Last week, Billie Eilish released new single ‘Your Power’, a haunting ballad about abuses of power, lifted from the singer-songwriter’s forthcoming second album Happier Than Ever.
Over the weekend, the pop superstar opened up in an incredible cover feature interview with British Vogue, where she discussed – among other things – abuse, taking control of her identity, and the new single, which she described as “an open letter to people who take advantage – mostly men.”
“I wanted to say that it doesn’t matter who you are, what your life is, your situation, who you surround yourself with, how strong you are, how smart you are, you can always be taken advantage of,” Eilish explains during the interview.
“That’s a big problem in the world of domestic abuse or statutory rape – girls that were very confident and strong-willed finding themselves in situations where they’re like, ‘Oh my god, I’m the victim here?’ And it’s so embarrassing and humiliating and demoralising to be in that position of thinking you know so much and then you realise, I’m being abused right now.”
“I don’t know one girl or woman who hasn’t had a weird experience, or a really bad experience. And men, too – young boys are taken advantage of constantly.”
Eilish went on to shut down any suggestion that her comments and recent single in any way conflicted with her Vogue cover shoot, saying, “‘You’re going to complain about being taken advantage of as a minor, but then you’re going to show your boobs?’ Yes I am, motherfucker! I’m going to because there’s no excuse.”
She also discussed breaking free from the harmful, misogynist narratives that prevent women from taking control over their own bodies – referencing the way Eilish was positioned early in her career against “more scantily dressed pop girls.”
“Suddenly you’re a hypocrite if you want to show your skin, and you’re easy and you’re a slut and you’re a whore. If I am, then I’m proud. Me and all the girls are hoes, and fuck it, y’know? Let’s turn it around and be empowered in that. Showing your body and showing your skin – or not – should not take any respect away from you.”
Elsewhere in the interview, Eilish discussed her creative development since releasing her debut album, 2019’s When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?
“I’ve grown so much and gotten so much better in my voice, it’s crazy to think about,” she said. “I think change is one of the best gifts in the world.”
Eilish officially announced her new album last week, after billboards teasing the album popped up around the globe. It’s set for release on Friday, 30th July, and will also include last year’s singles ‘My Future’ and ‘Therefore I Am’.
Watch the music video for ‘Your Power’ below.
