Billie Eilish scrapped an entire music video because it wasn’t vibes

Billie Eilish has a knack for creating visually stunning music videos, many of which she directs herself. However, her latest video for the hit single “Birds of a Feather” has left some fans feeling underwhelmed. In a recent Vogue cover story, Billie revealed that she actually created an alternative version of the video before deciding to scrap it at the last minute. “I was like, this ain’t it,” she admitted, noting that for the first time in a while, she sought a second opinion and chose to hand over the reins to director Aidan Zamiri, who previously worked with her on the video for “Guess,” featuring Charli XCX.

The switch in direction sparked mixed reactions, especially after fans expressed a desire for a more whimsical setting, like a dreamy flower field, rather than the washed-out ’70s office vibe of the final product. Memes and comments flooded social media, with some fans lamenting the absence of the more picturesque aesthetic they envisioned. During her Hit Me Hard and Soft tour, glimpses of Billie frolicking in a flower field while collecting blooms during live performances of “Birds of a Feather” only fueled the sentiment, with fans jokingly accusing her of withholding the better visuals.

Musically, the choice of a muted office setting makes more sense when considering the song’s darker lyrical themes. The opening lines—“I want you to stay / ‘Til I’m in the grave / ‘Til I rot away, dead and buried”—highlight the haunting emotional undertones that contrast with the light, pastoral imagery fans were hoping for.

Zamiri described the decision to portray Billie being dragged around the set by an invisible force as a metaphor for love’s inevitability: “You have no choice. It’s pulling you no matter what you do,” which aligns with the song’s deeper themes of entrapment and longing. While the final video may lack the vibrant flair fans expected, it offers a more subdued yet meaningful exploration of love’s complexities, fitting into Billie and her brother Finneas’s artistic vision for the track.

Overall, while “Birds of a Feather” may not be Billie’s most captivating video to date—especially since it’s the first one she didn’t direct in quite a while—it still carries a level of intrigue and artistry that resonates with her signature style. It’s a reminder that beauty can be found in simplicity, even if it doesn’t always match the expectations set by fans.