Lunch (song)
"Lunch" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Billie Eilish | ||||
from the album Hit Me Hard and Soft | ||||
Written | October 2022 – 2023[a] | |||
Released | May 17, 2024 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 3:00 | |||
Label |
| |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | Finneas | |||
Billie Eilish singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Music video | ||||
"Lunch" on YouTube |
"Lunch" is a song by American singer-songwriter Billie Eilish and the lead single from her third studio album, Hit Me Hard and Soft (2024). It was released on May 17, 2024. The song features a heavy bassline and lyrics that detail Eilish's same-sex sexual attraction, following her public confirmation that she liked both men and women. In the lyrics, which she wrote after realizing that she wanted to try cunnilingus, she describes that desire (and her general sexual appetite), saying she "could eat that girl for lunch".
Background
[edit]Speculation around Eilish's sexual orientation began when she released the music video for the single "Lost Cause" in 2021.[2] The video features Eilish in a slumber party with several women, doing various activities such as twerking,[3] playing Twister,[4] and spraying silly string.[5] Many fans and media outlets saw the video as homoerotic,[6] while others accused her of queerbaiting.[7] In response, Eilish posted behind-the-scenes pictures from the video on Instagram with the caption "I love girls".[8]
In November 2023, Eilish appeared for a Variety cover story, in which she discussed her relationship to sexuality and womanhood, as well as her frustration with people speculating on her sexual orientation. She said that she had always felt an emotional attraction to women alongside physical attraction, admitting that she can be overawed with women she found beautiful.[9] A month later, during a red carpet for the magazine's "Hitmakers" event, a reporter asked Eilish if her comments during her interview were meant as a coming out statement, to which she said that it was not the intention and that she thought her sexual orientation was already obvious.[10] When the event concluded, she took to Instagram to criticize the reporter for their question, accusing them of outing her and confirming she liked both men and women.[11]
Music and lyrics
[edit]During a 2024 Rolling Stone interview, Eilish spoke more about her sexual orientation while discussing her upcoming third studio album, Hit Me Hard and Soft (2024), and her creative process behind one of its songs. She said that writing "Lunch" helped her explore and confirm her same-gender attraction.[12] She created "Lunch" before her first sexual encounter with a woman and completed the song thereafter, fueled by the realization that she "wanted [her] face in a vagina".[13]
The song has been described as electro,[14] synth-rock,[15] synth-pop,[16] and post-punk.[17] Set over a heavy bassline, the song discusses Eilish's strong sexual desire for a woman and compares sex with her to eating lunch.[18] In the chorus, she describes how the woman tastes as she "dances on [Eilish's] tongue" and calls the experience irresistible.[19] Allison Hope of CNN called the songwriting bold, comparing the provocative nature to activist Marsha P. Johnson's involvement at the 1969 Stonewall Inn riots in New York City.[20]
Release and reception
[edit]Eilish debuted "Lunch" alongside two other songs from Hit Me Hard and Soft during a secret DJ set and party at Coachella 2024, called "Do Labs".[21][22][23] It is the second track on the album, released on May 17, 2024.[24] "Lunch" is the lead single from the album, released concurrently with the album's release.[25] The song was released to contemporary hit radio in the United States,[26] while Universal Music Group promoted it on radio airplay in Italy.[27] The music video for "Lunch", directed by Eilish, premiered via her Vevo channel on YouTube twelve hours after the song's and album's release.[28]
Some music critics opined that "Lunch" is one of the best songs from the album. Kitty Empire from The Observer wrote the song as "a Sapphic synth-pop banger in which Eilish smacks her lips, wanting to devour someone tasty. Even better, towards the end of the song, the Eilish siblings pull out some of their most dancefloor-facing music to date. It ends too soon, on some panting".[16]
Music video
[edit]The video self-directed by Eilish has her dancing around dressed in stereotypical hip-hop clothes of young male rappers, mostly in new era/green/red and yellow plaid hats, a Supreme basketball jerseys, a blue and red striped shirt with striped/jean shorts fashions of the 1990s to add to the irony of the song.
Accolades
[edit]Year | Award | Category | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2024 | Las Culturistas Culture Awards | Best Lunch | Nominated | [29] |
MTV Video Music Awards | Video of the Year | Nominated | [30] |
Charts
[edit] Weekly charts[edit] | Monthly charts[edit]
|
Certifications
[edit]Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Austria (IFPI Austria)[107] | Gold | 15,000‡ |
Belgium (BEA)[108] | Gold | 20,000‡ |
Canada (Music Canada)[109] | 2× Platinum | 160,000‡ |
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[110] | Gold | 45,000‡ |
France (SNEP)[111] | Gold | 100,000‡ |
Italy (FIMI)[112] | Gold | 50,000‡ |
New Zealand (RMNZ)[113] | Platinum | 30,000‡ |
Poland (ZPAV)[114] | Platinum | 50,000‡ |
Portugal (AFP)[115] | Platinum | 10,000‡ |
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[116] | Gold | 30,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[117] | Gold | 400,000‡ |
Streaming | ||
Greece (IFPI Greece)[118] | Platinum | 2,000,000† |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
Release history
[edit]Region | Date | Format | Label(s) | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Canada | May 17, 2024 | Radio airplay | [119] | |
Italy | Universal | [27] | ||
United States | Contemporary hit radio |
| [26] |
Notes
[edit]- ^ For Alt 98.7 FM, Eilish revealed that the chorus of "Lunch" was written in October 2022, and the song was finished in Fall of 2023.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ "Billie Eilish Talks All Things 'Hit Me Hard and Soft' and going for it with 'Lunch'". KYSR. May 18, 2024. Retrieved June 7, 2024 – via YouTube.
- ^ Tolliver, Jazmin (December 3, 2023). "Billie Eilish Opens Up About Why She Didn't Think She Had to Come Out". HuffPost. Archived from the original on April 20, 2024. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
- ^ Mamo, Heran (June 2, 2021). "Billie Eilish & Her Girl Squad Host PJ Dance Party in 'Lost Cause' Video". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 2, 2021. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
- ^ Neale, Matthew (June 2, 2021). "Watch Billie Eilish Live It Up in New 'Lost Cause' Music Video". NME. Archived from the original on June 2, 2021. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
- ^ Blanchet, Brenton (June 2, 2021). "Watch Billie Eilish's New Video for 'Lost Cause'". Complex. Archived from the original on June 2, 2021. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
- ^ Kitty Empire (July 31, 2021). "Billie Eilish: Happier Than Ever Review – Wiser and Wilder". The Observer. Archived from the original on June 24, 2022. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
- ^ Ng, Kate (June 14, 2021). "Billie Eilish Fans Defend Her Against Accusations of 'Queerbaiting'". The Independent. Archived from the original on August 25, 2021. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
- ^ Weisenstein, Kara (June 14, 2021). "Billie Eilish Doesn't have to Answer to Us About Who She Loves". Mic. Archived from the original on August 25, 2021. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
- ^ Gariano, Francesca (December 3, 2023). "Billie Eilish Comments on Coming Out: 'I Didn't Realize People Didn't Know'". Today. Archived from the original on February 20, 2024. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
- ^ Iasimone, Ashley (December 3, 2023). "Billie Eilish Comments on Coming Out: 'I Didn't Realize People Didn't Know'". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 30, 2023. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
- ^ Mzezewa, Tariro (December 4, 2023). "Billie Eilish Accuses Variety of Outing Her". The Cut. Archived from the original on December 12, 2023. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
- ^ Duncan, Charlie (April 24, 2024). "Billie Eilish on Coming to Terms with Her Sexuality: 'I Wanted My Face in a Vagina'". PinkNews. Archived from the original on April 24, 2024. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
- ^ Zuvela, Teneal (April 24, 2024). "Billie Eilish Just Got *Very* Candid About Her Sexuality". Elle. Archived from the original on January 23, 2024. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
- ^ McCormick, Neil (May 16, 2024). "Billie Eilish, Hit Me Hard and Soft: explicit, sapphic and her best work yet". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on May 16, 2024. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
- ^ Torres, Eric (May 17, 2024). "5 Takeaways From Billie Eilish's New Album Hit Me Hard and Soft". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on May 17, 2024. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
- ^ a b Empire, Kitty (May 19, 2024). "Billie Eilish: Hit Me Hard and Soft review – could have hit even harder". The Observer. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
- ^ Ragusa, Paolo (May 17, 2024). "On Hit Me Hard and Soft, Billie Eilish Is Wounded, Soaring, and Rejuvenated: Review". Consequence. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
- ^ Damshenas, Sam (April 24, 2024). "Billie Eilish Says She's Always 'Loved Girls': 'I Want My Face in a Vagina'". Gay Times. Archived from the original on April 24, 2024. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
- ^ Gonzalez, Alex (April 24, 2024). "Billie Eilish Says She Wrote Her Queer Song 'Lunch' After Realizing She Wanted Her 'Face in a Vagina'". Uproxx. Archived from the original on April 24, 2024. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
- ^ Hope, Allison (June 1, 2024). "Opinion: Billie Eilish's "Lunch" is the Pride anthem we so desperately need". CNN. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
- ^ Gonzalez, Alex (April 14, 2024). "Billie Eilish Previewed A New Song, 'Lunch,' During Coachella And Its Lyrics Are So Explicit Fans Are Having Fits Online". Uproxx.
- ^ Keating, Shannon (April 17, 2024). "Coachella's Gayest Moments, Ranked". Vulture. Archived from the original on April 20, 2024. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
- ^ Hollie Geraghty (April 15, 2024). "Billie Eilish previews new song 'Lunch' during secret Coachella DJ set". NME.
- ^ Singh, Surej (April 19, 2024). "Check Out the Tracklist for Billie Eilish's New Album Hit Me Hard and Soft". NME. Archived from the original on May 20, 2024. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
- ^ Partridge, Ken (May 17, 2024). "Billie Eilish Celebrates Same-Sex Attraction On New Song "LUNCH"". Genius. Archived from the original on May 17, 2024. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
- ^ a b "Hot New Releases". Hits Daily Double. May 17, 2024. Archived from the original on May 18, 2024. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
- ^ a b Vitali, Giacomo (May 17, 2024). "Billie Eilish – LUNCH (Radio Date: 17-05-2024)" (in Italian). Radio Airplay Italia. Archived from the original on May 17, 2024. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
- ^ Duran, Anagricel (May 17, 2024). "Watch Billie Eilish's feel-good video for 'LUNCH'". NME. Archived from the original on May 17, 2024. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
- ^ Smyth, Jason P. Frank, Tom (June 17, 2024). "The Real Winners of the 2024 Las Culturistas Culture Awards". Vulture. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Blistein, Jon (August 6, 2024). "Taylor Swift Dominates 2024 MTV Video Music Award Nominations". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
- ^ "Billie Eilish – Chart History (Argentina Hot 100)" Billboard Argentina Hot 100 Singles for Billie Eilish. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
- ^ "Billie Eilish – Lunch". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
- ^ "Billie Eilish – Lunch" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
- ^ "Top Radio Hits Belarus Weekly Chart: June 13, 2024". TopHit. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
- ^ "Billie Eilish – Lunch" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
- ^ "Billie Eilish – Lunch" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
- ^ "Billie Eilish Chart History (Brasil Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
- ^ "Billie Eilish Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
- ^ "Billie Eilish Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
- ^ "Billie Eilish Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard. Retrieved July 14, 2024.
- ^ "Billie Eilish Chart History (Canada Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
- ^ Billie Eilish — Lunch. TopHit. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
- ^ "Billie Eilish Chart History (Croatia Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
- ^ "ARC 100 – Week 26 (24.06.2024.)". HRT. June 24, 2024. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 45. týden 2024 in the date selector. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 21. týden 2024 in the date selector. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
- ^ "Track Top-40 Uge 21, 2024". Hitlisten. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
- ^ "Top Radio Hits Estonia Weekly Chart: July 4, 2024". TopHit. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
- ^ "Billie Eilish: Lunch" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
- ^ "Billie Eilish – Lunch" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
- ^ "Billie Eilish – Lunch" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
- ^ "Billie Eilish Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
- ^ "Official IFPI Charts — Digital Singles Chart (International) — Εβδομάδα: 22/2024" (in Greek). IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on June 5, 2024. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
- ^ "Billie Eilish Chart History (Hong Kong Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
- ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
- ^ "Tónlistinn – Lög" [The Music – Songs] (in Icelandic). Plötutíðindi. Archived from the original on June 5, 2024. Retrieved June 8, 2024.
- ^ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
- ^ "Media Forest Week 24, 2024". Media Forest. Archived from the original on June 13, 2024. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
- ^ "Top Singoli – Classifica settimanale WK 21" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
- ^ "Billie Eilish Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
- ^ "Straumēšanas TOP 2024 – 22. nedēļa" [Streaming TOP 2024 – Week 22] (in Latvian). LAIPA. June 3, 2024. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
- ^ "Latvijas spēlētāko dziesmu Radio Top 2024. gads – 25. nedēļa" [Latvia's most played songs Radio Top 2024 – Week 25] (in Latvian). LAIPA. June 28, 2024. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
- ^ "OLT20 – English Chart – Week of Sunday June 27th, 2024". The Official Lebanese Top 20. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
- ^ "2024 22-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. May 31, 2024. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
- ^ "Billie Eilish Chart History (Luxembourg Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
- ^ "Billie Eilish Chart History (Malaysia Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
- ^ "TOP 20 Most Streamed International Singles In Malaysia Week 21 (17/05/2024-23/05/2024)". RIM. June 3, 2024. Retrieved June 3, 2024 – via Facebook.
- ^ "The Official Mena Chart – This Week's Official MENA Chart Top 20 from 17/05/2024 to 23/05/2024". theofficialmenachart.com. International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original on May 31, 2024. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 22, 2024" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
- ^ "Billie Eilish – Lunch" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
- ^ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. June 3, 2024. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
- ^ "TurnTable Nigeria Top 100: May 31st, 2024 – June 6th, 2024". TurnTable. Archived from the original on June 14, 2024. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
- ^ "Singel 2024 uke 21". VG-lista. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
- ^ "Top 20 Panamá del 1 al 7 de Julio, 2024". Monitor Latino. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
- ^ "Billie Eilish Chart History (Philippines Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
- ^ "OLiS – oficjalna lista airplay" (Select week 15.06.2024–21 June 2024.) (in Polish). OLiS. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
- ^ "OLiS – oficjalna lista sprzedaży – single w streamie" (Select week 17.05.2024–23 May 2024.) (in Polish). OLiS. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
- ^ "Billie Eilish – Lunch". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
- ^ "Billie Eilish Chart History (Romania Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
- ^ "Top Radio Hits Russia Weekly Chart: July 4, 2024". TopHit. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
- ^ "Top 50 – Radio San Marino RTV – 10/07/2024" (in Italian). San Marino RTV. July 10, 2024. Archived from the original on July 11, 2024. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
- ^ "The Official Mena Chart – This Week's Official Saudi Arabia Chart Top 20 from 17/05/2024 to 23/05/2024". theofficialmenachart.com. International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original on May 31, 2024. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
- ^ "RIAS Top Charts Week 21 (17 – 23 May 2024)". RIAS. Archived from the original on May 28, 2024. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 25. týden 2024 in the date selector. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 21. týden 2024 in the date selector. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
- ^ "Top Release Of The Week: Local & Intl Streaming". The Official South African Charts. Recording Industry of South Africa. Archived from the original on May 31, 2024. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
- ^ "Digital Chart – Week 21 of 2024". Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved May 30, 2024.
- ^ "Billie Eilish – Lunch" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
- ^ "Veckolista Singlar, vecka 22". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
- ^ "Billie Eilish – Lunch". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
- ^ "Billie Eilish Chart History (Taiwan Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
- ^ "The Official Mena Chart – This Week's Official UAE Chart Top 20 from 17/05/2024 to 23/05/2024". theofficialmenachart.com. International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original on May 31, 2024. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
- ^ "Billie Eilish Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
- ^ "Billie Eilish Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 14, 2024.
- ^ "Billie Eilish Chart History (Dance Mix/Show Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved July 7, 2024.
- ^ "Billie Eilish Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
- ^ "Billie Eilish Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
- ^ "Billie Eilish Chart History (Rock Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
- ^ "Top 100 – Record Report". Record Report. Archived from the original on June 22, 2024. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
- ^ "Top Radio Hits Global Monthly Chart: June 2024". TopHit. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
- ^ "CZ – RADIO – TOP 100: Měsíc 9/2024" (in Czech). International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
- ^ "Top Radio Hits Estonia Monthly Chart: July 2024". TopHit. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
- ^ "Top Radio Hits Lithuania Monthly Chart: June 2024". TopHit. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
- ^ "Agosto - Top #100 de Canciones de SGP" (in Spanish). Sociedad de Gestión de Productores Fonográficos del Paraguay. Archived from the original on September 9, 2024. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
- ^ "Top Radio Hits Russia Monthly Chart: June 2024". TopHit. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
- ^ "Austrian single certifications – Billie Eilish – Lunch" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
- ^ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 2024". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ "Canadian single certifications – Billie Eilish – Lunch". Music Canada. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
- ^ "Danish single certifications – Billie Eilish – Lunch". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
- ^ "French single certifications – Billie Eilish – Lunch" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
- ^ "Italian single certifications – Billie Eilish – Lunch" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
- ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Billie Eilish – Lunch". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
- ^ "OLiS - oficjalna lista wyróżnień" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved September 25, 2024. Click "TYTUŁ" and enter Lunch in the search box.
- ^ "Portuguese single certifications – Billie Eilish – Lunch" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved September 2, 2024.
- ^ "Spanish single certifications – Billie Eilish – Lunch". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved September 2, 2024.
- ^ "British single certifications – Billie Eilish – Lunch". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
- ^ "IFPI Charts – Digital Singles Chart (International) – Εβδομάδα: 43/2024" (in Greek). IFPI Greece. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
- ^ Farrell, David (May 21, 2024). "Post Malone & Morgan Wallen's 'I Had Some Help' Is This Week's Hot New Radio Track In Canada". Billboard Canada. Retrieved November 17, 2024.