by SMF·Published · Updated
“Bellyache” is the title of a 2017 song by American singer Billie Eilish. In “Bellyache”, the narrator (Billie) sings from the point of view of a dangerous psychopath. She has committed a very heinous crime (apparently a murder) and regrets what she did. She ends up taking her life at the end of the day.
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You can view the lyrics, alternate interprations and sheet music for Billie Eilish's Bellyache at Lyrics.org.
What Billie Eilish has said about “Bellyache” Speaking with LadyGunn magazine, Billie said of the song as purely about someone who has committed murder. She further stated that the lyrics are about doing bad things and not even knowing why you did those terrible things.
Based on the above statement, we can conclude that the character in the song committed the murder and didn’t even know why she did it.
In another interview with Noisey-Vice, Billie revealed more about the song. According to her, the lyrics deal with the “concept of guilt”. They are about doing something terrible you initially felt strongly about. However, after doing that thing, you find yourself not feeling better. And that’s when the bellyache sets in.
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Billie concluded that the song is about a psychopath regretting that he/she is a psychopath. However, they don’t really care about being a psychopath.
The song’s inspiration
According to Billie, this song was inspired by the 2013 song “Garbage” by Tyler, The Creator. The aforementioned track also deals with the theme of murder.
Facts about “Bellyache”
- Billie Eilish co-wrote “Bellyache” with her brother, Finneas O’Connell. The latter went on to produce this macabre-themed song.
- The release date of “Bellyache” was February 24, 2017. It was released as the second single from Billie’s debut EP titled Don’t Smile at Me. The aforementioned EP also features the famous single “Idontwannabeyouanymore”.
- Billie was only just 15 years of age when this song was released.
How did this single perform on the charts?
“Bellyache” entered the top 100 in Canada and a few other countries. In Sweden, for example, it peaked at number 6. On the US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles, it made it to number 12.
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29 Responses
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Silvia 😎 says:
January 26, 2019 at 3:03 am
I like this song idk why. Even tho it’s weird and creepy, I like it😂
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lil.billieee says:
March 24, 2019 at 11:58 pm
I LOVE HER AND THIS SONG SO MUCH BRO YOU DONT EVEN UNDERSTAND LIKE AHHHHH :)))))
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Shahad says:
March 2, 2020 at 2:18 pm
This is kinda sad even though she’s a psychopath
She can’t understand why and doesn’t care eitherReply
Billie says:
December 3, 2022 at 1:12 pm
So not true
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Trina Spidermonkey Coley says:
August 4, 2023 at 9:04 pm
I love your impulsive thoughts keep up the great job.. Love your style of music..
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Anonymous says:
See AlsoThe meaning of Billie Eilish's 'What Was I Made For', explained by Eilish herselfMeaning of “All The Good Girls Go To Hell” by Billie Eilish - Song Meanings and Facts"The 30th" by Billie Eilish - Song Meanings and FactsBillie Eilish says her new single is about a dream where she killed herselfNovember 20, 2023 at 4:00 am
Agreed it’s so sad and it’s because she doesn’t know why she does it it was just in the moment
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Anonymous says:
November 5, 2020 at 2:23 pm
I love her and her song one of my fav from her is Xanny but she makes it based on real-life which I LOVEE thank you, Billie parent, for making her.
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Abigail says:
July 1, 2021 at 10:10 pm
Awww. ‘Thank you Billie’s parents for making her’
That’s incrediblyyyy cute🥺🥺🥺🥺🥰Reply
F life says:
November 15, 2020 at 1:48 pm
this song’s meaning to me is about my dysmorphia because i always feel hungry
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Anonymous says:
November 23, 2020 at 12:11 pm
this is a shock! i thought is was about something else!!! BUT I STILL LOVE HER AND THIS SONG!!!!!!1
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Sparkleee says:
December 15, 2020 at 3:42 pm
Like I thought it was gonna be something else
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Taku says:
May 7, 2021 at 7:54 pm
Whose to say it’s got nothing to say about reality being trash
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Abigail says:
July 1, 2021 at 10:12 pm
Something like?
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Sparkleee says:
December 15, 2020 at 3:40 pm
I just finished listening to it and it sounds nice. PS luv u Billie
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1 2 3 love me says:
December 1, 2021 at 1:48 am
you should hear the remix!
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Nope🙅 says:
February 9, 2021 at 11:22 am
Billie eilish,,,, we love her… Doesn’t matter she’s a psychopath or what
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Cat loverrrr says:
March 10, 2021 at 8:39 pm
I love billie even though I’m not allowed to listen to all of her songs (I’m a teenager with a very strict mom) and she is such an inspiration ❤️ I love to write songs and if I ever get one published I will definitely thank Billie 😁
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Abigail says:
July 1, 2021 at 10:14 pm
Awwww. Sorry about that.
I’m sure you’ll definitely achieve your dreams someday soon🤍
Billie blew up because of a song she made with her brother. She didn’t even intend to blow up. It was so random.
You can do it!🤍Reply
The voice lover says:
April 1, 2021 at 8:51 pm
I love this song, check out the voice with Justin singing it, it is AMAZING 🤩 Billie Eilish if your reading this check it out
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Taku says:
May 7, 2021 at 7:56 pm
Song has a thought I appreciate
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jann maeji says:
May 27, 2021 at 1:34 pm
I am so happy that I have the same interpretation of this song (same as what billie stated)
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the bad guy says:
August 7, 2021 at 9:29 am
this is a great song! the visuals are so impressive and billie is effortless as usual. stan her so much
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Trisha says:
September 14, 2021 at 1:40 pm
They say this song is flat out about murder but i could care less. i love this song!
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Hera Atan says:
December 23, 2021 at 1:22 pm
I love this song I’m starting to like Billie Eilish because I didn’t listen to her for a long time.The last song I listen to was bad guy a long time ago.
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DarkMindPrincessDolly says:
February 6, 2022 at 4:37 pm
“My V is for vendetta, thought that I’d feel better, but now I’ve got a bellyache”. I had my own particular interpretation for this lyric, no one else seems to have said this. But I thought V- as in virginity ‘v-card’. Vendetta, being to seek vengeance, (yes, I am aware ‘V is for vendetta’ is a film and phrase) I thought revenge rape, or maybe even consensual sex with murder victims family member. In which the character thinks they will feel better about the murder after, but doesn’t. Also, not sure how common this is, but at least for me getting a bellyache after loosing ones virginity is a thing.
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Jaylen:) says:
April 28, 2022 at 5:32 pm
I so agree with you DarkMindPrincessDolly I thought the same thing! Also Billie, if your reading this I so appreciate the songs you make they really inspire me to try to do things people thought that women couldn’t do!!! I might even try to become president!
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Billie’s the best says:
July 1, 2022 at 4:55 am
Bellyache is one of my favs by her (other than my boy and wish you were gay). I’m surprised that that’s what the song’s meaning is! I still love it either way. I listen to her so much my friends think I’m super weird. Anybody else have that issue? I’m a bit obsessed…
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Karina says:
October 28, 2022 at 5:47 pm
YES!!!
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isa says:
July 16, 2022 at 5:23 am
This song really f–ks me up and I don’t even know why. It makes me so so emotional
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