Billie Eilish Credits Lana Del Rey for “Paving the Way for Everyone” in Music
OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
When Lana Del Rey released her major label debut single Video Games in 2011, it marked a seismic shift in the pop landscape. The haunting, cinematic ballad—paired with a homemade music video of melancholic webcam shots and vintage film clips—stood apart from anything else on the charts. In the UK, the song soared to number nine, signaling the arrival of a unique voice with a distinct aesthetic that would go on to influence a generation.
Del Rey’s breakthrough album Born to Die further cemented her impact, blending vintage iconography with contemporary sounds—from hip-hop beats to classical strings—and exploring themes of toxic relationships with raw honesty. Subsequent albums like Ultraviolence, Norman Fucking Rockwell, and Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd have only deepened her cultural significance, shaping not just music but also the online spaces—Tumblr, YouTube, TikTok—where young fans connect and express themselves.
While many artists—from Lorde to Father John Misty—have acknowledged Del Rey’s influence, few have been as vocal and heartfelt as Billie Eilish. Bursting onto the scene at age 14 with Ocean Eyes in 2016, and propelled by her debut EP Don’t Smile at Me, Eilish’s rise paralleled Del Rey’s in its cultivation through digital communities like Tumblr.
In a recent Interview magazine cover story, Eilish praised Del Rey’s trailblazing role. “You really paved the way for everyone. People have been trying to look and sound like you since you first started,” Eilish told her idol. “You changed the way the music industry hears and sees music, and you changed the way people sing.” Del Rey responded warmly, “That’s amazing because you do that,” to which Eilish replied simply, “It’s because of you, dude.”
Eilish also revealed how Del Rey’s songwriting profoundly shaped her own creative process. “One of my biggest inspirations from you is your storytelling abilities and your ability to write from a character’s point of view,” she explained. “I find it a lot easier to write a song if it’s not about my life and if it’s not true.”
Del Rey’s legacy is evident not just in her own discography but in the success of artists like Billie Eilish, who have embraced individuality and unconventional aesthetics to redefine what pop music can be. Thanks to Del Rey’s pioneering vision, Eilish and many others have found the freedom to craft their own unique voices—and connect with millions of fans worldwide.
