Shadowing Practice: Billie Eilish on Ocean Eyes at 10, LGBTQ fans & doc with James Cameron - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

B2
Shadowing Controls
0% completed (0/85 sentences)
And what was amazing was he was like, oh yeah, duh, obviously.
⏸ Paused
All Sentences
85 sentences
1
And what was amazing was he was like, oh yeah, duh, obviously.
2
And that was really relieving for me and exciting.
3
And I felt so grateful about that.
4
And then it was just about filming the show without tarnishing the show at all.
5
I feel like our queer youth needs some inspiration, some lights.
6
What is your message to your LGBTQ fans in this year, 2026?
7
Well, my message is I love you so much and stay strong and you mean everything to me.
8
That's my message.
9
So you're over 10 years into this journey now.
10
Ocean Eyes is over a decade old.
11
Isn't that insane?
12
I can't believe it.
13
Now you've reached this milestone and you've got the tour and the documentary.
14
What sort of like, how does reaching those milestones change your relationship with your earlier music?
15
Honestly, like it doesn't really change them.
16
I think it, they just, they, they, I feel like when I listen to the old songs, I'm brought right back to where I was then.
17
And it's interesting to hear something after it's aged, and it's the same exact thing it was, but your ears were younger, and it somehow sounds different.
18
I mean, it's the weirdest thing in the world, like taste changing and my voice changing.
19
I mean, the fact that like I was 13 and then 14 recording these songs is really crazy to think about and to listen to.
20
And, you know, I'm like just a little baby singing these little songs and they mean so much to me.
21
And like as the years go on, I'm more and more like feel so kind of protective of those older songs.
22
And the milestones are amazing, but I think it's more to me about the importance of like where I was and where I am now.
23
And now it's just like this long, beautiful journey.
24
I'll tell you what I love as well.
25
It's like how my favorite song of yours, When the Party's Over, There were bigger songs from that era and subsequent eras, but that's now like in your top 10 most played.
26
Isn't that insane?
27
It's brilliant.
28
How time can change the trajectory of songs is amazing.
29
That is crazy.
30
I've been thinking about that a lot because like it just randomly just some songs from like years.
31
I mean, honestly, I feel like we're TikTok is to thank for that because the way that that the culture just brings older songs back and they suddenly have a new life they never did is so exciting.
32
And I love the idea that certain songs that were maybe underrated or not really known from years ago come back and have a new life of their own.
33
It's really, really cute.
34
So watching the film, I was really interested to ask about the nuts and bolts of your creative process with your co-director, James Cameron.
35
What does that look like?
36
I'm imagining voice notes, mood boards, shared references.
37
If so, what were they?
38
And was it just constant communication?
39
How did you blend creativity?
40
Well, that's such an interesting question.
41
And you would be right if it was any other thing, because that is what the collaborative process is like.
42
But for this, no mood boards, no notes, no notes, but no voice notes.
43
It was really like, first of all, we didn't have a long time to do this.
44
and I was in the middle of touring.
45
I was on tour, and the main thing I said was, you are not allowed to change anything about this show.
46
The show that I've been doing for the last year is the show that you're gonna capture.
47
Sorry, I know you're James Cameron, but I'm not interested in it if you don't wanna do that.
48
And what was amazing was he was like, oh yeah, duh, obviously.
49
And that was really relieving for me and exciting, and I felt so grateful about that.
50
And then it was just about filming the show without tarnishing the show at all, or the stage, or making it confusing or complicated for me or for the fans, I didn't want that at all.
51
And then the real collaborative journey was in the editing process.
52
And I mean, that was like days and days and days, hours and hours and hours and hours in the studio.
53
in person, editing it right in front of us.
54
Like he was like on his computer with his Avid and editing it himself every time I had a note.
55
And that is really where we both, you know, were, worked really, really hard and had to advocate for ourselves when the other person disagreed.
56
And he was so willing to hear my thoughts and opinions and I his, and yeah.
57
And I think we created a pretty amazing movie because of that.
58
So it struck me watching it that you've now got this amazing permanent reminder of an amazing moment in your career.
59
Right?
60
Can you elaborate on your approach to archiving your work and preserving your memories?
61
Well, that was kind of the most appealing part of it to me.
62
You know, I knew it would be work, but I was like, I think that whatever it's going to take,
63
I think will be worth it to have this show and tour documented forever because this was a show and a tour that I couldn't have loved more and couldn't have had a better time doing.
64
And it's different than when something is documented that's maybe a dark time in your life or whatever where it's like, I don't really want to relive that.
65
I kind of wish it didn't exist.
66
The fact that this happened to be a show that I think is my best show I've ever done and
67
I was really proud of and a tour that I enjoyed so much and the fans enjoyed so much and made so many incredible memories and just had such an incredible time.
68
And the fact that that will live on forever, especially in 3D and will be able to, I will be able to relive it forever is really, really special to me.
69
And the fact that fans who didn't get to see the show will get to see it and people who did see it get to see it again and people who don't care at all can now see it.
70
Like, I don't know, I just, it's all very exciting.
71
And the archiving it was really the only, the real, the real kind of motivation, I think.
72
And finally, what is the best concert you've ever been to and why?
73
I was just saying that Rosalia is one of the greatest performers I've ever seen.
74
And her set at Coachella in 2019 was like so amazing.
75
And then other than that, best concert I've ever been to.
76
I mean, I've actually never seen a real show from Tyler's tour,
77
but the few times I've seen him perform at festivals, it's just the most incredible thing.
78
And I've gained so much, you know, it's had such an impact on me in my career and my life.
79
and I've always admired him and the way that he performs.
80
And so that's one, he's so amazing.
81
And, oh, you know what, Turnstyle.
82
Turnstyle is like, that is an amazing show.
83
That is like, if we're talking about a connection between the artists and the fans, that's a great example of just the music, the fans, and an incredible performer
84
all coming together and it's just this like, you know, immaculate experience.
85
That's a good one.
4.9/5 on App Store & Google Play

Shadowing English On Mobile

Learn English anytime, anywhere with the Shadowing English app. Improve your communication skills today!

Track your learning progress
AI grading and error correction
Rich video library
Download on theApp Store
GET IT ONGoogle Play
Shadowing English Mobile App

Why practice speaking with this video?

This interview with Billie Eilish provides a unique opportunity to practice your spoken English in a conversational context. The shadowing technique allows you to mimic not only the words but also the intonation and emotions of a fluent speaker. By practicing with this video, English learners can gain insight into the natural flow of speech, including how to convey feelings and thoughts clearly. Additionally, the content explores themes like creativity, personal journey, and connections with fans, giving learners a chance to engage with current cultural topics.

Grammar & Expressions in Context

Throughout the transcript, Billie uses various grammatical structures and expressions that are relevant for English learners:

  • Present Perfect Tense: “Ocean Eyes is over a decade old.” This structure is commonly used to discuss past experiences that still have relevance today, making it essential for learners who aim for fluency.
  • Direct Address: “I love you so much and stay strong.” This informal conversational style is often found in speaking contexts and is key for expressing empathy and connection.
  • Comparative Statements: “It's interesting to hear something after it's aged.” Utilizing comparisons can enhance your speaking by allowing you to describe and analyze experiences effectively.
  • Exclamatory Sentences: “Isn't that insane?” Exclamations are useful for conveying surprise or emphasis, making your speech more dynamic and engaging.

Common Pronunciation Traps

When practicing the shadow speak method, it’s crucial for learners to pay attention to pronunciation, especially with certain phrases from the video:

  • “Like”: Billie often uses “like” as a filler, which reflects a natural speaking pattern. However, be mindful not to overuse it.
  • “Honestly”: This word can be tricky due to its stress. Ensure you emphasize the first syllable (ON) when speaking.
  • “I mean”: Often used to clarify or emphasize statements. The pronunciation can vary subtly, so practice mimicking Billie’s rhythm.
  • “Duh”: This slang term can be challenging for non-native speakers. It’s pronounced quickly and should be practiced in context to sound natural.

Incorporating these elements with the shadowspeaks technique can elevate your speaking skills, helping you achieve greater fluency and confidence in English conversations. Practice regularly to fully grasp these nuances in spoken English!

What is the Shadowing Technique?

Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.

☕ Buy us a coffee