Billie Eilish Changed the Sound of a Generation

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April 1, 2019–Billie Eilish during MTV interview at just 17 years old, when she finally had the courage to talk about her mental health, incliding self hatred, suicidal thoughts, and feeling alone.

What makes teenagers have a special connection with an artist? For many teenagers, including myself, the answer is Eilish. For some, Billie Eilish is just another pop star, but for many teenagers, she is someone who understands their struggles and communicates with fans through her songs. Through her lyrics and honest discussions about mental health, Eilish has become a safe space for many teenagers when they are struggling with pressure from school, social media, and everyday life. Her music has become a place where teens can escape reality and feel understood.

When Eilish released “When the Party’s Over” in 2018, fans immediately felt a connection with and related to its emotional lyrics. Fans flooded her social media saying so.

“I owe my life to this song,” wrote one fan after he discovered the song on his birthday and was about to end his life, showing how powerful and impactful Eilish’s songs are and how they can truly change lives. This not only shows that teenagers enjoyed the music but that they also felt understood by it.

Eilish is not afraid to talk about mental health, which is the reason why many young people feel connected not only to her music but with her; they feel understood by her. Eilish has spoken about her own struggles with depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. 

“I genuinely didn’t think I would make it to 17,” she admitted in an interview with Vogue Magazine. This shocked many fans, but sharing her own struggles as a teenager showed others that they are not alone and encouraged them to talk openly about their mental health.

Eilish has also given messages of hope and encouragement.

“When people ask me what I’d say to somebody looking for advice on mental health, the only thing I can say is patience,” also adding, “I had patience with myself. I didn’t take that last step. I waited. Things fade,” she explained in the same Vogue interview. This message is important because it reminds teenagers that the sadness and the pain they live with do not last forever. 

Eilish’s message is important because depression is a real issue that many teenagers are struggling with, and it is constantly affecting them.

According to MedlinePlus, “Depression in teens (ages 13-17) is a serious medical illness. It’s more than just a feeling of being sad or ‘blue’ for a few days.”

This shows that depression is not just a sad feeling that lasts for a couple of days, and because Eilish has spoken openly about this topic, teenagers see her not only as a singer but as a person who truly understands what they are going through. Through her music, teens find a place of understanding of their problems when they do not dare to talk about them.

One of the biggest reasons why teenagers see Eilish as a safe space is that she reminds them that asking for help is not something that they should be scared or ashamed of. 

“Even if it’s just a little more comfort, that can really mean a lot to someone,” said Eilish in an interview with UPI.

Many of the teenagers who get judged and are afraid have the courage to talk about their mental health. Some teens might worry that other people, especially their parents, will think that they just want attention, but Eilish changes this by showing that everyone needs support at some point in their lives.

“You should be able to ask anyone for help,” continued Eilish. By encouraging people to reach out when they are struggling, Eilish uses her music and social media to create a supportive environment for her fans.

Eilish has completely changed what people expect from a pop star, as many artists focus more on beauty, confidence, and looking happy all the time, but Eilish has built her career based on honesty and understanding. Many young listeners who have felt identified with her music describe it as a “…voice and substance to a type of invisible suffering.” In a generation where many hide their emotions, Eilish makes them feel seen, and teens see their own experiences in her music.

“Kids use my songs as a hug,” said Eilish again in Vogue.

Eilish is fully aware of why her fans connect with her music, and she fully understands why teenagers feel understood by her and perfectly explains the role her music plays in their lives. 

“Seeing that someone else feels just as horrible as you do is a comfort. It’s a good feeling,” said Eilish, who believes that listening to someone express their emotions can be comforting.

Billie Eilish has changed the sound of a generation, not only because of her music but because of the messages behind it. Through her way of connecting with teenagers and understanding their problems, she has built a community with millions of strangers all over the world who feel understood by her and who appreciate her. Her songs provide comfort, understanding, and hope for those teenagers who may be struggling with their own problems. For many people, myself included, Eilish is more than a pop star. She is a voice that reminds us that we are not alone.