What Was I Made For?

Billie Eilish's "What Was I Made For?" is a minimalist piano ballad that serves as a reflective centerpiece for the 2023 film Barbie. Released on July 13, 2023, through Atlantic, Darkroom, and Interscope Records, it arrived as the fifth single from the movie's soundtrack. The song quickly became a global hit, topping charts in Australia, Ireland, Malaysia, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, while peaking at number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US.

Co-written by Eilish and her brother Finneas O'Connell, the track captures the existential questioning at the heart of Barbie's story. Its sparse production and vulnerable vocal delivery resonated deeply with audiences, earning five Grammy nominations, including Record of the Year. It won Song of the Year, marking the first time a film song took that prize since Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On" from Titanic in 1998. It also secured Best Song Written for Visual Media, a Golden Globe for Best Original Song, and an Academy Award for Best Original Song, making it one of the most decorated tracks of the year.

The song's cultural footprint extends beyond awards. It has been covered by artists like Norah Jones and Arooj Aftab, and its themes of identity and purpose have been cited in discussions about AI anxiety. The official music video, directed by Eilish, features her opening a box of miniature outfits, a visual metaphor tied to the film's themes. [edit]