"'I have no idea how this song happened. I went through a really s**tty time—I got really, really depressed and was diagnosed with OCD and depression, so I wrote some songs about that. I ended getting prescribed some antidepressants and I woke up one week, so unbelievably happy, every day, like crazy, crazy. Within a week span, I bought a house, I got my dog, I bought all this art. I went crazy, and all my friends were like, ‘Yo, what the f**k is going on? You were just super depressed. This is not normal.’ Essentially, I was some version of manic. I was just super elevated. I would be in the middle of making one song, and then an entire other song would happen in 10 minutes. ‘Billy’ was one the songs that just came out of nowhere while I was working on something else. My dog is named Billy, I think that’s where the name came from. I had just gotten him, and to the song, it’s somewhat fantasy, somewhat autobiographical.'"
–Lauv via Apple Music
Billy
Lauv Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nobody told 'em the world was mean
Do they go up in the trailer?
And nobody die, he could amount to anything
But I know, he won because he has a heart of gold
Woah, oh-oh
Hey, oh-oh, well look who's laughing now
To all the people that were mean
He just channeled your energy
And hey, oh-oh, well look who's laughing now
Yeah he said "Thank you for your doubts"
To all the people that believed
He just channeled your energy
Billy woke up in a Tesla
At twenty three, he didn't think he earned the right
Then Billy got down under pressure
At twenty four, he couldn't go to bed at night
'Cause he saw the world come crashing down the way it does
Woah, oh-oh
Hey, oh-oh, well look who's laughing now
'Cause Billy bought a brand new house
To all the people that were mean
He just channeled your energy
And hey, oh-oh, well look who's laughing now
Yeah he said "Thank you for your doubts"
To all the people that believed
He just channeled your energy
Now Billy, is free
It's Billy, oh-oh-oh
It's Billy, it's Billy, it's Billy
Oh-oh, oh-oh, alright, woo
The lyrics of Lauv’s song “Billy” are about triumph over adversity, pursuing dreams, and overcoming obstacles. The opening lines of the song ask if you have dreams of being a sailor or astronaut, suggesting that the song is about young people and their ambition. The line, “nobody told ‘em the world was mean”, highlights the harsh reality that these young people, like Billy, face when they realize that the world isn’t as supportive as they thought it would be. The next lines describe Billy’s circumstances: living in a trailer, family or friends dying, and feeling like he won’t be able to achieve anything significant. But the chorus switches the narrative and proclaims that Billy has won because of his “heart of gold”. The song then describes how Billy overcomes the odds to become successful, buying a brand new house, driving a Tesla, and ultimately becoming free through his persistence.
The lyrics suggest that the song is a commentary on society’s skepticism of young people and their dreams. It speaks to the self-doubt that young people experience when encountering negative thoughts and opinions from others. The lyrics encourage the listener to persevere and use any negative energy to fuel their success, rather than let it stop them from achieving their dreams.
Overall, “Billy” is an uplifting and inspiring song about perseverance, determination, and the power of positivity. It encourages the listener to keep working toward their goals and not let others bring them down.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you have dreams of a sailor, or an astronaut?
Do you aspire for incredible feats, no matter how daunting or impossible?
Nobody told 'em the world was mean
No one warned them how harsh, cruel and unforgiving the world can be.
Do they go up in the trailer?
Do their aspirations come from improbable or disadvantaged beginnings?
And nobody die, he could amount to anything
If he doesn't fail, he can achieve great things.
But I know, he won because he has a heart of gold
His goodness and resilience helped him succeed in the face of adversity.
Hey, oh-oh, well look who's laughing now
Billy is now victorious and has overcome the challenges thrown his way.
'Cause Billy bought a brand new house
As a symbol of his success, Billy is now living in a new home.
To all the people that were mean
To all the holders of negative energy and doubters.
He just channeled your energy
Billy used their negativity as a source of motivation and changed their energy into something positive and productive.
Yeah he said 'Thank you for your doubts'
Billy is grateful for his doubters as they challenged him to prove his worth and motivated him to work harder.
Billy woke up in a Tesla
As a symbol of his hard work, he now owns a luxury vehicle.
At twenty three, he didn't think he earned the right
At a young age, he didn't believe he deserved his newfound success.
At twenty four, he couldn't go to bed at night
He struggled with the sudden onslaught of pressure and responsibility.
'Cause he saw the world come crashing down the way it does
He witnessed how quickly the world can change and realized the importance of perseverance and resilience.
Now Billy, is free
Billy has now achieved his goals and is free from the chains of his previous experience.
It's Billy, oh-oh-oh
Billy is now a name that carries weight and means success to those who know him.
It's Billy, it's Billy, it's Billy
Repeated affirmation of his identity and success.
Oh-oh, oh-oh, alright, woo
Vocalization of celebration and joy for his victory.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Ari Leff, Jordan Johnson, Stefan Johnson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Asia Rayne
LYRICS:
[Verse 1]
Billy had dreams of a sailor or an astronaut
Nobody told 'em the world was mean
Billy grew up in a trailer and nobody thought
He could amount to anything
But I knew he would because he has a heart of gold
Woah, oh, oh
[Chorus]
Ayy, woah, well look who's laughing now
'Cause Billy bought a brand new house
To all the people that were mean
He just channeled your energy
And ayy, woah, well look who's laughing now
Yeah, he said, "Thank you for your doubts"
To all the people that believed
He just channeled your energy
[Verse 2]
Billy woke up in a Tesla at twenty-three
He didn't think he'd earn the right
Then Billy got down under pressure at twenty-four
He couldn't go to bed at night
'Cause he saw a world come crashing down the way it does
Woah, oh, oh
[Chorus]
Ayy, woah, well look who's laughing now
'Cause Billy bought a brand new house
To all the people that were mean
He just channeled your energy
And ayy, woah, well look who's laughing now
Yeah, he said, "Thank you for your doubts"
To all the people that believed
He just channeled your energy
(P.S. WHO ELSE CRIED/TEARED UP AT THIS SONG?! I relate so hard...still living in poverty but i keep making original music and covers before AND after work... seeing LAUV make it is so inspirational to me! JUST POSTED A NEW ORIGINAL CALLED “IT’S CORONA TIME!” IF ANYONE IS INTERESTED! IF NOT, THAT’S OK JUST IGNORE THIS 😂
seokjined
Lauv wearing different colors of his sleeveless undershirt and pants every music video of his new released songs:
El Tejano — Red
Billy — Green
Canada — Yellow
Julia — Violet
Who — Magenta
Believed — White
Sweatpants — Orange
Olivia Kam
Other artists: Sings about girls and other shit
Lauv: Sings about his dog
JusT For Fun2021
@Coney Dawg woah, I didn't know that he's bi.
𝖓𝖆$𝖍𝖍𝖍
yea harry styles : Fish LOL
Carlo Meneghetti
The song is about himself !
hand
girls and other shit 😭😭
abuscaca
@Coney Dawg what-
Errc Boomer
Lauv hasn’t made a single song I don’t like and this is no exception ♥️
JusT For Fun2021
I don't really like paranoid impo
Sofeel
that is the truest thing in the world!!! so I decided to make a medley from his songs( of course I couldn't put all of them in it, but there will be more parts), but it would mean the world to me if you can check it out.
Rojeh
I could relate until he made a song while doing the dishes 🤕🍽️ 🧼