“What Was I Made for?” - Analysis
“What Was I Made for?” by Billie Elish is a hauntingly beautiful track that reaches viewers through its unique perspective and vulnerability.
Written for the Barbie movie, the song captures what it means to question your purpose, identity, and value. Its impact resonates far beyond that of the film, touching listeners to a level beyond other songs of its kind.
To produce “What Was I Made For?” Billie teamed up with her brother and producer, Fineas, once more. The track was first heard by listeners when a snippet was played in the trailer. Later, on July 13, 2023, the song was released alongside its music video.
The music video captures the raw nature of the song through it only being shot in one take. It shows Billie grappling with memories as she struggles to arrange and sort through a rack of her past as wind and rain pelt her. The setting emphasizes her struggles and only adds to the emotional depth of the song.
The comments under the video are filled with only positivity, showing how much the track has connected with listeners of all ages. Those who listened felt touched by the heartfelt themes of finding identity and purpose expressed so beautifully throughout the song.
I first heard “What Was I Made For?” when snippets of the song began circulating on TikTok, with viewers immediately applauding it for its vulnerability and meaning. I truly see this as one of Billies most meaningful and rich songs, making it my immediate favorite in her discography. Despite playing it countless times since its release, each listen reveals new layers to its lyrical complexity.
It displays the universal experience of what it means to be young and alive, facing a world where your purpose equals your value. Listening feels like hearing a hymn for the modern age—a mix of love, heartbreak, and loneliness. This is a song anyone can relate to, as it’s one of the rawest, most moving, and influential pieces of the last decade. From navigating life’s highs and lows to discovering what you’re made for, this track is truly an anthem of self-discovery.
In the first verse, Billie writes:
“I used to float; now I just fall down.
I used to know,
But I'm not sure now,
What I was made for.
What was I made for?”
“I used to float” represents a sense of freedom and carefreeness in life, while “falling” conveys a lack of control and vulnerability. The lyrics display how quickly one can go from knowing what they want from this world to losing all sense of control. Throughout our lives, plans change, hopes shift, and we slowly lose the original narrative of our dreams.
This song had a profound impact on me, guiding me through a confusing period in my life when I, too, questioned what I was made for. Billie Eilish deserves immense praise for this masterpiece.
Billie can only be applauded for her vocals, and I suggest you watch the performance of What Was I Made For at the Grammys, as I find it to be her most touching and raw performance.
If you're experiencing a time of uncertainty, when the weight of confusion and the search for identity feels overwhelming, remember that your existence is not accidental. You were crafted with intention and placed in this universe with purpose.
Understand that within you lies a reservoir of boundless potential waiting to unfold. Your worth is beyond measure and question and only shaped by the spirit that lies within you.
Reader, embrace your individuality; it is your greatest asset. Give yourself a reason to live this life.
By Blythe, with love.
