Billie Eilish’s “Wildflower”: A Raw Take on Dating Your Friend’s Ex

Ever wondered what it feels like to fall for your friend’s ex? Billie Eilish’s Wildflower from her third studio album, Hit Me Hard and Soft dives deep into exactly that messy situation.

Released on May 17, 2024, the track has become a fan favourite, hitting the Billboard Hot 100 at #17 and sparking intense speculation about its real-life inspiration.

The Real Story Behind “Wildflower”

Remember when Billie dated Jesse Rutherford from The Neighbourhood?

Well, before their relationship (October 2022 to May 2023), Jesse was with Devon Lee Carlson – who happened to be Billie’s friend.

If you’re thinking this sounds like the perfect recipe for drama, you’re right. But there’s a twist.

The song’s title itself might be a clever nod to Devon’s brand, Wildflower Cases. Subtle? Maybe not. Genius? Absolutely.

Breaking Down Those Soul-Crushing Lyrics of “Wildflower”

“She was cryin’ on my shoulder / All I could do was hold her / Only made us closer until July”

These lines hit different when you realise Billie’s singing about comforting Devon after her breakup with Jesse, only to end up dating him herself. Talk about complicated.

But it gets even more intense: “Every time you touch me, I just wonder how she felt / Valentine’s Day, cryin’ in the hotel”

This brutal honesty about feeling guilty while being intimate with someone who used to be with your friend? Peak Billie storytelling.

The Plot Twist Nobody Expected

Here’s where it gets interesting – despite the song’s heavy subject matter, Billie and Devon are actually still friends.

They were spotted holding hands at Kendall Jenner’s Halloween party in October 2023, and even hung out at Coachella 2024.

Billie even shared a photo with Devon on Instagram with the caption “shoutout to love and friendship man life is beautiful.”

The Art of Making Messy Beautiful

Billboard didn’t just pick Wildflower as their favourite track from “Hit Me Hard and Soft” by chance.

The song pulls off something rare – taking the awkward, guilt-ridden experience of dating a friend’s ex and spinning it into something painfully honest.

American Songwriter’s Alex Hopper called it a “pseudo apology,” but it feels more like an open letter to both Devon and herself.

The Ethereal Soundscape of Wildflower

Musically, Wildflower is a study in restraint. Finneas’s understated production creates an ethereal backdrop for Billie’s whispery vocals.

The sparse instrumentation, punctuated by acoustic guitar and subtle synths, lets the lyrics take centre stage.

This sonic minimalism mirrors the song’s introspective nature, drawing listeners into its intimate world.

A Global Love Affair

Wildflower caught fire globally in ways nobody expected. The track climbed to #7 in the UK, while Iceland embraced it even more enthusiastically, pushing it to #2.

Across the Middle East and Malaysia, the song’s raw emotions resonated deeply with listeners, landing it in the top 10.

By December 2024, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) awarded it Platinum status, marking one million units sold.

“Wildflower”: From Studio to Stage

When Billie returned to COLORS show on September 18, 2024, something magical happened.

Standing alone in that minimalist space, her performance stripped away all the production, leaving just the raw emotion of the lyrics.

A month later, she took the Saturday Night Live stage with her brother Finneas, armed with just an acoustic guitar.

The stripped-down arrangement highlighted what makes Wildflower special – it’s not about the production tricks or vocal acrobatics, but about telling a story that feels real.

The Reality Check

Wildflower isn’t just about guilt – it’s about the reality that sometimes life gets messy, feelings get complicated, and there isn’t always a clear right or wrong.

The fact that Billie and Devon maintained their friendship through it all adds another layer to the story.

Whether you’re deciphering its lyrics or simply absorbing its haunting melodies, Wildflower is a reminder that love is as complicated as it is beautiful.

Billie Eilish WILDFLOWER Lyrics

Verse 1
Things fall apart
And time breaks your heart
I wasn’t there, but I know
She was your girl
You showed her the world
But fell out of love and you both let go

Pre-Chorus
She was cryin’ on my shoulder
All I could do was hold her
Only made us closer until July
Now, I know that you love me
You don’t need to remind me
I should put it all behind me, shouldn’t I?

Chorus
But I see her in the back of my mind
All the time
Like a fever, like I’m burning alive
Like a sign
Did I cross the line?
(Mm) Hmm

Verse 2
Well, good things don’t last (Good things don’t last)
And life moves so fast (Life moves so fast)
I’d never ask who was better (I’d never ask who was better)
‘Cause she couldn’t be (Couldn’t)
More different from me (Different)
Happy and free in leather (Happy)

Pre-Chorus
And I know that you love me (You love me)
You don’t need to remind me (Remind me)
Wanna put it all behind me, but baby

Chorus
I see her in the back of my mind (Back of my mind)
All the time (All the time)
Feels like a fever (Like a fever), like I’m burning alive (Burning alive)
Like a sign
Did I cross the line?

Bridge
You say no one knows you so well (Oh)
But every time you touch me, I just wonder how she felt
Valentine’s Day, cryin’ in the hotel
I know you didn’t mean to hurt me, so I kept it to myself

Chorus
And I wonder
Do you see her in the back of your mind in my eyes?

Outro
You say no one knows you so well
But every time you touch me, I just wonder how she felt
Valentine’s Day, cryin’ in the hotel
I know you didn’t mean to hurt me, so I kept it to myself