Billie Eilish’s ‘Chihiro’ named after character Chihiro in Ghibli Studio animated film ‘Spirited Away’.
Billie Eilish has opened up about the meaning behind her ‘Chihiro’ lyrics and how they are inspired by the film Spirited Away.
After weeks of anticipation, Billie Eilish’s third studio album ‘Hit Me Hard And Soft‘ is finally here. Written and produced with her brother and longterm collaborator Finneas, the album sees Billie explore brand new sonic and lyrical territory all while honing her signature artistry. From ‘Lunch‘ to ‘L’Amour De Ma Vie‘, there’s something for everyone on the project.
One of the many tracks capturing fans’ attention is ‘Chihiro’ and now she’s released a music video for the song. Who is ‘Chihiro’ though and what are the lyrics actually about?
What does ‘Chihiro’ mean? Who is Chihiro?
Billie Eilish’s ‘Chihiro’ is named after the lead character of the Hayao Miyazaki film Spirited Away. In the beloved 2001 movie, a 10-year-old girl named Chihiro moves with her parents and enters a spirit realm where her parents turn into pigs. The film follows Chihiro as she gains a new understanding and appreciation of life as she tries to save herself and her family.
Speaking to Rolling Stone, Billie said: “The song is loosely based off of that movie, which is one of my favorites. It’s kind of from her point of view, mixed with mine. The visuals in that movie are some of the best ever — all that Studio Ghibli shit is unbelievable.”
She added: “There’s all those visuals of the train in the water after the flood, and it literally looks like an ocean with a train track. I had just watched Spirited Away and Finneas had made that beat. I love that movie. I’ve seen it so many times.”
Billie Eilish – CHIHIRO (Official Music Video)
Like Chihiro, Billie appears to be sing about feeling lost in the song. In the moving chorus, Billie sings: Open up the door, can you open up the door? / I know you said before you can’t cope with any more / You told me it was war, said you’d show me what’s in store / I hope it’s not for sure, can you open up the door?
In the outro, Billie adds: Running my hands up my lap / And you tell me it’s all been a trap / And you don’t know if you’ll make it back / I said, “No, don’t say that”.
Unsurprisingly, ‘Chihiro’ contains many direct lyrical references to Spirited Away and fans have picked them out.
- “to take my love away / when i come back / will i know what to say?” when chihiro finds herself lost in an unknown world and her parents are turned into pigs, she feels confused and has to find a way to rescue them, not knowing what to do initially
- “i saw you turn around, but it wasn’t your face” the scene where chihiro sees haku transform into a dragon could be related to this line. She sees someone she knows, but in a completely different form, which is disconcerting
- “i don’t know you at all / i don’t know you, no, i don’t” chihiro initially feels like she doesn’t know anyone in this strange world, including haku. even when he tries to help, she is still uncertain about who he really is.
- “and you don’t know if you’ll make it back / i said, ‘no, don’t say that'” in the end, chihiro faces many uncertainties about how and if she will be able to return to her world with her parents. your determination and courage are crucial, as is your desire not to give up.
Long before releasing ‘Chihiro’, Billie has spoken several times about what Spirited Away means to her as a movie. Speaking about the art direction of her debut album ‘WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO?’ in 2019 with Vice Australia, Billie said: “I owe most of it to Spirited Away and Miyazaki.”
Describing the film, Billie added: “It is so weirdly unrealistic but realistic, when Finneas saw Spirited Away, he was so scared from the parents turning into pigs that he had to go to therapy for years because of it. I remember watching and being like “this is hard” and I watch it over and over and over…”
She ended by saying: “I thought it was so dope and I had the biggest crush on the dragon in that movie.”
Source: https://www.capitalfm.com/news/music/billie-eilish-chihiro-lyrics-meaning-spirited-away/