“NDA” by Billie Eilish

In recent times NDAs – or non-disclosure agreements as they are called in full – have become quite common in the world of celebrities. And what they represent in such a context is legally disabling another person, usually a non-celebrity who they had a romantic interaction with, from speaking of said interaction to the public. 

And it is exactly such an arrangement that lies at the center of this piece title-wise. A while back Billie hooked up with some “pretty boy”, but it was just a fling as far as she was concerned. Or perhaps we can go as far as to say that it was a one-night stand, as in spending an evening with him “once was good enough” for Eilish. 

And before sending him on his way, she “made him sign an NDA”. So we likely won’t see said individual hitting up the tabloid circuit anytime soon.

Main Theme of “NDA”

But that aspect of the story is more like, all lyrics considered, a subplot or even a premise. Indeed you may be saying that yourself that it’s a bit unusual for an artist, even a female one, to drop a song boasting about forcing someone to sign an NDA. But it is that boasting aspect which actually lies closer to the heart of this piece. 

In other words NDA is what we will classify up until this point as Billie Eilish’s version of a braggadocios song. And that is not to say that it is entirely so. But on top of being able to tout her ability to play with men, the songstress also drops other enviable tidbits such being able to purchase a house when she was only 17, making Forbes’ prestigious 30 Under 30 list and her wherewithal to move to Hawaii and “disappear”, if she so chooses.

Another Subtheme

But another subtheme of the track, albeit one that is more poetically concealed as the song progresses, is her issues with men. For instance, the reason Billie bought the aforementioned house in the first place was to establish a place whereas she could hide from a male stalker. 

Also if the addressee of the chorus and outro is the same individual whom she had sign the NDA, as implied, then Eilish appears to be saying something like the two of them becoming attached, to both of their dismay, did transpire despite her intending their interaction to be only a fling.

What “NDA” is all about

And on that note we’re going even farther out on a limb concerning the outro, as the ambiguity of the lyrics requires postulations. And what it appears the vocalist is saying, conclusively, is that she got too caught up in her own playa-ism. Simply put, she thought she could just party and have fun with dudes, such as said the addressee. But in the midst of such she has actually, most simply put, fallen in love with him.

So even though the earlier parts of “NDA” feature shall we say a tone of overconfidence, by the time it all concludes, the singer is a lot more humble. It’s like as far as her material wants are concerned, she’s more than chillin’. However, from a romantic standpoint, the vocalist thought she could play the game, but the game rather played her.

Release Date of “NDA”

Interscope Records, in conjunction with another label called Darkroom, released this track as a single on 9 July 2021. The release made it the fifth single she officially released from her “Happier Than Ever” album. 

Of the others that have issued thus far it has been the album’s leadoff single, “Therefore I Am” (2021), that has proven most successful.

Happier Than Ever

“Happier Than Ever” is officially Billie’s second full-length and the songstress’s follow-up to her 2019 debut LP “When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go”, which proved to be the megahit – for instance getting her onto Forbes’s 30 Under 30 in 2020. Meanwhile, the entire Happier Than Ever album is slated for release at the end of July, 2021.

Credits for “NDA”

“NDA” consists of the same creative team behind virtually all of Billie Eilish’s track thus far, that being herself alongside her big brother, Finneas. 

Both of them wrote the song, and Finneas produced the track on his own. And to note Billie also self-directed the NDA music video, which also seems to be coming a common practice of hers.