Meaning of What Was I Made For? (from Saturday Night Live, 2023) by Billie Eilish

A Journey of Self-Discovery: Unpacking the Lyrics of "What Was I Made For?" by Billie Eilish

In 2023, Billie Eilish released "What Was I Made For?" as a part of her latest solo project, a song that delves into the world of existential crises and seeks to answer one of humanity’s most fundamental questions: the meaning of life. Born from her own experiences, the song resonates deeply with listeners of all backgrounds, exploring themes of disappointment, disconnection, and the ongoing search for significance.

The Quest for Connection

From the opening bars, "What Was I Made For?" sets an introspective tone, describing a narrative that is by turns vulnerable, searching, and self-aware. When Eilish sings that she used to float, now I just fall down, we are launched into a world of turmoil, where the once-graceful, carefree individual now finds themselves tangled in uncertainty and self-doubt. This "fall" could symbolize the disillusionment that all too often accompanies the transitioning from youth to adulthood or the sudden loss of innocent buoyancy, a feeling captured in Eilish’s poignant words.

Identity Crisis: Seeking Answers Within

"I used to know, but I’m not sure now"’ reflects a profound insecurity, one that echoes from the earliest stirrings of existential crises. Uncertainty has crept over the individual, leaving what once seemed certain now fuzzy and in doubt. Within this narrative lies a plea for connection, a reconnection to a sense of purpose or identity that transcends external validation. What I was made for, what was I made for? becomes both a haunting question and the central drive behind the songwriter’s emotional exploration.

We find solace in what Eilish describes, takin’ a drive, I was an ideal – a snippet that distills the past into an almost idyllic representation, where things seemed so much simpler looked so alive, turns out I’m not real cuts through this veneer like a scythe, uncovering a world of forced conformity. It is but a mere pretence we present to others, beneath which we conceal our inherent insecurities, a reflection of societal expectations that strain to be fulfilled.

At this stage, the boundaries which once governed the individual dissipate, allowing the real self to shine through while the artist implored, Just somethin’ you paid for, what was I made for? – one of those piercing moments capturing the eternal query of validation, leaving one to assume that self-worth derived from outside the self while the answers were hidden between the cracks.

Nurturing Emotions with Empathy

In amongst the despair, Eilish voices I don’t know how to feel, but I wanna try; the yearnings of this poignant line create a resolute determination despite the inability to fully explain the sentiments experienced. Like a journey undertaken, uncertainty is gradually illuminated, where the author has come clean about a fundamental aspect not only for others but foremost for her own self-progression – it is indeed a song that transcended the emotional depths of someday, i might, when the pain of existential searching will inevitably be lifted and the uncertainty will begin to dissipate.

As What Was I Made For?, the title song, Eilish does not address any explicitly historical or even cultural events; however it is evident that the general themes resonated with such a widespread audience. An existential questioning that is truly universal is echoed in songs like "What Was I Made For?". And it speaks directly to numerous listeners: individuals who strive to reconcile the gap among idealized projections of themselves created by their self-image.
Embracing Humanity’s Frailty – A Testament to Resiliene

To date, with the emergence of "What Was I Made For", Billie Eilish has produced an album showcasing her ever-increasing capabilities as an artist. If we ever forget the imperfections which bind us tightly to one another, whether it’s an existential threat or some profound self doubt, a message of a song we’ll always continue to grow through the imperfections – embracing the ever-present struggles as a measure of resiliency has forever been etched in stone.

Through What Was I Made For? Billie Eilish has composed an anthem so relatable it transcended the genre lines, striking a cord that resonated with anyone seeking answers among the disorienting experiences of adulthood, the moment when once-held certainties begin to falter into the swirling sea of reality. **The song inspires both introspection and the continuous pursuit of answers, becoming a timeless ode to mankind’s search for meaning beneath the shadows of uncertainty.’

Watch Top 100 Songs in 2024