Lunch (song) explained

Lunch
Type:single
Artist:Billie Eilish
Album:Hit Me Hard and Soft
Written:October 2022 – 2023
Genre:
Length:3:00
Label:
  • Darkroom
  • Interscope
Producer:Finneas
Prev Title:What Was I Made For?
Prev Year:2023
Next Title:Birds of a Feather
Next Year:2024

"Lunch" is a song by American singer-songwriter Billie Eilish and the lead single from her third studio album, Hit Me Hard and Soft (2024). It was released on May 17, 2024. The song features a heavy bassline and lyrics that detail Eilish's same-gender sexual attraction, following her public confirmation that she liked both men and women. In the lyrics, which she wrote after realizing that she wanted to try cunnilingus, she describes that desire (and her general sexual appetite), saying she "could eat that girl for lunch".

Background

Speculation around Eilish's sexual orientation began when she released the music video for the single "Lost Cause" in 2021.[1] The video features Eilish in a slumber party with several women, doing various activities such as twerking,[2] playing Twister,[3] and spraying silly string.[4] Many fans and media outlets saw the video as homoerotic,[5] while others accused her of queerbaiting.[6] In response, Eilish posted behind-the-scenes pictures from the video on Instagram with the caption "I love girls".[7]

In November 2023, Eilish appeared for a Variety cover story, in which she discussed her relationship to sexuality and womanhood, as well as her frustration with people speculating on her sexual orientation. She said that she had always felt an emotional attraction to women alongside physical attraction, admitting that she can be overawed with women she found beautiful.[8] A month later, during a red carpet for the magazine's "Hitmakers" event, a reporter asked Eilish if her comments during her interview were meant as a coming out statement, to which she said that it was not the intention and that she thought her sexual orientation was already obvious.[9] When the event concluded, she took to Instagram to criticize the reporter for their question, accusing them of outing her and confirming she liked both men and women.[10]

Music and lyrics

During a 2024 Rolling Stone interview, Eilish spoke more about her sexual orientation while discussing her upcoming third studio album, Hit Me Hard and Soft (2024), and her creative process behind one of its songs. She said that writing "Lunch" helped her explore and confirm her same-gender attraction.[11] She created "Lunch" before her first sexual encounter with a woman and completed the song thereafter, fueled by the realization that she "wanted [her] face in a vagina".[12]

The song has been described as electro,[13] synth-rock,[14] synth-pop, and post-punk.[15] Set over a heavy bassline, the song discusses Eilish's strong sexual desire for a woman and compares sex with her to eating lunch.[16] In the chorus, she describes how the woman tastes as she "dances on [Eilish's] tongue" and calls the experience irresistible.[17] Allison Hope of CNN called the songwriting bold, comparing the provocative nature to activist Marsha P. Johnson's involvement at the 1969 Stonewall Inn riots in New York City.[18]

Release and reception

Eilish debuted "Lunch" alongside two other songs from Hit Me Hard and Soft during a secret DJ set and party at Coachella 2024, called "Do Labs".[19] [20] [21] It is the second track on the album, released on May 17, 2024.[22] "Lunch" is the lead single from the album, released concurrently with the album's release.[23] The song was released to contemporary hit radio in the United States, while Universal Music Group promoted it on radio airplay in Italy. The music video for "Lunch", directed by Eilish, premiered via her Vevo channel on YouTube twelve hours after the song's and album's release.[24]

Some music critics opined that "Lunch" is one of the best songs from the album. Kitty Empire from The Observer wrote the song as "a Sapphic synth-pop banger in which Eilish smacks her lips, wanting to devour someone tasty. Even better, towards the end of the song, the Eilish siblings pull out some of their most dancefloor-facing music to date. It ends too soon, on some panting".[25]

Music video

The video self-directed by Eilish has her dancing around dressed in stereotypical hip-hop clothes of young male rappers, mostly in new era/green/red and yellow plaid hats, a Supreme basketball jerseys, blue and red striped shirt and striped/jean shorts fashions of the 1990s to add to the irony of the song.

Accolades

Year! scope="col"
AwardCategoryResult
2024Las Culturistas Culture AwardsBest Lunch [26]
MTV Video Music AwardsVideo of the Year[27]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2024)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Belarus Airplay (TopHit)[28] 92
Brazil (Brasil Hot 100)[29] 15
Croatia (Billboard)[30] 10
Croatia (HRT)[31] 16
Denmark (Tracklisten)[32] 6
Estonia Airplay (TopHit)[33] 22
Greece (IFPI)[34] 2
Hong Kong (Billboard)[35] 17
Iceland (Plötutíðindi)[36] 2
Israel (Media Forest)[37] 1
Italy (FIMI)[38] 33
Latvia (LAIPA)[39] 2
Latvia Airplay (LAIPA)[40] 1
Lebanon English (Lebanese Top 20)[41] 11
Lithuania (AGATA)[42] 1
Luxembourg (Billboard)[43] 6
Malaysia (Billboard)[44] 17
Malaysia International (RIM)[45] 11
MENA (IFPI)[46] 7
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[47] 2
Nigeria (TurnTable Top 100)[48] 92
Norway (VG-lista)[49] 4
Panama (Monitor Latino)[50] 9
Philippines Hot 100 (Billboard)[51] 62
Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100)[52] 23
Poland (Polish Streaming Top 100)[53] 8
Romania (Billboard)[54] 23
Russia Airplay (TopHit)[55] 46
San Marino (SMRRTV Top 50)[56] 18
Saudi Arabia (IFPI)[57] 12
Singapore (RIAS)[58] 7
South Africa (TOSAC)[59] 14
South Korea (Circle)[60] 160
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[61] 4
Taiwan (Billboard)[62] 19
UAE (IFPI)[63] 7
Venezuela (Record Report)[64] 34

Monthly charts

Chart (2024)! scope="col"
Position
CIS Airplay (TopHit)[65] 26
Czech Republic (Rádio – Top 100)[66] 79
Estonia Airplay (TopHit)[67] 29
Lithuania Airplay (TopHit)[68] 7
Russia Airplay (TopHit)[69] 53

Release history

Region! scope="col"
DateFormatLabel(s)
ItalyMay 17, 2024Radio airplayUniversal[70]
United StatesContemporary hit radio[71]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Tolliver . Jazmin . December 3, 2023 . Billie Eilish Opens Up About Why She Didn't Think She Had to Come Out . April 25, 2024 . . en . April 20, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240420140529/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/billie-eilish-opens-up-about-why-she-didnt-think-she-had-to-come-out_n_656cab05e4b028b0f3d06358 . live .
  2. Mamo . Heran . June 2, 2021 . Billie Eilish & Her Girl Squad Host PJ Dance Party in 'Lost Cause' Video . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210602170811/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9581340/billie-eilish-lost-cause-music-video/ . June 2, 2021 . . April 25, 2024.
  3. Web site: Neale . Matthew . June 2, 2021 . Watch Billie Eilish Live It Up in New 'Lost Cause' Music Video . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210602162926/https://www.nme.com/news/music/watch-billie-eilish-live-it-up-in-new-lost-cause-music-video-2954345 . June 2, 2021 . April 25, 2024 . NME.
  4. Web site: Blanchet . Brenton . June 2, 2021 . Watch Billie Eilish's New Video for 'Lost Cause' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210602163521/https://www.complex.com/music/billie-eilish-lost-cause-video . June 2, 2021 . April 25, 2024 . Complex.
  5. Web site: Empire . Kitty . Kitty Empire . Kitty Empire . July 31, 2021 . Billie Eilish: Happier Than Ever Review – Wiser and Wilder . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220624101520/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/jul/31/billie-eilish-happier-than-ever-review . June 24, 2022 . April 25, 2024 . . en.
  6. Web site: Ng . Kate . June 14, 2021 . Billie Eilish Fans Defend Her Against Accusations of 'Queerbaiting' . April 25, 2024 . . en . August 25, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210825072140/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/billie-eilish-fans-queerbaiting-claims-b1865639.html . live .
  7. Web site: Weisenstein . Kara . June 14, 2021 . Billie Eilish Doesn't have to Answer to Us About Who She Loves . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210825072140/https://www.mic.com/p/billie-eilish-doesnt-have-to-answer-to-us-about-who-she-loves-81177834 . August 25, 2021 . April 25, 2024 . Mic.
  8. Web site: Gariano . Francesca . December 3, 2023 . Billie Eilish Comments on Coming Out: 'I Didn't Realize People Didn't Know' . April 25, 2024 . . en . February 20, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240220231706/https://www.today.com/popculture/billie-eilish-coming-out-rcna127799 . live .
  9. Iasimone . Ashley . December 3, 2023 . Billie Eilish Comments on Coming Out: 'I Didn't Realize People Didn't Know' . April 25, 2024 . . en-US . December 30, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231230000521/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/billie-eilish-coming-out-variety-interview-1235531094/ . live .
  10. Web site: Mzezewa . Tariro . December 4, 2023 . Billie Eilish Accuses Variety of Outing Her . limited . April 25, 2024 . . en . December 12, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231212103003/https://www.thecut.com/2023/12/billie-eilish-accuses-variety-outing-her.html . live .
  11. Web site: Duncan . Charlie . April 24, 2024 . Billie Eilish on Coming to Terms with Her Sexuality: 'I Wanted My Face in a Vagina' . April 25, 2024 . . en-US . April 24, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240424193814/https://www.thepinknews.com/2024/04/24/billie-eilish-sexuality-lunch/ . live .
  12. Web site: Zuvela . Teneal . April 24, 2024 . Billie Eilish Just Got *Very* Candid About Her Sexuality . April 25, 2024 . . en-AU . January 23, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240123145213/https://www.elle.com.au/culture/billie-eilish-sexuality/ . live .
  13. News: McCormick . Neil . Neil McCormick . May 16, 2024 . Billie Eilish, Hit Me Hard and Soft: explicit, sapphic and her best work yet . May 17, 2024 . . en-GB . 0307-1235 . May 16, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240516121501/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/what-to-listen-to/billie-eilish-hit-me-hard-and-soft-review/ . live .
  14. Web site: Torres . Eric . May 17, 2024 . 5 Takeaways From Billie Eilish's New Album Hit Me Hard and Soft . May 18, 2024 . . May 17, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240517202153/https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/takeaways-from-billie-eilish-new-album-hit-me-hard-and-soft/ . live .
  15. Web site: Ragusa . Paolo . On Hit Me Hard and Soft, Billie Eilish Is Wounded, Soaring, and Rejuvenated: Review . Consequence . May 17, 2024 . May 28, 2024.
  16. Web site: Damshenas . Sam . April 24, 2024 . Billie Eilish Says She's Always 'Loved Girls': 'I Want My Face in a Vagina' . April 25, 2024 . . en-GB . April 24, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240424201336/https://www.gaytimes.co.uk/culture/billie-eilish-says-shes-always-loved-girls-i-want-my-face-in-a-vagina/ . live .
  17. Web site: Gonzalez . Alex . April 24, 2024 . Billie Eilish Says She Wrote Her Queer Song 'Lunch' After Realizing She Wanted Her 'Face in a Vagina' . April 25, 2024 . . en-US . April 24, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240424193824/https://uproxx.com/pop/billie-eilish-lunch-song-queer-awakening/ . live .
  18. Web site: Hope . Allison . 2024-06-01 . Opinion: Billie Eilish's "Lunch" is the Pride anthem we so desperately need . 2024-06-07 . CNN . en.
  19. Web site: Gonzalez . Alex . Billie Eilish Previewed A New Song, 'Lunch,' During Coachella And Its Lyrics Are So Explicit Fans Are Having Fits Online . Uproxx. April 14, 2024 .
  20. Web site: Keating . Shannon . April 17, 2024 . Coachella's Gayest Moments, Ranked . limited . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240420013928/https://www.vulture.com/article/coachella-renee-rapp-billie-eilish-victoria-monet-go-gay.html . April 20, 2024 . April 25, 2024 . . en.
  21. Web site: Billie Eilish previews new song 'Lunch' during secret Coachella DJ set . NME . Hollie Geraghty . 15 April 2024.
  22. Web site: Singh . Surej . April 19, 2024 . Check Out the Tracklist for Billie Eilish's New Album Hit Me Hard and Soft . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240520134756/https://www.nme.com/news/music/check-out-the-tracklist-for-billie-eilishs-new-album-hit-me-hard-and-soft-3619859 . May 20, 2024 . April 25, 2024 . . en-GB.
  23. Web site: Partridge . Ken . May 17, 2024 . Billie Eilish Celebrates Same-Sex Attraction On New Song "LUNCH" . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240517141228/https://genius.com/a/billie-eilish-celebrates-same-sex-attraction-on-new-song-lunch . May 17, 2024 . May 17, 2024 . Genius.
  24. Duran . Anagricel . May 17, 2024 . Watch Billie Eilish's feel-good video for 'LUNCH' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240517183336/https://www.nme.com/news/music/watch-billie-eilishs-feel-good-video-for-lunch-3757399 . May 17, 2024 . May 17, 2024 . NME.
  25. News: Empire . Kitty . May 19, 2024 . Billie Eilish: Hit Me Hard and Soft review – could have hit even harder . May 21, 2024 . . 0261-3077.
  26. Web site: Smyth . Jason P. Frank, Tom . 2024-06-17 . The Real Winners of the 2024 Las Culturistas Culture Awards . 2024-08-06 . Vulture . en.
  27. Blistein . Jon . 2024-08-06 . Taylor Swift Dominates 2024 MTV Video Music Award Nominations . 2024-08-06 . Rolling Stone . en-US.
  28. Web site: Top Radio Hits Belarus Weekly Chart: June 13, 2024. TopHit. July 11, 2024.
  29. Billie Eilish Chart History (Brasil Hot 100). Billboard. May 31, 2024.
  30. Billie Eilish Chart History (Croatia Songs). Billboard. May 29, 2024.
  31. Web site: ARC 100 - Week 26 (24.06.2024.). June 24, 2024 . HRT. June 25, 2024.
  32. Web site: Track Top-40 Uge 21, 2024. Hitlisten. May 29, 2024.
  33. Web site: Top Radio Hits Estonia Weekly Chart: July 4, 2024. TopHit. July 11, 2024.
  34. Web site: Official IFPI Charts — Digital Singles Chart (International) — Εβδομάδα: 22/2024. IFPI Greece. el. June 5, 2024. June 5, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240605154348/https://ifpi.gr/digital_iel.html.
  35. Billie Eilish Chart History (Hong Kong Songs). Billboard. May 29, 2024.
  36. Web site: Tónlistinn – Lög. The Music – Songs. is. Plötutíðindi. June 8, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240605174050/https://plotutidindi.is/tonlistinn/. June 5, 2024.
  37. Web site: Media Forest Week 24, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240613131312/https://mediaforest-group.com/weekly_charts.html#!#menu2. June 13, 2024. Media Forest. June 16, 2024.
  38. Web site: Top Singoli – Classifica settimanale WK 21. Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. it. May 25, 2024.
  39. Web site: 3 June 2024 . Straumēšanas TOP 2024 – 22. nedēļa . Streaming TOP 2024 – Week 22 . July 26, 2024 . . lv.
  40. Web site: Latvijas spēlētāko dziesmu Radio Top 2024. gads – 25. nedēļa. Latvia's most played songs Radio Top 2024 – Week 25. lv. LAIPA. 5 June 2024. 28 June 2024.
  41. Web site: OLT20 – English Chart – Week of Sunday June 27th, 2024. The Official Lebanese Top 20. August 13, 2024.
  42. Web site: 2024 22-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100). lt. AGATA. May 31, 2024. May 31, 2024.
  43. Billie Eilish Chart History (Luxembourg Songs). Billboard. May 29, 2024.
  44. Billie Eilish Chart History (Malaysia Songs). Billboard. May 29, 2024.
  45. Web site: TOP 20 Most Streamed International Singles In Malaysia Week 21 (17/05/2024-23/05/2024). Facebook. RIM. June 3, 2024. June 3, 2024.
  46. Web site: The Official Mena Chart - This Week's Official MENA Chart Top 20 from 17/05/2024 to 23/05/2024. theofficialmenachart.com. International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. June 2, 2024. May 31, 2024. https://archive.today/20240531211711/https://www.theofficialmenachart.com/weeklychart. live.
  47. Web site: NZ Top 40 Singles Chart. Recorded Music NZ. June 3, 2024. May 31, 2024.
  48. TurnTable Nigeria Top 100: May 31st, 2024 – June 6th, 2024. TurnTable. June 14, 2024. June 14, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240614191101/https://www.turntablecharts.com/charts/1. dead.
  49. Web site: Singel 2024 uke 21. VG-lista. May 25, 2024.
  50. Web site: Top 20 Panamá del 1 al 7 de Julio, 2024. Monitor Latino. July 10, 2024.
  51. Billie Eilish Chart History (Philippines Hot 100). Billboard. July 12, 2024.
  52. Web site: OLiS – oficjalna lista airplay. OLiS. pl. June 24, 2024. Select week 15.06.2024–21.06.2024..
  53. Web site: OLiS – oficjalna lista sprzedaży – single w streamie. OLiS. pl. May 29, 2024. Select week 17.05.2024–23.05.2024..
  54. Billie Eilish Chart History (Romania Songs). Billboard. May 29, 2024.
  55. Web site: Top Radio Hits Russia Weekly Chart: July 4, 2024. TopHit. July 11, 2024.
  56. Web site: Top 50 – Radio San Marino RTV – 10/07/2024. https://archive.today/20240711225538/https://www.sanmarinortv.sm/radio/radio-san-marino/top-50-ascoltare . 2024-07-11 . it . . 10 July 2024 . 12 July 2024.
  57. Web site: The Official Mena Chart - This Week's Official Saudi Arabia Chart Top 20 from 17/05/2024 to 23/05/2024. theofficialmenachart.com. International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. June 2, 2024. May 31, 2024. https://archive.today/20240531211711/https://www.theofficialmenachart.com/weeklychart. live.
  58. Web site: RIAS Top Charts Week 21 (17 - 23 May 2024). RIAS. May 28, 2024. May 28, 2024. https://archive.today/20240528072646/https://www.rias.org.sg/rias-top-charts/.
  59. Web site: Top Release Of The Week: Local & Intl Streaming. 2024-05-31 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240531161916/https://theofficialsacharts.co.za/new-releases/. 2024-05-31. . Recording Industry of South Africa. en-GB.
  60. Web site: Digital Chart – Week 21 of 2024. Circle Chart. ko. May 30, 2024.
  61. Web site: Veckolista Singlar, vecka 22. Sverigetopplistan. May 31, 2024.
  62. Billie Eilish Chart History (Taiwan Songs). Billboard. May 29, 2024.
  63. Web site: The Official Mena Chart - This Week's Official UAE Chart Top 20 from 17/05/2024 to 23/05/2024. theofficialmenachart.com. International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. June 2, 2024. May 31, 2024. https://archive.today/20240531211711/https://www.theofficialmenachart.com/weeklychart. live.
  64. Web site: Top 100 - Record Report. Record Report. June 22, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240622120829/https://www.recordreport.com.ve/publico/top100/. June 22, 2024. live.
  65. Web site: Top Radio Hits Global Monthly Chart: June 2024. TopHit. July 11, 2024.
  66. Web site: CZ – RADIO – TOP 100: Měsíc 7/2024. International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. August 7, 2024. cs.
  67. Web site: Top Radio Hits Estonia Monthly Chart: July 2024. TopHit. August 2, 2024.
  68. Web site: Top Radio Hits Lithuania Monthly Chart: June 2024. TopHit. July 11, 2024.
  69. Web site: Top Radio Hits Russia Monthly Chart: June 2024. TopHit. July 11, 2024.
  70. Web site: Vitali . Giacomo . May 17, 2024 . Billie Eilish - LUNCH (Radio Date: 17-05-2024) . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240517105628/https://radiodate.it/radio-date/billie-eilish-lunch-236650-17-05-2024-radiodate/ . May 17, 2024 . May 17, 2024 . Radio Airplay Italia . it-IT.
  71. May 17, 2024 . Hot New Releases . May 17, 2024 . . May 18, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240518105904/https://hitsdailydouble.com/pop_mart%26id%3D341292 . live .

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