B Movies Blog

Hello, Movie Mavens! Welcome back to the B Movies Blog. Today, we’re popping another edition of Lights, Camera, Albums into the ol’ VCR. 

In today’s edition of Lights, Camera, Albums, we’re going to cover Billie Eilish’s sophomore album, Happier Than Ever. This album is unique in that it shows Billie is wise beyond her years, however, it’s worth the reminder that she’s still only 21. I know that some of the movies I chose are erotic thrillers, but I would like to point out that I based my decisions on the lyrics, not ANYTHING to do with Billie herself. 

I’ll spare you all a soapbox today, but I have a lot to say about how Billie Eilish has been treated by the media, and would like to remind all of you again that she’s 21-years-old because I think some of you need to be reminded. I digress. 

If you’re new here, Lights, Camera, Albums is a series where I pair each song on an album with a movie. Sometimes, it’s obvious. Other times, I have to over explain myself into oblivion, and you still need to tilt your head and squint. Fun! 

I also made the decision to forego pictures on this one because some of the movies are heavier/have more intense subject matter, and it didn’t feel right to throw images with silly captions into this one. 

Without further ado, let’s jump into Lights, Camera, Albums: Billie Eilish’s Happier Than Ever 

“Getting Older” as Almost Famous 

I see “Getting Older” as being sung from Penny Lane’s perspective. She continues to follow Stillwater and other bands as she gets older and isn’t treated well. Two of the last lines really solidify this pairing for me: 

“But next week, I hope I’m somewhere laughing

For anybody asking, I promise I’ll be fine” 

“I Didn’t Change My Number” as Scream 

I have to admit that this pairing is a little tongue in cheek. Ghostface’s (literal) calling card is the phone, and I could definitely see Sidney belting this out at the end of the movie when she fights off Billy and Stu. 

“Billie Bossa Nova” as Fatal Attraction 

One night changes Dan Gallagher’s (Michael Douglas) life, as well as Alex Forrest’s (Glenn Close). Each seems to have a different impression of what their rendezvous meant, and I think this song represents Alex’s vantage point. She believes this to be the beginning of a relationship, albeit an unhealthy one, and “Billie Bossa Nova” is Alex explaining her actions to Dan. 

“my future”  as Love Actually

If this song had come out in 2003, I can guarantee you that it would’ve been on the Love Actually soundtrack. It gives the same tonal vibe as Kelly Clarkson’s “The Trouble With Love Is,” as well as other songs we hear throughout the movie. 

Out of all of the characters in Love Actually, I think this song is perfect for the Mark and Juliet arc. Mark knows nothing can come out of his feelings for Juliet, but he has to confess them to her to move on, which is the main message of the song. 

“Oxytocin” as Basic Instinct 

I’m going to be really honest and admit this was the hardest pairing for me. I knew I wanted something with a little sleaze and sensuality to it, but nothing felt quite right. Then, it hit me. I needed Verhoeven. And no, this isn’t the only time Verhoeven will pop up in this piece. 

The intense sound and vibe of this song matches a lot of the themes within Basic Instinct. From THE famous scene to the scenes in the nightclub, I just think this song encapsulates this erotic thriller. 

“GOLDWING” as Dracula 

I almost see this song as a warning from Renfield to Mina about what’s to come. If she does accept the vampiric life that Dracula is trying to seduce her into, she’s going to be torn apart, and once Dracula is bored with her, there will be another girl for him to sink his teeth into. 

“Lost Cause” as Showgirls 

Verhoeven strikes again! I think this song works in several different ways. I think Nomi could sing it to Crystal, Zack could sing it to Nomi, Molly could sing it to Nomi, you name it. At the end of the day, almost everyone in this movie is a horrible person, so you can Choose Your Own Adventure. 

“Halley’s Comet” as Only Lovers Left Alive 

Adam and Eve might be betrothed, but they rarely come together. Their love has spanned centuries, but they have different philosophies. Adam and Eve’s relationship is complex, to say the least, but they still have a love for each other, and “Halley’s Comet” illustrates this complicated romance. 

“Not My Responsibility” as Dumplin’ 

I know this is more prose, but it’s on the album, so we’re covering it. When I listened to “Not My Responsibility,” I thought of Dumplin’. Willowdean (Danielle Macdonald) tries to challenge societal body standards throughout the film much like Billie does in this piece. I know Dumplin’ is a little more lighthearted at times, but the message remains the same — women need to stop being held to impossible body standards. 

“OverHeated” as The Devil Wears Prada 

I see Andi (Anne Hathaway) singing “OverHeated” as she becomes immersed in the world of Runway. She becomes more interested in fashion, has a fling with Christian (Simon Baker), and manages to both lose and find herself in the process. 

“Everybody Dies” as Tuck Everlasting 

If you aren’t familiar with the story of Tuck Everlasting*, the Tucks are a family who have discovered the secret to immortality. Jesse (Jonathan Jackson) falls for Winnie (Alexis Bledel) and leaves her with the choice on whether or not to drink from the same spring. After traveling back to town decades later, Jesse learns Winnie lived a full and happy life but ultimately chose morality. I picked these two to go together because of these two lyrics in particular: 

“I just wonder why you’d wanna stay

If everybody goes”

*Note: Tuck Everlasting was a novel first, and this is actually the second film adaptation. It’s just the one I saw first.” 

“Your Power” as An Education 

This one is really heavy, but it was one of the first pairings I made. Billie sings about someone older abusing their power by having a relationship with someone much younger, much like the one between Jenny (Carey Mulligan) and David (Peter Sarsgaard). 

“NDA” as Perfect Blue

I’m embarrassed to admit I only watched Perfect Blue recently, but I think it matches the tone of “NDA.” Mima (voiced by Junko Iwao) is so exposed to the public and has been molded into this perfect image that when she does anything to the contrary, the public is shocked, including her stalker. 

“Therefore I Am” as Bottoms 

So this one is more about a matching vibe than an actual storyline connection. Bottoms is all about female empowerment, particularly queer female empowerment, while taking down satirical male characters like Jeff (Nicholas Galitzine). The vibe of “Therefore I Am” matches PJ (Rachel Sennott) and Josie’s (Ayo Edebiri) attitudes towards the toxic masculinity within their school. Plus, I just really loved Bottoms. 

“Happier Than Ever” as 10 Things I Hate About You 

Like “Brutal,” this movie has become synonymous with Do Revenge for me. However, I used Do Revenge in the LCA for Olivia Rodrigo’s SOUR. The good news is, 10 Things I Hate About You was still available, and I think “Happier Than Ever” pairs nicely with it. Kat (Julia Stiles) could sing this to Patrick (Heath Ledger) after she finds out about the bet because they went all over the city together.  

“Male Fantasy” as American Beauty 

Oftentimes, women are only viewed through the male gaze and are expected to behave a certain way that fits into the image of perfection the viewer has created, much like how Angela (Mena Suvari) is seen by Lester (Kevin Spacey, unfortunately). American Beauty is a particularly icky manifestation of this idea, but the message remains the same. Women, especially GIRLS, don’t exist simply for male pleasure, and in the case of GIRLS, shouldn’t at all.