Billie Eilish, CHIHIRO | Bangerz N Bopz 🔥

In the 81st edition of Bangerz N Bopz 🔥 (2024), we highlight “CHIHIRO” performed by Academy and Grammy Award-winner Billie Eilish.  

Bring on the bold, fierce songs! Bangerz N Bopz 🔥 serves up background info and insight into songs of various styles, especially songs that raise eyebrows and stir the pot.  Featured records can be classic or brand new. In the 81^st edition of Bangerz N Bopz 🔥 (2024), we break down “CHIHIRO” performed by Billie Eilish.

“Did you take / My love away / From me? Me / Me.” Chihiro, rather, Billie Eilish sings in the refrain of “CHIHIRO”. The five-minute song is the third track from the Academy- and Grammy Award winner’s platinum-certified third studio album, HIT ME HARD AND SOFT.  It has a hard act to follow in the context of the album (“LUNCH”) but impresses in its own right. If you’re unfamiliar with the 2001, Academy Award-winning animated fantasy/adventure film, Spirited Away, you probably have no idea who Chihiro Ogino is. Chihiro is the protagonist of the film.  The song by Eilish is inspired by the character, who isn’t explicitly named in the lyrics.

“CHIHIRO” features beautiful, tuneful melodies. Eilish shows off the radiance of her instrument, particularly in her upper register. Co-written with her brother and producer, FINNEAS (Finneas O’Connell), the musical backdrop is elite.  The sound is rhythmic.  There is a ‘cool energy’ for much of the song.  Still, the crescendoing synths are ear-catching, adding punch during the bridge.  Beyond the accompaniment and Eilish’s vocals, the songwriting is the biggest selling point – the crème de la crème. Eilish references the film and her life too.  “When I come back around, will I know what to say / Said you won’t forget my name,” she sings in the first verse, adding, “Not today, not tomorrow / Kinda strange, feelin’ sorrow.” In the second verse, she memorably sings, “Said, ‘I need to be alone now, I’m takin’ a break’ / How come when I returned, you were gone away?” It may be Spirited Away, but it also sounds like matters of Billie’s heart. The ‘chorus’ (there are lots of distinct sections) marks another winning moment:

“Open up the door, can you open up the door?

I know you said before you can’t cope with anymore

You told me it was war, said you’d show me what’s in store

I hope it’s not for sure, can you open up the door?”

“LUNCH” is the crowning achievement from HIT ME HARD AND SOFT without question.  However, “CHIHIRO” is superb too! Another commercially successful song by Eilish, it debuted and peaked at no. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Billie Eilish // HIT ME HARD AND SOFT // Darkroom / Interscope // 2024

Billie Eilish, CHIHIRO: Bangerz N Bopz 🔥 No. 81 (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Darkroom / Interscope; cottonbro studio, Harry Shelton, Kool Shooters, Lucas Pazeta, Mavluda Tashbaeva, Teddy Yang, Wesley Souza from Pexels]