8

The song "8" is a poignant exploration of unrequited love and emotional disconnect from a unique perspective. Billie Eilish has stated that she wrote the song from the point of view of someone she herself had hurt. This flips the typical heartbreak narrative, as Eilish embodies the voice of the wronged party, empathizing with their pain. The lyrics convey a deep sense of frustration and sadness felt by someone who has fully committed to a relationship ('I came committed, guess I overdid it') only to be met with emotional ambiguity and indifference. The central theme revolves around the feeling of being invisible or 'see-through' to a partner who remains emotionally unreadable. The repeated, desperate question, 'Do you even feel anything?' captures the core agony of loving someone who seems incapable of returning or even acknowledging affection, leaving the speaker feeling powerless and insignificant.

The narrative begins with a plea for attention, a request to be heard even when the other person clearly doesn't care. The speaker recounts their total commitment to a relationship, a dedication so profound they 'wore my heart out on a chain around my neck,' only to find it's now missing. This imagery suggests a vulnerability that was perhaps taken for granted or lost within the dynamic. The recurring, whimsical 'da-da-da' refrain acts as a stark, almost numb, contrast to the emotional weight of the verses, highlighting a sense of detachment or childlike resignation.

The central conflict emerges in the chorus, where the speaker resolves to leave. This decision stems from a place of confusion and frustration, an inability to understand or please their partner. They feel invisible, as if their partner is 'lookin' at me like I'm see-through.' The core of their pain is the partner's emotional opacity; the speaker 'just never know[s] how you feel,' which culminates in the desperate, haunting question: 'Do you even feel anything?' This question underscores a deep sense of loneliness and the agony of being in a one-sided emotional connection.

The second verse introduces a layer of tragic irony. The partner had once asked not to be treated badly, a request delivered with such sadness that the speaker tried their best to comply. However, the speaker is blindsided when this same person leaves them 'gladly.' This reveals a painful hypocrisy and a lack of reciprocity in the relationship. The speaker acknowledges that their partner isn't sorry and questions why they should be. It's a moment of painful self-realization, a recognition of their own perceived insignificance in the dynamic: ''Cause who am I to be in love when your love never is for me?' This rhetorical question is a final surrender to the reality of the situation, a heartbreaking admission that their love was never returned and perhaps never had a chance. The song circles back to the decision to go, reinforcing the feeling of being unseen and the fundamental emotional chasm between the two individuals.

"8" is the eighth track on Billie Eilish's debut studio album, WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO?, released in 2019. The song was written by Eilish and produced by her brother, Finneas O'Connell, in his bedroom studio at their parents' home, where the entire album was created. The track was originally an unreleased song titled "See Through," a phrase that appears in the chorus. Eilish confirmed this by liking a fan's post on Instagram about the connection. Finneas revealed that the original version was a slower, ukulele-based song. To give it a 'kooky feeling,' he sped up the entire track, including the ukulele and Eilish's vocals, by 20 BPM. This pitch-shifting technique is what gives the vocals their distinct, childlike quality. Eilish has explained the song's concept is unique within her discography; she wrote it from the perspective of someone she had hurt, as a way to process her actions by putting herself in their place.

The rhyme scheme in "8" is relatively simple and direct, contributing to its folk-like, narrative quality. The first verse follows an AABCBDD pattern ('finish'/'listen', 'overdid it'/'committed', 'chain'/'missin''). This straightforward structure makes the lyrics feel like earnest, unprocessed thoughts. The rhythm is driven by the consistent, slightly upbeat strumming of the ukulele, which contrasts with the song's melancholic theme. This juxtaposition between the rhythm and the lyrical content is a hallmark of the song's unsettling charm. The vocal melody often follows a simple, descending contour, particularly in the chorus, which enhances the feeling of resignation and sadness. The lyrical rhythm is conversational and fits naturally within the song's structure, making the emotional plea feel authentic and immediate.

"8" is notable for its unique combination of musical and literary techniques. Musically, the song's foundation is a simple, lullaby-like ukulele melody, which creates a deceptive sense of innocence. The most striking stylistic choice is the significant pitch-shifting of Eilish's vocals to a higher, childlike register. This vocal manipulation, combined with the sped-up tempo of the entire track, creates an uncanny, 'kooky' atmosphere that contrasts sharply with the mature pain of the lyrics. This creates a narrative voice that sounds young and vulnerable, amplifying the sense of helplessness. Lyrically, Eilish employs a direct, conversational narrative voice ('Wait a minute, let me finish'). The use of rhetorical questions ('Do you even feel anything?', 'Why should you be?') serves to highlight the speaker's internal turmoil and the one-sided nature of the conversation she's having, directed at someone who is emotionally absent.

As a track on the critically and commercially successful album WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO?, "8" contributed to the overall narrative and aesthetic that solidified Billie Eilish's status as a global pop phenomenon. The album won multiple Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year, and established Eilish as a defining voice for Generation Z. While not released as a single, "8" is often highlighted by fans and critics for its unique production, particularly the pitched-up vocals and ukulele base, which distinguishes it from other tracks on the album. It showcases the experimental, genre-defying 'bedroom pop' style she and her brother Finneas pioneered. The song's raw and honest depiction of emotional vulnerability resonated with her young fanbase, reinforcing her reputation for authentic and relatable songwriting. Its lyrical perspective—written from the viewpoint of someone she hurt—was also noted as a mark of her creative and empathetic depth as a songwriter.

The most prominent metaphor in "8" is found in the line, 'Wore my heart out on a chain / Around my neck, but now it's missin'.' This imagery vividly symbolizes the singer's vulnerability and open commitment. The heart, representing love and emotion, is not just offered but worn externally, like a piece of jewelry, signifying a proud and visible declaration of her feelings. Its subsequent disappearance suggests that this open-heartedness was not protected or valued, and was ultimately lost or taken away within the relationship. Another key piece of imagery is being looked at 'like I'm see-through.' This isn't just about being ignored, but about being rendered completely insignificant, as if the other person's gaze passes straight through, denying the speaker's substance and presence. The title "8" itself is symbolic; while it corresponds to its track number on the album, fans have noted its connection to the infinity symbol (∞) when turned on its side, perhaps ironically hinting at a love that the singer wished would be endless but was painfully finite.

The most significant recurring lyrical motif in "8" is the question, 'Do you even feel anything?' This phrase appears at the end of the chorus and the outro, acting as the song's emotional thesis. Its repetition underscores the speaker's desperation and central conflict: the inability to comprehend her partner's emotional state. It's a haunting plea for any sign of feeling, even a negative one. The chorus itself—'So I think I better go / I never really know how to please you / You're lookin' at me like I'm see-through'—is another recurring element that solidifies the theme of invisibility and the painful decision to leave a relationship devoid of emotional validation. Musically, the simple, repeated 'Da-da-da-da-da-da' refrain acts as a recurring motif, a childlike hum that serves as a bridge between the emotionally heavy verses, perhaps signifying a retreat into a state of numb resignation.