Jimmy Fallon was astounded by Billie Eilish’s musical genius when she revealed on The Tonight Show that her song, “What Was I Made For?” not only became a hit track but also helped inspire one of the most pivotal scenes in the Barbie movie. Dive into the backstory of how Eilish’s heartfelt creation came to define a memorable cinematic moment.
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The Making of “What Was I Made For?”: Billie Eilish’s Creative Process

In a recent episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Billie Eilish discussed the creative journey behind “What Was I Made For?”—a song that has become not only a hit single but also a defining moment in the Barbie film. Eilish sat down with Fallon to share the story behind her contribution to the Barbie soundtrack, explaining how the song became a significant emotional anchor in the movie.

Eilish, who was also set to appear as a musical guest on Saturday Night Live, described the initial meeting with Barbie director Greta Gerwig, where she and her brother Finneas—her frequent collaborator and co-writer—were shown early scenes from the film. According to Eilish, Gerwig expressed a desire for the film to have “Barbie’s heart song,” a deeply moving piece that would resonate with the themes of self-discovery and empowerment woven throughout the story. This description became the inspiration that guided Eilish and Finneas as they began the challenging, yet ultimately rewarding, process of writing the track.
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Jimmy Fallon’s Reaction to Eilish’s Hit Song for Barbie

On the show, Fallon shared impressive milestones achieved by “What Was I Made For?”: the song topped charts for 14 weeks, was nominated for five Grammy awards, and has been streamed over two billion times. Fallon praised the song as “the song of the year,” adding a layer of excitement and admiration for Eilish’s creative prowess. Though Fallon imagined Eilish knew the song was a hit from the very first line, she humbly revealed that the process was more relaxed, with no dramatic “eureka” moment. Instead, she and Finneas patiently crafted the song, with each chord and lyric leading them closer to the final masterpiece.

Eilish elaborated that during the early stages, they experienced moments of writer’s block, unsure if they could create a song that would meet Gerwig’s vision. It wasn’t until Finneas sat at the piano and played a simple, yet poignant opening chord that inspiration struck. From there, Eilish began developing the melody, eventually bringing the song to life with a deep emotional resonance that would fit perfectly into the film’s most intimate scene.
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How “What Was I Made For?” Inspired Barbie’s Memorable Montage Scene

During their conversation, Eilish revealed a surprising twist: the scene featuring “What Was I Made For?” didn’t originally include a montage. Initially, the scene with Margot Robbie’s Barbie and Rhea Perlman’s Ruth Handler, Barbie’s creator, ended with a single shot of Robbie. However, after hearing Eilish’s song, the filmmakers decided to add a montage showing clips of women and girls experiencing different moments of life.

Fallon was visibly moved as Eilish described how the sequence was later added to showcase women’s experiences across generations, with her song playing as a powerful backdrop. This “Real Women Montage,” as it’s come to be known, encapsulates themes of empowerment, identity, and introspection—key elements of both the Barbie film and Eilish’s music. This powerful integration of music and film created a scene that would resonate deeply with audiences, thanks to the song’s introspective lyrics and hauntingly beautiful melody.
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Billie Eilish’s Thoughts on the Song’s Impact and What’s Next

Billie Eilish’s experience on The Tonight Show reminded audiences of her incredible influence in the music industry. From creating a deeply moving song for Barbie to inspiring an iconic montage scene, Eilish’s talent transcends traditional boundaries, proving her as a versatile and impactful artist. Her journey with “What Was I Made For?” showcases her ability to tap into raw emotions and create music that speaks to universal human experiences. As fans await her next album, there’s no doubt that Eilish’s artistic journey will continue to captivate.
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