Grammy winning alternative pop star Billie Eilish recently revealed that her song “Goldwing” from her sophomore album “Happier Than Ever” was in part inspired by fellow Grammy winner Olivia Rodrigo.
In a new interview with the Los Angeles Times, Eilish recalled feeling a sense of protectiveness over Rodrigo, after experiencing the mounting pressures of fame and the patriarchy at a young age. The singer famously wore oversized clothes throughout her early career in response to the sexualization of minors online.
The singer is a fan of Rodrigo’s music, and used “Goldwing” as a way to send a warning sign to Rodrigo regarding the harsh critics and internet harassment that often follows young women stars on the rise.
“‘Drivers License’? I think everybody’s experiences are so individual,” Eilish said. “Nobody has had anybody else’s life, you know? But I do feel a protectiveness over Olivia. I have a song called ‘Goldwing’ from my last album that’s kind of about her. I’ve never said that to anyone. It’s not only about her. I was just thinking about her when I was writing it. She was coming up, and she was younger than me, and nobody had ever been younger than me.”
Social Media Reactions
Many feel that the song, now with the added context, fits perfectly with the girlhood and female friendships Eilish mentioned she craves. The conversation was brought about by the singer’s smash hit “What Was I Made For?”, which featured in Greta Gerwig’s acclaimed “Barbie” this summer. The song sparked a phenomenon on TikTok in which women would share montages of them and their loved ones experiencing pivotal moments in life.
Eilish was honored that her song inspired such a positive trend, and that it encouraged her to continue to forge female relationships in her own life.
“I’ve never really felt like I could relate to girls very well,” said Eilish. I love them so much. I love them as people. I’m attracted to them as people. I’m attracted to them for real…. I have deep connections with women in my life, the friends in my life, the family in my life. I’m physically attracted to them. But I’m also so intimidated by them and their beauty and their presence.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Fans of both Rodrigo and Eilish were happy to learn of the pair’s recent friendship.
She is a girl’s girl ❤️
— BOBBEY (@CalIMeDon) November 15, 2023
Others hope for a collaboration between the two.
a song together would be such a hit! pic.twitter.com/BotRYJHDPK
— that girl. (@prettygirlxclub) November 15, 2023
Many reflected on the power of the song’s lyrics.
Such hard hitting lyrics
— SouthpawTodd (@850elitefitness) November 15, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Rodrigo is yet to respond to Eilish’s praise for her sophomore album “GUTS” or her claim that she inspired “Goldwing.”
