Wikipedia

The Greatest (Billie Eilish song)

"The Greatest" (stylized in all uppercase) is a song by American singer-songwriter Billie Eilish, and the sixth track from her third studio album, Hit Me Hard and Soft (2024). It was released on May 17, 2024. Commercially, the song reached the top 20 in Australia, New Zealand, Portugal and Global 200, and the top 30 in Canada and the United States. A performance of "The Greatest" live from the Stephen Colbert Show (2024) can be found on Youtube.[1]

"The Greatest"
Song by Billie Eilish
from the album Hit Me Hard and Soft
ReleasedMay 17, 2024 (2024-05-17)
Genre
Length4:53
Label
Songwriters
ProducerFinneas
Lyric video
"The Greatest" on YouTube

Music and lyrics

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"The Greatest" acts as the sixth track on Hit Me Hard and Soft. The lyrics explore feelings of defeat, loneliness, anger, and mourning for what could’ve been. Eilish evokes these emotions as she explores her frustration with a past partner, for not reciprocating or noticing the effort she put into the relationship. Despite every effort and amount of affection Eilish put in, none of it was appreciated, recognized, or valued by her partner. Which is how "The Greatest" came to be wrote, and later largely appreciated by her listeners who shared similar experiences.[2]

Eilish uses soft string sounds in the bridge, which add depth and emotion to the song. This kind of careful detail is a big part of how her music is changing and growing. Consequence stated this layered production style is becoming a key part of her sound.[3] The use of strings in this song not only elevates the song's dynamic but also reflects the desperation in Eilish's voice. Coupled with the addition of O'Connell's guitar in the background, the song evokes guttural hurt, reflecting Eilish's raw emotion present in the relationship. [4] In a New York Times article, one author recounts hearing Eilish perform this song on her tour. The song was noted as the emotional apex of the show. In the bridge, "Man, am I the greatest," the doomed relationship is reflected upon, and Eilish's suffering is revealed. As the song builds to its conclusion, the melody allows Eilish's defenses to fall away, revealing, "I loved you, and I still do," "Just wanted passion from you, just wanted what I gave you". This conclusion cleanses Eilish of self-doubt about how hard she tried to make it work, but also reveals a twinge of sarcasm toward herself for remaining in this rut of a relationship for so long. [5]

An arena rock[6] and folk-pop song,[7] "The Greatest" was inspired by Eilish's own experiences with one-sided love and feeling emotionally abandoned. In a 2024 interview with NME, she talked about how these personal feelings helped shape the song and the album. By opening up about her own struggles, she makes it easier for listeners to connect with the emotions in her music, especially those who have gone through something similar.[8] People reports the emotions Eilish felt when hearing her fans belt the song during one of her concerts. Eilish claims that hearing the crowd made her reflect on her purpose as an artist. Seeing her music have a real impact on her audience reaffirmed her and Finneas' creative spirit. [9]

Relation to Other Works

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Strings featured behind the vocals in the bridge follow the melody of those same lyrics, and are interpolated in different keys into the outros of both the opening and closing tracks, “Skinny” and “Blue.”

"The Greatest" has been compared to Eilish's older songs, but some critics think it sounds more grown-up and confident. It shows how much she's changed and gotten better over time. In a 2024 review, Variety said the song is a big step forward for her as an artist. They also note this song is the most successful dramatic song on the album. [10] The album, as a whole, has been referred as her most experimental, both thematically and production-wise. The raw emotion found in this album, especially in "The Greatest", is what sets "Hit Me Hard and Soft" apart from her previous albums. [11]

Charts

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Weekly Charts

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Weekly Chart Performance For "The Greatest"
Chart (2024–2025) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[12]18
Belgium (Billboard)[13] 19
Brazil Hot 100 (Billboard)[14]72
Canada Hot 100 (Billboard)[15]27
Czech Republic Singles Digital (ČNS IFPI)[16]18
France (SNEP)[17]50
Global 200 (Billboard)[18]20
Greece International Streaming (IFPI)[19] 25
Iceland (Tónlistinn)[20] 30
Israel (Mako Hit List)[21] 76
Lithuania (AGATA)[22] 29
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[23]16
Norway (VG-lista)[24]38
Poland (Polish Streaming Top 100)[25] 36
Portugal (AFP)[26]12
Slovakia Singles Digital (ČNS IFPI)[27]31
South Africa (TOSAC)[28] 53
Spain (Promusicae)[29]89
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[30]76
UK Singles (Official Charts)[31]69
UK Streaming (OCC)[32] 22
US Billboard Hot 100[33]24
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[34]9

Certifications

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Certifications for "The Greatest"
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[35] Platinum 70,000‡
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[36] Diamond 160,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[37] 2× Platinum 160,000‡
France (SNEP)[38] Gold 100,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[39] Platinum 30,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[40] Gold 400,000‡
United States (RIAA)[41] Platinum 1,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ↑ Vevo, BillieEilish. "Billie Eilish - THE GREATEST (Live from The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, 2024". YouTube. Retrieved April 29, 2026.
  2. ↑ "Billie Eilish - THE GREATEST". genius.com. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
  3. ↑ "Billie Eilish performs epic rendition of "The Greatest" on Colbert". Consequence. June 11, 2024. Retrieved April 29, 2025.
  4. ↑ content 1Wells, Casey. "New Eilish album is 'The Greatest'". thesuffolkjournal.com. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
  5. ↑ Zoladz, Lindsay. "6 of 'The Greatest' Songs". nytimes.com. Retrieved April 29, 2026.
  6. ↑ Robinson, Otis (May 17, 2024). "Billie Eilish - HIT ME HARD AND SOFT". DIY. Retrieved December 27, 2025.
  7. ↑ Mitchell, Matt (May 21, 2024). "Billie Eilish Tightens Her Commanding Grip on Pop Music on HIT ME HARD AND SOFT". Paste. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
  8. ↑ Duran, Anagricel (December 18, 2024). "Billie Eilish opens up about special and emotional moment of hearing fans sing 'The Greatest'". NME. Retrieved April 29, 2025.
  9. ↑ Watts, Marina. "Billie Eilish Shares Why Hearing Fans Sing 'The Greatest' at Concerts Has a Special Meaning for Her". people.com. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
  10. ↑ Willman, Chris (May 17, 2024). "Billie Eilish Keeps Up Her Winning Streak With the Surprising and Intimate 'Hit Me Hard and Soft': Album Review". Variety. Retrieved April 29, 2025.
  11. ↑ content 2Wells, Casey. "New Eilish Album is 'The Greatest'". thesuffolkjournal.com.
  12. ↑ "Billie Eilish – The Greatest". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
  13. ↑ "Billie Eilish Chart History (Belgium Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
  14. ↑ "Billie Eilish Chart History (Brasil Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
  15. ↑ "Billie Eilish Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
  16. ↑ "ČNS IFPI – CZ Singles Digital – Top 100 – 21. týden 2024" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
  17. ↑ "Billie Eilish – The Greatest" (in French). Le classement de singles. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
  18. ↑ "Billie Eilish Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
  19. ↑ "Official IFPI Charts — Digital Singles Chart (International) — Εβδομάδα: 21/2024" (in Greek). IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on May 29, 2024. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  20. ↑ "Tónlistinn – Lög" [The Music – Songs] (in Icelandic). Plötutíðindi. Archived from the original on May 24, 2024. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  21. ↑ "המצעד השבועי: היטליסט – שבוע 22, 2024 – 21.05 – 27.05.2024" [Mako Hit List: Weekly Chart – Week 22, 2024 | 21.05 – 27.05.2024]. Mako Hit List (in Hebrew). May 28, 2024. Archived from the original on May 30, 2024. Retrieved January 7, 2026.
  22. ↑ "2024 21-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. May 24, 2024. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  23. ↑ "Billie Eilish – The Greatest". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
  24. ↑ "Billie Eilish – The Greatest". VG-lista. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
  25. ↑ "OLiS – oficjalna lista sprzedaży – single w streamie" (Select week 17.05.2024–23.05.2024.) (in Polish). OLiS. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  26. ↑ "Billie Eilish – The Greatest". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
  27. ↑ "ČNS IFPI – SK Singles Digital – Top 100 – 21. týden 2024" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
  28. ↑ "Top Release Of The Week: Local & Intl Streaming". The Official South African Charts. Recording Industry of South Africa. Archived from the original on May 31, 2024. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  29. ↑ "Billie Eilish – The Greatest". Canciones Top 50. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
  30. ↑ "Billie Eilish – The Greatest". Singles Top 100. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
  31. ↑ "Official Singles Chart on 14/2/2025 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
  32. ↑ "Official Streaming Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  33. ↑ "Billie Eilish Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
  34. ↑ "Billie Eilish Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
  35. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2024 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved February 7, 2025.
  36. ↑ "Brazilian single certifications – Billie Eilish – The Greatest" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved June 11, 2026.
  37. ↑ "Canadian single certifications – Billie Eilish – The Greatest". Music Canada. Retrieved January 27, 2026.
  38. ↑ "French single certifications – Billie Eilish – The Greatest" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved September 1, 2025.
  39. ↑ "New Zealand single certifications – Billie Eilish – The Greatest". Radioscope. Retrieved August 29, 2025. Type The Greatest in the "Search:" field and press Enter.
  40. ↑ "British single certifications – Billie Eilish – The Greatest". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 21, 2025. Select singles in the Formats field. Type The Greatest Billie Eilish in the "Search:" field.
  41. ↑ "American single certifications – Billie Eilish – The Greatest". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
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