"You Should See Me In a Crown"-Billie Eilish
Who doesn't love a dark-hearted psychotic-sounding musical goddess?
The first time I listened to "You Should See Me In a Crown" a couple of months ago I imagined the voice belonged to someone who has the talent of Lorde and the soul of Wednesday Addams.
Billie Eilish is a 16-year old LA-native with a definite dark side. Previous singles have included "Bitches Broken Hearts," "Six Feet Under" and "Bellyache" featuring lyrics penned from the vantage-point of a serial killer. Google her image and you'll see pages of pics of a young, brooding face. She once told W Magazine, "Smiling makes me feel weak and not in control and not powerful, and small."
"Crown" is edgy and a bit intimidating. Close your eyes after clicking "play." There's a possessed Billie, staring you down, scraping two knives against each other while cautioning you with a whisper over a mildly menacing intro.
"Bite my tongue, bide my time, wearing a warning sign..."
Billie's teenage angst is subtle yet powerful, and -- I must admit -- a bit creepy. Listen for the build-up leading to the chorus where you'll hear quickly ascending pseudo-strings followed by a split-second of silence. It's the same method used in horror films during those menacing scenes leading the audience to believe something horrible is about to happen.
Adding to the eeriness of "Crown" is the wobbly bass audible behind the chorus and the way Billie ends each rhyming line on a descending note lending a cold, uncaring feel to the track.
"Tell me which one is worse, living or dying first, sleeping inside a hearse... I don't dream"
Her lyrics are dark throughout, including the mood of the middle-eight. I have no idea what she's saying but her electronically oscillated voice (with the "ha-ha-ha") add to the insanity of this uniquely awesome creation.
Billie revealed that the song's title was inspired by an episode from the BBC television drama "Sherlock" where the program's antagonist -- Professor James Moriarty -- once declared, "In a world of locked rooms, the man with the key is king. And honey, you should see me in a crown."
Actually, I can. And give her a silver scepter while you're at it!
So, step aside because here comes alt-pop's new royalty, Billie Eilish, who will be slaying them "one, by one, by one..."
