"What Was I Made For?"
Cover art for "What Was I Made For?": a side-view photo of Billie Eilish in a yellow shirt and with a Barbie-inspired ponytail
Single by Billie Eilish
from the album Barbie the Album
WrittenJanuary 2023[note 1]
ReleasedJuly 13, 2023 (2023-07-13)
Recorded2023
GenrePop[2]
Length3:42
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Billie Eilish singles chronology
"Hotline (Edit)"
(2023)		 "What Was I Made For?"
(2023)
Barbie singles chronology
"Speed Drive"
(2023)		 "What Was I Made For?"
(2023)		 "Choose Your Fighter"
(2023)
Music video
"What Was I Made For?" on YouTube

"What Was I Made For?" is a song by American singer Billie Eilish. It was released through Atlantic, Darkroom, and Interscope Records on July 13, 2023, as the fourth single from the soundtrack to the 2023 fantasy comedy film Barbie. "What Was I Made For?" was commercially successful worldwide and reached number-one in Australia, Ireland, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. The song was a moderate success in the United States, peaking at 14 on the Billboard Hot 100. It received five nominations at the upcoming 66th Annual Grammy Awards, including for Record of the Year and Song of the Year.

Background and release

In an interview with Time in early July 2023, Mark Ronson, who served as the music producer of Barbie the Album, announced that there are more surprise guests on the soundtrack than had yet been revealed at that time, describing the artist as having a "very personal, idiosyncratic tie to Barbie". However, he skipped the question if Eilish was going to be one of the two.[3] Eilish previously sparked speculations about a possible appearance when she posted a picture of a Barbie neon sign on her Instagram on June 27.[4]

On July 6, 2023, Eilish announced the single on her social media.[5] In an accompanying announcement, she said that the song "means the absolute" world to her.[6] The singer hoped that the track would "change lives" and told her fans to "get ready to sob".[7] A snippet of the single appeared in a trailer for the film on July 10, 2023.[8] Eilish also teased the single and music video on Twitter on July 12.[9] The song was released the following day on July 13.[10]

Production

For the song, Eilish again teamed up with her brother and long-time collaborator Finneas O'Connell.[11] The songwriting process began with director Greta Gerwig showing Eilish and O'Connell a rough cut of the film at Warner Bros. Studios. In an interview with Billboard, Eilish stated that the single was the first song that she and O'Connell had written after a prolonged writer's block.[12]

I did not think about myself once in the writing process. I was purely inspired by this movie and this character and the way I thought she would feel, and wrote about that. And then, over the next couple days, I was listening and I was like, girl, how did this … honestly, and I really don’t mean this to come off a conceited way at all, but I do this thing where I make stuff that I don’t even know is … like I'm writing for myself and I don't even know it.

— Billie Eilish, on the songwriting process for "What Was I Made For?"[12]

Music video

The music video for "What Was I Made For?" was released alongside the single on July 13, 2023.[13] The video, directed by Eilish herself, was shot in entirely one take, and portrays Eilish in a yellow dress (the color Stereotypical Barbie wears at the end of the 2023 Barbie film) and a blonde wig styled with bangs and a high ponytail similar to the hairstyle of the original 1959 Barbie. Eilish sits at a school desk in an empty, monochromatic space. From a Barbie-themed case, she removes and examines doll clothing resembling outfits Eilish has worn publicly in the past, which she organizes on a miniature hanging rack. As the song progresses, a brief earthquake, a strong wind, and rain threaten to disrupt her efforts. When the rain ends, Eilish quickly stuffs the doll clothes back into their case and walks away, taking the doll case with her. Shortly after the song's ending, Eilish returns briefly to collect a forgotten accessory before exiting once more.

In W, Matthew Velasco interpreted the music video as Eilish's "way of telling us she’s done with her signature baggy look" and that "this feels like the beginning of a new era for Eilish".[14]

Critical reception

Writing for Stereogum, Tom Breihan noted metaphors in the lyrics that parallels Barbie's plot and compared the song to "Happier Than Ever", but lamented that "It seems like it’s building to a grand, cathartic finale, but that finale never arrives".[10] Jon Mendelsohn of American Songwriter called the chorus "melancholy yet hopeful".[15] Walden Green of The Fader saw the song as a "sly commentary on pop stars 'created' for the profit of record labels".[16]

Accolades

Awards and nominations for "What Was I Made For?"
Year Organization Category Result Ref.
2023 Billboard Music Awards Favorite Movie Song Pending [17]
Hollywood Music in Media Awards Best Original Song in a Feature Film Won [18]
MTV Video Music Awards Song of Summer Nominated [19]
RTHK International Pop Poll Awards Top Ten International Gold Songs Pending [20]
Variety's Hitmakers Film Song of the Year Won [21]
2024 Grammy Awards Record of the Year Pending [22]
Song of the Year Pending
Best Pop Solo Performance Pending
Best Song Written for Visual Media Pending
Best Music Video Pending

Year-end lists

Select year-end rankings of "What Was I Made For?"
Publication List Rank Ref.
Rolling Stone The 100 Best Songs of 2023
9

Personnel

All credits are adapted from CD liner notes of Barbie the Album.[24]

  • Billie Eilish O'Connell – songwriter, vocal production, engineering, vocals, synths
  • Finneas O'Connell – songwriter, producer, engineering, piano, synths, electric bass, percussion, vocal arrangement
  • Mark Ronson – additional production, orchestral arrangement
  • Andrew Wyatt – additional production, orchestral arrangement
  • Rob Kinelski – mixing
  • Eli Heisler – assistant mixing

Charts

Certifications

Certifications for "What Was I Made For?"
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[79] Gold 40,000‡
France (SNEP)[80] Gold 100,000‡
Italy (FIMI)[81] Gold 50,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[82] Platinum 30,000‡
Poland (ZPAV)[83] Gold 25,000‡
Portugal (AFP)[84] Platinum 10,000‡
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[85] Gold 10,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[86] Gold 400,000‡
Streaming
Greece (IFPI Greece)[87] Gold 1,000,000†

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
† Streaming-only figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release dates and formats for "What Was I Made For?"
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
Various July 13, 2023
[88]
Italy July 17, 2023 Radio airplay Universal [89]
United States August 1, 2023 Contemporary hit radio
  • Darkroom
  • Interscope
 [90]
United Kingdom August 17, 2023 Cassette [91]
United States November 11, 2023 7" vinyl
  • Darkroom
  • Interscope
 [92]

Notes

  1. ↑ For Apple Music, Eilish said that she started writing the song with Finneas on January 17, 2023, and finished it in next few days.[1]

References

  1. ↑ "Billie Eilish: 'What Was I Made For?', Barbie & Songwriting". Apple Music. July 13, 2023. Retrieved November 19, 2023 – via YouTube.
  2. ↑ "Billie Eilish 'What Was I Made For?' Sheet Music". FreshSheetMusic.com. Archived from the original on August 20, 2023. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
  3. ↑ Mendez II, Moises (July 6, 2023). "Inside the Making of the Barbie Soundtrack". Time. Archived from the original on July 27, 2023. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  4. ↑ Christ, Kelly (June 29, 2023). "Did Billie Eilish confirm that she was in the Barbie movie soundtrack?". Tag24. Archived from the original on July 6, 2023. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  5. ↑ Major, Michael (July 6, 2023). "Billie Eilish to Drop BARBIE Movie Soundtrack Song Next Week". BroadwayWorld. Archived from the original on July 6, 2023. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  6. ↑ Denis, Kyle (July 6, 2023). "Billie Eilish Announces Her New Song 'What Was I Made For' on 'Barbie' Soundtrack: 'Get Ready to Sob'". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 8, 2023. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  7. ↑ Aswad, Jem (July 6, 2023). "Billie Eilish to Release Song for 'Barbie' Soundtrack, 'What Was I Made For?'". Variety. Archived from the original on July 6, 2023. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  8. ↑ @billieeilish (July 10, 2023). "Billie's upcoming song, "What Was I Made For?" featured in the new Barbie movie trailer" (Tweet). Archived from the original on November 27, 2023. Retrieved July 11, 2023 – via Twitter.
  9. ↑ @billieeilish (July 12, 2023). "Tomorrow. youtu.be/cW8VLC9nnTo pic.twitter.com/wNfer2UwUe" (Tweet). Archived from the original on November 27, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023 – via Twitter.
  10. 1 2 "Billie Eilish Shares 'Barbie' Soundtrack Single "What Was I Made For?": Listen". Stereogum. July 13, 2023. Archived from the original on July 13, 2023. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
  11. ↑ Golsen, Tyler (July 6, 2023). "Billie Eilish to release new song on the 'Barbie' soundtrack". Far Out. Archived from the original on July 6, 2023. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  12. 1 2 Dailey, Hannah (July 13, 2023). "Billie Eilish Says Writing for 'Barbie' Soundtrack Pulled Her Out of Self-Doubt". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 14, 2023. Retrieved July 14, 2023.
  13. ↑ Wasilak, Sarah (July 13, 2023). "Billie Eilish Transforms Into a '50s Barbie Doll in a Flirty Yellow Dress and Heels". POPSUGAR Fashion. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
  14. ↑ "Billie Eilish Recreates Her Most Famous Looks (In Barbie Size) For New Music Video". W Magazine. July 13, 2023. Archived from the original on July 13, 2023. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
  15. ↑ Mendelsohn, Jon (July 13, 2023). "Billie Eilish Releases New Barbie Single, "What Was I Made For?"". American Songwriter. Archived from the original on July 13, 2023. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
  16. ↑ ""What Was I Made For?" is Billie Eilish's take on the Barbie mythos". The Fader. Archived from the original on July 13, 2023. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
  17. ↑ Cook, Alexis (November 17, 2023). "2023 Billboard Fan-Voted Favorites". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  18. ↑ "2023 HMMA Nominations". Hollywood Music In Media Awards. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
  19. ↑ Brathwaite, Lester Fabian (September 1, 2023). "Renaissance vs. Eras: Beyoncé and Taylor Swift to duke it out over Show of the Summer at MTV VMAs". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on September 1, 2023. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  20. ↑ "香港電台網站: 第三十四屆國際流行音樂大獎 RTHK 34th International Pop Poll Awards". app7.rthk.hk. November 16, 2023. Archived from the original on November 16, 2023. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  21. ↑ Zee, Michaela (November 6, 2023). "SZA Named Variety's 2023 Hitmaker of the Year; Olivia Rodrigo, Metro Boomin and boygenius Among Honorees". Variety. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  22. ↑ Willman, Chris (November 10, 2023). "2024 Grammys Nominations Full List: SZA Leads With 9 Noms, Phoebe Bridgers Follows With 7". Variety. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  23. ↑ Stone, Rolling (December 1, 2023). "The 100 Best Songs of 2023". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  24. ↑ Various artists (2023). Barbie The Album (Media notes). Atlantic Records.
  25. ↑ "Billie Eilish – What Was I Made For?". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  26. ↑ "Billie Eilish – What Was I Made For?" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  27. ↑ "Billie Eilish – What Was I Made For?" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  28. ↑ "Billie Eilish – What Was I Made For?" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  29. ↑ "Billie Eilish Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  30. ↑ "Billie Eilish Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  31. ↑ "Billie Eilish Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
  32. ↑ "ARC 100 - date: 4. September 2023" (PDF). HRT. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 7, 2023. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
  33. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – SINGLES DIGITAL – TOP 100 and insert 202332 into search. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
  34. ↑ "Track Top-40 Uge 32, 2023". Hitlisten. Archived from the original on August 15, 2023. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  35. ↑ "Bille Eilish: What Was I Made For?" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
  36. ↑ "Top Singles (Week 32, 2023)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Archived from the original on August 14, 2023. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
  37. ↑ "Billie Eilish – What Was I Made For?" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
  38. ↑ "Billie Eilish Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  39. ↑ "Official IFPI Charts — Digital Singles Chart (International) — Εβδομάδα: 30/2023" (in Greek). IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on August 2, 2023. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
  40. ↑ "Billie Eilish Chart History (Hong Kong Songs)". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 15, 2023. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  41. ↑ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  42. ↑ "Tónlistinn – Lög" [The Music – Songs] (in Icelandic). Plötutíðindi. Archived from the original on September 9, 2023. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  43. ↑ "Billie Eilish Chart History (Indonesia Songs)". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 29, 2023. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  44. ↑ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  45. ↑ "Top Singoli – Classifica settimanale WK 32" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Archived from the original on March 18, 2020. Retrieved August 12, 2023.
  46. ↑ "Billboard Japan Hot Overseas – Week of July 26, 2023". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Archived from the original on July 26, 2023. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  47. ↑ "EHR TOP 40 - 2022.07.28". European Hit Radio. Archived from the original on July 28, 2023. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  48. ↑ "Mūzikas Patēriņa Tops/ 30. nedēļa" (in English and Latvian). LAIPA. July 31, 2023. Archived from the original on August 1, 2023. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
  49. ↑ "2023 32-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. August 11, 2023. Archived from the original on August 11, 2023. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
  50. ↑ "Billie Eilish Chart History (Luxembourg Songs)". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 11, 2023. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  51. ↑ "Billie Eilish Chart History (Malaysia Songs)". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 25, 2023. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  52. ↑ "TOP 20 Most Streamed International Singles In Malaysia Week 32 (04/08/2023-10/08/2023)". RIM. August 19, 2023. Archived from the original on August 19, 2023. Retrieved August 20, 2023 – via Facebook.
  53. ↑ "The Official Mena Chart — This Week's Official MENA Chart Top 20 from 18/08/2023 to 24/08/2023". theofficialmenachart.com. International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original on August 30, 2023. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  54. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 34, 2023" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  55. ↑ "Billie Eilish – What Was I Made For?" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved August 12, 2023.
  56. ↑ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. July 31, 2023. Archived from the original on July 28, 2023. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  57. ↑ "Singel 2023 uke 32". VG-lista. Archived from the original on August 11, 2023. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
  58. ↑ "Billie Eilish Chart History (Philippines Songs)". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 15, 2022. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  59. ↑ "OLiS – oficjalna lista sprzedaży – single w streamie" (Select week 21.07.2023–27.07.2023.) (in Polish). OLiS. Archived from the original on February 2, 2023. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  60. ↑ "Billie Eilish – What Was I Made For?". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
  61. ↑ "RIAS Top Charts Week 31 (28 Jul - 3 Aug 2023)". RIAS. Archived from the original on August 8, 2023. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  62. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 202332 into search. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
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  64. ↑ "BGM Chart – Week 28 of 2023". Circle Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 20, 2023. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  65. ↑ "Download Chart – Week 28 of 2023". Circle Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 20, 2023. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
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  67. ↑ "Veckolista Singlar, vecka 32". Sverigetopplistan. Archived from the original on August 11, 2023. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
  68. ↑ "Billie Eilish – What Was I Made For?". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
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  70. ↑ "Billie Eilish Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  71. ↑ "Billie Eilish Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  72. ↑ "Billie Eilish Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
  73. ↑ "Billie Eilish Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  74. ↑ "Billie Eilish Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  75. ↑ "Billie Eilish Chart History (Billboard Vietnam Hot 100)". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 6, 2022. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  76. ↑ "Canadian Hot 100 – Year-End 2023". Billboard. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  77. ↑ "Billboard Global 200 – Year-End 2023". Billboard. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  78. ↑ "Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 2023". Billboard. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  79. ↑ "Canadian single certifications – Billie Eilish – What Was I Made For?". Music Canada. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
  80. ↑ "French single certifications – Billie Eilish – What Was I Made For" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  81. ↑ "Italian single certifications – Billie Eilish – What Was I Made For?" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  82. ↑ "New Zealand single certifications – Billie Eilish – What Was I Made For?". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  83. ↑ "OLiS - oficjalna lista wyróżnień" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved October 27, 2023. Click "TYTUŁ" and enter What Was I Made For? in the search box.
  84. ↑ "Portuguese single certifications – Billie Eilish – What Was I Made For?" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  85. ↑ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards (Eilish)". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
  86. ↑ "British single certifications – Billie Eilish – What Was I Made For". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  87. ↑ "IFPI Charts – Digital Singles Chart (International) – Εβδομάδα: 41/2023" (in Greek). IFPI Greece. Retrieved October 21, 2023.
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