Billie Eilish is a bad influence on teenagers around the world
Eilish’s music normalizes depression and makes being sad desirable
By Steven Curto
Teen artist, Billie Eilish’s graphic imagery presented in her music videos makes being sad and depressed seem desirable.
September 9, 2019
Growing up in a loving and supportive family, I had never felt a severe or profound sense of long-term sadness. I had never even heard the word depression until I reached the age of thirteen and encountered students at my middle school who were suffering with mental health issues. With September being Suicide Awareness Month, I thought it was only fitting to express how children and teens are learning about depression and other mental health issues at a younger age, with depression doubling among teenagers in the past decade.
There is a trend in music and on social media of teenagers romanticizing depression or, as journalist Andrew Matson pegged it, “the trendification of suicide”. Seventeen-year-old singer and songwriter Billie Eilish has built a whole career by normalizing depression in Generation Z. In 2015, the then 14-year-old Eilish uploaded “Ocean Eyes” to SoundCloud and became an overnight viral sensation. After going viral on SoundCloud, Interscope Records signed her which was a turning point in the music industry because it popularized sad slow music. Ever since then, my life, social media feed, YouTube recommendations and car radio are filled with all things Billie and depression.
Eilish’s music videos are filled with sadness and depression-related objects and scenes. As I go on, I want to state that there is currently no study known that links “sad music” to an increase in anxiety or depression. Although, there have been correlational studies conducted where fans imitate their idol’s emotions and behaviors, so Eilish’s portrayal of sadness and depression is sending her fans and teens the wrong impression. Her music video “When the Party’s Over” (which is unavailable in restricted mode on YouTube) depicts Eilish sitting in a white room resembling a padded cell in a psychiatric hospital and lip-synching the words of her song while black liquid flows out of her eyes. Eilish’s other music video for the song “Lovely” features herself and fellow singer Kahlid trapped in a glass box that fills up with water and shows them drowning. These two music videos have garnished a combined total of 782 million views on YouTube. Teenagers who see the number of views both these music videos have and see the content displayed in the music video might feel pressured to have depression even if they are not suffering from a mental health disorder. After these two music videos were released, I saw an explosion of teenagers visibly displaying their anxiety and depression online through social media apps such as TikTok, Twitter and VSCO.
Teens also might equate depression and mental health problems with Eilish’s success. Vanity Fairs’ “Billie Eilish: Same Interview, One Year Apart” video on YouTube garnished 50 million views and showcases Eilish’s remarkable growth in a year. In Oct. of 2017, 15-year-old Billie Eilish had 250,000 followers, and in Oct. of 2018 16-year-old Eilish had 6.3 million followers. Teenagers who watched this YouTube video and saw the massive growth she amassed in a year may envy her and equate her success to being depressed. The way Eilish presents herself in her music and music videos needs to change or else teenagers will inevitably continue the cycle of depression. Eilish now has over one billion amassed Spotify listens, over 19 million subscribers on YouTube and 36.6 million followers on Instagram. Through her use of sadness and depression depicted in her music videos to her discussion of suicidal thoughts and self-harm presented in her music, Eilish has made having mental health problems seem cool. Billie is a bad influence on teenagers around the world who may hear her music, watch her music videos and see her massive success online as a means to become depressed themselves. She may have inspired and given hope to teenagers already suffering from depression by showcasing her struggles as a public figure, but she has also started a trend in America and around the world of depression and self-harm being cool and the new norm.
Elvis • Dec 5, 2023 at 2:21 pm
I feel that she isn’t making depression a trend, but it is true that she is normalizing it. But I don’t really feel like that’s a bad thing. Her songs can vary in meaning, and act as a safe place for people who are going through something. “Normalizing” depression would help people who actually suffer from mental health feel less alone, and out of place.
trinity • Apr 14, 2022 at 7:13 am
she is not bad
Lila • Mar 18, 2022 at 9:45 pm
Yeah people are more open about depression cause they see billie being open. That’s not a bad thing
Jimmy • Apr 16, 2022 at 1:49 am
Some people do, some other think it is cool to be depressed.
Anon • Jul 12, 2022 at 5:43 am
What an unfathomably ignorant take. By this argument, we should have no art that depicts anything even slightly negative out of fear that it will make people negative. Depression is normal, and so it should be normalized. I have a host of horrific psychiatric conditions, and dark art helps me feel understood. It helps me feel like I belong. It seems that people like you would rather shove people like me off in a corner so you don’t have to deal with us. Go get some real life experience.
Andrew • Mar 2, 2022 at 1:14 pm
Your hypothesis is that Eilish’s music will compel people to be depressed because it’s the ‘cool’ thing to do, but you provide no evidence or facts to prove your hypothesis. Back to the drawing board.
At least this article sparked conversation.
Jimmy • Apr 16, 2022 at 1:44 am
Did you read it well?
I want to state that there is currently no study known that links “sad music” to an increase in anxiety or depression. Although, there have been correlational studies conducted where fans imitate their idol’s emotions and behaviors.
There is correlation. It’s not a rule, but it can be caused effect.
Ella • Dec 29, 2021 at 8:47 pm
This is completely wrong billie talks about body positivity and loving your self I am disappointed
Nobody • Jun 5, 2023 at 1:21 am
This is so true!!!
Dilbagh • Dec 29, 2021 at 12:13 am
I’m glad to see that there still exist Americans who speak facts. I agree with the Writer, Thanks for being true to your penmanship.
American Kids are amongst the most free and privileged childerns, but still dont know why they have became snowflakes. They should stop worshipping artists like hers.
Lila • Mar 18, 2022 at 9:46 pm
Yeah people are more open about depression cause they see billie being open. That’s not a bad thing. Your literally saying it’s good to keep your feelings to yourself
M • Sep 13, 2021 at 9:23 pm
You sound like George Parker from Pleasantville. Perhaps her music is not the cause, and is rather just the symptom of sadness that people experience around the world.
Have you ever considered that people who have experienced depression or deep pain just find her music cathartic and/or calming?
You cite larger numbers of followers and listeners. The WHO estimates that at any one time, 5% of the adult population (not even counting anyone under 18 yo) of the world is depressed. And this means that within a single year, huge numbers of adults are depressed – especially during 2020 when many people lost family members to COVID. These figures alone would explain her large fan base and number of listeners.
You mention teenagers that are expressing themselves on social media. Mental health has generally been a taboo subject and people showing mental health issues have generally been harshly judged, ostracized, and/or feared by society. Perhaps these individuals finally felt liked they could express themselves rather than bottling it up due to fear of not being understood or judged?
It’s sad that even in this period of time, when mental health and depression literature is free and widely available, that people still don’t take the time to understand it, and instead continue to place judgement on those suffering.
JLH • Aug 31, 2021 at 7:43 am
I do agree with this article, those of you that don’t do you actually have a teenage daughter? If you did you might think differently about what it shows in her videos.
Aiden • Aug 18, 2021 at 3:55 am
this comment section is pure comedy gold. It’s all 12 year old girls hating on this guy ?
Wesley • Jul 27, 2021 at 10:45 am
“Growing up in a loving and supportive family, I had never felt a severe or profound sense of long-term sadness. I had never even heard the word depression until I reached the age of thirteen”
This writer’s very first sentence already says quite a lot to be honest. You must realize dear writer that not everyone in the world has that kind of privilege. And it is not difficult to see how the youth of this generation who do not have your privilege would succumb to depression and mental illness because of the lack of support from family or friends. And that is the truth, regardless if this world had a Billie Eilish or not. If anything, all parents should take responsibility in making sure that their children’s mental welfare is doing okay, and do everything in their power to “love and support” their children in the same way you describe your childhood. I think that’s the better goal to focus on instead of blaming it on the influence of a celebrity who happens to be in the same age demographic as their children.
MoMbling • Jul 17, 2021 at 7:54 pm
Cancel. Her. Racist. Ignorant. Entitled. Depressed? B.S.! Peace. Out.
ROTHLE • Jul 5, 2021 at 12:52 pm
i agree with this article
@kai its not selfish to give your reasons on why she is a bad influence(most if not all things have a negative some more than others).
(Depression causes you to experience psychotic symptoms plus the sadness and hopelessness associated with depression. This means seeing, hearing, smelling, or believing things that aren’t real. Depressive psychosis is especially dangerous because the delusions can cause people to become suicidal).if she influences or encourages depression)whether expressing or not its bad
this article gives us awareness on the negatives of Eillish and that is something to thank the writer for.
and if you disagree you need to look at why depression is bad and why we should try stop it not encourage it or make it a norm. Then if you cant understand all this(strongly disagree) take this article as trying to give you the negatives of Eilish not selfish or provocative on the basis that everything has negatives.
Clara • Feb 23, 2022 at 5:33 am
She isn’t trying to encourage it she’s just singing and writing things that she actually feels
Neil • Jun 22, 2021 at 1:49 am
I agree 100% with you.
Emma • Jun 18, 2021 at 12:03 pm
Don’t you think that it is a good thing that people are learning ab mental health from a younger age as well, it’s great that the writer of this article grew up in a pillaged household and didn’t have to worry ab depression and other things but mist people don’t live their life like that and so it is important for them to learn ab it. Maybe someone is going through depression and doesn’t know it and so her songs and other songs ab depression will help them learn and understand what they are going through. I don’t agree with this article and I think she helps teenagers.
Emma • Jun 18, 2021 at 11:53 am
I disagree with this, she is not the one making teenagers depressed she helps teenagers relate to her songs bc she also goes through these problems. There are many reasons and types of depressions that can happen to people, her music isn’t making people depressed or idealizing depression. As a teenager who has gone through it multiple times, people can relate to her songs and understand that they aren’t the only ones. You can have your opinions but don’t say she is a bad influence for writing songs ab her emotions. There are love songs that talk ab their emotions so how is it different, you could argue that those songs are idealizing heartbreak.
Mikayla • Jun 13, 2021 at 3:54 am
Uhm, well I respect your opinion but I don’t agree with anything in this article. Billie is freaking famous and her songs may sound simple but they carry so much meaning. She sings to let her stress out and relieve other people who are stressed too and I think that’s kinda cool you know? Like, she cares about other people and does not only pay attention to herself. Anyway, I’m not gonna say much but, I think people just mis-judge her. She is NOT a bad influence. She’s just helping teens cop with their lives.
Bod • May 26, 2021 at 8:37 pm
I agree with this article 100% Statistically the younger generation of today has an increased occurrence of mental related problems. This artist is indeed free to do whatever they wish however, it is my own opinion that this kind of music is actually just another phycological nail in an already depressed generation.
Lisa Thompson • Apr 24, 2021 at 3:55 am
Totally agree. She’s just using all this depression and low self esteem to secure attention and accolades. Generally people with these traits don’t gi around publicising it, they keep to themselves. Her lyrics and sound of her voice is actually not that great. She’s just caring in on these sensitive topics. Her last eat awful song I think therefore I am lyrics make no sense and portrays a smug, couldn’t care less about anyone bar herself type- exactly what she claims she is suffers anxiety and depression from – go figure. Awards notoriously go to sob stories
Michael • Apr 16, 2021 at 9:35 pm
I respect your opinion but I don’t think it’s fair to say that she’s a bad influence, to title people dealing with their own problems as “being influenced” by a musician is really dense, and I think most people would concur that this article is immature and quite frankly not cool at all.
Lil • Mar 31, 2021 at 12:44 am
I totally disagree with this article. If you would actually pay attention to her and the meaning of her music she makes it to express how she feels and about her life. In no way is she pressuring people into wanting depression. No one wants to be sad or asks to be sad, she was doing this for herself and this is how she copes with her sadness and thoughts.
Jimmy • Apr 16, 2022 at 1:53 am
The writer didn’t say she was pressuring people, he said some teenage girls see her depression as cool: ‘she is successful because of her depression’
Anon • Mar 26, 2021 at 11:23 am
i disagree with this article, billie eillish has fought against body shaming and its actually been proven that sad music can releive stress
Anonymous • Mar 21, 2021 at 12:17 pm
Art of any genre is an emotional outlet.
It’s self-expression. I commend her parents for giving their children healthy coping skills. This article says more about the closed mind who wrote it than it does about Eilish and her musical outlet.
Gimme Abreak • Mar 18, 2021 at 1:07 pm
Being a teenager is hard. It’s is depressing for MOST youth. At 52, I can still remember the struggle. Why would a teenage artist not create art the mirrors what they feel internally.
My belief is that Eilish hasn’t made depression cool. She opened the door for discussion, and maybe it’s something that people would rather not accept. The world harder than I remember, and I don’t remember it being easy.
Both teens and mature adults can find deep relatable themes in Eilsh lyrics, and her brother FINNEAS has a talent that many seasoned producers themselves are finding influential.
This article reminds me of Tipper Gore’s crusade versus Prince in the 80s. Thinking back to now, there was nothing to really be so concerned about in my opinion.
diamond • Feb 27, 2021 at 4:27 pm
” id rather sing it than actually do it ” – billie eilish .. she doesn’t influence anything bad don’t be selish
Billie Supporter • Feb 14, 2021 at 12:51 am
I do not agree with this article at all. Billie is not AT ALL a bad influence to teens. I think that she is and inspiration to teenagers. So, her music is slow and “sad”, but how is it really that different from lots of other songs? Do all songs need to be upbeat and happy? And not all her songs are slow, those were mostly her old songs but now she makes more upbeat songs. Many of her songs talk about depression, or suicidal thoughts and I think that that is queen behavior right there. It comforts people who have felt with this. Then they don’t feel as alone. Personally, if I had never discovered Billie then I don’t think I would be breathing right now.
Deanna R • Feb 9, 2021 at 9:21 pm
I disagree with this article 100% just because billie has gone through bad experiences means that she cand express her feelings???? what the heck. In fact I am listening to billie right now and none of it gives me any bad ideas. She is definitely not a bad influence but that’s your opinion.
Lindsey Shuty • Jan 30, 2021 at 10:35 pm
I agree with this article 100%
Kai • Jan 21, 2021 at 4:40 pm
I disagree, I think that Billie actually helps people struggling with depression, And She’s Definitely Not A Bad Influence,
billiefan • Jan 20, 2021 at 9:13 am
I would have to disagree with you she is of great help to teenagers most of the time you are just being selfish and only thinking about yourself she helped me feel better and she still is in my life there is nobody more important than Billie Eilish, not even my family
Maliya McPherson • Jan 15, 2021 at 10:32 pm
I don’t think you realize that her music is something different to others. Her music personally explains things that I have wanted to explain in words that I haven’t ever been able to say. Her music shows people the mind of teenagers. She is not a bad influence. You all have your opinions, but in my eyes she is a freaking star. She isn’t afraid to be who she is, and doesn’t give about what negative people like you have to say about her or anything related to her. She is a freaking amazing person and she doesn’t encourage suicide or depressive thoughts. She explains the pain she has experienced through her music. So you are being a bad example actually, because this article is bringing down a person who is just expressing herself through music. She never deserved anything hate-related for expressing herself to the world. I have actually talked to many of my friends, who are all in highschool, and they all agree that you are the one setting a bad example. She’s has EVERY right to express herself. And this article shouldn’t bring her down for opening up to the world, instead of hurting everyday and not enjoying her life. There aren’t only teens listening to her music either, there are all different ages of people listening to her music. She absolutely DOES NOT need people like this telling people that she is a bad influence. Why do you people think people listen to her music so much? It’s because it’s unique, beautiful, and actually pretty helpful with people finding good coping mechanisms, like listening to music, singing, writing, or doing anything calming really.
Sincerely,
Maliya McPherson 1/15/21
Maliya McPherson • Jan 15, 2021 at 10:28 pm
I don’t think you realize that her music is something different to others. Her music personally explains things that I have wanted to explain in words that I haven’t ever been able to say. Her music shows people the mind of teenagers. She is not a bad influence. You all have your opinions, but in my eyes she is a freaking star. She isn’t afraid to be who she is, and doesn’t give about what negative people like you have to say about her or anything related to her. She is a freaking amazing person and she doesn’t encourage suicide or depressive thoughts. She explains the pain she has experienced through her music. So you are being a bad example actually, because you are bringing down a person who is just expressing herself through music. She never deserved anything hate-related for expressing herself to the world. I have actually talked to many of my friends, who are all in highschool, and they all agree that you are the one setting a bad example. She’s has EVERY right to express herself. And you shouldn’t bring her down for opening up to the world, instead of hurting everyday and not enjoying her life. There aren’t only teens listening to her music either, there are all different ages of people listening to her music. She absolutely DOES NOT need people like you telling people that she is a bad influence. Why do you think people listen to her music so much? It’s because it’s unique, beautiful, and actually pretty helpful with people finding good coping mechanisms, like listening to music, singing, writing, or doing anything calming really.
Sincerely,
Maliya McPherson 1/15/21
Mila Calle • Jan 13, 2021 at 8:11 am
I am soo tired of people saying Billie Eilish is a bad influence on teens. Her music is beautiful. The person who wrote this article probably didn’t even bother to listen to Billie’s amazing music. Her lyrics are mostly about her sleep paralysis demons an just monsters she made up in her head. People need to think twice before writing an article like this about one of the worlds most talented and appreciated singers!
Leesha W • Dec 21, 2020 at 12:21 pm
This article is not worthy of being on the internet at all. Firstly, you cannot type up your opinion onto a website and dress it up to be “fact.” Secondly, you clearly have not done your research at all. Billie has suffered from depression before and does not want anyone else to be the same. I am 12 years old, so comfortably within Gen Z. I’ve been listening to her since August of this year. She has really helped me to cope with my mental health. You should really make sure that you understand what you are talking about before you blabber nonsense on the internet.
Kat • Dec 14, 2020 at 1:47 pm
Okay first off Billie has gone through depression and still struggles sometimes, all she is doing is voicing her thoughts and feeling through song because that’s what she does and they are amazing. Nowhere in her songs does she promote depression and bad feelings. I currently struggle sometimes with anxiety and her songs make me feel normal or ok.
She is an amazing role model for teens. You know she recorded a inspirational video for a girl battling leukemia? I bet you didn’t know that did you. Like all of us we find ways to cope with our emotions writing/singing is how she copes with hers. So don’t you ever,ever think she’s is trying to “normalize” depression.
Mj • Dec 14, 2020 at 12:12 pm
If you don’t “get it” (kind of obvious) you shouldn’t be writing this article…
Jimmy • Apr 16, 2022 at 1:54 am
What is your argument?
He ‘doesn’t get it’s is not an argument.
Angie • Dec 10, 2020 at 10:58 am
bruh you relize that a lot of Gen Z is depressed because of life cause life sucks and a lot of people say that Billie Eillish’s songs help them through depression. And her songs dont glorify depression if you dont know the meaning behind the songs then you might not understand, or you might just not understand Gen Z. cause a lot of gen Z really like dark humor cause its funny to us. And therapy kinda sucks like i dont wanna talk to people about my feelings i rather lisen to music and watch youtube to make my self feel better. 🙂 this article helped no one my dude it just made a lot of people angry.
Martin Andonov • Dec 6, 2020 at 6:54 am
You write this for clicks not based on understanding what she sings about, i barely know her it not my style but nowhere does she glorify bad emotions and self harm… quite the opposite she explains the struggles.. you re a sad person….
Godfrey Kotsitswe • Dec 2, 2020 at 6:30 pm
Somethings in life you’ll never understand them until you’ve actually went though them,I say depending on Listening to Billie Eilish For depression is by far better than any help from a therapist.She’s a healer and I love her with all my heart,she made me realize that I’m as normal as anyone who doesn’t have depression,The only difference is that I’m a little more special because I feel things a little deeper than them.
Liam Gray • Dec 1, 2020 at 7:31 am
Are you kidding me? Billie literally SAVED me from killing myself. this article was only made for attention…
Stupid Numpty • Nov 27, 2020 at 7:10 pm
Bad influence?
Yup!! TEENS … DON’T graduate high school 3 YEARS early like Billy did!!! and DON’T have a net worth of $30 Million USD BEFORE your 18th B-Day!!
Jeez.
Imran • Nov 24, 2020 at 10:07 pm
Absolutely not, there is not enough representation of female artists talking about things she touches on in her songs. For young women who go through similar experiences seeing their feelings being talked about makes them feel more comfortable, and it should. Normalise expressing feelings. She has never once said she supports depression or anything likewise. Interesting how whenever men express the same feelings through music its not questioned and supported (as it should be) but when a women does the same thing she is “glorifying” depression. She has opened up to her own personal struggles with depression and anyone that struggles with it as well would not want to glorify it. I hope the author reads these comments and realizes how wrong they are, think before you spread harmful and hateful misinformation. Educate yourself.
Miranda • Nov 16, 2020 at 2:24 pm
She is doing the complete opposite. One thing people don’t understand about gen z is that we are different. Her music isn’t sad its relatable. It gives so many people a feeling of comfort. Other generations are trying to decide what music is bad or sad. We aren’t going to become a product of society and that is her message. We think differently. When we hear her songs we have a different reaction because we are a newer being and a more advanced creature. Our brains were formed differently.
Jimmy • Apr 16, 2022 at 1:57 am
Exactly the point, some girls relate to her music, some others think Sadness and Depression is cool.
Chantel • Nov 6, 2020 at 7:07 am
I am in agreeance with the writer my daughter was a happy kid she is 14 and after becoming a fan of this mentally challenged child my daughter has start cutting herself writing suicide notes and trying to commit suicide… I’m just now becoming aware of this artist who clearly needs some type of counseling I currently have my daughter in counseling..my daughter just asked me about her merch for Christmas I did some research on the meaning of the symbol thinking it was a hanging man but it’s actually a man with his throat slit with a lifeless body if anyone thinks that the message she is sending out to our children is healthy I recommend you get counseling too.
AK Alford • Nov 2, 2020 at 8:51 am
Yo, junior music therapy student here,
I’m currently working with around 60 blind students right now, all ranging from 8-18, and they all have different tastes in music. Their reaction to their troubles in life are all different, and my group of middle schoolers girls LOVE Billie Eillish. I do skip the racier lines when playing her music, but I never gloss over the “depression lines.” Having the harder hitting lines in words is what brings people back to the music. Sure, people learn about depression earlier now, but that’s because our understanding of it is getting better. Puberty is a rough time, and it’s when a lot of conditions like depression are discovered. I was listening to Paramore and Evanescence back in middle school, and songs like Fences and Lithium were crucial to my emotional processing of my anxiety and autism (even when I was experiencing symptoms and hadn’t even had the official diagnosis yet). Why in the world would anyone be “inspired” to be depressed by an artist? I’ve listening to pirate metal, yet I’m not a pirate (nor stole anything). I love breakup songs, yet I’m not going to breakup with my boyfriend because of one. Even if someone doesn’t have depression, songs with depressing lines are great for Neurotypical people to process sadness in their lives. Just because you have a different experience from the listeners does not mean their experiences are invalid, nor is the music not good for reasons beyond your understanding.
hannah • Oct 23, 2020 at 12:36 pm
this is annoying. billie eilish does not cause depression! some of these things are how she feels and is expressing herself through her own music. and you said that it might make teens feel sad about how famous she is?!? she has worked hard for her music career and has earned it.
Autumn • Oct 6, 2020 at 1:30 am
She does it to cope also she is has had mental illness and she tolds you how she feels but she also says to other people to not be sad and tries to help people with that state of mind.
Erendira Guerra • Sep 27, 2020 at 10:37 pm
I agree with the writer of this article. However, I see it from a somewhat different perspective. What is the purpose of this creepy white guys face on her shirt which says Zombie? i see this music as a way to take American teenagers away from the issues of the day to depression, isolation, into themselves, not part of the important issues of the day.
it’s obvious kids relate to her, but she is encouraging them to go down a dark path.
i am from the 60’s and 70’s generation, where we all had a sense of belonging, togetherness against the system trying to make a better world.
This music is confusing, disturbing and alienating. It has no hope, it doesnt bring us together.
I truly believe the system is encouraging this music so kids wont get involved with bernie Sanders, the BLM or climate change movement. By becoming part of something bigger than ourselves, our depression is lifted, because we understand its the alienating system that causes this depression. OUr generation helped to resolve youth crisis, by getting involved together. this stuff she sings is horrific really
Jackie • May 5, 2020 at 5:42 am
Nothing wrong with being sad… That’s basically the natural state of life. I’d venture to ask you, why haven’t you ever felt “severe or profound long-term sadness”? That seems very abnormal and ironically may indicate you suffer from mental illness. How rich are you lol? Most young people in this country grow up relatively poor, and don’t have much hope for becoming wealthy enough to live an enjoyable and comfortable life, or for a career that is fulfilling, secure and enjoyable. So if they are then feeling happy all the time, that’s seriously irrational and unnatural.
Wesh • May 5, 2020 at 5:38 am
Kinda funny how you also threw self harm in at the end, to add to the list of baseless speculative accusations… Did I miss something? You didn’t discuss any allusions to self harm in her music. That’s quite a leap of logic, to suggest that “sad” music (really just music that sounds sad to you personally, who admittedly isn’t a fan) leads to someone choosing to feel clinical depression, which then leads to self harm. Pretty extreme result from tween pop music
Wesh • May 5, 2020 at 5:34 am
Lol if you never felt “severe or profound sense of long-term sadness” while growing up, that doesn’t mean you’re normal and others have something wrong with them.
That actually indicates YOU have something wrong going on upstairs… And having a loving stable family? Gold star and golf clap for you. That has nothing to do with anything. Seriously how badly do you need attention to write an article like this. It’s absurd to believe that anyone is making mental illness “cool” or encouraging young people to develop mental illnesses. They were already suffering from it, and if anything, “sad” music does normalize discussion of mental illness. I guess you’d prefer that they all just cover it up and live in denial? Would you prefer that? Imagining that the type of music someone enjoys can cause the presence or absence of a mental illness is simply ridiculous.
Carm N • Apr 22, 2020 at 10:22 pm
There are statistically more people (teens especially) who are diagnosed with depression, and it has nothing to do with her music. Even if her music invokes a certain type of sad feeling, as it does for me personally, that does not mean the person is depressed/has depression. This article is like saying that the famous painting “The Scream” normalizes lashing out, and makes being sad/upset desirable. No one “desires” to be sad. That is just not how our brains work. I’m honestly offended by this article. As someone who writes music when sad, I use the art form to get my feelings out. Even then, sometimes it’s not even about how the words make you feel, but the music itself.
K • Apr 1, 2020 at 10:57 pm
I completely disagree with this critique of Billie Eilish. I have suffered from depression my whole life, and I wish I had a strong, feminist, artistic female in the media to tell me that I am not alone in this. My generation had Courtney Love. You mean to tell me that she did not glorify drug abuse, self destruction, and the objectification of women? Billie doesn’t use drugs, she doesn’t act reckless, is a true feminist icon, a visionary, and a real artist in every sense of the word. Her music is a form of artistic expression, just like a painter or a literary writer. I believe you would also want to censor most “controversial books,” art you find “obscene,” and I’m sure movies, and video games. The arts are not here to destroy us, but to empower us. The more open dialogue there is about depression, anxiety, the chaos of the world, and the isolation we feel in society the less of a stigma there will be on mental health treatment. If anything, she is doing a service to her fans who suffer from mental illness. They see that she struggled with many issues, received help actively, and overcame to be a raging success. Depression, as I’ll informed as you are on the topic, is not something you will. Mental illness cannot just be turned on like a faucet. It is a debilitating condition that many suffer through in pain and silence. So a voice telling us that “I’ve been there and now look at me,” is an inspiration.” You are obviously taking Billies’s songs too literally. Like a great songwriter, she is telling multiple stories from multiple perspectives. These are not all autobiographical songs, and that is why they appeal to a massive demographic and not just 14 year old girls. You don’t become the biggest musical movement in the world if your music does not touch the hearts, souls, and minds of others. Not to be rude, but maybe take a course in literature, psychology, and of course journalism because you are very ill informed.
m • Mar 4, 2020 at 11:54 pm
This writer should really just look up billie, because she makes it clear that she’s not glorifying depression, or making it “cool”. To say that teens are pretending to be depressed if very ignorant, and mental illnesses are not something cool. She deals with depression which should be taken as someone other teens with depression can relate too, and see that billie talks to finneas as a healthy coping mechanism, which should be inspiring. (i don’t really know if i got my point accros, but I feel like there is a bunch of other good comments also talking about this terrible article.
Miranda • Feb 22, 2020 at 7:44 pm
You guys are completely wrong, Billie Eilish and her songs have changed my life and made me happier. She is the only artist that actually writes meaningful songs, everyone else just sing about being in love or just stupid stuff in general!
Bekah • Feb 20, 2020 at 10:07 am
Nobody ‘chooses’ to be depressed
Jocelyn • Feb 7, 2020 at 2:32 pm
I honestly don’t think this is true. I know we all have opinions so this is mine. Billie Eilish has sure changed my whole world. She creates a strong message not only in her songs but also in her music videos. You just have to find it. I don’t believe she’s a bad influence for so many reasons Billie is a strong person. Just because she has depression does not mean she is trying to spread it to teenagers.
Chris • Feb 6, 2020 at 1:12 pm
“Ever since then, my life, social media feed, YouTube recommendations and car radio are filled with all things Billie and depression.”
So let’s unpack this part for a moment. Especially the part about social media and recommendations. These aren’t aspects of your life that Billie Eilish has any influence over, period. She’s just an artist expressing herself through her music. The influence is actually your own choices and the way that social media and YouTube are able to monetize them. If you are constantly finding depression in your feed it’s because the services you are using have determined that if they put it there, you will click it and they will make money. The more you click things similar to X, the more X you will see in your feed because in the end they know you can’t stop clicking it. Try creating a new account and using a VPN and you’ll see a very different feed. Watch a ton of funny cat videos and see what happens.
The argument that people who listen to a particular kind of music are going to end up doing what that music suggests has been around a LONG time. It’s as wrong now as it was then. People choose their music because it speaks to something in them, not the other way around.
Lexy Lopez • Jan 25, 2020 at 8:01 pm
Its funny how your saying she is a bad influence. SHE HELPED ME THROUGH DEPRESSION. I am 15 years old, and never have I heard ANYONE who started being depressed cause of her music. You need to get your facts straight, like go look at interviews, look at fan pages, look at her story, and maybe you will she she isn’t “making depression the new cool norm”.
Ella Cecrle • Jan 24, 2020 at 8:21 am
Listen, Billie Eilish is an inspiring figure for people all over who have depression. She helps people realize that they have someone to relate, and that it will get better. I should know, because I’ve had some issues with my feelings before. Times that I haven’t even told my parents about, where I just wanted to hurt me. But Billie has given me something to relate to, and you saying that YOU think she’s making it *worse* for me is actually kind of hurtful. So, I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but most of these comments aren’t exactly positive feedback. So, please, think about what you’re really doing when you insult the person that has helped so many people. Billie is an inspiration.
Renee Blackwell • Jan 17, 2020 at 11:19 am
I downloaded her music because it seemed interesting and different. I can listen to her entire album and for me it has a calming affect. As for the lyrics, is it really so different from what we’ve heard in the past? I can listen to Don’t Fear the Reaper without slitting my own throat, and the same goes for her music. This entire article is just….. ridiculous. I’ve read the other comments and they only reinforced my opinion. The teenage years are difficult. I actually think young people need music like this that they can relate to.
Brad • Jan 12, 2020 at 7:31 pm
I’m not her usual fanbase and probably would have never have listened to her if I didn’t have a teenage daughter. I have listened to her whole catalog, numerous times I might add, and do not see it as depressive music for depressed or suicidal teens. While my daughter has depression, so do I, and in our case it’s chemical. Billie’s music doesn’t make it normal but does give an outlet for someone suffering with it to find a common voice. Her music, if you care to actually listen to it, is very positive for young girls. Most of it is about being yourself, or not caving in to the standards that the rest of the world wants to impose on you. I hear the message that they can be who they want and don’t have to be pretty little things for others. And to me, that is a positive message.
chyler mally • Jan 11, 2020 at 8:48 pm
This article isn’t true. Her music is not promoting depression. She is speaking her mind and letting her emotions out in a beautiful way. She is telling her story
and the people like this are discrediting her because it’s different and not about cheesy love stories and being super happy. You can tell she’s real and passionate about her work.
Lucy • Jan 7, 2020 at 12:35 pm
I’ve been a fan of billie for a long time now and claim that I know her better than you. She doesn’t make deppressions cool. She only has the courage to talk about it and so she helps a lot of people to dare to talk about it, and that in turn makes it better. Her music makes me happy when I’m very sad. It means a lot to me. Maybe it has not become more depressed people since she is popular, but only more people who dared to talk about it. And that’s not a bad thing.
Melany ? • Jan 6, 2020 at 4:42 pm
Billie Eilish’s music is not depressing, it’s to help people who go through depression, and she says she hopes it makes people feel that it will get better. She is much happier now, so saying she is depressed isn’t right, she was but now she’s not. What makes you think her music is for sad teenagers, like what? It might sound sad, but really you’re just getting the wrong idea. A lot of people listen to her music, depressed or not. Not all her songs are “sad”. But you’re not getting the point of her music. She’s not making anybody do self harm or commit suicide, she is doing it for the top reason I said at first.
Olivia • Dec 16, 2019 at 12:07 pm
SHE IS THE BESt
Sara Mahoney • Nov 27, 2019 at 12:58 pm
Actually, there have been quite a few studies on the link between music and depression. A simple google search will bring up plenty. Here’s just one I found and from the little I have read about the issue it seems to say that if you have a clinically depressed person listening to depressing music they will likely ruminate more in their depression.
amber • Nov 27, 2019 at 4:07 am
remember emo in 2006/ cut my wrist and black my eyes, this is not new
Vishal • Nov 27, 2019 at 12:51 am
While it is possible to buy the handbag that your favorite popstar totes, depression is something else.
Depression is not a choice. It is a product of circumstance. It is not possible to become depressed by will.
This article tells me that you know nothing about depression. Literally nothing. Nada.
Vanessa • Nov 19, 2019 at 7:04 pm
I can’t believe this article thinks this way. Please delete this mess. Saying she’s a bad influence? SEE HER INTERVIEWS THANKS
Zoey • Nov 17, 2019 at 10:28 pm
Billie Eilish is the voice of Gen Z. She has songs that help teenagers such as myself deal with their personal wellbeing. Billie Eilish has helped so many and is relatable. She is not normalizing or glorifying depression she is making a statement about it.
Andrea • Nov 17, 2019 at 6:48 pm
I strongly disagree with this article because she herself is not making depression normalized. Also her music may be sad but it is proven that for people with depression, sad music helps calms their minds.
Dan • Nov 17, 2019 at 4:07 pm
This is dumb. Music is art.
Farruzah • Nov 10, 2019 at 10:30 am
This 16 year old isnt even the 1st artist to write about depression. It started back in the 1890s with delta blues. Have you maybe considered people have been having these feelings of sadness the entire time, but wasn’t isnt “normal” to share those feelings?
Sequoia Prewitt • Nov 9, 2019 at 12:43 am
THIS isn’t true.
Billie has helped me through dark times where I couldn’t even help myself. Please stop saying false info, ESPECIALLY since Billie isn’t actually depressed anymore. If you read any articles or watched any videos about her, she says she’s in love with herself, MEANING she is happy with herself. So just don’t tell people false information, especially since Billie is done with that.
Denise • Nov 7, 2019 at 1:55 am
With lyrics like “I wanna end me” and “I thought that I’d be dead by now”, I clearly see your perspective. I’m a mother of two teen boys and I did feel a bit cautious playing her songs in car (cause I’m a fan), but “Bad Guy” is flipping awesome! It’s in my head all day, keeping me going day in, day out at my desk job. How can you not dance around to that song. I love the music Billie and her brother are creating, but, yeah they can be dark for sure.
sam • Nov 2, 2019 at 7:45 pm
This article really bothers me. Billie Eilish states that the reason she makes this music is to help people realize what they are going through and how they can get better. She is saving lives. I suggest you do your research next time, depression is nothing new, not some new fad brought into light from the Gen Zs. It’s always been around, people are now realizing it and how to get better. Her music is revolutionizing how we think about depression, not it a good light, but in a way where it is accepted and getting help for. Do you research next time because this article really shows that you are uneducated in this subject.
Devon • Nov 2, 2019 at 10:03 am
Her music, specifically the debut album, is about dreams, nightmares, and her struggle with sleep paralysis and night terrors. She has been very clear about this. How can you review an artist like this when you very clearly don’t listen to interviews when they discuss the meanings of their own work?
This is not good journalism. Please do your research in the future.
Interscope in 2015 did not “popularize slow, sad music.” when they signed Billie Eilish. Both of Lana Del Ray’s albums Born to Die, and Ultraviolence were released before Billie Eilish was even signed.
I think maybe you are confusing the two artists here. Is it possible that you meant to write an article about Lana Del Ray and wrote one about Billie Eilish instead? Because If you find and replace all mentions of Billie with Lana, it kind of reads like articles about her from a couple of years a ago. Just a thought.
Having seen the Vanity Fair interview, it was obvious that she was exhausted from non-stop touring. Anything else is something someone has to read into it. Women can be tired without being depressed.
How about we let this young artist feel her emotions, and express herself and not judge it. Just pretend she’s a man if that helps. Because we don’t hold up male artists to the same standards of responsibility and are not quite as incendiary with our criticism. Especially when it’s about depression. Male have written depressing music and then killed themselves and we still canonize their work, even though we knew full well that it was ACTUALLY about depression and suicide all along. Kurt, Elliot, Chester, Nick, Chris (May they Rest In Peace) had bodies of work dealing with suicide, yet they remain popular artists, and we mourn their loss before we criticize their art.
Well this is not simply true • Oct 31, 2019 at 8:20 am
You cant your personal opinion news?
Heime • Oct 29, 2019 at 11:07 am
You really think this is something new?
Been going on for generations.
Leave it be. Just dont play her records backwards
Renaissance • Sep 10, 2019 at 8:21 am
This information is not true. Unless her fans are interviewed to show proof of this then this is showing someone in an bad light. Fans have stated themselves how Billie has help them through depression and her honesty in in character and art has saved their lives. For this to be piblished now when she is actually in a very good and healthy place turns this article into misinformation.
Casey • Sep 10, 2019 at 2:34 am
you really think her music is glorifying depression??? have you even seen her interview and read her articles about how music is her way to express how she feels and help others who can’t seem to find the right words to do the same? billie has said multiple times that her music isn’t meant to make people sad but to help them realize that it gets better. you really think she wants other teenagers to go through what she went through? no. god no. she is the kindest, nicest, and most down to earth teenage artist this world has seen in a really long time. and to where you said ‘more kids are becoming depressed’ do you think maybe, just maybe it isn’t the music and it’s the school districts? its the social media saying if you aren’t a certain way you aren’t valid? or maybe it’s the fact that some people’s lives are just plain terrible. or i don’t know maybe it’s just a chemical imbalance in the brain that isn’t caused by music or a teenage artist or anything it’s just the way the persons brain is??? how about you read stories on how many lives billie eilish has saved and how she uses her audience to HELP reach out about getting through mental illnesses and how she wants her fans to seek help and how she is trying to bring light to the subject of mental illnesses and let’s people know they aren’t alone through this. i myself have struggled with mental illnesses for the past 4 years (i am 16) and have found help through music, especially billies because it helps me to know that i’m not alone in this. i’m not the only one who has felt like this. i can get through this. and her ‘When the Party’s Over’ music video isn’t a psych room, she never said what the meaning of the video is because she wants the audience to give it their own meaning, to help them relate to the music and give them a way to express what they feel because they can’t do bf the right got words. and how exactly has she started a trend that self harm and depression are the ‘new norm’?
Kaylamc • Feb 1, 2022 at 1:36 am
Billie Eilish is NOT a bad influencer. I for one think that people should give her a break. I listen to her every day and I’m not depressed.