Did you think I’d show up in a limousine? No
Had to save my money for security
Got a stalker walkin’ up and down the street
Says he’s Satan and he’d like to meet
I bought a secret house when I was seventeen
Haven’t had a party since I got the keys
Had a pretty boy over but he couldn’t stay
On his way out, made him sign an NDA
Yeah, I made him sign an NDA
(Once was good enough)
‘Cause I don’t want him having shit to say
You couldn’t save me but you can’t let me go
I can crave you but you don’t need to know
Thirty under thirty for another year
I can barely go outside, I think I hate it here
Maybe I should think about a new career
Somewhere in Kauai where I can disappear
I’ve been having fun getting older now
Didn’t change my number, made him shut his mouth
At least I gave him something he can cry about
I thought about my future but I want it now
Want it now
(You can’t give me up)
You couldn’t save me but you can’t let me go
I can crave you but you don’t need to know
Did I take it too far?
Now I know what you are
You hit me so hard
I saw stars
Think I took it too far
When I sold you my heart
How’d it get so dark?
I saw stars
Stars
Behind the Lyrics: Navigating Fame and Privacy
“NDA” by Billie Eilish offers a candid glimpse into the complexities of living under constant scrutiny. The lyrics paint a picture of isolation and the high cost of celebrity, as Billie recounts the need for secrecy and security. Lines about stalkers, secret homes, and non-disclosure agreements reflect the real threats to personal freedom and trust. Amid the haunting, minimalist production, Billie’s voice conveys both vulnerability and defiance. The refrain, “You couldn’t save me but you can’t let me go,” speaks to toxic attachments and the contradiction of craving connection while protecting one’s autonomy. Ultimately, the song captures the tension between longing for normalcy and the inescapable darkness of fame.
Song Credits
Songwriters: Billie Eilish, Finneas O’Connell
Release Year: 2021
Label: Darkroom/Interscope Records