bury a friend
Billie Eilish Lyrics

What do you want from me? Why don't you run from me?
The singer questions why the listener is sticking around when things are clearly not okay.

What are you wondering? What do you know?
The singer is curious about what the listener might be thinking or feeling.

Why aren't you scared of me? Why do you care for me?
The singer is surprised that the listener does not seem to be afraid of them, and wonders why the listener still cares about them despite their behavior.

When we all fall asleep, where do we go?
The artist contemplates what happens after death and where the soul might go.

Come here. Say it, spit it out, what is it exactly you're payin'? Is the amount cleanin' you out, am I satisfactory? Today, I'm thinkin' about the things that are deadly. The way I'm drinkin' you down, like I wanna drown, like I wanna end me.
The artist confronts the listener, questioning what they expect in return for whatever they are paying the artist. The artist also reflects on their destructive behavior and how it might lead to their own demise.

Step on the glass, staple your tongue (ahh). Bury a friend, try to wake up (ah-ahh). Cannibal class, killing the son (ahh). Bury a friend, I wanna end me.
The singer shares vivid imagery of self-harm and destruction, while also expressing a desire to end their own life.

What do you want from me? Why don't you run from me? What are you wondering? What do you know? Why aren't you scared of me? Why do you care for me? When we all fall asleep, where do we go?
The singer repeats these questions, emphasizing the confusion and emotional turmoil they are experiencing.

Keep you in the dark, what had you expected? Me to make you my art and make you a star and get you connected? I'll meet you in the park, I'll be calm and collected. But we knew right from the start, that you'd fall apart 'cause I'm too expensive.
The artist acknowledges that they have been keeping the listener in the dark about their true nature, and feels as if the listener expected them to use their relationship for personal gain. The artist also recognizes that they are too much to handle for the listener, ultimately leading to their emotional downfall.

It's probably somethin' that shouldn't be said out loud. Honestly, I thought that I would be dead by now (wow). Calling security, keepin' my head held down. Bury the hatchet or bury your friend right now.
The artist realizes that what they are thinking might be better kept to themselves. They express a feeling that they should have been dead by now, and are considering taking drastic action. The artist also acknowledges that they need to let go of any resentment and move on from their destructive behavior.

The debt I owe, gotta sell my soul 'cause I can't say no, no, I can't say no. Then my limbs all froze and my eyes won't close. And I can't say no, I can't say no. Careful.
The artist feels trapped and obligated to someone, leading them to have to give up parts of themselves. The artist also describes a feeling of being paralyzed and unable to fight back against their situation.