“Ocean Eyes” by Billie Eilish Composition Diagram

Key and Pitch

The song “Ocean Eyes” by Billie Eilish is in the key of E major.

Instruments, Effects, and Vocals

• Acoustic Guitar
• Synth Pads
• Drum Machine
• Vocals
• Reverb and Delay Effects

Main Instrument and Style

The main instrument is the acoustic guitar, played in a fingerpicked style. It’s gentle and minimalistic.

Unique Use of Tools

What’s special is the use of reverb to create an ethereal and spacious sound. It complements Billie’s voice, giving it a dream-like quality.

Prevalent Notes

The guitar plays around E, G#, B, and C#. These are picked softly, letting them resonate.

Visceral Description of Main Instrument

Warm, soft, and ringing. It feels like a gentle wave.

How the Guitar is Played

Carefully plucked; the notes are allowed to breathe with minimal interference.

Onomatopoeia Break-down of Guitar Riff

Pluck – ting – ring – pluck – ting – ring.

Visceral Description of the Vocals

Breathy, delicate, floating. A soothing whisper over the waves.

How the Vocals are Sung

Sung softly with a controlled breath, creating intimacy and vulnerability.

Onomatopoeia Break-down of Vocals

Hush – ahh – whisper – ooo – ahh.

Instrument and Vocals Harmonizing

The blend of delicate guitar with airy vocals creates a peaceful, melancholic feel.

Top Three Tips for Playing or Singing “Ocean Eyes”

• Maintain a gentle touch on the guitar for clarity.
• Use breath control to replicate the softness of the vocals.
• Embrace the use of effects subtly to enhance the atmosphere.

Ocean Eyes by Billie Eilish: Instruments, Effects, and Vocals

Instruments and Effects

• Main Instrument: Electric Guitar
• Additional: Synth, Bass
• Effects: Reverb, Echo

Main Instrument and Style

The electric guitar is central, played with softness and clarity. Its style is melodic and soothing, delivering a serene vibe.

Prevalent Notes

Chords A, C#m, E, and B frequently appear. Plucked gently with fingers to pour out crisp harmonics.

Sound Description

The electric guitar sings with a light, airy resonance, like a soft breeze over a calm sea.

How the Instrument is Played

Fingers pluck the strings softly; there’s a deliberate yet graceful pick and release motion.

Onomatopoeia: Twang…

Vocals

Vocal Description

Vocals feel ethereal and breathy, a whisper of velvet against the ears.

How the Vocals are Sung

Billie Eilish sings in a hushed tone, almost as if confiding, with control and emotional depth.

Onomatopoeia: Ahh…

Instruments and Vocals Harmonizing

Guitar and vocals melt together in the chorus, both peaking and fading, wrapping the listener in a lush harmony.

How to Play “Ocean Eyes”

1. Setup: Tune the guitar. Ensure effects like reverb are active.
2. Chords: Familiarize with A, C#m, E, and B.
3. Strumming: Pluck gently with fingers; aim for gentle twang.
4. Vocals: Practice breathy, controlled singing, focus on emotion.
5. Sync: Combine vocals with the guitar, highlight emotional peaks.
6. Play: Begin playing slowly, focus on smooth transitions.

The city’s lights flickered like ocean waves. Mia stood on the rooftop, staring across the maze of buildings below. Her breath fogged in the chilly night air, but her thoughts felt warm, entangled with so many unspoken emotions.

She spotted him leaning against the railing, his eyes capturing the glow from the horizon. Those ocean eyes. They were always so telling, so deep, hiding a world she both feared and desired to dive into. She took a tentative step closer, heart beating like the surf.

As their eyes met, the distance between them seemed to vanish. A silent understanding passed, leaving words utterly unnecessary. The city, the lights, and the world beyond melted away, leaving just the endless tide of their shared gaze.

AABB Rhyme Pattern

The lyrics predominantly follow an AABB rhyme scheme, creating a consistent and soothing flow. Examples include:

• “I’ve been watching you for some time” (A)
• “Can’t stop staring at those ocean eyes” (A)
• “Burning cities and napalm skies” (B)
• “Fifteen flares inside those ocean eyes” (B)

Key of the Lyrics

The song is primarily in the key of E major, which contributes to its ethereal quality and emotional depth.

Singing Rhythmic Patterns

The rhythmic pattern features a fluid, syncopated delivery. Eilish often employs slides and melismas to enhance emotional emphasis. The overall pattern can be characterized by:

• Variable note lengths: a mix of longer held notes and shorter phrases.
• Syncopation: emphasis on off-beats, creating a relaxed, flowing vibe.

Tips for Writers

To emulate the style of “Ocean Eyes,” consider the following:

• Use vivid imagery: evoke senses and emotions through specific visuals.
• Adopt a conversational tone: keep it intimate and relatable.
• Experiment with contrast: pair light themes with darker undertones.
• Play with phrasing: use irregular lengths to surprise the listener.

Ocean Eyes by Billie Eilish (2016) – Brief Stanza Descriptions

Verse 1: The singer is hit by a strong, unexpected feeling of falling, a vulnerability likened to standing on a cliff’s edge. The imagery of “golden” and “ocean eyes” sets a tone of admiration and deep, overwhelming emotions.

Pre-Chorus: Continues with the theme of falling, danger, and an inability to escape the other’s gaze. It poses ocean eyes as a captivating, yet terrifying force.

Chorus: Deeply reflective and confessional, the chorus emphasizes the power of the other’s eyes, making the singer feel exposed and overwhelmed, yet yearning for more.

Verse 2: This part conveys a sense of peace and safety despite the dangers previously mentioned. It’s a turn towards the mesmerizing and comforting aspect of the subject’s eyes.

Pre-Chorus: A repeat of the sense of unavoidable attraction and danger, underscoring the compelling force of the gaze encountered.

Chorus: Similar to the first chorus, reinforcing the emotional turmoil and enthrallment caused by the subject’s eyes.

Bridge: Introduces a care that wasn’t as explicit before, hinting at a deep concern for the subject’s well-being amidst the emotional chaos.

Chorus/Outro: This final part rounds off the song with a continued emphasis on the confusion and allure wrapped up in the “ocean eyes,” concluding on a note of unresolved emotional intensity.

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Glimmering depths of azure dreams, where starlight whispers secrets and velvety tides cradle the unknown. What sails beneath the fragile veil? Find your answer in the shimmer.

Ocean Eyes – Guitar Tabs

Here are the basic guitar chords and tabs for “Ocean Eyes” by Billie Eilish.

Chords Used

• Am
• C
• G
• F

Verse Chords Progression

The chord progression for the verses is:

    Am  C  G  F

Chorus Chords Progression

The chorus uses the same chords:

    Am  C  G  F

Intro Tab

Here’s the intro tab:

    e|-------0---------0-------0---------------|    B|----------1--1------1---1----1--0-------|    G|----2----------------3------------------|    D|------------------------------------------|    A|----------------3------------------------|    E|--0--------------------------------------|

Verse Tab

The verse can be played with simple strumming or picking. Here’s how to pick:

    e|-------0---------0-------0-----------|    B|----------1--1------1---1--0--------|    G|----2----------------3--------------|    D|------------------------------------|    A|----------------3------------------|    E|--0--------------------------------|

Chorus Tab

Same picking for the chorus:

    e|-------0---------0-------0-----------|    B|----------1--1------1---1--0--------|    G|----2----------------3--------------|    D|------------------------------------|    A|----------------3------------------|    E|--0--------------------------------|

Bridge Chords

The bridge chord progression:

    F  G  Am  C

Bridge Tab

Bridge picking can be similar:

    e|-------1---------3-------0----------|    B|----1------1---3---3----1----------|    G|----2------0---2---0----2----------|    D|----3------0---2---2----2----------|    A|-----------2---0---3---3-----------|    E|--1--------3-----------------------|

Final Section

Repeat the main chords for the final section. Play it softly.

Tips for Playing

• Focus on smooth transitions between chords.
• Practice the picking separately before combining.
• Listen to the track for timing and dynamics.

Conclusion

That’s it for “Ocean Eyes.” Keep practicing to get it right!

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“Ocean Eyes” was recorded primarily by Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas O’Connell at their home studio. This DIY approach ensures an intimate sound signature, characterized by high-resolution, clean recordings. The main DAW used was Logic Pro X, capitalizing on its native plugins for efficient workflow.

The vocal tracks were laid down using a Neumann U87 mic, known for its warmth and clarity. Eilish’s vocal was recorded with a slight proximity effect, enhancing the intimate feel of her voice.

Finneas employed parallel compression for drums, utilizing an Audient ASP880 preamp to achieve a fuller sound. Mixing was done in-the-box, with careful attention to EQ and stereo field placement.

Mastering was executed by John Greenham, maintaining dynamic range while ensuring the track had enough loudness for commercial viability, utilizing a combination of iZotope Ozone and analog tape emulation.

Reverb plays a crucial role in setting the mood. A subtle Valhalla Room reverb was applied to the vocals, giving them a sense of space without losing clarity. The background harmonies were treated with a slight doubler effect to enhance their layered quality.

Delay was applied selectively, using a Soundtoys EchoBoy plugin to create rhythmic depth. A short, syncopated delay trails the vocal lines, adding to the track’s ethereal nature.

Compression was used judiciously to manage dynamic range. The main vocal received gentle compression with a Universal Audio LA-2A emulation, adding warmth without squashing it.

Modulation effects, particularly a soft chorus, were employed during the bridge sections to enhance emotional impact without overwhelming the primary vocal melody.

• Microphones: Neumann U87
• Preamps: Audient ASP880
• Recording Medium: Logic Pro X
• Effects Pedals: None specifically noted; reliance on plugins
• Processors: iZotope Ozone for mastering, Valhalla Room and Soundtoys EchoBoy for effects