The 30th
Billie Eilish Lyrics


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Sometimes you look the same
Just like you did before the accident
When you're staring into space
It's hard to believe you don't remember it
Woke up in the ambulance
You pieced it all together on the drive

I know you don't remember calling me
But I told you, even then, you looked so pretty
In a hospital bed
I remember, you said you were scared
And so was I

In a standstill on the five
I thought it was unusually early traffic
Usually, I don't panic, I
Just wanted to be on time
When I saw the ambulances on the shoulder
I didn't even think of pulling over
I pieced it all together late that night

And I know you don't remember calling me
But I told you even then, you looked so pretty
In a hospital bed
I remember you said you were scared
And so was I

What if it happened to you on a different day
On a bridge where there wasn't a rail in the way
Or a neighborhood street where the little kids play
Or the Angeles Crest in the snow or the rain?
What if you weren't alone? There were kids in the car
What if you were remote? No one knows where you are
If you'd changed anything, would you not have survived?



You're alive, you're alive, you're alive

And I know you don't remember calling me
But I told you, even then, you looked so pretty
In your hospital bed
I remember you said you were scared
And so am I

Overall Meaning

The song "The 30th" by Billie Eilish tells the story of a car accident, with the singer referencing her own personal experience. The lines "Sometimes you look the same, just like you did before the accident" indicate that the accident has had a profound impact on someone's life. The person involved in the accident cannot remember it, but the singer is haunted by the memory of it.


The verse "In a standstill on the five, I thought it was unusually early traffic" provides insight into the situation, explaining that the singer was on her way to the hospital and had no idea what had happened. The line "What if it happened to you on a different day" expresses a sense of disbelief and fear about the randomness of life events.


The chorus of the song refers to the person in the hospital bed who has survived the accident, expressing a shared sense of fear and relief. The final line "And so am I" suggests that the experience has had a profound effect on the singer as well.


Overall, the song explores themes of mortality, vulnerability, and the unpredictable nature of life events. It powerfully captures the emotions surrounding such a traumatic event and offers an empathetic examination of the impact that these experiences can have on a person.


Line by Line Meaning

Sometimes you look the same
Sometimes you seem unchanged


Just like you did before the accident
You appear the same way as before the accident happened


When you're staring into space
When you're lost in thought


It's hard to believe you don't remember it
It's difficult to imagine that you have no recollection of it


Woke up in the ambulance
You regained consciousness in the ambulance


You pieced it all together on the drive
You reconstructed the details of the accident during the drive


I know you don't remember calling me
I'm aware that you have no memory of calling me


But I told you, even then, you looked so pretty
But I reassured you that you still looked beautiful


In a hospital bed
Laying in a hospital bed


I remember, you said you were scared
I recall that you expressed fear


And so was I
And I felt scared too


In a standstill on the five
Stuck in traffic on the highway


I thought it was unusually early traffic
I believed it was odd to encounter heavy traffic so early


Usually, I don't panic, I
Normally, I don't become distressed, I


Just wanted to be on time
I simply wanted to arrive on schedule


When I saw the ambulances on the shoulder
Upon noticing the ambulances on the side of the road


I didn't even think of pulling over
I didn't consider stopping my vehicle


I pieced it all together late that night
I reconstructed the details of the accident much later that night


What if it happened to you on a different day
What if a similar accident happened to you on another day


On a bridge where there wasn't a rail in the way
On a bridge without any safety guardrails


Or a neighborhood street where the little kids play
On a residential street where children frequently play


Or the Angeles Crest in the snow or the rain?
Or on Angeles Crest, a mountain road in snowy or rainy conditions


What if you weren't alone? There were kids in the car
What if you had children with you in the car


What if you were remote? No one knows where you are
What if you were in a location where no one knew your whereabouts


If you'd changed anything, would you not have survived?
If you had made different choices, would you still be alive?


You're alive, you're alive, you're alive
You're alive and breathing


And I know you don't remember calling me
And I'm aware you can't recall phoning me


But I told you even then, you looked so pretty
But I reassured you that you remained beautiful


In your hospital bed
Lying in a bed in the hospital


I remember you said you were scared
I remember that you expressed fear


And so am I
And I'm scared as well




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Billie Eilish O'Connell, Finneas Baird O'Connell

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@DreamspaceTM

TW: Death / Grief / Denial / etc

This song came out 2 days before my birthday. Now usually I LIVE for Billie's music, but since I was turning 21- I was in a good mood and I just couldn't connect to the lyrics; so I turned it off after the first few guitar notes. I went about my birthday, celebrating and having fun. But on my birthday night, my best friend of 18 years health started to decline.
Dropping everything, my boyfriend and I ditched plans and work to take care of her; as she did the same for me for almost 19 years. She'd perk up during the day, and we'd think we were in the clear- but at night she'd fall into grand mal seizures. Finding little comfort in knowing that my friend was beginning to slip away in front of my eyes, I slept next to her on her bed, vowing to hold her as she shook. I didn't care if she headbutted me, if she bit me, if she lost control of her bowels; I just wanted her to know I was here, and I'd never leave her side. No matter how scared I was.
Only a few painful days passed before I realized there was no getting better from here, (I knew long ago, I just....couldn't believe it.) so- I spent the next morning putting in calls. I am only 21 years old, so I don't have a substantial amount of money to pay for extensive medical bills; but I would not rest until I got SOMEONE, ANYONE to the house to let her pass comfortably. I spent many hours calling and then hanging up immediately, crying then mustering up the courage to call again. We found someone to come out that day, making an appointment for later because I couldn’t bring myself to set the time for any sooner. (I still feel guilty about this... Knowing she was in pain- it was selfish...)
I met the lady at our front door as I paced endlessly, almost worried that I wouldn’t be there in time for her to show. Or maybe it was because I just couldn’t believe I called someone to quite literally end my best friend’s life. I sat on the floor, next to her big bed as we walked into the room. Despite all the noise she lay so still, staring off into space as I told her just how pretty she was; I couldn’t stop petting her. Every word that was said felt like a dream, and I couldn’t bring myself to watch as she began to slowly inject the bright pink liquid into her blood. She didn’t even flinch, she hated shots.
After it happened, I couldn’t bring myself to believe she was gone. I kept petting her, I kept speaking to her; I refused to come to terms that she had slipped away from me. I was told I could only keep her for 2 hours before she begins to get stiff, but I waited much longer- as if waiting for her to pop up as if she was joking, like the shot didn’t work, or it cured all her ailments and made her a superhero. I was grappling into ANYTHING that would help me keep my best friend with me on this planet. My first memory is of her, how could it not end with her? I thought we’d be together forever? I planned our future? I brought her brother in the room, sitting him down next to her as I tried to explain that she wouldn’t be waking up. He didn’t understand. I honestly didn’t either. We sat there for awhile, holding her until she grew cold and stiff, waiting until the very last moment to set her in her forever resting place.
Late that night, my boyfriend and I went for a long drive to visit his mother; in the mood I was in- I decided it was time to listen to Billie’s new song. This song ruined me. I couldn’t control the wave of emotion that engulfed me. From the very first line, to the last I found myself looking into a mirror. I owe all my recovery to Billie, because without this song- I'd be right next to her.
Even though that is exactly what I want....I have others who depend on me.

I know people aren’t going to read this vent. But- I’d like to share how I feel about this song; because it will forever hold a special place in my heart....

A note, for my best friend:
I miss you. I know we don’t believe in god or beyond- and I don’t know where you are, but I’ll find you again. I promise. I don’t want to be here without you, it doesn’t feel right…
Please come home, your bed is made for you….



All comments from YouTube:

@nikolamurphy

you can really feel the anxiety building up in the bridge and then just finally letting it all go with "you're alive," it's so painfully beautiful

@Paran0ia.c0re

@@meganliangg that has nothing to do with the song it's just ur opinion I respect it but u should respect others opinion

@damntae6540

@@meganliangg bts is cool and all but come on.

@ahmedkassim7149

Your outlook may change...very impressive 🙏🥰 https://youtu.be/8MxIb00cQiw. https://youtu.be/Pxoc2GfUgu8

@Summersharks.01

@@meganliangg they aren't good

@chaeyuna9950

​@@meganlianggwhat do bts have to do with this song 💀

78 More Replies...

@tiffanysias7841

billie never disappoints, she makes the right songs at the right time, for the right people

@contemplatiive

you said it so well

@tayluvofficial

Ariana's better.

@yamidoesstuff

@@tayluvofficial girl ☠️

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