You Should See Me in a Crown

Album: When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? (2018)
Charted: 60 41
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This dark and dramatic electro track finds a confident Billie Eilish affirming her self-worth. Boosted by recent successes, she proclaims her plans for world domination.

    You should see me in a crown
    I'm gonna run this nothing town
    Watch me make 'em bow
    One by one by one
  • The track's title was inspired by a quote voiced by Sherlock Holmes' arch-nemesis Professor Moriarty during The Reichenbach Fall, the third and final episode of the second series of the BBC television series Sherlock.

    In a world of locked rooms, the man with the key is king
    And honey, you should see me in a crown


    Eilish explained to BBC Radio 1's Annie Mac: "We wrote this song because of Sherlock because there's this scene where Jim Moriarty says [affects an unconvincing Irish accent]: 'You should see me in a crown'. And then we just wrote a song about being jiggy, I guess."
  • Finneas O'Connell, Eilish's brother and frequent collaborator, supplied the beat-heavy, trap-influenced production.
  • Billie Eilish told Billboard her favorite lyric from the song is:

    I like the way they all scream

    The singer explained that she thought the line was dope because if you heard it in a dark room, it'd be terrifying and her goal is to freak the listener out.

    Eilish added that in the past her tracks have always been sad, "so to write a song that's kind of almost empowering that was not even something I ever thought of doing or wanted to do, even."
  • The opening sound on the track came about after Eilish heard her father sharpening knives in the kitchen. The singer and her brother loved how it sounded, so they asked their dad to make the noise again as they recorded it.
  • Billie Eilish collaborated with Japanese artist Takashi Murakami for an animated anime-styled video which finds the singer transforming into a Godzilla-sized monster. The clip features Murakami's signature rainbow flowers as well as Eilish's BLOHSH character and merch line.

    Murakami previously helmed Kanye West's 2008 visual for "Good Morning," and he also did animation work for Pharrell Williams's "It Girl" promo in 2014. The Japanese artist and Eilish had worked together on a prior occasion for a GARAGE magazine cover picture.

Comments: 2

  • Genna from HereI wonder if this subliminally was a warning About the Corona virus, for real. The stars often tell us warnings about stuff that we as the viewers don't really see in this big world picture. Perhaps this virus was a planned attack from Korea or someone wanting to destroy the old and the weak
  • Whatever from Earthfreaky when you think about this song and corona virus
see more comments

Editor's Picks

John Doe of X

John Doe of XSongwriter Interviews

With his X-wife Exene, John fronts the band X and writes their songs.

Francis Rossi of Status Quo

Francis Rossi of Status QuoSongwriter Interviews

Doubt led to drive for Francis, who still isn't sure why one of Status Quo's biggest hits is so beloved.

David Paich of Toto

David Paich of TotoSongwriter Interviews

Toto's keyboard player explains the true meaning of "Africa" and talks about working on the Thriller album.

Francesca Battistelli

Francesca BattistelliSongwriter Interviews

The 2011 Artist of the Year at the Dove Awards isn't your typical gospel diva, and she thinks that's a good thing.

Tom Johnston from The Doobie Brothers

Tom Johnston from The Doobie BrothersSongwriter Interviews

The Doobies guitarist and lead singer, Tom wrote the classics "Listen To The Music," "Long Train Runnin'" and "China Grove."

Song Titles That Inspired Movies

Song Titles That Inspired MoviesSong Writing

Famous songs that lent their titles - and in some cases storylines - to movies.