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

Billie Eilish's Hit Me Hard and Soft album cover — Billie Eilish’s Hit Me Hard and Soft album cover

Billie Eilish isn’t one to shy away from messy emotions, and Wildflower is a masterclass in vulnerability.

Featured on her third studio album, Hit Me Hard and Soft, the track dives into the tangled emotions of dating someone who once belonged to a close friend.

Released on May 17, 2024, the song quickly became a standout moment on the album.

It’s a slow burn of guilt, longing, and the ever-haunting presence of a past relationship.

Who is “Wildflower” About?

The song’s themes have fueled intense speculation, with many fans linking Wildflower to Billie’s past relationship with Jesse Rutherford from The Neighbourhood.

Before dating Billie, Jesse was in a long-term relationship with Devon Lee Carlson, a social media personality and Billie’s close acquaintance.

Adding to the intrigue, Wildflower may not just be an emotional retelling—it might carry a hidden nod to Devon herself.

The name of the song could reference Wildflower Cases, a brand co-founded by Carlson.

While Billie hasn’t directly addressed the theory, the parallels between her personal life and the song’s lyrics are hard to ignore.

Billie Eilish Wildflower Lyrics Meaning Explained

Verse 1

“Things fall apart / And time breaks your heart / I wasn’t there but I know”
These opening lines set the tone for the song’s theme of emotional fragility.

The progression creates a somber, wistful backdrop that enhances Billie’s melancholic reflection on heartbreak.

“She was your girl / You showed her the world / But fell out of love and you both let go”
Billie reflects on the past relationship between her current partner and their ex, hinting that their love was once intense but naturally faded. The movement adds depth to the bittersweet nature of the lyrics.

Pre-Chorus

“She was cryin’ on my shoulder / All I could do was hold her / Only made us closer until July”
These lines introduce the emotional complexity—Billie comforts someone through heartbreak, only for the connection to deepen into something more than friendship.

The chords here maintain a delicate, contemplative sound, reflecting hesitation and emotional closeness.

“Now I know that you love me / You don’t need to remind me / I should put it all behind me, shouldn’t I?”
The transition around her creates a dramatic moment of uncertainty, reinforcing Billie’s inner conflict.

Chorus

“But I see her in the back of my mind all the time”
The lingering presence of the ex is unavoidable, creating an undercurrent of guilt and doubt. The sonic shift introduces slight tension, amplifying Billie’s uncertainty.

“Like a fever, like I’m burning alive, like a sign / Did I cross the line?”
The fever imagery emphasizes how consuming these emotions are. The transition darkens the mood, embodying the heat of anxiety and regret.

Verse 2

“Well, good things don’t last / And life moves so fast / I’d never ask who was better”
Here, Billie grapples with the fleeting nature of relationships and resists the urge to compare herself to her partner’s ex. The section maintains a longing tone, reinforcing the feeling of transience.

“Cause she couldn’t be / More different from me / Happy and free in leather”
A direct contrast between Billie and the ex-girlfriend. This line suggests a level of insecurity, as Billie sees herself as fundamentally different from the one who came before her. The instrumentation keeps the reflection intimate and unresolved.

Bridge

“You say no one knows you so well (Oh) / But every time you touch me, I just wonder how she felt”
The emotional peak of the song, where Billie directly questions whether she can ever escape the presence of the past.

“Valentine’s Day, cryin’ in the hotel / I know you didn’t mean to hurt me, so I kept it to myself”
This moment illustrates Billie’s silent suffering, keeping her emotions hidden even though they are clearly affecting her. The descending movement mimics an emotional spiral.

Outro

“Do you see her in the back of your mind in my eyes?”
The final haunting question, showing that the insecurity persists—does her partner still see their ex when looking at her?

The unresolved movement leaves the song open-ended, just like Billie’s emotions.

Symbolism of the “Wildflower”

The title itself is a powerful metaphor. A wildflower grows in unexpected places, thriving despite adversity.

In this context, Billie could be portraying herself as someone caught in a love that blossomed out of complicated circumstances.

It also speaks to the uncontrollable nature of emotions—just like wildflowers, love doesn’t always grow where it’s supposed to.

Chart Performance and Reception

Upon release, Wildflower resonated globally, landing at #17 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #7 on the UK Singles Chart.

The track gained traction in international markets, securing top 10 spots in Malaysia, Portugal, and the Middle East.

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) later certified it double platinum, marking over two million units sold.

Critics praised Billie’s introspective songwriting, with Billboard calling it “her most mature storytelling yet.”

American Songwriter referred to the track as a “pseudo apology“ that balances raw honesty with haunting melodies.

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 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.

Live Performances: A Stripped-Down Emotional Journey

Billie’s live renditions of Wildflower have only deepened its impact. Her COLORS performance in September 2024 stripped the song down to its bare essence, allowing her breathy vocals to carry the emotional weight.

She later performed it on Saturday Night Live in October 2024, alongside Finneas, armed with just an acoustic guitar.

The simplicity of these performances underscored the rawness of the lyrics, making the song hit even harder.

At the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards, Billie once again performed Wildflower, opening the show with an intimate, stripped-down arrangement.

The soft chord transitions in the live version enhanced the song’s vulnerability, drawing listeners into its emotional core.

The Bigger Picture: Why Wildflower Stands Out

In a music industry often filled with black-and-white depictions of love, Wildflower thrives in the gray areas.

It’s a song about love that shouldn’t have happened, but did anyway. It’s about guilt that lingers but doesn’t erase the emotions that caused it.

Billie captures the paradox of human relationships in a way that feels both deeply personal and relatable.

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