Billie Eilish reveals the adorable story and meaning behind her 'ilomilo' lyrics

29 March 2019, 17:49

By Sam Prance

The meaning of Billie Eilish's 'ilomilo' lyrics is actually really wholesome...

Billie Eilish has revealed the meaning behind her 'ilomilo' lyrics and it's adorable.

After months of anticipation, Billie Eilish finally released her debut album WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO? The project has so far been met with universal critical acclaim. People can't get enough of Billie's ability to create stunning songs which sound like no one but her. From the tongue-in-cheek 'bad guy' to the relatable 'wish you were gay', the entire record is sublime. Nevertheless, fans are confused by one track: 'ilomilo'.

What does 'ilomilo' mean? Check out the meaning and lyrics below.

Lyrically 'ilomilo' is a mid-tempo hit about the fear of separation. In it, Billie sings startlingly frank lines like: "I don't wanna be lonely" and "I can't lose another life". She also appears to reference a failed relationship by adding: "I just wanted to protect you // But now I'll never get to". Discussing the song on Hot Ones, Billie revealed that it's called ilomilo after the computer game of the same name pronounced: "ee-low-mee-low".

Billie said: "I used to play ilomilo a lot. I loved ilomilo, that was like my favourite game in the world. It's this game where it's these two little creatures – one is named ilo and the other's named milo. It's this sort of anti-gravity world where there's all these little blocks and they start apart from each other. The idea is you just get to each other and when they get to each other they just hug, there's no prize."

Billie then added: "So the whole idea of the game is just losing the person you love and then finding them again." In other words, the meaning of 'ilomilo' the song is literally the concept of 'ilomilo' the game and it's just two names put together. The track is so clever too because if you listen to it, you can hear that the sound effects in 'ilomilo' the game have really inspired the production.

Listen to 'ilomilo' below.

ilomilo

Talking to Radio Energy about 'ilomilo', Billie stated that it's one of her favourite songs that she's "ever written" and it's easy to see why.

Billie Eilish - 'ilomilo' lyrics

VERSE 1
Told you not to worry
But maybe that's a lie
Honey, what's your hurry?
Won't you stay inside?
Remember not to get too close to stars
They're never gonna give you love like ours

CHORUS
Where did you go?
I should know, but it's cold
And I don't wanna be lonely
So show me the way home
I can't lose another life

REFRAIN
Hurry, I'm worried

VERSE 2
The world's a little blurry
Or maybe it's my eyes
The friends I've had to bury
They keep me up at night
Said I couldn't love someone
'Cause I might break
If you're gonna die, not by mistake

CHORUS
So, where did you go?
I should know, but it's cold
And I don't wanna be lonely
So tell me you'll come home
Even if it's just a lie

BRIDGE
I tried not to upset you
Let you rescue me the day I met you
I just wanted to protect you
But now I'll never get to

REFRAIN
Hurry, I'm worried

OUTRO
Where did you go?
I should know, but it's cold
And I don't wanna be lonely
Was hoping you'd come home
I don't care if it's a lie