What Was I Made For?

Category:   SSAA CHOIRS
Composer:   Billie Eilish
Arranger:   Jennifer Lucy Cook
Publisher:   Hal Leonard
Edition:   11539766
Voicing:   SSA
Setting:   NA

Reviewer:   

Katelyn Sawatzke
Stillwater Area High School
R&R Chair SSAA Choirs
sawatzkek@stillwaterschools.org

Jennifer Lucy Cook’s arrangement of Billie Eilish’s “What Was I Made For?”, made popular by the Barbie movie in 2023, is a true winner for SSA choirs! The simple, yet sophisticated melody weaves through every voice part and is colored by stunning harmonic shifts that poignantly reflect the meaning of the text. I love that the accompaniment is supportive but not overly involved. In teaching this piece, I spent a lot of time reinforcing the importance of in-tune half steps (particular ti-do and fa-mi, consistently repeated intervals), dynamics, and phrase shaping. However, the musicality is practically embedded into Cook’s arrangement; I dare say I prefer it to the original song because of its rich harmonic language and varied choral texture. In addition to providing singers an opportunity to explore the relationship between harmonic language and lyrics, “What Was I Made For?” paves the way for rich and meaningful discussion amongst singers. How often have we questioned our own purpose? What do we do with the uncertainty we feel? I loved having these authentic and honest discussions with my singers. In doing so, students realized that we have more similarities than differences in our shared human experience.

Link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiAzHmV0ui0

Link:  https://beta.jwpepper.com/what-was-i-made-for-11539765-854240/p