Everything you need to know about Billie Eilish's third album 'Hit Me Hard and Soft'
It's gone Platinum!
Last updated 18th Dec 2024
Billie Eilish released her third album 'Hit Me Hard and Soft' in May 2024 — and it's already gone Platinum! The 23-year-old 'What Was I Made For?' hitmaker revealed the album's name and release date earlier this year after much speculation.
Taking to X to confirm the album has been released, Billie simply shared the artwork with the words: '“HIT ME HARD AND SOFT” OUT NOW EVERYWHERE! https://BillieEilish.lnk.to/HITMEHARDANDSOHARDANDSOFT #HITMEHARDANDSOFT'. (sic)
Back in April, the singer took to social media to share a photo of herself underwater, with a white door above her, this follows an previous video where she could be seen falling into the water, before being pulled out.
The singer then wrote: '“HIT ME HARD AND SOFT” MY THIRD ALBUMMMMMMMMMMMMM COMES OUT MAY 17THHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH AHHHHHHHHHH🥹🥹🥹 so crazy to be writing this right now i’m nervyyyyy & exciteddd 🫣 not doing singles i wanna give it to you all at once :PPP finneas and i truly could not be more proud of this album and we absolutely can’t wait for you to hear it. love you love you love you. 🙃🙃🙃🙃🙃🙃🙃🙃🙃🙃🙃🙃'. (sic)
Before announcing the album's name, Billie also shared a video with some music, saying 'READY?', and back in February, she revealed that the album has now been mastered, implying it was finished.
In Billie's post, she could be seen wearing a black coat and a balaclava, which is adorned with stars. Captioning the snaps, Billie simply wrote: 'my album is mastered.'
Back in December 2023, Billie's brother Finneas, who frequently works with his sister, revealed that her third album was '85% complete'. Speaking to Mr Porter about the subject matter of the album, he revealed: "I don't think Billie was particularly sure about how she actually felt about the things we were trying to write about.
"Making a thing that you feel really connected to - it can really evade you."
Billie also discussed her third album on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in December 2023, as she said: "We are almost done with this new album. So, at some point, you will know more, but I'm not gonna say anything right now."
What is the tracklist?
On the same day Billie announced her album, the tracklist was leaked by a US publication, she later released it officially by sharing it on Instagram.
The full tracklist on Billie's album is below:
- 'Skinny'
- 'Lunch'
- 'Chihiro'
- 'Birds of a Feather'
- 'Wildflower'
- 'The Greatest'
- 'L'Amour de ma Vie'
- 'The Diner'
- 'Bittersuite'
- 'Blue'
When was Billie's third album out?
After Billie started to tease some new music, she later announced the album would be released on 17th May 2024, so it has now been released!
What is the album called?
Billie's album is called 'Hit Me Hard and Soft'.
Where did it come in the charts?
The album debuted at Number 1 in its first week of release - and was also certified Platinum by the BPI after only six months, meaning it's seen over 300,000 sales in the UK alone. Wow!
The second single to be released from the album, 'Birds of a Feather', went platinum in August 2024, reaching over 600,000 sales. While Wildflower' went Gold in November 2024.
Take a look at Billie Eilish's incredible career so far:
Early life
The US songstress was born on 18th December 2001 to Maggie Baird and Patrick O'Connell. Before Maggie Baird became Billie's momager, travelling on every tour with her, she was a ground-breaking actress and screenwriter. Coming from a famous family, Billie was always destined for fame!
2015: 'Ocen Eyes'
Releasing her first track to Soundcloud would have been a gamble for other singers, however the singer-songwriter released 'Ocean Eyes' herself, at age 14, in 2015. A definite 'bad guy' move, as it allowed her to have autonomy over her work and career.
The track has since been certified 3x Platinum.
2017: Debut EP
'Don't Smile At Me' was released in 2017, when Billie was only 16, to critical acclaim. For her first album, the success was unprecedented. Following suit, her breakthrough hit 'When The Party's Over' entered the Official Chart as a Top 40 hit, proving that her success was only going to exceed from here.
2018: First tour
The 'lovely' singer blew up and grew up in 2018! This was the year that saw the singer-songwriter embark on her 2018 tour. Billie boasted 74.7M Instagram followers, with a fanbase of 52M monthly listeners, growing her fanbase organically after that first Soundcloud release.
The singer's young fans also see her as a role model. The 'Wish You Were Gay' singer-songwriter has paved the way for young women, as an activist for LGBTQIA+ rights, feminism and mental health.
2018
Billie has inspired her Gen Z generation of young women by standing out and speaking up! Most notably by having her own distinctive, androgynous style, which in itself is making a stance for women's empowerment.
By just being herself and resisting gender norms, Billie has done her bit to reduce the societal pressure placed on women and their appearance. She has made a stand to push against this and make the path smoother for the women breaking into the music industry after her. Inspiring fans with her cutting lyrics, cool persona and success, Billie Eilish has become the voice of this generation.
2019: Debut album 'When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?'
Unsurprisingly, the US singer-songwriter scored Number 1 with her debut album 'When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?' in April 2019. Eilish broke a Guinness World Record for being the youngest woman at Number 1 on UK album charts, and for having the most simultaneous US Hot 100 entries by a female.
The album consists of HUGE tracks such as 'Bad Guy', 'Xanny', 'You Should See Me in a Crown', 'When the Party's Over' and 'Bury a Friend'.
2019: Coachella
2019 was the year that saw Billie's iconic Coachella performance. As well as being the year she cemented herself as a fashion icon, she wore head-to-toe Louis Vuitton and burst onto our TV screens in a Calvin Klein ad 'I Speak My Truth in #MyCalvins", sporting her iconic baggy look and opening up about why, saying "I never want anyone to know everything about me. I mean, that's why I wear big, baggy clothes," she says. "Nobody can have an opinion, because they haven't seen what's underneath".
2020: The Grammy Awards milestone
In 2020, our favourite 'bad guy' became the first artist since 1981 to do a full sweep at the Grammy's, winning all four major awards. Billie won Best New Artist, Song of the Year, Record of the Year, Best Pop Vocal Album. She was the youngest to win these. At age 18, she made history, yet again!
2020: Bond theme 'No Time To Die'
2020 was Billie's year as the star also joined the Bond hall of fame! The US singer-songwriter became the youngest artist to be chosen to lend her voice for a Bond film. Her theme song 'No Time To Die' became Number 1 as well as featuring on the 2020 Bond film.
This placed Eilish alongside worldwide superstars Adele and Sam Smith who have been initiated into the Bond elite too, though Eilish did it at only half their age. Impressive!!
2021
In 2021, at the ripe age of just 19-years-old, Billie had already performed over 450 concerts on tour.
2021: Billie continues working with her brother Finneas
Billie continued to do things differently, being produced by her brother, making her career a family affair. Billie showed how doing things your own way can pay off. Finneas O'Connell is a singer-songwriter in his own right, and has reached his own success.
2021
Working with her brother, Billie and Finneas have written songs together, directed videos and even got Billie's mum onboard to help out! A family affair that will be expecting more stunning collabs from the sibling pair. If it will be anything like 'Everything I Wanted' we are here for it...
2021: New album and tour
Billie released her second album 'Happier Than Ever' on Friday 30th July 2021, featuring singles 'My Future', 'Therefore I Am', 'Your Power', 'Lost Cause', and 'NDA'. She'll also be the subject of a Disney+ documentary - 'Happier Than Ever: A Love Letter to Los Angeles' - which will be released in September 2021, as well as taking her new record on tour around the world in 2022.
2021: Fragrance announcement
In October 2021, Billie confirmed the exciting news that she's set to launch her very own fragrance called Eilish. The perfume was made available to purchase from November of that year. Bottled in a amber-bronze gilded bust, of the chest, neck, and collarbone, the singer described the scent as her 'favourite smell in the WORLD'.
Billie then launched Eilish 2.0 in September 2022 - another perfume in that collection, this time in a darker bottle.
2022: Billie live streams her first European concert
In May 2022, Billie Eilish announced that she will be live streaming her first ever European concert. The singer was on her 'Happier Than Ever' Tour, and headed to Deutsche Telekom headquarters in Germany on 1st June. The show marked her first ever show in Europe.
Announcing the live stream, Billie said on Instagram: "Hi it's Billie! Telekom and I would like to invite you to a very special stripped-down show this summer in Europe. For everyone who can't make it, there will be a live stream by Telekom, so make sure to sign up to be notified."
2022: 'Happier Than Ever, The World Tour'
Billie Eilish kicked off her world tour in the US and brought her amazing shows to the UK and Ireland in June.
She played 13 dates across Belfast, London, Manchester, Glasgow, Birmingham, and Dublin.
2023: 'What Was I Made For?'
In July 2023, Billie released a new track called 'What Was I Made For?', which features on the soundtrack of the Barbie movie.
2023: 'bad guy' gains Diamond certification
In July 2023, Billie's smash hit single 'bad guy' became Diamond certified. Diamond certified songs are those which have exceeded 10 million sales. Announcing the news on Instagram, Billie wrote: 'bad guy went diamond………………………. HUUUUUHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH?????????? forever and ever grateful for this silly little song man. love you guys so much its stupid @finneas.' (sic)
2023: Billie releases the final perfume in the Eilish collection
In September 2023, Billie announced the third and final fragrance from her first collection. Called Eilish 3.0, the bottle resembles the two fragrances before it, however is dark red.
Revealing the perfume would be available from November 2023, the singer wrote: 'aaaaaaaaaaaand introducing Eilish No. 3 !! ;)) my first limited edition fragrance & the last in this collection!!🍒🍒out this november💋💋💋💋💋💋💋'. (sic)
2024: Billie wins two Grammy awards
At the 2024 Grammy Awards, Billie took home the Song of the Year and Best Song Written For Visual Media gongs, both for 'What Was I Made For?'
2024: Billie announces 'Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour'
Billie Eilish announced she would be going on tour in 2024 and 2025, coming to the UK for 12 dates in July 2025.
2024: Billie releases her third album 'Hit Me Hard and Soft'
Billie Eilish took to Instagram to reveal that her third studio album is now finished. Sharing a series of photos, Billie wrote: ''my album is mastered.'
The singer later confirmed it would be called 'Hit Me Hard and Soft'. It has now been released, going Platinum just six months later.
2024: Billie performs at the Olympics Closing Ceremony
On 11th August, Billie Eilish performed at the Closing Ceremony for the Paris 2024 Olympics. Before the event, there were several rumours circulating that the singer would be performing, along with The Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Snoop Dogg. Despite the rumours, nothing was confirmed until the day that it took place.
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