Billie Eilish & Brother Finneas Reveal Challenge Of Crafting Bond Song After Oscar Win

Billie Eilish and brother Finneas O’Connell just won an Oscar for Best Original Song for the theme song “No Time To Die” from the James Bond film of the same name, which was the last of the iconic film franchise to star Daniel Craig.

In the Oscars media room, the singer-songwriter Eilish and producer Finneas fielded questions about making a Bond song and their career up until this point. Before this win, both of the most recent Bond films, Skyfall and Spectre, won the Original Song Oscars as well, with themes written by Sam Smith and Adele respectively.

Eilish joked that they were “very intimidated,” to start the process, but, “we’ve looked up to the music in the Bond franchise for pretty much as long as I can remember.” She added that despite the fear, “there was no confusion at all about Bond… and the approach was very exhilarating and like, peak life.”

After a reporter commented on Eilish’s growth and the fact that she used to be an “emo, sad-looking teenager, and now you’re like laughing and having a good time.” Eilish cracked, “I went from 14 to 20, so that’ll do it” in response, and added, “I was also a very young teenager. You know teenagers–– it’s just growth and aging I think. I’m super happy. I feel like I’m just coming into being aware of what is good and around me… I’m so so thrilled that growing up has taught me to be more aware of the greatness around me.”

O’Connell said he spoke to Smith and his co-writer of “The Writings On The Wall” Jimmy Napes and revealed their main advice to him was just to “make a song we’re really proud of.” O’Connell also added that they were challenged to make sure the song “felt like a Billie song, and a James Bond at the same time, and not one or the other.” Eilish seconded that she “really didn’t want to disrespect the franchise in any way.”

Check out the official music video for “No Time To Die” below.