Billie Eilish’s older brother Finneas O’Connell has become quite a hot topic over the last few years. He has gained popularity for his production work with his sister. But does Finneas produce for other artists?
Finneas has produced and co-written songs with many other artists besides Billie Eilish. Those artists include:
- Halsey — “I Hate Everybody”
- Tove Lo — “Bikini Porn”
- Justin Bieber — “Loney”
- Camila Cabello — “Used To This”
- Julia Michaels & JP Saxe — “If The World Was Ending”
- Keke Palmer — “Actually Vote”
- Selena Gomez — “Lose You To Love Me”
But those are just a few!
As many people may also know, Finneas has also released a solo project. The fact that he works with his sister and other pop singers and now has an album out shows his true dedication to music.
I did some research into the full extent of Finneas’ artistry and work with other people, and this is what I found.
1. Halsey — “I Hate Everybody”
The song “I Hate Everybody” by Halsey is a powerful anthem of self-acceptance and resilience.
It speaks to the struggles of feeling misunderstood and alone in a world that can be harsh and unforgiving. The production of the track was co-written and co-produced by Finneas, who adds an extra layer of emotion to the song with his signature sound.
The lyrics are raw and honest, conveying a message of strength and hope in the face of adversity.
2. Tove Lo — “Bikini Porn”
Tove Lo’s “Bikini Porn” is a sultry and seductive track that captures the essence of summer.
The song features production and co-writing credits from Finneas, who adds a unique touch to the track with his signature sound. The lyrics are full of sensuality and desire, making it an irresistible listen. The combination of Tove Lo’s vocals and Finneas’ production makes for an unforgettable experience.
3. Justin Bieber — “Loney”
Justin Bieber’s “Lonely” (with Benny Blanco), is a heartfelt ballad that speaks to the struggles of loneliness and isolation.
The song features production and co-writing from Finneas, who adds a unique touch to the track with his creative use of instrumentation and production. Bieber’s vocals are emotive and powerful, conveying the emotion of the song in a way that only he can.
The combination of Bieber’s vocals and Finneas’ production creates an atmosphere that is both melancholic and uplifting.
4. Camila Cabello — “Used To This”
Camila Cabello’s “Used To This” is a catchy, upbeat track that showcases her unique vocal style.
The song features production and co-writing credits from Finneas, who adds a modern touch to the track with his creative production. His influence is evident in the song’s catchy beat and dynamic instrumentation, creating an infectious sound that will have you singing along in no time.
5. Julia Michaels & JP Saxe — “If The World Was Ending”
Julia Michaels and JP Saxe‘s “If The World Was Ending“ is a heartfelt duet that captures the emotions of a couple facing the end of the world.
The song was produced by Finneas, and features his signature production style. It was an instant hit, reaching the top 10 on Billboard‘s Hot 100 chart and becoming one of the most popular songs of 2020.
6. Keke Palmer — “Actually Vote”
Keke Palmer’s song “Actually Vote” is an inspiring anthem that encourages people to get out and vote.
The track was produced by Finneas, of course, best known for his work with his sister Billie Eilish. The song has a catchy beat and uplifting lyrics that make it a hit. It’s a powerful reminder of the importance of exercising our right to vote.
7. Selena Gomez — “Lose You To Love Me”
Selena Gomez’s “Lose You To Love Me” is a powerful ballad about self-love and healing.
It was co-written and produced by Finneas, brother of Billie Eilish, who added his own unique touch to the track. The song was an instant hit, reaching the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart and becoming Selena’s first number-one single.
It has since become a fan favorite, with its heartfelt lyrics and emotional production.
8. Demi Lovato — “Commander in Chief”
Demi Lovato’s “Commander in Chief” is a powerful and timely song that speaks to the current political climate.
The song was co-written by Finneas, who also produced it, and it has become a hit. It speaks to the need for change and accountability from those in power, and its message resonates with many people. It is an anthem of hope for a better future.
9. Khalid — “Lovely”
Khalid’s song “Lovely” featuring Billie Eilish is a beautiful and heartfelt track.
The two artists blend their voices together perfectly, creating a dreamy atmosphere that captures the emotion of the lyrics. “Lovely” reached the top 40 in multiple countries and was certified six times platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). It also peaked at number 64 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Finneas’ production adds a unique touch to the track, making it stand out from other songs in Khalid’s discography.
10. Ashe — “Moral of the Story”
Ashe’s song “Moral of the Story” is a hit that speaks to the struggles of life and love.
It features production from Finneas, who also co-wrote the song with Ashe. The song is a powerful reminder that life is full of ups and downs, but it’s important to keep going and never give up.
The lyrics are inspiring and uplifting, making it a great anthem for anyone going through tough times.
11. Lennon Stella — “Jealous”
“Jealous” by Lennon Stella is a powerful and emotional song that speaks to the feeling of being envious of someone else.
The song was co-written and produced by Finneas, brother of Billie Eilish, and it has become a hit. The lyrics are raw and honest, expressing the pain of jealousy in a way that resonates with listeners.
The production is modern and catchy, making it an enjoyable listen. Finneas’ involvement in the song adds an extra layer of emotion to the track, making it even more impactful.
12. Girl in Red – “Serotonin”
“Serotonin” by Girl in Red is a powerful and uplifting song that speaks to the struggles of mental health.
Written by Girl in Red (Marie Ulven) and produced in conjunction with Finneas, and Matias Tellez, it has become a hit on the US rock charts, reaching #6.
The song is an anthem for those dealing with self-destructive tendencies and mental health issues, offering hope through its expansive soundscape. It’s a reminder that we can all find strength in ourselves to overcome our struggles.
13. Tate McRae – “Tear Myself Apart”
Tate McRae’s “Tear Myself Apart” is a powerful and emotional song that speaks to the struggles of self-doubt and insecurity.
The song was co-written by Finneas and his sister Billie Eilish, who also produced the track in conjunction with Eric Palmquist, adding a unique touch to the production.
The song was an instant hit, reaching the top 10 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart and becoming one of Tate’s most successful singles to date.
14. Camila Cabello — “First Man”
“First Man” by Camila Cabello is a heartfelt and emotional song that was co-produced by Finneas.
The song is about Cabello’s relationship with her father and the struggles she faced growing up without him. The lyrics are incredibly powerful and the production is beautiful, making it an instant hit. Finneas’ involvement in the song adds a unique touch to the track, making it even more special.
15. Kid Cudi – “Beautiful Trip”
Kid Cudi’s “Beautiful Trip” is a powerful and uplifting song featuring production from Finneas.
The track is an emotional journey, with Cudi’s heartfelt lyrics and Finneas’ dreamy production creating a beautiful soundscape. The song was a hit, reaching the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and becoming one of Kid Cudi’s most successful singles.
The album it is from, Man on the Moon III: The Chosen, reached #1 on the R&B charts and #2 on the Billboard 200 charts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Finneas produce all of Billie’s music?
So far, Finneas has produced all of Billie Eilish’s music in addition to writing or co-writing all of her songs and playing all of the music on her albums.
When Billie Eilish made her debut in 2019, people were astounded by her sound, especially given it was recorded at their parents’ house in Los Angeles in his childhood bedroom.
Naturally, they wanted to know who produced her songs. They were happy to find out that it was her brother, which made the music even more special.
Billie’s first album, “When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go”, received widespread attention and praise. The body of work featured 14 songs. Each was produced by Finneas.
Her first album made waves.
For a moment, everyone was talking about this album. Its haunting sound, the way it was a departure from normal pop music, and simply the attention to detail on the part of Finneas.
Her second album, “Happier than Ever”, was also completely produced by Finneas. This one so far has not been as popular as her first, but it has its fans. The album features 16 songs.
Finneas and Billie make the perfect music pairing.
Finneas also produced Billie’s song for the No Time to Die soundtrack. This was a huge deal because it was the theme song for the new James Bond movie. Finneas also co-wrote the song.
In case you didn’t know, Finneas also performs with Billie in concert.
Finneas plays multiple instruments for her live shows. I wrote all about it in a recent article. But do they have a full band, or is it mostly pre-recorded?
Just click that link to read it on my site.
“He’s just super talented and I think I will definitely work with him more in the future.”
-Selena Gomez on producer Finneas pic.twitter.com/UjB2Gn6h25
— Buzzing Pop (@BuzzingPop) September 17, 2020
What songs did Finneas write for other artists?
Finneas has written many songs for other people, including “Used to This” by Camilla Cabello, “I Hate Everybody” by Halsey, “Lose You to Love Me” by Selena Gomez, and many others.
Finneas has songwriting credits on over 100 songs.
There are many other artists he has worked with. Some of them, we’ll get to later because they deserve more attention. What his work with all these people shows is how diverse of an artist Finneas is.
But are Finneas and Billie full siblings?
Many people have questions about this due to Billie and Finneas having different last names. I wrote all about it in a recent article. And is it true one of Billie’s middle names is Pirate???
Just click that link to read it on my site.
Finneas O’Connell reveals in podcast that he & Billie Eilish have been hard at work, writing & producing new music. pic.twitter.com/0L9YKXb770
— Pop Base (@PopBase) July 21, 2020
How did Finneas O’Connell learn to produce?
Finneas is a self-taught musician and music producer, although both his parents, Maggie Baird and Patrick O’Connell, are musicians. He took a songwriting class with his mother at age 12 and has been writing and producing music ever since.
When it comes to being a producer, people often want to know how the craft is learned. In the case of Finneas, he taught himself in his family home at a young age. Finneas has stated that he learned with the use of a program called Logic.
Learning to produce felt like playing a video game.
Finneas was young when he first started to experiment with producing. He says, over time, he just figured it out. This was much like video games, according to the producer and artist.
Finneas learned to produce music that he would want to listen to.
Finneas was also lucky enough to have a person nearby who was a mastering engineer. This engineer gave Finneas some great advice. He told him that there is no wrong or right way to do things musically.
This meant that Finneas learned to produce music in his own way. He isn’t trying to mimic anyone else’s sound or methods. This is perhaps one of the reasons he has been so successful.
Its been a fun road seeing my pal @finneas do such an amazing job in life and producing and creating music that has changed people lives . I wish you a very #happybirthday today pic.twitter.com/AbMFEcLHWB
— Jason Kramer (@kcrwkramer) July 31, 2019
What software and equipment does Finneas use to produce?
The Bad Guy co-creator uses Logic Pro X as his primary digital recording software. Logic is often the choice for beginners or those on a budget, but even after finding success, Finneas still prefers Logic over the industry-standard Pro Tools.
Nowadays, there are many pieces of software on the market to produce music. This is great because it opens the door for more people to express themselves musically. For Finneas, he uses Logic Pro X.
He has stuck with the same software.
I mentioned that he learned on Logic, but it seems he simply decided to upgrade now that he is famous—this, instead of switching to a different option like Pro Tools. Logic Pro X serves as his main tool for production.
When it comes to audio interfaces, he uses a Universal Audio Apollo 8. This is considered top of the line, and it can handle processing audio stacks. He uses this alongside a Focusrite Scarlett 18i20, which allows him to record instantly.
Even the greats use entry-level.
For studio monitors, he uses Yamahas Hs5 along with a subwoofer. These are just above entry-level. His headphones are Audio-Technica ATH- M50x. These are entry-level headphones.
Now, on to a bit more of what many would consider the important stuff. Finneas uses the Neumann TLM 103 for his microphone. Yes, this is the one he used with Billie.
Of course, there is much more equipment, but these are some of the basics. What stands out is that he does not feel the need to only use top-of-the-line equipment.
.@Finneas reveals he worked on Justin Bieber & Benny Blanco’s new song, #Lonely.
Out Friday, October 16th. pic.twitter.com/4S8RikvMeu
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) October 12, 2020
What songs did Finneas write for Justin Bieber?
Finneas co-wrote the song “Lonely” for Justin Bieber. The song was released in 2020 and was on Justin’s poorly reviewed Justice album. Finneas also helped produce the track.
When it comes to writing credits, people are often a bit confused.
This is because you can never be sure how much work a person did to get a credit. With that said, Finneas is credited as a writer for the Justin Bieber and Benny Blanco song, Lonely.
Although this album isn’t a fan favorite, many people really liked this song.
This shows that once you make it in the industry, you’ll have everyone knocking at your door. This is especially true for Justin because it has been a while since he had a bonafide hit.
I would not be surprised if he taps Finneas to produce more of his next album.
Conclusion
He is much more than just Billie Eilish’s older brother who happens to produce.
He is truly making a name for himself in the industry. He produces, he writes, and he is also a solo artist making his own music too. As far as producers go, Finneas could be the next Max Martin. There hasn’t been a new “super producer” in pop music for a while now, and I think he has what it takes.
He’s been nominated for Grammy Awards over 10 times and won 8 times (and counting) including nominations and/or wins for Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Best New Artist, and Producer of the Year.
Finneas seems to be a person who has staying power. He is not only talented, but he seems to actually love music and being creative. I hope he has a long and thriving career, and that his best work is still to come!
Photo which requires attribution:
CoronaCapFest19-80 by Raph_PH is licensed under CC2.0 and was cropped, edited, and had a text overlay added.