Only A Lifetime

Album: Optimist (2021)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Like many artists, Finneas spent much of his COVID quarantine writing songs. This piano-driven track finds him taking a positive view of the strange time. Rather than bemoaning the enforced isolation, he determines to make the most of lockdown, as we've only got one lifetime. "A lot of people were pacing around their houses, praying for lockdown to be lifted, and waiting for the vaccine," Finneas stated. "I had a sudden realization - I might really miss this calm time I had with my family and my girlfriend. I was trying to remind myself to stay present and stay engaged no matter what is going on."
  • After several busy years working on his own material, the projects of his sister, Billie Eilish, and much, much more, Finneas appreciated slowing down. "I'm going on hikes with my dog, I'm cooking dinner with my girlfriend every night, I'm making an album with my sister," he told MTV News. "You need to stop taking this for granted, because a couple years from now, you're going to look back and you're going to miss this. You're genuinely going to miss this period."
  • Frequent collaborator Sam Bennett directed the video, which sees Finneas walking around an aquarium. Towards the end, the singer meets up with Eilish and presumably their parents. Bennett filmed the clip in one take at Long Beach, California's Aquarium of the Pacific.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

JJ Burnel of The Stranglers

JJ Burnel of The StranglersSongwriter Interviews

JJ talks about The Stranglers' signature sound - keyboard and bass - which isn't your typical strain of punk rock.

Frankie Valli

Frankie ValliSong Writing

An interview with Frankie Valli, who talks about why his songs - both solo and with The Four Seasons - have endured, and reflects on his time as Rusty Millio on The Sopranos.

James Williamson of Iggy & the Stooges

James Williamson of Iggy & the StoogesSongwriter Interviews

The Stooges guitarist (and producer of the Kill City album) talks about those early recordings and what really happened with David Bowie.

Tom Keifer of Cinderella

Tom Keifer of CinderellaSongwriter Interviews

Tom talks about the evolution of Cinderella's songs through their first three albums, and how he writes as a solo artist.

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About Transgenderism

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About TransgenderismSong Writing

A history of songs dealing with transgender issues, featuring Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Morrissey and Green Day.

Bob Dylan Lyric Quiz

Bob Dylan Lyric QuizMusic Quiz

Think you know your Bob Dylan lyrics? Take this quiz to find out.