lennox. There’s an otherworldly quality to these women’s voices, as if they access a different realm. Very haunting sounds–although Billie’s voice is lighter, more ethereal. The other women have voices that could be warnings or strong declarations. Billie’s is an invitation.
Spellbound
So I go to Wikipedia and immediately see her last name is actually O’Connell. Aha! I knew it! But I kept reading to confirm, and yes–Billie Eilish is Irish and Scottish. I was right! And her brother’s name is so obviously Irish, but I never knew it till then.
I read that her debut single was “Ocean Eyes,” and again, I smirked.
Anyway, as of now, I know a lot more about Billie Eilish Pirate Baird O’Connell, and I’m finally going to make my way through her discography, looking for more of what I’ve heard and liked.
You finally got me, Siren. You got me.
