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TV (song)

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"TV"
Song by Billie Eilish
from the EP Guitar Songs
Written2022
ReleasedJuly 21, 2022
Length4:41
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Finneas
Lyric video
"TV" on YouTube

"TV" is a song by American singer-songwriter Billie Eilish. It is one of two tracks from her second extended play (EP), Guitar Songs, released on July 21, 2022. Eilish first revealed the song via a Manchester live performance in June 2022, as part of a world tour in support of Happier Than Ever (2021), her second studio album. Eilish wrote the song with the producer, Finneas O'Connell, while on tour. Initially planning it for her subsequent album, she decided against the idea, partly out of a desire to spread its message as soon as possible.

The studio version of the song features a sample of crowd noises from the tour performance. In "TV", a ballad about abandonment that combines soft vocals with an acoustic guitar, Eilish laments the public's fixation on the defamation trial between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard. She questions what she perceives as their lack of concern about the overturning of Roe v. Wade, which she contrasts with the defamation trial, and the future of US abortion rights. The song received praise from critics for its sociopolitical, self-reflective lyrics, while reaching the top 40 of singles charts in over 10 countries.

Background

Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell, holding their acoustic guitars
Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell embarked on Happier Than Ever, The World Tour and debuted "TV" amid live performances in the UK.

After writing "The 30th" on December 30, 2021,[note 1] Billie Eilish embarked on a world tour in support of her second studio album Happier Than Ever (2021), which began on February 3, 2022.[2] While on tour, she allocated a certain period of time in her schedule for songwriting, during which she was busy writing "TV". She wrote the song with her brother, Finneas O'Connell, who handled its production.[3][4]

Songwriting for "TV" was concurrent with the US Supreme Court's discussion around the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization case.[5] The writing process took months: while the two were quick to finish the first verse, they penned the remaining lyrics only after a draft of the court decision was leaked online, in May 2022. The leaked draft suggested plans to overturn Roe v. Wade, a landmark case which had made abortion a constitutional right in the country.[1][6] Eilish, known for her history with political activism,[7] was saddened by the leak, and she felt like her rights as a woman were getting stripped away from her.[8] Weeks after she and Finneas were done with the songwriting, the Supreme Court decided to overturn Roe v. Wade. Eilish bemoaned the decision, speaking about writing "TV" in hindsight: "It was a placeholder of doom."[9]

Eilish appeared as a guest for the final episode of The Ellen DeGeneres Show on May 26, 2022. During a conversation with host Ellen DeGeneres, she revealed that the idea of a third studio album was already in her mind.[10] 12 days later, during the tour's Manchester concert, Eilish debuted "TV" via a live performance with Finneas, who provided acoustic guitar instrumentation.[11][12] This marked the first time since around 2017 that Eilish gave a preview of an unreleased song.[13] Thinking that a live performance would allow her to express vulnerability, she got the idea after seeing Harry Styles do the same with "Boyfriends" at the music festival Coachella.[5] "TV" became a fan favorite[14]—its studio version includes a sample of a cheering crowd from the tour performance.[15]

Music and lyrics

Women are losing rights for their bodies, so why are we talking about celebrities' divorce trials [sic]? Who gives a shit? Let them figure it out on their own. The internet bothers the shit out of me sometimes.

— Eilish during a cover story for NME[16]

"TV" is a ballad with a minimalist production that combines Eilish's soft vocals over an acoustic guitar.[17][18] The song has a runtime of 4 minutes and 41 seconds.[19] Its sound is intentionally reminiscent of Eilish and Finneas's oldest works, created when they wanted to write music at their parents' house with nothing but a guitar.[20]

The lyrics are about feelings of abandonment in a relationship.[21] It explores poignant subject matters like eating disorders, mental health,[22] the defamation trial between actors Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, and the outcome of the Dobbs case.[23][24] Music journalists were in agreement that the song was primarily driven by the lyricism and vocal performance; Laura Snapes, in a review for The Guardian, wrote that immediacy and anxiety were at the core of "TV", demonstrated through Eilish's voice.[25][26][27]

The song opens by describing a depressive episode. Unable to sleep, Eilish distracts herself from a falling-out with an ex-partner by watching the reality TV show Survivor, then she expresses cynicism towards other people and their motivations.[22] She sings about "sinking in the sofa while we all betray each other," posing the question "what’s the point of anything?"[28] The chorus discusses the effects of her romantic relationships on the amount of time she can spend with her friends.[29]

By the second verse, Eilish ponders how her friendships have also been affected by her celebrity status and tries to restrain herself from skipping meals.[22][29] Next, she laments how "the internet's gone wild watching movie stars on trial / While they're overturning Roe v. Wade."[30] Eilish expressed anger about the situation in a cover story for NME, questioning why the public prioritized fixating on the feud between Depp and Heard, which she found trivial, instead of showing concern about the future of abortion rights.[31] The chorus reappears after the second verse.[22] To close the song, she uses a refrain,[32] repeatedly saying "maybe I'm the problem" to blame herself for the issues she currently faces in life.[21][33] The crowd noise sample plays as Eilish recites the final lines.[27]

Release

Guitar Songs is Eilish's second extended play (EP),[34] and Darkroom and Interscope Records released it without prior warning on July 21, 2022.[19][35][36] "TV" appears as one of two tracks in the EP alongside "The 30th", which did not receive any previews. Initially, Eilish planned to include both songs for her third studio album. However, after a discussion with Finneas, she decided against doing so. She felt like "TV" and "The 30th" had to be released early, partly because she wanted to spread their messages to the public as soon as possible: "These songs are really current for me, and they’re songs that I want to have said right now." At the time of release, she and Finneas had written only those two songs.[37]

Upon the EP's release, "TV" charted in multiple territories. In the US, it debuted at number 52 on the Billboard Hot 100 and at number 7 on Hot Rock & Alternative Songs.[38][39] Elsewhere, it reached the top 40 of charts in Japan,[40] Ireland,[41] Malaysia,[42] New Zealand,[43] Greece,[44] Sweden,[45] Australia,[46] the UK,[47] Lithuania,[48] Canada,[49] Norway,[50] and Switzerland.[51] In terms of international commercial performance, the song entered the Billboard Global 200 at number 25, and the Global Excl. US chart at number 34.[52] Nine days after the release, Eilish and Finneas headed for the Amoeba Music record store in Hollywood to play "TV", along with three other songs, in commemoration of Happier Than Ever's one-year anniversary.[7] The two continued to perform "TV" during the world tour, including it in the set list of the Singapore stop.[53]

Critical reception

Alexis Petridis, a music journalist for The Guardian, selected "TV" as the best song performed during the Manchester date, citing the melancholic tone of its lyrics.[33] Steffanee Wang of Nylon and entertainment columnists for the Manila Bulletin praised Eilish for her self-reflection and social commentary in "TV", and they considered its lyricism as a testament to her writing talent. The Manila Bulletin in particular wrote that the song's social commentary, an element they associated with all the greatest songwriters before her, served as "a reminder that 20-year-old Eilish remains one of the most treasured singer-songwriters of her generation".[18][54]

Snapes also commented on the lyrics for "TV". She described its writing style as realist, impressed with Eilish's subtlety and ability to discuss poignant topics without downplaying their seriousness. Furthermore, Snapes appreciated how the vocals and minimalist production were, to her, appropriate for the song's tone: "Fittingly, the melody of each line seems to tumble, each one a crumbling empire delivered in her tremulous, feather-light voice."[27] Wang was similarly impressed by Eilish's vocal performance, which she deemed "powerful".[18] Meanwhile, an unknown NME author saw the song's guitar instrumentation as relaxing: "She sings over lulling acoustic guitars meant to soothe the most disillusioned of us."[32]

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.[55]

Charts

Chart performance for "TV"
Chart (2022) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[46] 23
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[49] 30
France (SNEP)[56] 173
Germany (Official German Charts)[57] 81
Global 200 (Billboard)[58] 25
Greece International (IFPI)[44] 19
Ireland (IRMA)[41] 17
Japan Hot Overseas (Billboard Japan)[40] 16
Lithuania (AGATA)[48] 26
Malaysia (RIM)[42] 17
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[59] 78
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[43] 17
Norway (VG-lista)[50] 33
Portugal (AFP)[60] 54
South Africa (RISA)[61] 63
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[45] 22
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[51] 33
UK Singles (OCC)[47] 23
US Billboard Hot 100[38] 52
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[39] 7
Billboard Vietnam Hot 100[62] 54

Notes

  1. ^ "The 30th" was the first song that Eilish and Finneas wrote since the release of Happier Than Ever (2021), her second studio album.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b Legaspi, Althea (July 21, 2022). "Billie Eilish Drops Surprise Guitar Songs EP, Featuring Two New Songs". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on July 21, 2022. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  2. ^ Spanos, Brittany (February 4, 2022). "Opening Night of the First Billie Eilish Tour in Two Years Was Everything Fans Hoped For (Plus Rain)". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on February 4, 2022. Retrieved June 28, 2022.
  3. ^ DeSantis, Rachel (July 21, 2022). "Billie Eilish Shares Two-Track Release Guitar Songs: 'A Little Surprise'". People. Archived from the original on July 21, 2022. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  4. ^ Curto, Justin (July 21, 2022). "Billie Eilish Sings About 'Overturning Roe v. Wade' on New Song 'TV'". Vulture. Archived from the original on July 23, 2022. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
  5. ^ a b Denis, Kyle-Brandon (July 21, 2022). "Billie Eilish Surprise-Releases 2 New Tracks: 'These Songs Mean So So Much to Me'". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 21, 2022. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  6. ^ Clark, Meredith (June 24, 2022). "Billie Eilish Explains Why She Referenced Depp vs Heard Trial in New Song". The Independent. Archived from the original on July 23, 2022. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
  7. ^ a b Bouza, Kat (July 30, 2022). "Watch Billie Eilish Perform Intimate Acoustic Set at Amoeba Music". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on August 2, 2022. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
  8. ^ Browning, Justine (June 24, 2022). "Hollywood Reacts to Supreme Court Decision to Overturn Roe v. Wade: 'This Is Actually Happening'". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on July 2, 2022. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  9. ^ Phillips, Zoe (July 21, 2022). "Billie Eilish Releases Two Surprise Songs, Says She Wants to Release Album Next Year". Entertainment Tonight. Archived from the original on July 21, 2022. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  10. ^ Aniftos, Rania (May 26, 2022). "Billie Eilish Remembers Her Daytime TV Debut on Ellen: 'It Was Insane'". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 6, 2022. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  11. ^ Melendez, Miguel A. (July 30, 2022). "Billie Eilish and Finneas Surprise Fans in Hollywood to Celebrate Happier Than Ever Anniversary". Entertainment Tonight. Archived from the original on August 11, 2022. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
  12. ^ Willman, Chris (July 21, 2022). "Billie Eilish Releases Two New Acoustic Tracks, 'TV' and 'The 30th,' Under Guitar Songs Umbrella". Variety. Archived from the original on July 21, 2022. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  13. ^ Benitez-Eves, Tina (July 21, 2022). "Billie Eilish Releases Two Surprise Guitar Songs: 'TV' and 'The 30th'". American Songwriter. Archived from the original on July 29, 2022. Retrieved August 24, 2022.
  14. ^ Brown, August (July 21, 2022). "Listen to Two New Dark and Dazzling Billie Eilish Songs". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on July 21, 2022. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  15. ^ Serrano, Athena (July 21, 2022). "Billie Eilish Returns to Her Roots in Surprise EP Guitar Songs". MTV News. Archived from the original on July 21, 2022. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  16. ^ Sharf, Zack (June 24, 2022). "Billie Eilish Slams Internet for Caring About Depp-Heard Trial over Abortion Rights: 'Who Gives a F—?'". Variety. Archived from the original on July 2, 2022. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  17. ^ Irvin, Jack (June 22, 2022). "Billie Eilish Reveals She Used a Body Double During 2022 Coachella Performance and 'Nobody Ever Knew'". People. Archived from the original on June 26, 2022. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
  18. ^ a b c Wang, Steffanee (July 21, 2022). "Billie Eilish Released a Surprise Acoustic EP". Nylon. Archived from the original on July 21, 2022. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  19. ^ a b "Guitar Songs". Darkroom and Interscope Records. July 21, 2022. Archived from the original on July 21, 2022. Retrieved July 21, 2022 – via Spotify.
  20. ^ Tai, Anita (July 21, 2022). "Billie Eilish Went Back to Basics to Release 'The 30th' and 'TV' with Finneas". Entertainment Tonight Canada. Archived from the original on July 23, 2022. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
  21. ^ a b Serrano, Athena (June 8, 2022). "Billie Eilish Surprises with Stripped-Down New Live Song 'TV'". MTV News. Archived from the original on July 21, 2022. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  22. ^ a b c d Olson, Samantha (July 21, 2022). "Here's a Breakdown of Billie Eilish's 'TV' Lyrics — And All the References She Makes". Seventeen. Archived from the original on July 21, 2022. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  23. ^ Strauss, Matthew (July 21, 2022). "Billie Eilish Releases New Songs 'TV' and 'The 30th'". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on July 21, 2022. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  24. ^ Rossignol, Derrick (June 24, 2022). "Billie Eilish Was Annoyed by Johnny Depp v. Amber Heard amid Roe v. Wade News: 'Who F*cking Gives a F*ck?'". Uproxx. Archived from the original on July 13, 2022. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  25. ^ Lipshutz, Jason (July 22, 2022). "First Stream: New Music From Megan Thee Stallion & Future, Billie Eilish, Lil Uzi Vert and More". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 30, 2022. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
  26. ^ Chelosky, Danielle (July 21, 2022). "Billie Eilish Releases 'TV' And 'The 30th,' Two Gentle Ballads". Uproxx. Archived from the original on July 28, 2022. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
  27. ^ a b c Snapes, Laura (July 21, 2022). "Billie Eilish: Guitar Songs EP Review – Engulfed in the Horror and Hope of 2022". The Guardian. Archived from the original on July 21, 2022. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  28. ^ Anderson, Carys; Graves, Wren (June 8, 2022). "Billie Eilish Debuts Politically Charged New Song 'TV' in Manchester". Consequence. Archived from the original on July 21, 2022. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
  29. ^ a b Irvin, Jack (June 8, 2022). "Billie Eilish References Depp/Heard Trial, Roe v. Wade in New Song 'TV' Debuted at Manchester Concert". People. Archived from the original on July 21, 2022. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  30. ^ Blistein, Jon (June 8, 2022). "Billie Eilish Debuts New Song 'TV' That Nods to Depp/Heard Trial, Roe v. Wade's Looming Demise". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on June 28, 2022. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  31. ^ Anderson, Carys (June 25, 2022). "Billie Eilish Slams Internet for Depp v. Heard Obsession: 'Who Fucking Gives a Fuck?'". Consequence. Archived from the original on July 6, 2022. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  32. ^ a b "NME Radio Roundup 1 August 2022: Billie Eilish, Rina Sawayama and Jamie T". NME. August 1, 2022. Archived from the original on August 12, 2022. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
  33. ^ a b Petridis, Alexis (June 8, 2022). "Billie Eilish Review – Still an Icon of Disaffected, Hyper-Creative Youth". The Guardian. Archived from the original on July 14, 2022. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  34. ^ Vanderveen, Lauren (August 9, 2022). "Survivor's Jeff Probst Responds After Billie Eilish's New Song References the Long-Running Reality Series". CinemaBlend. Archived from the original on August 18, 2022. Retrieved August 25, 2022.
  35. ^ "Guitar Songs by Billie Eilish". Darkroom and Interscope Records. July 21, 2022. Archived from the original on July 21, 2022. Retrieved August 6, 2022 – via Amazon Music. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; August 6, 2022 suggested (help)
  36. ^ Helfand, Raphael (July 21, 2022). "Billie Eilish Shares Surprise Songs 'TV' and 'The 30th'". The Fader. Archived from the original on August 15, 2022. Retrieved August 24, 2022.
  37. ^ Rettig, James (July 21, 2022). "Billie Eilish – 'TV' & 'The 30th'". Stereogum. Archived from the original on July 21, 2022. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  38. ^ a b "Billie Eilish Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
  39. ^ a b "Billie Eilish Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
  40. ^ a b "Billboard Japan Hot Overseas – Week of August 10, 2022". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). August 10, 2022. Archived from the original on August 10, 2022. Retrieved August 10, 2022.
  41. ^ a b "The Irish Charts – Search Results – TV". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  42. ^ a b "Top 20 Most Streamed International Singles in Malaysia: Week 30 (22/07/2022-28/07/2022)". Recording Industry Association of Malaysia. August 6, 2022. Archived from the original on August 6, 2022. Retrieved August 6, 2022 – via Facebook.
  43. ^ a b "Billie Eilish – TV". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved July 30, 2022.
  44. ^ a b "Digital Singles Chart (International) – Εβδομάδα: 30/2022". IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on August 8, 2022. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
  45. ^ a b "Billie Eilish – TV". Singles Top 100. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  46. ^ a b "Billie Eilish – TV". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  47. ^ a b "Billie Eilish: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
  48. ^ a b "2022 31-Os Savaitės Klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. August 5, 2022. Archived from the original on August 6, 2022. Retrieved August 6, 2022. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; August 5, 2022 suggested (help)
  49. ^ a b "Billie Eilish Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
  50. ^ a b "VG-lista – Topp 20 Single 2022-30". VG-lista. Archived from the original on August 4, 2022. Retrieved July 30, 2022.
  51. ^ a b "Billie Eilish – TV". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved July 31, 2022.
  52. ^ Frankenberg, Eric (August 7, 2022). "New Around the World: Central Cee's 'Doja' Debuts in Top 20 of Global Charts". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 7, 2022. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
  53. ^ Raeburn, Brandon (August 22, 2022). "Billie Eilish Delivers a Dazzling Display at Singapore Leg of Happier Than Ever World Tour — Gig Report". Bandwagon. Archived from the original on August 25, 2022. Retrieved August 25, 2022.
  54. ^ "Billie Eilish Drops Guitar Songs: 'TV' and 'The 30th'". Manila Bulletin. July 26, 2022. Archived from the original on July 31, 2022. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
  55. ^ "Credits for Guitar Songs by Billie Eilish". Archived from the original on August 4, 2022. Retrieved August 4, 2022 – via Tidal.
  56. ^ "Top Singles (Week 30, 2022)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Archived from the original on August 1, 2022. Retrieved August 1, 2022.
  57. ^ "Billie Eilish – TV" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  58. ^ "Billie Eilish Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
  59. ^ "Billie Eilish – TV" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved July 30, 2022.
  60. ^ "Billie Eilish – TV". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
  61. ^ "Local & International Streaming Chart Top 100 Week 30-2022". Recording Industry of South Africa. Archived from the original on August 6, 2022. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
  62. ^ "Billie Eilish Chart History (Billboard Vietnam Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
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