Friends

Billie Eilish's song 'Friends' delves into the complex emotions surrounding a relationship that never quite reached its full potential. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of longing and regret, as the narrator reflects on what could have been. The opening lines, 'Followed your footsteps, fell over the edge / Fighting the free fall woke up in my bed,' suggest a sense of disorientation and emotional turmoil. This sets the stage for the recurring theme of missed opportunities and unspoken feelings.

The chorus, 'Friends, just friends / Oh, we could've been, oh, we should've been / More than just friends, best friends,' captures the essence of the song. It speaks to the frustration of being stuck in the 'friend zone' and the yearning for something more. The repetition of 'special 'bout you' underscores the narrator's fixation on the unique qualities of the other person, which makes the unfulfilled potential even more painful. This emotional struggle is further complicated by the presence of another person, as indicated by the line, 'But there's always a stranger sitting on your other side.'

The song also touches on themes of jealousy and trust issues, as highlighted in the bridge, 'How many of us, how many of us / How many jealous / F-Friends.' This suggests that the narrator is not alone in feeling this way, and that these emotions are a common part of human relationships. The repetition of 'trust issues' emphasizes the difficulty of navigating friendships and romantic feelings simultaneously. Ultimately, 'Friends' is a poignant exploration of the heartache that comes from unfulfilled potential and the complexities of human relationships.