2019 Billie Eilish Song Almost Didn't Make the Album — Now It’s Considered Her Best Written Track

13 hours ago 2

Published Mar 20, 2026, 12:53 PM EDT

Ryan is a lifestyle and culture journalist born and raised in the Philippines. He primarily covers film, television, music, and all things pop culture. Beyond writing, you can find him buried in thriller novels or off exploring the world on occasion. He deeply romanticizes a slow, peaceful life — even though he’s almost always drowning in deadlines (insert skull emoji here).

Billie Eilish has never been one to back down when it comes to her songwriting game. Together with her brother Finneas O'Connell (known mononymously as simply Finneas), the songwriting duo crafted hit after hit, with no signs of slowing down any time soon. While most of her songs proved to be commercial darlings, they were also critically acclaimed for capturing the hearts of millions of listeners worldwide with their relatable, sometimes hard-hitting lyrics. However, if we're naming her best work yet, it would have to go to a song that almost didn't make the cut: "Everything I Wanted."

Released on November 13, 2019, "Everything I Wanted" (written by Eilish and Finneas) was initially released as a standalone single and later added to the deluxe edition of When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? — Eilish's debut studio album. Beloved for its melancholic, lo-fi tunes with alternative pop sensibilities, the two began working on the song back in 2018 while they were in the process of wrapping up the album. And then Eilish's terrible dream helped give birth to what could be considered one of her best songs. It's quite difficult to imagine the track not making it to Eilish's discography, but in actuality, it almost didn't get released at all. During an episode of Song Exploder podcast, Finneas explained: “We were at the tail-end of working on Billie’s debut album, and we were having that sort of second-guessing moment where we thought, 'Do we have every song for this album? Should we try writing one or two more?'”

Billie Eilish's "Everything I Wanted" Was Inspired by Her Horrible Nightmare

The idea for the song was a catalyst for Eilish to open up something serious and alarming, one that her brother wasn’t comfortable at first, even causing a “big argument.” The song was written after the Grammy-winning singer had a dream of taking her own life. She told The Times (via NME): "We had this big argument. Because I admitted something that I was, uh… It wasn’t a physical thing I was admitting. I don’t know how to put it without actually saying it and I don’t want to actually say it. But it was me admitting to something that was very serious about my depression. A very serious step that I was admitting that I was planning on taking."

Finneas explained he wasn't going to support Eilish in writing the song, because doing so would make him "feel like an enabler," saying, "A lot of songs are written in retrospect, but this one felt like it was being written in real-time, and I was like: 'This is something we've got to write on the other side of this hill. We have to go through this in real life. You can't always solve your problems in a song.'" After explaining how writing the song could help her somehow, Finneas and their parents ultimately agreed to the songwriting idea. And instead of focusing on the thought and what Eilish did in her dream, Eilish and Finneas made the song more about each other. Eilish added: "We had a complete block, and the way we got through it was to make it about us as siblings and what we mean to each other."

In a conversation with the Song Exploder podcast, Eilish also further elaborated on the terrible dream she had, saying, “I was there for it and I could see everything. I remember in the dream there were newspapers that said, ‘Problematic 16-year-old Billie Eilish has finally killed herself.' And my best friends were doing an interview, and they were like, ‘Oh, we never really liked her.'"

"Everything I Wanted" Is Widely Considered One of Billie Eilish's Best Songs

And it wasn’t just about the song’s melancholic tone. While it retains Eilish’s signature sound, its themes are more personal and introspective. Directed by Eilish herself, the music video opens with a statement, "Finneas is my brother and my best friend. No matter the circumstances, we always have and always will be there for each other." While "Everything I Wanted" was inspired by the dream she had, they turned it into a deeply personal one, exploring mental struggles and ultimately highlighting the bond and support she received from her brother.

Classic Rock Personality Quiz Who's Your Perfect
Classic Rock Band? A Personality Quiz · 10 Questions Five legendary bands. One perfect match. Answer 10 questions about your personality, attitude, and taste to find out which classic rock icon you truly belong with. Are you raw power, rolling swagger, operatic drama, thunderous riffs, or timeless melody?

⚡AC/DC

👅Rolling Stones

🤘Metallica

👑Queen

🎸The Beatles

Begin Quiz →

How do you walk into a room? Choose the answer that feels most like you.

ALike a freight train — loud, fast, and everyone knows I've arrived. BWith a slow, cool swagger — I take my time and own every step. CHead down, focused — I'm here for a purpose and small talk isn't it. DWith total confidence and a flair for the dramatic — all eyes on me. EWarmly and curiously — genuinely excited to see what and who is here.

Next Question →

What does your ideal Friday night look like?

ALoud bar, cold beer, cranked jukebox — the louder the better. BA smoky club, good company, and doing whatever feels right in the moment. CIntense concert or staying in with headphones — nothing in between. DSomething theatrical — a show, a dinner party, an experience worth remembering. EHanging with close friends, maybe making music, keeping it relaxed and genuine.

Next Question →

What's your philosophy on keeping things simple vs. complex?

ASimple is king. A great riff repeated perfectly beats any amount of cleverness. BKeep it loose and bluesy — the groove matters more than technical perfection. CGo deep and dark — I want layers, tension, and something that hits hard. DWhy not both? Elaborate arrangements and hook-driven anthems can coexist. ECraft every detail — a perfect melody is the result of countless small choices.

Next Question →

How would your friends describe your personal style?

ANo-frills, no-nonsense — jeans, a t-shirt, and ready to go. BEffortlessly cool — slightly dishevelled in a way that somehow always works. CDark and deliberate — black is a lifestyle, not just a colour. DBold and expressive — fashion is a form of performance for me. EClean and classic — timeless over trendy, always put-together.

Next Question →

How do you want to be remembered?

AAs someone who never let the energy drop — relentless, loud, and alive. BAs someone who lived fully and on my own terms, unapologetically. CAs someone who was brutally honest and made music that meant something real. DAs someone who transcended genres, boundaries, and expectations entirely. EAs someone who changed the world — and left it genuinely better than I found it.

Next Question →

What kind of crowd do you want around you?

APeople who are there to have a blast — no pretension, just pure fun and noise. BA mix of rebels and free spirits who don't take themselves too seriously. CA loyal, passionate crew who are all in — intensity over numbers every time. DEveryone — I want to unite people who wouldn't normally be in the same room. EPeople who appreciate craft and feel genuinely connected by the music.

Next Question →

If you were writing a song, what would it be about?

AHaving a good time, turning it up, and not overthinking it. BStreet life, desire, and the rawness of being human. CAnger, grief, war, or the darker side of the world — music as a weapon. DSomething epic and emotional — love, loss, triumph, or pure fantasy. ESomething personal and universal at once — a feeling everyone can recognise.

Next Question →

What's your secret to staying relevant over time?

ANever change the formula — if it works, it works. Consistency is everything. BStay hungry, stay dangerous, and always keep a bit of that rebellious edge. CEarn respect through dedication — the work and the live show speak for themselves. DReinvent constantly — never let anyone put you in a box or predict your next move. EWrite songs so good they can't be ignored, in any decade, in any context.

Next Question →

You're playing to 80,000 people. What does your performance look like?

AA wall of sound and sweat — pure, unfiltered energy from first note to last. BLoose, cool, and dangerous — every song feels like it might fall apart but never does. CBrutal precision — tight, powerful, and leaving no one unmoved. DA full spectacle — lights, costumes, vocal acrobatics, and total theatrical command. EWarm, joyful, and tight — the crowd singing every word back at you.

Next Question →

Pick the word that best sums up your relationship with rock music. This is your tiebreaker — choose carefully.

ARaw — stripped back, high-voltage, no frills. BRolling — fluid, dangerous, built on blues and attitude. CHeavy — powerful, honest, uncompromising. DMajestic — theatrical, boundary-defying, unforgettable. ETimeless — melodic, human, built to last forever.

See My Result →

Your Result Your Perfect Band Is Revealed

Based on your personality, energy, and taste, the classic rock band that matches your soul is…

⚡ AC/DC

You are pure, undiluted rock energy. You don't need tricks, trends, or theatrical gimmicks — you have something more powerful: a riff that hits like a thunderbolt and an attitude that never wavers. Like AC/DC, you understand that simplicity executed with absolute conviction is its own form of genius. You're the person in the room who doesn't overthink it, doesn't pretend, and never turns the volume down. The highway to hell is a state of mind — and you've been on it since day one.

👅 The Rolling Stones

You've got swagger that can't be taught. Rooted in the blues and soaked in street-level attitude, you move through life with a loose, dangerous elegance that draws people in without ever trying too hard. Like the Stones, you've seen it all, done most of it, and somehow look better for it. You're not chasing perfection — you're chasing truth, groove, and that electric moment when everything clicks. Can't always get what you want? You tend to get it anyway.

👑 Queen

You are magnificent, and you know it — not from arrogance, but from an unshakeable sense of self that has never needed anyone's permission. Like Queen, you defy every category people try to place you in. You blend the epic with the intimate, the operatic with the anthemic, the serious with the playful. You live boldly, love fiercely, and perform every aspect of your life as though the whole world is watching. Because sometimes it is. We are the champions — and so are you.

🎸 The Beatles

You have the rarest of gifts: the ability to make something that feels both deeply personal and universally human. Like The Beatles, you're a natural connector — someone whose warmth, curiosity, and creative instincts draw people together across every divide. You believe in melody, in craftsmanship, and in the quiet power of a song that says exactly what someone needed to hear. You've changed the people around you just by being who you are. All you need is love — and you give it generously.

↩ Retake Quiz

Who's Your Perfect Classic Rock Band?

Classic Rock Personality QuizWho's Your PerfectClassic Rock Band?A Personality Quiz · 10 QuestionsFive legendary bands. One perfect match. Answer 10 questions about your personality, attitude, and taste to find out which classic rock icon you truly belong with. Are you raw power, rolling swagger, operatic drama, thunderous riffs, or timeless melody?

⚡AC/DC

👅Rolling Stones

🤘Metallica

👑Queen

🎸The Beatles

Begin Quiz →

How do you walk into a room?Choose the answer that feels most like you.

ALike a freight train — loud, fast, and everyone knows I've arrived.BWith a slow, cool swagger — I take my time and own every step.CHead down, focused — I'm here for a purpose and small talk isn't it.DWith total confidence and a flair for the dramatic — all eyes on me.EWarmly and curiously — genuinely excited to see what and who is here.

Next Question →

What does your ideal Friday night look like?

ALoud bar, cold beer, cranked jukebox — the louder the better.BA smoky club, good company, and doing whatever feels right in the moment.CIntense concert or staying in with headphones — nothing in between.DSomething theatrical — a show, a dinner party, an experience worth remembering.EHanging with close friends, maybe making music, keeping it relaxed and genuine.

Next Question →

What's your philosophy on keeping things simple vs. complex?

ASimple is king. A great riff repeated perfectly beats any amount of cleverness.BKeep it loose and bluesy — the groove matters more than technical perfection.CGo deep and dark — I want layers, tension, and something that hits hard.DWhy not both? Elaborate arrangements and hook-driven anthems can coexist.ECraft every detail — a perfect melody is the result of countless small choices.

Next Question →

How would your friends describe your personal style?

ANo-frills, no-nonsense — jeans, a t-shirt, and ready to go.BEffortlessly cool — slightly dishevelled in a way that somehow always works.CDark and deliberate — black is a lifestyle, not just a colour.DBold and expressive — fashion is a form of performance for me.EClean and classic — timeless over trendy, always put-together.

Next Question →

How do you want to be remembered?

AAs someone who never let the energy drop — relentless, loud, and alive.BAs someone who lived fully and on my own terms, unapologetically.CAs someone who was brutally honest and made music that meant something real.DAs someone who transcended genres, boundaries, and expectations entirely.EAs someone who changed the world — and left it genuinely better than I found it.

Next Question →

What kind of crowd do you want around you?

APeople who are there to have a blast — no pretension, just pure fun and noise.BA mix of rebels and free spirits who don't take themselves too seriously.CA loyal, passionate crew who are all in — intensity over numbers every time.DEveryone — I want to unite people who wouldn't normally be in the same room.EPeople who appreciate craft and feel genuinely connected by the music.

Next Question →

If you were writing a song, what would it be about?

AHaving a good time, turning it up, and not overthinking it.BStreet life, desire, and the rawness of being human.CAnger, grief, war, or the darker side of the world — music as a weapon.DSomething epic and emotional — love, loss, triumph, or pure fantasy.ESomething personal and universal at once — a feeling everyone can recognise.

Next Question →

What's your secret to staying relevant over time?

ANever change the formula — if it works, it works. Consistency is everything.BStay hungry, stay dangerous, and always keep a bit of that rebellious edge.CEarn respect through dedication — the work and the live show speak for themselves.DReinvent constantly — never let anyone put you in a box or predict your next move.EWrite songs so good they can't be ignored, in any decade, in any context.

Next Question →

You're playing to 80,000 people. What does your performance look like?

AA wall of sound and sweat — pure, unfiltered energy from first note to last.BLoose, cool, and dangerous — every song feels like it might fall apart but never does.CBrutal precision — tight, powerful, and leaving no one unmoved.DA full spectacle — lights, costumes, vocal acrobatics, and total theatrical command.EWarm, joyful, and tight — the crowd singing every word back at you.

Next Question →

Pick the word that best sums up your relationship with rock music.This is your tiebreaker — choose carefully.

ARaw — stripped back, high-voltage, no frills.BRolling — fluid, dangerous, built on blues and attitude.CHeavy — powerful, honest, uncompromising.DMajestic — theatrical, boundary-defying, unforgettable.ETimeless — melodic, human, built to last forever.

See My Result →

Your ResultYour Perfect Band Is Revealed Based on your personality, energy, and taste, the classic rock band that matches your soul is…

⚡ AC/DC You are pure, undiluted rock energy. You don't need tricks, trends, or theatrical gimmicks — you have something more powerful: a riff that hits like a thunderbolt and an attitude that never wavers. Like AC/DC, you understand that simplicity executed with absolute conviction is its own form of genius. You're the person in the room who doesn't overthink it, doesn't pretend, and never turns the volume down. The highway to hell is a state of mind — and you've been on it since day one.

👅 The Rolling Stones You've got swagger that can't be taught. Rooted in the blues and soaked in street-level attitude, you move through life with a loose, dangerous elegance that draws people in without ever trying too hard. Like the Stones, you've seen it all, done most of it, and somehow look better for it. You're not chasing perfection — you're chasing truth, groove, and that electric moment when everything clicks. Can't always get what you want? You tend to get it anyway.

👑 Queen You are magnificent, and you know it — not from arrogance, but from an unshakeable sense of self that has never needed anyone's permission. Like Queen, you defy every category people try to place you in. You blend the epic with the intimate, the operatic with the anthemic, the serious with the playful. You live boldly, love fiercely, and perform every aspect of your life as though the whole world is watching. Because sometimes it is. We are the champions — and so are you.

🎸 The Beatles You have the rarest of gifts: the ability to make something that feels both deeply personal and universally human. Like The Beatles, you're a natural connector — someone whose warmth, curiosity, and creative instincts draw people together across every divide. You believe in melody, in craftsmanship, and in the quiet power of a song that says exactly what someone needed to hear. You've changed the people around you just by being who you are. All you need is love — and you give it generously.

↩ Retake Quiz

Eilish sure achieved a lot at such a young age. In addition to accolades, she boasts a rich discography, filled with songs that were both sonically and lyrically celebrated. That includes “Happier Than Ever,” “When I Was Older,” “Your Power,” “Male Fantasy,” “The 30th,” “TV,” and, of course, “Everything I Wanted.”

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