lovely (with Khalid)

"lovely" is a poignant and melancholic exploration of depression and mental health struggles. The song delves into the feeling of being trapped within one's own mind, a 'mind prison' from which escape seems impossible. The collaboration between Billie Eilish and Khalid creates a narrative of two individuals finding a strange solace in their shared suffering. The title itself is ironic; Eilish explained they called it "lovely" because the song's content is so "freaking depressing," using the word sarcastically to describe accepting a horrible situation as if it were great. The lyrics articulate a cycle of finding what seems to be a way out, only to be pulled back in, leading to a grim resignation. Themes of loneliness, fragility ("Heart made of glass"), and emotional numbness ("my mind of stone") are central to the song's message, portraying a complex internal battle between vulnerability and the need for self-preservation. Ultimately, while the song is steeped in sadness, a glimmer of hope persists in the lyrics "But I know someday I'll make it out of here," suggesting a deep-seated resilience and the belief in eventual recovery, even if it feels distant.

The song unfolds as a poignant dialogue of shared entrapment and a glimmer of hope from within a state of deep despair. It begins with the acknowledgment of a failed escape. The narrator, joined by a companion, thought they had discovered a way out of their oppressive situation, but the suffocating presence—be it a person, a feeling, or depression itself—is inescapable. This realization forces a resignation; if escape is impossible, they must now reside within this difficult space. There is a palpable sense of longing for freedom expressed in the pre-chorus. A desperate hope surfaces, a wish to one day break free, even if it takes an entire lifetime. The search for a sanctuary, a place to hide from their fear, proves fruitless, amplifying their vulnerability. The desire to feel truly alive is a powerful, yet seemingly unattainable goal, as the fear that paralyzes them cannot be confronted from their current confinement.

The chorus introduces a stark, ironic twist. The phrase "Isn't it lovely, all alone?" is a sarcastic commentary on their isolation. They have found a strange, bleak comfort in their shared misery. The imagery of a "heart made of glass" speaks to their extreme emotional fragility and vulnerability, easily shattered. In contrast, a "mind of stone" suggests a forced hardening, a defense mechanism built to endure the relentless emotional onslaught, perhaps to the point of numbness. The plea, "Tear me to pieces, skin to bone," is a surrender, an acceptance of their deconstruction within this mental prison. The phrase "Hello, welcome home" marks a final, grim acceptance of this state of suffering as their new reality.

The second verse deepens the sense of being lost and disoriented. The narrator is "walking out of time," suggesting a disconnect from the normal flow of life, aimlessly "lookin' for a better place." This search is internal, as their mind is perpetually occupied by an unnamed, persistent thought or worry that dominates their "headspace." Despite this cyclical and disorienting state, the pre-chorus returns with a subtle but significant shift in perspective. The earlier "Oh, I hope someday" evolves into "But I know someday." This change signifies a move from a passive, distant hope to a more concrete, internal belief in eventual escape. The knowledge that they will get out, no matter how long it takes, provides a sliver of resilience amidst the darkness. The fear and the inability to find a hiding place remain, but the seed of determined belief has been planted. The song concludes by echoing the haunting welcome to this bleak "home," leaving the listener with the powerful duality of confinement and the nascent promise of future liberation.

"lovely" was written by Billie Eilish, her brother Finneas O'Connell, and Khalid Robinson. The production was handled entirely by Finneas. The collaboration came about organically from a friendship that began on Twitter. Eilish explained that the creation process was very casual and not a forced studio session aimed at creating a hit. She stated, "He just came over and we hung out. Me and my brother hung out with Khalid in our house and it was literally this is us hanging out as friends and we ended up writing a song." This relaxed environment fostered an intimate and honest piece of work. The song was released on April 19, 2018, as the lead single for the soundtrack of the second season of the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why. It was later also included on the expanded edition of Eilish's debut EP, Don't Smile at Me.

The song's structure relies on a simple, effective rhyme scheme and a deliberate rhythm that enhances its melancholic tone. The verses tend to follow an AABB rhyme scheme (way/away, now/stay), providing a sense of confinement and cyclical thinking. The chorus uses an AABB rhyme scheme as well (alone/stone, bone/home), which gives the central theme a memorable, almost nursery-rhyme-like quality, creating a stark contrast with the dark subject matter. The rhythm is slow and steady, with a 4/4 time signature. The hypnotic, repetitive piano melody line contributes to a feeling of being stuck in a loop, mirroring the lyrical themes of being trapped in a cycle of depression. The vocal delivery from both Eilish and Khalid is measured and melancholic, often with one echoing the other, which creates a rhythmic interplay that underscores their shared experience and isolation. The pre-chorus builds slight rhythmic tension before resolving back into the somber, steady pace of the chorus.

"lovely" employs a combination of musical and literary techniques to create its haunting and emotional atmosphere.

• Musical Techniques: The song is a chamber pop ballad characterized by its minimalist production. It features a sparse arrangement led by a simple, repeating piano progression (C, Em, Bm) and mournful, wailing violin strings, which enhance the melancholic mood. The texture is polyphonic, with the intertwined vocal melodies of Eilish and Khalid creating a sense of dialogue and shared experience. Eilish's vocals are described as wispy and "smoky," while Khalid's provide a warm, rich counterpoint, creating a unique and layered harmony. The tempo is slow, around 115 BPM, contributing to the somber feel.
• Literary Techniques: The song's primary literary device is irony, particularly in the title "lovely" and the recurring line "Isn't it lovely, all alone?", which are used sarcastically to highlight the deep sadness of the situation. Personification is used when addressing depression as a "you" that "never go[es] away." The song uses powerful metaphors like the "heart made of glass" and "mind of stone" to convey complex emotional states. The narrative voice is one of first-person intimacy, making the emotional struggle feel direct and personal to the listener.

"lovely" achieved significant cultural influence and critical acclaim upon its release. It was prominently featured as the lead single for the soundtrack of the second season of the popular Netflix series 13 Reasons Why, which exposed the song to a massive global audience and tied its themes of mental struggle directly to the show's narrative. The song was a commercial success, charting on the Billboard Hot 100 and reaching the top 40 in many countries. It has received numerous certifications, including being certified 12x platinum in Australia, and has amassed billions of streams on platforms like Spotify, demonstrating its enduring popularity. The music video, with its powerful visual metaphor of being trapped in a glass box, became iconic and widely discussed. The song is often cited as a key track in both Eilish's and Khalid's discographies, praised for its raw emotional honesty, mature songwriting, and the seamless blending of their distinct vocal styles. It solidified Eilish's burgeoning reputation as an artist who could tackle dark, introspective themes with a unique artistic vision.

The lyrics and accompanying music video for "lovely" are rich with symbolism and metaphors that illustrate the theme of mental struggle.

• The Glass Box: The most prominent metaphor, visualized in the music video, is the glass box in which Eilish and Khalid are trapped. This represents the feeling of being confined by one's own depression and sadness, isolated yet visible to the outside world. The box shrinking and growing symbolizes the fluctuating intensity of these emotions.
• "Heart made of glass, my mind of stone": This juxtaposition is a powerful metaphor for the internal conflict of depression. The "heart of glass" signifies extreme emotional vulnerability and fragility. Conversely, the "mind of stone" represents a defense mechanism—becoming hardened, numb, or 'stone-cold' to cope with overwhelming pain.
• Rain and Ice: In the music video, a single cloud rains inside the box, which eventually turns to ice, freezing the walls. This symbolizes the sorrow and despair that can escalate until they create a cold, paralyzing environment, further trapping the individuals within their emotional state.
• "Hello, welcome home": This recurring line is a metaphor for the grim acceptance of one's mental prison. It signifies a point where the struggle has become so constant that the state of sadness and isolation begins to feel like a permanent residence.

"lovely" is built around several recurring motifs and phrases that anchor its themes of entrapment and reluctant acceptance.

• "Isn't it lovely, all alone?": This is the song's central, ironic hook. Repeated in the chorus, this phrase subverts the positive connotation of "lovely" to express a deep-seated pain and sarcasm about being isolated. It's a rhetorical question that highlights the grim reality of their shared solitude.
• "Heart made of glass, my mind of stone": This line is a crucial lyrical motif that reappears in the chorus. Its repetition emphasizes the core internal conflict of being emotionally fragile while simultaneously building a hard, protective mental shell to survive.
• "Hello, welcome home": This phrase concludes the chorus and the song itself. Its recurrence signifies a final, dark acceptance of their mental state as their new reality. It's a motif of resignation, transforming the abstract feeling of depression into a tangible, albeit unwelcome, place.
• Musical Motif: The sparse piano and violin melody that opens the song serves as a primary musical motif. It reappears throughout, instantly establishing the track's somber, introspective, and cinematic atmosphere. This instrumental theme is as recognizable as the lyrical hooks and is fundamental to the song's emotional identity.