Billie Eilish: Tiny Desk Concert

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Anamaria Sayre | December 12, 2024
Saudade is a Portuguese word that can be roughly defined as a feeling of melancholy, nostalgia or yearning for something that is beloved but not present. There’s no perfect translation, but one of the closest English expressions of the word I’ve ever seen is Billie Eilish’s Tiny Desk performance.

You’d think the Los Angeles-born singer invented the term. Every breath is so full of indulgent melancholy, hopeful regret, at 22 years old she’s become a captivating fixture of what it means, or rather what it feels, to love and lose simultaneously.

Trading belting vocals and rocking guitar for gentle piano and almost-breaking falsetto, she reimagines tracks like β€œTHE GREATEST” in their most raw and honest form. In Eilish’s world, love’s purest forms are inherently terrifying. Therein lies her starpower – she effortlessly, relentlessly brings to the fore the trickier emotions many of us tuck away for fear of what the world might think.

β€œI don’t know what I’m crying for, I don’t think I could love you more,” she sings on β€œBIRDS OF A FEATHER.” Turns out the world is made up of a lot of people who just want to be seen, and this stripped down set is the perfect space for Eilish to give listeners just that.

SET LIST
β€œTHE GREATEST”
β€œL’AMOUR DE MA VIE”
β€œi love you”
β€œBIRDS OF A FEATHER”

MUSICIANS
Billie Eilish: vocals
Finneas: guitar
Andrew Marshall: drums
Solo Smith: bass
Abe Nouri: piano

TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Bobby Carter
Director/Editor: Maia Stern
Audio Technical Director: Josh Newell
Videographers: Maia Stern, Joshua Bryant, Kara Frame, AlantΓ© Serene
Audio Engineer: Neil Tevault
Production Assistant: Ashley Pointer
Photographer: Zayrha Rodriguez
Tiny Desk Copy Editor: Hazel Cills
Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed
Series Creators: Bob Boilen, Stephen Thompson
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins

#nprmusic #tinydesk #billieeilish

Support for NPR Music comes from Better Help, committed to making mental well-being a priority
and offering support in taking on everything life demands. With therapists available to communicate via video, chat, or phone. At BetterHelp.com/TinyDesk.

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46 thoughts on “Billie Eilish: Tiny Desk Concert”

  21. "Saudade is a Portuguese word that can be roughly defined as a feeling of melancholy, nostalgia or yearning for something that is beloved but not present. There's no perfect translation, but one of the closest English expressions of the word I've ever seen is Billie Eilish's Tiny Desk performance."

    As a Portuguese person, ever so full of saudade, I approve this message. βœ” ❀

    Reply

  31. she reminds me to this laufey-girl from iceland. just with a band and a good backup-singer. … well, and not singing exactly that good.
    its good music for coming from the charts i have to say. didnt expect this girl to be responsible for something you can listen to, without feeling pain like it is if i listen to coldplay or stuff.

    Reply

  43. I’m a grumpy old musician who thinks most modern pop music is trash and I am 100% on team Billie. This proves what an undeniable talent she is, and to see this flawlessly subtle performance from this wonderful band, showcasing these complex songs and her mesmerizing vocal performance. Billie and Co are the real deal. This was such a joy.

    Reply

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