The meaning behind Billie Eilish's Lost Cause lyrics explained

2 June 2021, 18:30

Billie Eilish wears SKIMS in Lost Cause teaser

By Sam Prance

What do Billie Eilish's Lost Cause lyrics mean? Here's everything you need to know about the song.

Billie Eilish is back with a new taste of her Happier Than Ever album but what is the meaning behind her 'Lost Cause' lyrics?

Billie Eilish is due to release her second studio album, Happier Than Ever, on July 30. Teasing the project on Instagram, Billie wrote: "this is my favorite thing i’ve ever created and i am so excited and nervous and EAGER for you to hear it. i can’t even tell you." The record contains the hit singles 'My Future', 'Therefore I Am' and 'Your Power' alongside 13 unheard tracks.

Now, Billie has just released the fourth song from the album tracklist and fans are already living for her 'Lost Cause' lyrics.

What are Billie Eilish's Lost Cause lyrics about?

Billie Eilish Lost Cause lyrics: Meaning explained
Billie Eilish Lost Cause lyrics: Meaning explained. Picture: Darkroom

'Lost Cause' is a female empowerment anthem in which Billie sings about finally realising that the man she is, or was, dating is "nothing but a lost cause". In the chorus, Billie sings: "You think you're such an outlaw / But you got no job". She adds: "I used to wish you were mine / But that was way before I realized / Someone like you would always be easy to find".

In the bridge, Billie continues: "You'd been gone for hours / Could be anywhere / I thought you would've grown eventually / But you proved me wrong". It's unclear exactly who the song is about but it's possible that it was inspired by Billie's ex-boyfriend, an older rapper named Brandon 'Q' Adams.

Discussing the song and video on Instagram, Billie teased: "THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITES AHHHHHHHH I CANT WAIT FOR YOU TO SEEE". She later wrote: "we had the time of our lives being hot & shooting this heeheeeeeehee".

Billie Eilish - Lost Cause (Official Music Video)

Like all of the Happier Tha Ever songs so far, Billie co-wrote 'Lost Cause' with her brother Finneas.

Billie Eilish - 'lost cause' lyrics

INTRO
Something's in the

VERSE 1
Something's in the air right now
Like I'm losing track of time (Time, time)
I don't really care right now, but maybe that's fine
You weren't even there that day
I was waitin' on you (You)
I wondered if you aware that day was the last straw for me
And I know I sent you flowers
Did you even care?
You ran the shower and left them by the stairs
Ooh-ooh-ooh, ayy-ayy-ayy, oh-oh

CHORUS
Thought you had your shit together
But damn, I was wrong
You ain't nothing but a lost cause
And this ain't nothing like it once was
I know you think you're such an outlaw
But you got no job
You ain't nothing but a lost cause
And this ain't nothing like it once was
I know you think you'rе such an outlaw
But you got no job

VERSE 2
I used to think you were shy
Or maybе you just had nothing on your mind
Maybe you were thinkin' 'bout yourself all the time
I used to wish you were mine
But that was way before I realized
Someone like you would always be easy to find
So easy (So easy)

BRIDGE
Gave me no flowers
Wish I didn't care
You'd been gone for hours
Could be anywhere
I thought you would've grown eventually
But you proved me wrong

CHORUS
You ain't nothing but a lost cause
And this ain't nothing like it once was
I know you think you're such an outlaw
But you got no job
You ain't nothing but a lost cause
And this ain't nothing like it once was
I know you think you're such an outlaw
But you got no job

OUTRO
What did I tell you?
Don't get complacent
It's time to face it now
What did I tell you?
Don't get complacent
It's time to face it now