Getting Older

At 18 years old, Billie Eilish won five awards at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards held in 2020. Three of them were awarded to her debut studio album When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? (2019).{{Cite news |last=Savage |first=Mark |date=January 27, 2020 |title=Billie Eilish Is the Big Winner at the Grammys |work=BBC News |publisher= |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-51260559 |url-status=live |access-date=July 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200127082845/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-51260559 |archive-date=January 27, 2020}} A commercial success, it debuted atop record charts in various countries and brought her mainstream fame.{{Cite web |last=Jenkins |first=Craig |date=April 9, 2019 |title=Inside the Making of Billie Eilish's When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? |url=https://www.vulture.com/2019/04/the-making-of-billie-eilish-when-we-all-fall-asleep.html |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220117003345/https://www.vulture.com/2019/04/the-making-of-billie-eilish-when-we-all-fall-asleep.html |archive-date=January 17, 2022 |access-date=July 6, 2022 |website=Vulture}}{{Cite web |last=Segarra |first=Edward |date=April 3, 2022 |title=What's Finneas' Last Name? How Many BTS Members Are There? Answers to Your Grammys Questions |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2022/04/03/burning-questions-64th-annual-grammy-awards/7265352001/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220628150855/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2022/04/03/burning-questions-64th-annual-grammy-awards/7265352001/ |archive-date=June 28, 2022 |access-date=July 6, 2022 |website=USA Today}} Her newly found success attracted the attention of stalkers: in 2019, the address of her family home in Los Angeles leaked online, causing three fans to show up at her house one day. One of them was an old man who had driven all the way from San Diego.{{Cite web |last=Eells |first=Josh |date=July 31, 2019 |title=Billie Eilish and the Triumph of the Weird |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/billie-eilish-cover-story-triumph-weird-863603/ |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221116021214/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/billie-eilish-cover-story-triumph-weird-863603/ |archive-date=November 16, 2022 |access-date=December 6, 2022 |website=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}} That same year, a man was arrested for trespassing after appearing outside Eilish's residence seven times while "showing erratic behavior", such as by waiting for her by the front porch when told by her father that she was not home yet. A judge issued a restraining order against the man, which prevented him from trying to contact or go within a 100-meter radius of Eilish and her parents, harassing the family, or visiting Eilish's workplaces.{{Cite web |last=Agnew |first=Megan |date=June 18, 2022 |title=Billie Eilish: 'I Tried Too Hard to Be Desirable' |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/billie-eilish-i-tried-too-hard-to-be-desirable-sfpfvzd0q |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220621163523/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/billie-eilish-i-tried-too-hard-to-be-desirable-sfpfvzd0q |archive-date=June 21, 2022 |access-date=November 21, 2022 |website=The Sunday Times |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Snapes |first=Laura |date=February 19, 2021 |title=Billie Eilish Granted Temporary Restraining Order Against Alleged Stalker |url=http://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/feb/19/billie-eilish-granted-restraining-order-against-alleged-stalker |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220721213515/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/feb/19/billie-eilish-granted-restraining-order-against-alleged-stalker |archive-date=July 21, 2022 |access-date=December 6, 2022 |website=The Guardian |language=en}} In 2020, her family experienced stalking from another man, so on February 11, 2021, Eilish filed a Civil Harassment Restraining Order against him. The court ruled in her favor.{{Cite web |last=Peirson-Hagger |first=Ellen |date=July 30, 2021 |title=Billie Eilish's Happier Than Ever Details the Darker Side of Fame |url=https://www.newstatesman.com/culture/music-theatre/2021/07/billie-eilish-s-happier-ever-details-darker-side-fame |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210730114053/https://www.newstatesman.com/culture/music-theatre/2021/07/billie-eilish-s-happier-ever-details-darker-side-fame |archive-date=July 30, 2021 |access-date=September 9, 2021 |work=New Statesman}}{{cite web |last=Contreras |first=Cydney |date=March 5, 2021 |title=Billie Eilish Granted 5-Year Restraining Order Against Man Accused of Harassment |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/1239773/billie-eilish-seeks-restraining-order-against-man-accused-of-extremely-disturbing-harassment |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210711035844/https://www.eonline.com/news/1239773/billie-eilish-seeks-restraining-order-against-man-accused-of-extremely-disturbing-harassment |archive-date=July 11, 2021 |access-date=July 11, 2021 |website=E! Online}} Camping by a school across from Eilish's residence, the stalker had been sending her death threats via letters and making throat-slitting gestures whenever they encountered each other. Eilish started fearing for her life and the well-being of her family, and she stopped feeling safe while inside her house as well as travelling outside of it. In a court statement, she commented: "Every time I see him I just want to scream."{{Cite web |last=Wong |first=Wilson |last2=Dasrath |first2=Diana |date=February 19, 2021 |title=Billie Eilish Granted Temporary Restraining Order Against Man Accused of Sending Death Threat |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/billie-eilish-granted-temporary-restraining-order-against-man-accused-sending-n1258320 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220812020442/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/billie-eilish-granted-temporary-restraining-order-against-man-accused-sending-n1258320 |archive-date=August 12, 2022 |access-date=December 20, 2022 |website=NBC News |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Reilly |first=Nick |date=March 8, 2021 |title=Billie Eilish Granted Five-Year Restraining Order Against Stalker Who Camped Outside Her Home |url=https://www.nme.com/en_au/news/music/billie-eilish-granted-five-year-restraining-order-against-stalker-who-camped-outside-her-home-2896055 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211129030126/https://www.nme.com/en_au/news/music/billie-eilish-granted-five-year-restraining-order-against-stalker-who-camped-outside-her-home-2896055 |archive-date=November 29, 2021 |access-date=December 20, 2022 |website=NME}}

In early 2020, Eilish announced she would begin work on her second studio album that year;{{cite magazine |last=Iasimone |first=Ashley |date=January 19, 2020 |title=Billie Eilish Says She's Working on a New Album, Releasing Her Documentary This Year: 'I'm Terrified' |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8548439/billie-eilish-new-album-documentary-grammys-2020-interview-iheartradio-alter-ego |url-status=live |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427015751/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8548439/billie-eilish-new-album-documentary-grammys-2020-interview-iheartradio-alter-ego |archive-date=April 27, 2021 |access-date=April 27, 2021}} in a cover story for Rolling Stone, she said that "almost none of the songs on this album are joyful".{{Cite web |last=Denuse |first=Jazmine |date=July 30, 2021 |title=Billie Eilish, Jackson Wang & Jinyoung of GOT7, and More: Best New Music |url=https://www.teenvogue.com/story/billie-eilish-jackson-wang-jinyoung-got7-best-new-music |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118183721/https://www.teenvogue.com/story/billie-eilish-jackson-wang-jinyoung-got7-best-new-music |archive-date=January 18, 2022 |access-date=October 28, 2022 |website=Teen Vogue |language=en-US}} The album's lyrical themes include disillusionment with fame and the struggles that young women face in the entertainment industry, such as sexual and emotional abuse.{{Cite magazine |last=Spanos |first=Brittany |date=June 17, 2021 |title=Billie Eilish and the Pursuit of Happiness |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/billie-eilish-new-album-happier-than-ever-tour-1183156/ |url-status=live |magazine=Rolling Stone |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210719000710/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/billie-eilish-new-album-happier-than-ever-tour-1183156/ |archive-date=July 19, 2021 |access-date=July 6, 2022 |url-access=limited}}{{Cite news |date=July 30, 2021 |title=Billie Eilish: Critics Praise 'Defiant' Second Album, Happier Than Ever |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-58024655 |url-status=live |access-date=July 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210730123323/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-58024655 |archive-date=July 30, 2021}}{{Cite web |last=Hunt |first=El |date=July 29, 2021 |title=Billie Eilish – Happier Than Ever Review: An Artist Secures Her Status as a Generational Great |url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/billie-eilish-happier-than-ever-review-3006793 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220707024353/https://www.nme.com/en_asia/reviews/album/billie-eilish-happier-than-ever-review-3006793 |archive-date=July 7, 2022 |access-date=July 13, 2022 |website=NME |language=en}} In April 2021, Eilish announced its title was Happier Than Ever, revealing its track list and release date.{{Cite web |last=Hosken |first=Patrick |date=April 27, 2021 |title=Billie Eilish's New Album Will Find Her Happier Than Ever on July 30 |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/16zow7/billie-eilish-happier-than-ever-announcement |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221008002443/https://www.mtv.com/news/16zow7/billie-eilish-happier-than-ever-announcement |archive-date=October 8, 2022 |access-date=October 8, 2022 |website=MTV News}} Set for release three months later, the album contains "Getting Older" as its opening track.{{Cite magazine |last=Cordero |first=Rosy |date=April 27, 2021 |title=Billie Eilish Is Happier Than Ever to Announce Her New Album Drops This Summer |url=https://ew.com/music/billie-eilish-new-album-happier-than-ever/ |url-status=live |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220205234941/https://ew.com/music/billie-eilish-new-album-happier-than-ever/ |archive-date=February 5, 2022 |access-date=October 8, 2022}}

A single from the album—"Your Power"—was released on April 29, 2021.{{Cite magazine |last=Mamo |first=Heran |date=April 29, 2021 |title=Billie Eilish Warns Not to Abuse 'Your Power' While Getting Squeezed by an Anaconda in New Video |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/billie-eilish-your-power-music-video-9565125/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220519172803/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/billie-eilish-your-power-music-video-9565125/ |archive-date=May 19, 2022 |access-date=September 20, 2022 |magazine=Billboard}} The song is a plea for people to avoid abusing their authority,{{Cite web |last=Al-Heeti |first=Abrar |date=April 1, 2022 |title=Billie Eilish Happier Than Ever Tour Brings Catharsis, Camaraderie and Hope |url=https://www.cnet.com/culture/entertainment/billie-eilish-happier-than-ever-tour-brings-catharsis-camaraderie-and-hope/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220406062003/https://www.cnet.com/culture/entertainment/billie-eilish-happier-than-ever-tour-brings-catharsis-camaraderie-and-hope/ |archive-date=April 6, 2022 |access-date=July 18, 2022 |website=CNET}} and it explores the topics of domestic abuse and sexual harassment.{{Cite web |last=Garner |first=Glenn |date=May 3, 2021 |title=Billie Eilish Says Every Woman She Knows Has Faced Sexual Misconduct: 'It's Everywhere' |url=https://people.com/music/billie-eilish-doesnt-know-one-woman-who-hasnt-faced-sexual-misconduct/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210913023342/https://people.com/music/billie-eilish-doesnt-know-one-woman-who-hasnt-faced-sexual-misconduct/ |archive-date=September 13, 2021 |access-date=July 18, 2022 |website=People}}{{Cite web |last=Willman |first=Chris |date=April 10, 2021 |title=Billie Eilish Keeps Her Savant Streak Going With Pre-Coachella Homecoming Shows at the Forum: Concert Review |url=https://variety.com/2022/music/news/billie-eilish-concert-review-kia-forum-tour-live-finneas-1235229227/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706092255/https://variety.com/2022/music/news/billie-eilish-concert-review-kia-forum-tour-live-finneas-1235229227/ |archive-date=July 6, 2022 |access-date=July 18, 2022 |website=Variety |language=en-US}} After its release, Eilish gave an interview for the British edition of Vogue.{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Anna Grace |date=May 3, 2021 |title=Billie Eilish and the Importance of 'Your Power' |url=https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/music/a36317440/billie-eilish-your-power-body-image-lyrics-meaning-vogue-cover-interview/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220818031935/https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/music/a36317440/billie-eilish-your-power-body-image-lyrics-meaning-vogue-cover-interview/ |archive-date=August 18, 2022 |access-date=September 20, 2022 |website=Esquire}}{{Cite web |last=Etienne |first=Vanessa |date=May 11, 2021 |title=Billie Eilish Says Reaction to Her British Vogue Cover Made Her 'Never Want to Post Again' |url=https://people.com/style/billie-eilish-says-reaction-to-british-vogue-cover-made-her-never-want-to-post-again/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210621080637/https://people.com/style/billie-eilish-says-reaction-to-british-vogue-cover-made-her-never-want-to-post-again/ |archive-date=June 21, 2021 |access-date=November 1, 2022 |website=People |language=en}} She talked about how her life had greatly changed since she was a child, as well as her negative experiences with fame.{{Cite web |last=Yasharoff |first=Hannah |date=May 2, 2021 |title=Billie Eilish Debuts New Look on British Vogue Cover, Reflects on Negative Body Commentary |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2021/05/02/billie-eilish-vogue-uk-cover-reveals-new-look-body-struggles/4915853001/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603041954/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2021/05/02/billie-eilish-vogue-uk-cover-reveals-new-look-body-struggles/4915853001/ |archive-date=June 3, 2021 |access-date=September 20, 2022 |website=USA Today}}{{Cite web |last=Guy |first=Jack |date=May 3, 2021 |title=Billie Eilish on Exploitation and Not Letting Herself 'Be Owned Anymore' |url=https://www.cnn.com/style/article/billie-eilish-british-vogue-interview-scli-intl-gbr/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809032410/https://edition.cnn.com/style/article/billie-eilish-british-vogue-interview-scli-intl-gbr/index.html |archive-date=August 9, 2022 |access-date=September 20, 2022 |website=CNN |language=en}} To contextualize the themes behind "Your Power", Eilish stated that she was sexually abused years ago: "I used to not understand why age mattered. And, of course, you feel like that when you're young, because{{nbsp}}[...] you feel like you're so mature and you know everything{{nbsp}}[...] People forget that you can grow up and realize shit was fucked up when you were younger."{{Cite magazine |last=Iasimone |first=Ashley |date=May 3, 2021 |title=5 Takeaways from Billie Eilish's British Vogue Interview |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/billie-eilish-british-vogue-interview-abuse-your-power-new-album-9566373/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220720121735/https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/billie-eilish-british-vogue-interview-abuse-your-power-new-album-9566373/ |archive-date=July 20, 2022 |access-date=September 20, 2022 |magazine=Billboard}}

Eilish reflected on writing "Getting Older" during other interviews that talked about the album's themes. She wanted the song to have confessional lyrics heavily inspired by her personal life, and although she was eager to take this approach, she also felt anxious. Midway through writing, she felt the urge to cry and had to take a break from the process.{{Cite web |last=Newstead |first=Al |date=August 3, 2021 |title=Happier Than Ever Finds Joy in the Complex Bummer of Being Billie Eilish |url=https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/news/billie-eilish-happier-than-ever-feature-album-review-interview/13482004 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915021706/https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/news/billie-eilish-happier-than-ever-feature-album-review-interview/13482004 |archive-date=September 15, 2022 |access-date=October 6, 2022 |website=Triple J |language=en-AU}}{{Cite web |last=Star |first=Regina |date=June 17, 2021 |title=Billie Eilish Opens Up About Trauma, Talks New Album Happier Than Ever |url=https://www.iheart.com/content/2021-06-17-billie-eilish-opens-up-about-trauma-talks-new-album-happier-than-ever/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625170337/https://www.iheart.com/content/2021-06-17-billie-eilish-opens-up-about-trauma-talks-new-album-happier-than-ever/ |archive-date=June 25, 2021 |access-date=September 20, 2022 |website=iHeartRadio}} Eilish hesitated to disclose the full context behind "Getting Older"; even though she wanted her fans to learn more about her personal life, she was also uncomfortable with sharing too much sensitive background information.{{Cite web |last=Aubrey |first=Elizabeth |date=July 25, 2021 |title=Billie Eilish Reveals Conflict When Writing Song, 'Getting Older' |url=https://www.nme.com/en_asia/news/music/billie-eilish-reveals-conflict-about-writing-song-getting-older-3002462 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920031825/https://www.nme.com/en_asia/news/music/billie-eilish-reveals-conflict-about-writing-song-getting-older-3002462 |archive-date=September 20, 2022 |access-date=September 20, 2022 |website=NME}}{{Cite web |last=Kaufman |first=Amy |date=July 23, 2021 |title=Billie Eilish on Surviving Teen Fame and Trauma, and How She Finally Stopped Reading the Comments |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2021-07-23/billie-eilish-happier-than-ever-album |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220903182144/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2021-07-23/billie-eilish-happier-than-ever-album |archive-date=September 3, 2022 |access-date=September 20, 2022 |website=Los Angeles Times}} The event that prompted her to write the song, Eilish explained, happened to her when she was a child. It was traumatic and mortifying to a degree that she had never shared the specifics with anyone before: "I don't want to tell anyone, let alone the entire internet{{nbsp}}[...] It's why a lot of women and men — but especially women — don't tell anyone when they're going through it." She then referenced #MeToo, a social movement started by women to expose and counter sexual misconduct by abusive figures of authority.{{Cite web |date=July 26, 2021 |title=Billie Eilish Opens Up About 'Past Trauma' as She Discusses 'Getting Older' Writing Process |url=https://www.capitalfm.com/news/billie-eilish-trauma-getting-older-song/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924191537/https://www.capitalfm.com/news/billie-eilish-trauma-getting-older-song/ |archive-date=September 24, 2021 |access-date=September 20, 2022 |website=Capital FM}}

"Getting Older" is four minutes and four seconds long,{{cite web |title=Happier Than Ever |date=July 30, 2021 |url=https://open.spotify.com/album/0JGOiO34nwfUdDrD612dOp |publisher=Darkroom and Interscope Records |language=en |access-date=November 11, 2022 |via=Spotify |url-status=live |archive-date=July 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210730191626/https://open.spotify.com/album/0JGOiO34nwfUdDrD612dOp}} with a minimalist production that Vulture{{'s}} Craig Jenkins described as "both plush and delicate and barely there".{{Cite web |last=Jenkins |first=Craig |date=August 3, 2021 |title=Billie Eilish Has Only Gone Quieter and More Unpredictable |url=https://www.vulture.com/2021/08/billie-eilish-happier-than-ever-album-review.html |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220722031457/https://www.vulture.com/2021/08/billie-eilish-happier-than-ever-album-review.html |archive-date=July 22, 2022 |access-date=November 2, 2022 |website=Vulture |language=en-us}} It is backed by pulsing synthesizers,{{Cite web |last=Pollard |first=Alexandra |date=July 30, 2021 |title=Billie Eilish Review, Happier Than Ever: Despite the Perky Title, the Darkness Still Remains |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/billie-eilish-happier-than-ever-review-album-b1893683.html |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210730102953/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/billie-eilish-happier-than-ever-review-album-b1893683.html |archive-date=July 30, 2021 |access-date=June 27, 2022 |website=The Independent}}{{Cite magazine |last=Dailey |first=Hannah |date=July 30, 2021 |title=Every Song Ranked on Billie Eilish's Happier Than Ever: Critic's List |url=https://www.billboard.com/media/lists/billie-eilish-happier-than-ever-ranked-9608324/ |url-status=live |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731231306/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/list/9608324/billie-eilish-happier-than-ever-ranked |archive-date=July 31, 2021 |access-date=June 27, 2022}} a bass guitar,{{cite web |last=Cerezo |first=Anna Gabrielle |date=August 10, 2021 |title=Billie Eillish's Happier Than Ever Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard Album Chart |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/08/10/21/billie-eillish-debuts-at-no-1-on-billboard-album-chart |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210810232924/https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/08/10/21/billie-eillish-debuts-at-no-1-on-billboard-album-chart |archive-date=August 10, 2021 |access-date=November 2, 2022 |website=ABS-CBN News}} and a keyboard that plays staccato notes, as Eilish performs in a vibrato singing style.{{Cite news |last=Zoladz |first=Lindsay |date=August 2, 2021 |title=Billie Eilish's Uneasy View from the Top |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/02/arts/music/billie-eilish-happier-than-ever-review.html |url-status=live |url-access=limited |access-date=June 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220317163051/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/02/arts/music/billie-eilish-happier-than-ever-review.html |archive-date=March 17, 2022}} Background vocals occasionally appear throughout the song.{{Cite web |last=Hunter-Tilney |first=Ludovic |date=August 3, 2021 |title=Happier Than Ever — Billie Eilish Is Back with a Catchy Second Album |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/2568111478 |url-access=registration |access-date=October 24, 2022 |website=Financial Times |page=14 |id={{ProQuest|2568111478}} |archive-date=May 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240507030842/https://www.proquest.com/docview/2568111478 |url-status=live }} The lyrics explore the positive and negative aspects of Eilish's transition into adulthood in the wake of her success that she first received as a teenager.{{Cite web |last=Petridis |first=Alexis |author-link=Alexis Petridis |date=July 29, 2021 |title=Billie Eilish: Happier Than Ever Review – Inside Pop Stardom's Heart of Darkness |url=http://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/jul/30/billie-eilish-happier-than-ever-review-inside-pop-stardoms-heart-of-darkness |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220618162223/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/jul/30/billie-eilish-happier-than-ever-review-inside-pop-stardoms-heart-of-darkness |archive-date=June 18, 2022 |access-date=June 28, 2022 |website=The Guardian}}{{Cite web |last=Serrano |first=Athena |date=July 30, 2021 |title=Billie Eilish's Happier Than Ever Has a Song for Every Mood |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/3179474/billie-eilish-happier-than-ever-mood-music/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815032624/https://www.mtv.com/news/3179474/billie-eilish-happier-than-ever-mood-music/ |archive-date=August 15, 2021 |access-date=July 19, 2022 |website=MTV News}} Due to the subject matter, three music journalists compared "Getting Older" to Nirvana's "Serve the Servants", the opening track of their 1993 studio album In Utero.{{Cite web |last=McLevy |first=Alex |date=July 30, 2021 |title=Billie Eilish Opens Happier Than Ever by One-Upping Nirvana |url=https://www.avclub.com/billie-eilish-opens-happier-than-ever-by-one-upping-nir-1847395604 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220921233145/https://www.avclub.com/billie-eilish-opens-happier-than-ever-by-one-upping-nir-1847395604 |archive-date=September 21, 2022 |access-date=November 2, 2022 |website=The A.V. Club |language=en}}{{Cite magazine |last=Sheffield |first=Rob |author-link=Rob Sheffield |date=February 1, 2022 |title='Getting Older' |url=https://au.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/-36726/getting-older-36737/ |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220923152753/https://au.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-billie-eilish-songs-36726/getting-older-36737/ |archive-date=September 23, 2022 |access-date=November 2, 2022 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-AU}}{{Cite news |last=Stewart |first=Allison |date=August 1, 2021 |title=On Happier Than Ever Billie Eilish Delivers a Second Album That Shows She Wasn't Just a Whisper |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/billie-eilish-happier-than-ever-review/2021/08/01/21ae363c-f2dd-11eb-9068-bf463c8c74de_story.html |url-status=live |url-access=limited |access-date=June 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210802063821/https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/billie-eilish-happier-than-ever-review/2021/08/01/21ae363c-f2dd-11eb-9068-bf463c8c74de_story.html |archive-date=August 2, 2021}}

Eilish opens the song by reflecting: "I'm getting older, I think I'm aging well / I wish someone had told me I'd be doing this by myself."{{Cite web |last=DeLuca |first=Dan |date=August 13, 2021 |title=Billie Eilish Follows Her First Triumphant Album with Another One |url=https://www.inquirer.com/entertainment/billie-eilish-new-album-happier-than-ever-review-20210813.html |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211210131801/https://www.inquirer.com/entertainment/billie-eilish-new-album-happier-than-ever-review-20210813.html |archive-date=December 10, 2021 |access-date=November 2, 2022 |website=The Philadelphia Inquirer |language=en}} In the next lines, she talks about parts of her life that she associates with her newly acquired fame, including the amount of voyeuristic fans who stalk her from her house's front door. Eilish points out that they are strangers to her and calls them out for being "deranged".{{Cite web |last1=Lal |first1=Kish |last2=Shand |first2=John |last3=Smith |first3=Banaby |last4=Zwartz |first4=Barney |date=August 6, 2021 |title=Billie Eilish Uses New Songs to Take On Trolls and Stalkers |url=https://www.smh.com.au/culture/music/billie-eilish-uses-new-songs-to-take-on-trolls-and-stalkers-20210802-p58f1i.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221102024153/https://www.smh.com.au/culture/music/billie-eilish-uses-new-songs-to-take-on-trolls-and-stalkers-20210802-p58f1i.html |archive-date=November 2, 2022 |access-date=November 2, 2022 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}} Alex McLevy of The A.V. Club interpreted one line—"It's different when a stranger's always waiting at your door"—as not only a negative effect of high public attention, but also a metaphor for the challenges of creating art with authentic, honest intent when "everything you do is scrutinized with a cultural magnifying glass".{{cite web |last1=McLevy |first1=Alex |date=August 4, 2021 |title=Happier Than Ever Is Mostly a Great Billie Eilish Album |url=https://www.avclub.com/happier-than-ever-is-mostly-a-great-billie-eilish-album-1847417387 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210814221419/https://www.avclub.com/happier-than-ever-is-mostly-a-great-billie-eilish-album-1847417387 |archive-date=August 14, 2021 |access-date=June 8, 2022 |website=The A.V. Club |language=en-us}} Eilish explores how the burnout from fame has removed the fun and passion out of pursuing her hobbies: "Things I once enjoyed / Just keep me employed now."{{Cite web |last=Kornhaber |first=Spencer |date=August 7, 2021 |title=Pop Is Making Happiness Sound Pretty Dreary Lately |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2021/08/billie-eilish-happier-than-ever-lorde-lana-del-rey/619692/ |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031001846/https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2021/08/billie-eilish-happier-than-ever-lorde-lana-del-rey/619692/ |archive-date=October 31, 2022 |access-date=November 2, 2022 |website=The Atlantic |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Wood |first=Mikael |date=August 2, 2021 |title=An Album About Fame? Yawn. But Billie Eilish Upends Clichés on Sumptuous Happier Than Ever |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2021-08-02/billie-eilish-happier-than-ever-album |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210817012559/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2021-08-02/billie-eilish-happier-than-ever-album |archive-date=August 17, 2021 |access-date=October 29, 2022 |website=Los Angeles Times}} Critics compared these sentiments of ennui to lyrics from "Serve the Servants", specifically the opening lines "Teenage angst has paid off well / Now I'm bored and old."{{Cite magazine |last=Sheffield |first=Rob |author-link=Rob Sheffield |date=August 2, 2021 |title=Billie Eilish Refuses to Stand Still Musically on the Heroically Honest Happier Than Ever |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/billie-eilish-happier-than-ever-1206060/ |url-status=live |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210810072149/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/billie-eilish-happier-than-ever-1206060/ |archive-date=August 10, 2021 |access-date=August 3, 2021 |url-access=limited}}

"Getting Older" makes allusions to sexual harassment and the demand for consent as a way to hold abusers accountable. Eilish reflects on being compelled to perform unspecified activities against her will and how that abuse played a role in forming her childhood trauma.{{Cite web |last=Nguyen |first=Giselle Au-Nhien |date=July 30, 2021 |title=Billie Eilish's Happier Than Ever a Harrowing but Revealing Experience |url=https://www.smh.com.au/culture/music/billie-eilish-s-happier-than-ever-a-harrowing-but-revealing-experience-20210728-p58dt0.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210730074526/https://www.smh.com.au/culture/music/billie-eilish-s-happier-than-ever-a-harrowing-but-revealing-experience-20210728-p58dt0.html |archive-date=July 30, 2021 |access-date=October 29, 2022 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}} To expound on her feelings of distress, she observes how whenever she retells a story, she exaggerates every possible negative detail, with the intent of seeking pity and attention from others. Eilish fails to receive any attention using this approach, harshly admonishing herself for it.{{Cite web |last=Cinquemani |first=Sal |date=July 29, 2021 |title=Billie Eilish Happier Than Ever Review: A Confident Statement of Intent |url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/billie-eilish-happier-than-ever-album-review/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211129214645/https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/billie-eilish-happier-than-ever-album-review/ |archive-date=November 29, 2021 |access-date=September 19, 2022 |website=Slant Magazine}} In the final verses, she reassures people concerned about her well-being that she will get better. Through the lines "Wasn't my decision to be abused" and "Was too afraid to tell ya [about it], but now, I think it's time", she asserts her willingness to confront and recover from her traumatic experiences.{{Cite web |last=Wilson |first=Carl |author-link=Carl Wilson (writer) |date=July 30, 2021 |title=Billie Eilish's Second Album Has Strong Words for Her Critics |url=https://slate.com/culture/2021/07/billie-eilish-happier-than-ever-review.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210730155626/https://slate.com/culture/2021/07/billie-eilish-happier-than-ever-review.html |archive-date=July 30, 2021 |access-date=July 19, 2022 |website=Slate}}

To further discuss the positive aspects of her life as a public figure, Eilish expresses her gratitude for the various ways by which her success has benefited her. She recognizes her increased sense of accountability for her mistakes: "I'm getting better at admitting when I'm wrong." The Observer{{'s}} Kitty Empire drew parallels between this lyric and a controversy in which Eilish was criticized for lip-syncing offensive lyrics to a song by Tyler, the Creator, for which she profusely apologized.{{Cite web |last=Empire |first=Kitty |author-link=Kitty Empire |date=July 31, 2021 |title=Billie Eilish: Happier Than Ever Review – Wiser and Wilder |url=http://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/jul/31/billie-eilish-happier-than-ever-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922101409/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/jul/31/billie-eilish-happier-than-ever-review |archive-date=September 22, 2022 |access-date=November 2, 2022 |website=The Observer |language=en}}{{NoteTag|The song in question, "Fish" (2011), contains the word "chink", an anti-Chinese and anti-Asian slur.{{cite web|last=Squires|first=Bethy|date=June 21, 2021|title=Billie Eilish Apologizes for Lip-Syncing Racist Slur in Old Video|url=https://www.vulture.com/2021/06/billie-eilish-apologizes-on-instagram-for-racist-language.html|access-date=July 21, 2021|url-access=limited|website=Vulture|archive-date=July 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721140455/https://www.vulture.com/2021/06/billie-eilish-apologizes-on-instagram-for-racist-language.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Burgess|first=Kaya|date=June 22, 2021|title=Billie Eilish Apologises for Racial Slur in Teenage Video|language=en|work=The Times|url=https://www.thetimes.com/business-money/technology/article/billie-eilish-apologises-for-racial-slur-in-teenage-video-rs6vstcks|access-date=December 16, 2021 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=July 27, 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210727205921/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/billie-eilish-apologises-for-racial-slur-in-teenage-video-rs6vstcks|url-status=live}}}} Eilish describes herself as "happier than ever", referencing the album's title, and announces her intentions to "keep [herself] together and prioritize [her] pleasure".

After Happier Than Ever{{'s}} release on July 30, 2021, "Getting Older" entered the US Billboard Hot 100 record chart alongside five other songs from the album. It debuted at number 69, the second highest entry out of the six songs after the title track (11).{{NoteTag|The other album tracks were "Billie Bossa Nova" (70), "Oxytocin" (72), "I Didn't Change My Number" (80), and "Halley's Comet" (90).}} "Getting Older" peaked within the top 40 of national record charts in five countries: Ireland (23), the UK (28), New Zealand (32), Australia (35), and Switzerland (39). It peaked at number 35 on the Billboard Global 200, which ranks songs based on digital downloads and streams from over 200 territories around the world.

Several music critics deemed "Getting Older" a powerful opening track and thought that its lyrics effectively set the tone for the rest of the album.{{NoteTag|Music journalists that commented on "Getting Older" in this way include:

• Billboard{{'s}} Hannah Dailey;
• The A.V. Club{{'s}} Alex McLevy;
• Rolling Stone{{'s}} Rob Sheffield;
• USA Today{{'s}} Charles Trepany;
• and Consequence{{'s}} Mary Siroky.{{Cite web |last=Siroky |first=Mary |date=July 30, 2021 |title=Billie Eilish Is Happier Than Ever: How the Brutally Honest, Introspective Album Proves She's Here to Stay |url=https://consequence.net/2021/07/billie-eilish-happier-than-ever-review/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031150020/https://consequence.net/2021/07/billie-eilish-happier-than-ever-review/ |archive-date=October 31, 2022 |access-date=November 2, 2022 |website=Consequence |language=en-US}}}} Many praised the song for its honesty;{{Cite web |last=Brodsky |first=Rachel |date=September 30, 2021 |title=Every Billie Eilish Song, Ranked |url=https://uproxx.com/pop/billie-eilish-best-songs-ranked-list/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815114954/https://uproxx.com/pop/billie-eilish-best-songs-ranked-list/ |archive-date=August 15, 2022 |access-date=October 19, 2022 |website=Uproxx}} its mature, introspective point of view;{{Cite web |last=Atkinson |first=Jessie |date=July 30, 2021 |title=Album Review: Billie Eilish - Happier Than Ever |url=https://www.gigwise.com/reviews/3402076/album-review-billie-eilish-happier-than-ever |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220823144013/https://www.gigwise.com/reviews/3402076/album-review-billie-eilish-happier-than-ever |archive-date=August 23, 2022 |access-date=November 5, 2022 |website=Gigwise}}{{Cite web |last=Gracie |first=Bianca |date=August 4, 2021 |title=Billie Eilish's Road to Happier Than Ever: How the Superstar Continues to Break Pop's Status Quo |url=https://www.grammy.com/news/billie-eilish-road-happier-ever-how-superstar-continues-break-pops-status-quo |access-date=November 5, 2022 |website=The Recording Academy |archive-date=November 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221107140527/https://www.grammy.com/news/billie-eilish-road-happier-ever-how-superstar-continues-break-pops-status-quo |url-status=live}} as well as its emotional impact{{Cite web |last=Trepany |first=Charles |date=July 30, 2021 |title=Billie Eilish's New Studio Album Happier Than Ever Has Arrived: Here Are the Top 5 Songs |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2021/07/30/billie-eilish-drops-happier-than-ever-here-5-best-songs/5425227001/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221026150030/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2021/07/30/billie-eilish-drops-happier-than-ever-here-5-best-songs/5425227001/ |archive-date=October 26, 2022 |access-date=November 5, 2022 |website=USA Today |language=en-US}}—a reviewer appreciated the juxtaposition between Eilish's "beautiful" vocals and the "morbid" nature of the lyrical themes.{{Cite web |last=Abuelhawa |first=Laila |date=July 30, 2021 |title=Billie Eilish Happier Than Ever Album Review: She Doesn't Miss |url=https://kiss951.com/2021/07/30/billie-eilish-happier-than-ever-album-review/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221102050442/https://kiss951.com/2021/07/30/billie-eilish-happier-than-ever-album-review/ |archive-date=November 2, 2022 |access-date=November 5, 2022 |website=Kiss 95.1 FM |language=en}} Two critics labeled it one of Happier Than Ever{{'s}} top 5 best songs.{{NoteTag|Specifically, Billboard{{'s}} Hannah Dailey and USA Today{{'s}} Charles Trepany.}} When asked about their favorite lyrics from the album, several staff writers for The Ringer quoted lines from "Getting Older". Charles Holmes justified this by pointing to how its lyrics "bounce from emotionally brutal to darkly wry and back again".{{Cite web |date=July 30, 2021 |title=The Billie Eilish Happier Than Ever Exit Survey |url=https://www.theringer.com/music/2021/7/30/22602236/billie-eilish-happier-than-ever-exit-survey-instant-reactions |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221102050446/https://www.theringer.com/music/2021/7/30/22602236/billie-eilish-happier-than-ever-exit-survey-instant-reactions |archive-date=November 2, 2022 |access-date=November 5, 2022 |website=The Ringer |language=en}}

Similarly, McLevy lauded the "cutting" nature of its lines about stalkers: "The song flips the entire script of the usual 'you, the fans, keep me grounded' approach, turning from a rumination to a reprimand." He called it a clever way to open Happier Than Ever, or what he called her "first post-fame album." Some critics commented on the difficulties of writing about the pressures of fame without engendering a sense of alienation from listeners, and they thought Eilish impressively overcame this problem with "Getting Older".{{Cite web |last=Harvilla |first=Rob |date=August 2, 2021 |title=Billie Eilish and the Loneliness of Megastardom |url=https://www.theringer.com/music/2021/8/2/22605085/billie-eilish-happier-than-ever-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221102050443/https://www.theringer.com/music/2021/8/2/22605085/billie-eilish-happier-than-ever-review |archive-date=November 2, 2022 |access-date=November 5, 2022 |website=The Ringer |language=en}} In their view, she was able to achieve relatability by referencing experiences with which most people can sympathize, such as feeling burdened by large amounts of expectations and horrified by the loss of one's childhood. Ranking "Getting Older" as Eilish's 27th best song in 2021, Jackson Langford of MTV Australia wrote: "Following an album that muses about what lurks in the dark{{nbsp}}[...] Billie Eilish still has the ability to haunt, but it's no longer with fantastical stories – it's with her own, singular experiences."{{Cite web |last=Langford |first=Jackson |date=July 28, 2021 |title=Every Billie Eilish Song Ever, Ranked |url=https://www.mtv.com.au/news/0kaoup/billie-eilish-song-ranking-bad-guy-happier-than-ever-finneas-oconnell |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210911181816/https://www.mtv.com.au/news/0kaoup/billie-eilish-song-ranking-bad-guy-happier-than-ever-finneas-oconnell |archive-date=September 11, 2021 |access-date=October 19, 2022 |website=MTV Australia}}

"Getting Older" was included in the set lists of a 2021 concert film and a 2022–2023 world tour in support of Happier Than Ever.{{Cite magazine |last=Urbanek |first=Sydney |date=September 7, 2021 |title=Billie Eilish Relearns Her Hometown and Herself in Disney+ Film Happier Than Ever: A Love Letter to Los Angeles |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/billie-eilish-happier-than-ever-disney-plus-review-9625691/ |url-status=live |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705190756/https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/billie-eilish-happier-than-ever-disney-plus-review-9625691/ |archive-date=July 5, 2022 |access-date=September 24, 2022}}{{Cite web |last=Ginsberg |first=Gab |date=February 4, 2022 |title=Billie Eilish Kicks Off Happier Than Ever Tour in New Orleans: Recap + Photos |url=https://consequence.net/2022/02/billie-eilish-concert-review-happier-than-ever-tour/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204221357/https://consequence.net/2022/02/billie-eilish-concert-review-happier-than-ever-tour/4/ |archive-date=February 4, 2022 |access-date=September 24, 2022 |website=Consequence}} As Eilish performed it during the tour, home videos that showcased events from her childhood, such as singing with Finneas, blowing birthday candles, and hugging her family, were played on a large stage screen.{{Cite news |last=Bunnag |first=Tatat |date=August 30, 2022 |title=Worth the Wait |work=Bangkok Post |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/life/arts-and-entertainment/2379911/worth-the-wait |url-status=live |access-date=September 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20221102163116/https://www.bangkokpost.com/life/arts-and-entertainment/2379911/worth-the-wait |archive-date=November 2, 2022}}{{Cite web |date=June 21, 2022 |title=Every Billie Eilish Song Ranked in Order of Greatness |url=https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/billie-eilish-best-songs-2450318 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220807033222/https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/billie-eilish-best-songs-2450318 |archive-date=August 7, 2022 |access-date=November 2, 2022 |website=NME |language=en-GB}} She held more live renditions of the song at 2021 shows for Time ABC and BBC Live Lounge.{{Cite web |title=ビリー・アイリッシュ、『タイム』誌の100人に選ばれたことを記念したパフォーマンス映像が公開 |trans-title=Billie Eilish Releases Performance Videos to Celebrate Being in the Time 100 |url=https://nme-jp.com/news/107340/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220703053809/https://nme-jp.com/news/107340/ |archive-date=July 3, 2022 |access-date=September 24, 2022 |website=NME Japan |language=ja}}{{Cite web |last=de Wee |first=Naledi |date=August 9, 2021 |title=Must-Watch: Billie Eilish's Passionate Cover of 'I'm in the Mood for Love' |url=https://www.thesouthafrican.com/culture/entertainment/must-watch-billie-eilish-cover-im-in-the-mood-for-love-julie-london-happier-than-ever-watch/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220624151130/https://www.thesouthafrican.com/culture/entertainment/must-watch-billie-eilish-cover-im-in-the-mood-for-love-julie-london-happier-than-ever-watch/ |archive-date=June 24, 2022 |access-date=September 24, 2022 |website=The South African}} In 2022, Eilish headlined the annual Glastonbury music festival in the UK, including "Getting Older" in her set list.{{Cite web |last=Beaumont |first=Mark |date=June 25, 2022 |title=Billie Eilish Review, Glastonbury 2022: History-Making Set Is 90 Minutes of Noir-Pop Catharsis |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/billie-eilish-review-glastonbury-2022-b2109771.html |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024231602/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/billie-eilish-review-glastonbury-2022-b2109771.html |archive-date=October 24, 2022 |access-date=November 7, 2022 |website=The Independent |language=en}} She sang it with Damon Albarn, lead guitarist for English virtual band Gorillaz, during Coachella, another music festival she headlined that year.{{Cite magazine |last=Kreps |first=Daniel |date=April 17, 2022 |title=See Billie Eilish Bring Out Damon Albarn for 'Getting Older', Gorillaz's 'Feel Good Inc' at Coachella |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/billie-eilish-damon-albarn-getting-older-gorillaz-feel-good-inc-coachella-1338777/ |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220522154113/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/billie-eilish-damon-albarn-getting-older-gorillaz-feel-good-inc-coachella-1338777/ |archive-date=May 22, 2022 |access-date=September 24, 2022 |magazine=Rolling Stone}} While performing, she tripped and fell face first onto the stage, joking that she "ate shit [and] ass" and explaining that she fell because the stage was dimly lit.{{Cite web |last=Dado |first=Natasha |date=April 25, 2022 |title=Billie Eilish Falls Face First on Coachella Stage and Laughs It Off: 'It Was Dark!' |url=https://people.com/music/billie-eilish-falls-face-first-on-coachella-stage-and-laughs-it-off/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220622202324/https://people.com/music/billie-eilish-falls-face-first-on-coachella-stage-and-laughs-it-off/ |archive-date=June 22, 2022 |access-date=November 2, 2022 |website=People |language=en}} To commemorate Happier Than Ever{{'s}} one-year anniversary, Eilish and Finneas visited the Amoeba Music record store in Hollywood to perform it alongside three of her other songs.{{Cite magazine |last=Bouza |first=Kat |date=July 30, 2022 |title=Watch Billie Eilish Perform Intimate Acoustic Set at Amoeba Music |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/billie-eilish-amoeba-music-acoustic-set-1390267/ |url-status=live |magazine=Rolling Stone |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220802023047/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/billie-eilish-amoeba-music-acoustic-set-1390267/ |archive-date=August 2, 2022 |access-date=September 24, 2022 |url-access=limited}}

On August 11, 2021, Eilish in partnership with Apple released a short film showcasing Apple Music's spatial audio feature; the singer sang "Getting Older" a cappella in front of a vanity mirror, before transitioning into "Goldwing".{{Cite web|url=https://www.wrmf.com/watch-billie-eilish-mash-up-two-songs-from-happier-than-ever-in-new-short-film/|title=Watch Billie Eilish mash up two songs from 'Happier Than Ever' in new short film|publisher=WRMF|access-date=September 23, 2024|archive-date=September 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220924202429/https://www.wrmf.com/watch-billie-eilish-mash-up-two-songs-from-happier-than-ever-in-new-short-film/|url-status=live}} In American Express-curated "Story of My Song" video regarding "Birds of a Feather" off Eilish's next studio album Hit Me Hard and Soft (2024), Finneas unveiled that he put a heavily manipulated snippet of "Getting Older" in the background of the song.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/music/a62300178/billie-eilish-birds-of-a-feather-lyrics-easter-eggs/|title=Billie Eilish and Finneas Break Down Easter Eggs and Almost-Lyrics for 'Birds of a Feather'|work=Cosmopolitan|first=Samantha|last=Olson|date=September 23, 2024|access-date=September 23, 2024}}{{Cite web|url=https://uproxx.com/pop/finneas-billie-eilish-birds-of-a-feather-easter-egg/|title=Billie Eilish Didn't Even Know Finneas Secretly Hid Part Of An Older Song In 'Birds Of A Feather'|work=Uproxx|first=Derrick|last=Rossignol|date=September 23, 2024|access-date=September 23, 2024}}

Credits adapted from Tidal.{{Cite web |title=Credits for Happier Than Ever by Billie Eilish |url=https://listen.tidal.com/album/192576405/credits |publisher=Darkroom and Interscope Records |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20221101060133/https://listen.tidal.com/album/192576405/credits |archive-date=November 1, 2022 |access-date=November 1, 2022 |via=Tidal}}

{{div col}}

• Billie Eilish O'Connell{{spaced endash}} vocals, songwriting, vocal engineering
• Finneas O'Connell{{spaced endash}} production, songwriting, engineering, vocal arranging, bass, drum programming, piano, synthesizer
• Dave Kutch{{spaced endash}} mastering
• Rob Kinelski{{spaced endash}} mixing
• Casey Cuayo{{spaced endash}} assistant mixing
• Eli Heisler{{spaced endash}} assistant mixing

{{div col end}}

{{col-start}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-end}}

{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for "Getting Older"}}

{{certification Table Entry|type=single|region=Australia|certyear=2025|award=Platinum|access-date=March 13, 2025}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|artist=Billie Eilish|title=Getting Older|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=2021|certyear=2024|access-date=June 4, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|artist=Billie Eilish|title=Getting Older|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2021|certyear=2025|access-date=February 27, 2025}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=single|artist=Billie Eilish|title=Getting Older|award=Gold|relyear=2021|certyear=2023|source=radioscope|access-date=January 9, 2025}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=Billie Eilish|title=Getting Older|award=Silver|type=single|relyear=2021|certyear=2024|id=20472-4807-1|access-date=November 1, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|noshipments=true|streaming=true}}

{{Infobox song

| name = Getting Older

| cover = Adam Lambert - Getting Older.png

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Adam Lambert

| album = High Drama

| released = {{start date|2023|01|27}}

| recorded =

| studio =

| genre = Glam rock

| length = 4:25

| label = BMG

| writer = * Billie Eilish

• Finneas O'Connell

| producer = * Jeremy Hatcher

• Tommy English

| prev_title = Holding Out for a Hero

| prev_year = 2022

| next_title = You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)

| next_year = 2023

| misc = {{external music video|{{YouTube|e_lUT0rVHbU|"Getting Older"}}}}

}}

In December 2022, American singer Adam Lambert announced his fifth studio album High Drama (2023), set as a collection of covers.{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/culture/pride/adam-lambert-covers-duran-duran-announces-new-album-high-drama-1235185752/|title=Adam Lambert Yearns for an 'Ordinary World' With Haunting Duran Duran Cover Off Upcoming Album|work=Billboard|first=Stephen|last=Daw|date=December 13, 2022|access-date=June 24, 2023|archive-date=January 28, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230128112407/https://www.billboard.com/culture/pride/adam-lambert-covers-duran-duran-announces-new-album-high-drama-1235185752/|url-status=live}} He posted its track listing unveiling that "Getting Older" is one of the tracks he chose to record.{{cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/adam-lambert-ordinary-world-single-high-drama-album-announcement-1234646551/|title=Adam Lambert Launches 'High Drama' Album With New Spin on Duran Duran's 'Ordinary World'|work=Rolling Stone|first=Larisha|last=Paul|date=December 13, 2022|access-date=June 24, 2023|archive-date=May 7, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240507030804/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/adam-lambert-ordinary-world-single-high-drama-album-announcement-1234646551/|url-status=live}} Lambert decided to make his rendition, since he was amused by such "subtle" and "profound" song, explaining to NME: "I was listening to the lyrics and I was like: 'How did this 19-year-old land on this feeling that I feel at 40 and that I'm sure that some people feel at 30?' It's a universal feeling, the idea of getting older; all the things she talks about in the song are timeless. You can be any age and feel that way."{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/features/music-interviews/adam-lambert-interview-high-drama-billie-eilish-lil-nas-x-queen-3401377|title=Adam Lambert: 'I'm not known for being subtle. I always put a certain amount of theatricality into what I do'|work=NME|first=Nick|last=Levine|date=February 20, 2023|access-date=June 24, 2023|archive-date=June 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624192533/https://www.nme.com/features/music-interviews/adam-lambert-interview-high-drama-billie-eilish-lil-nas-x-queen-3401377|url-status=live}}

Lambert's cover was produced by Tommy English and Jeremy Hatcher who provided the track's instrumentation, alongside Elias Mallin on drums.{{cite AV media notes |others=Adam Lambert |year=2023 |title=High Drame booklet |first=Adam |last=Lamber |type=Liner notes |publisher=BMG Rights Management}} It was dubbed as a glam rock rendition of the original.{{Cite web|url=https://etcanada.com/news/971232/adam-lambert-undergoes-shocking-transformation-for-getting-older-wow-time-really-does-fly/|title=Adam Lambert Undergoes Shocking Transformation For 'Getting Older': 'Wow, Time Really Does Fly!'|work=ET Canada|first=Anita|last=Tai|date=February 23, 2023|access-date=May 7, 2024|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223191756/https://etcanada.com/news/971232/adam-lambert-undergoes-shocking-transformation-for-getting-older-wow-time-really-does-fly/|archive-date=February 23, 2023}}{{Cite web|url=https://people.com/music/adam-lambert-transforms-into-older-version-of-himself-in-getting-older-music-video/|title=Watch Adam Lambert Completely 'Transform' Into an Older Version of Himself in 'Getting Older' Music Video|work=People|first=Brianne|last=Tracy|date=February 23, 2023|access-date=May 7, 2024|archive-date=September 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230905184705/https://people.com/music/adam-lambert-transforms-into-older-version-of-himself-in-getting-older-music-video/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/adam-lambert-releases-glam-rock-055208397.html|title=Adam Lambert Releases Glam Rock Cover of Billie Eilish's 'Getting Older'|work=Yahoo Entertainment|date=January 30, 2023|access-date=May 7, 2024|archive-date=January 30, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230130130204/https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/adam-lambert-releases-glam-rock-055208397.html|url-status=live}} As reported by Billboard{{'}}s Stephen Dew, it stays "largely faithful" to Eilish's version, with an additional drums and guitar "for a little extra glam kick", however during the bridge Lambert "goes all-out with his stratospheric voice".{{Cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/culture/pride/best-new-queer-jams-week-sam-smith-pvris-adam-lambert-1235205296/|title=Queer Jams of the Week: New Music From Sam Smith, Pvris, Adam Lambert & More|work=Billboard|first=Stephen|last=Daw|date=January 27, 2023|access-date=May 7, 2024|archive-date=March 29, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329044113/https://www.billboard.com/culture/pride/best-new-queer-jams-week-sam-smith-pvris-adam-lambert-1235205296/|url-status=live}} Hannah Mylrea of NME pointed out that it has the charasteristics of 1970s pop music and guitar work reminiscent of British rock band Queen.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/adam-lambert-covering-billie-eilish-i-respect-her-artistry-3401580|title=Adam Lambert on covering Billie Eilish: 'I respect her artistry and her individuality'|work=NME|first=Hannah|last=Mylrea|date=February 21, 2023|access-date=June 24, 2023|archive-date=June 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624204859/https://www.nme.com/news/music/adam-lambert-covering-billie-eilish-i-respect-her-artistry-3401580|url-status=live}} Emma Harrison of Clash called Lambert's performance "emotional".{{Cite web|url=https://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/adam-lambert-high-drama/|title=Adam Lambert – High Drama – A theatrical covers project...|work=ClashMusic.com|first=Emma|last=Harrison|date=February 24, 2023|access-date=May 7, 2024|archive-date=June 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624204859/https://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/adam-lambert-high-drama/|url-status=live}} The Line of Best Fit{{'}}s René Cobar praised the singer's ability of enhancing listening experience of such recently released composition through a tempo change.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/albums/adam-lambert-high-drama-shows-us-the-anatomy-of-a-cover|title=Adam Lambert shows us the anatomy of a cover on High Drama|work=The Line of Best Fit|first=René|last=Cobar|date=February 24, 2023|access-date=May 7, 2024|archive-date=June 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230617152947/https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/albums/adam-lambert-high-drama-shows-us-the-anatomy-of-a-cover|url-status=live}}

High Drama rendition of "Getting Older" was released as the third single from the album on January 27, 2023. On February 23,{{Cite web|url=https://ew.com/music/adam-lambert-transforms-getting-older-music-video/|title=See Adam Lambert transform into an elderly version of himself in 'Getting Older' music video|work=Entertainment Weekly|first=Christian|last=Holub|date=February 23, 2023|access-date=May 7, 2024|archive-date=June 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624204905/https://ew.com/music/adam-lambert-transforms-getting-older-music-video/|url-status=live}} he published a music video directed by Heather Gildroy on his YouTube channel. It depicts him watching his old home clips, later transforming into an elderly version. Chrissy Callahan of Today noted that Lambert's sense of humor is visible in the visual, exemplified by a scene when he checks his pulse.{{cite web|url=https://www.today.com/popculture/music/adam-lambert-transformation-getting-older-music-video-rcna72263|title=Take a guess which 'American Idol' star this is in a new music video|work=Today|first=Chrissy|last=Callahan|date=February 24, 2023|access-date=May 7, 2024|archive-date=April 3, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240403224111/https://www.today.com/popculture/music/adam-lambert-transformation-getting-older-music-video-rcna72263|url-status=live}} The transformation into the old man of Lambert through make-up and prosthetics was praised by music critics and fans, as reported by Evening Standard{{'}}s Tina Campbell who called it "jaw-dropping".{{cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/adam-lambert-transformation-music-video-getting-older-b1062972.html|title=Watch Adam Lambert's jaw-dropping transformation into an old man in new music video Getting Older|work=Evening Standard|first=Tina|last=Campbell|date=February 24, 2023|access-date=May 7, 2024|archive-date=June 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624204903/https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/adam-lambert-transformation-music-video-getting-older-b1062972.html|url-status=live}} In an interview for People, the singer expressed that he has "always wanted to do a complete transformation with makeup". He admitted that the procedure for the music video took four hours, but the results left him satisfied.

Digital download / streaming{{cite web|url=https://listen.tidal.com/album/270235621|title=Getting Older / Adam Lambert|via=Tidal|date=January 27, 2023|access-date=June 24, 2023|archive-date=June 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624204900/https://listen.tidal.com/album/270235621|url-status=live}}

1. "Getting Older"{{spaced endash}} 4:25

Spotify streaming{{Cite web|url=https://open.spotify.com/album/2n5fkCqJLqu1pDDqEMywZD?si=3xtxLvWZQZOEKLG76_gAbg|title=Getting Older - Single by Adam Lambert|via=Spotify|date=January 27, 2023|access-date=June 24, 2023|archive-date=June 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624204859/https://open.spotify.com/album/2n5fkCqJLqu1pDDqEMywZD?si=3xtxLvWZQZOEKLG76_gAbg|url-status=live}}

1. "Getting Older"{{spaced endash}} 4:25
2. "Holding Out for a Hero"{{spaced endash}} 3:50
3. "Ordinary World"{{spaced endash}} 3:20
4. "Mad About the Boy"{{spaced endash}} 2:50

Credits adapted from Tidal.{{Cite web |title=Credits for 'Getting Older by Adam Lambert |url=https://listen.tidal.com/album/269683146/credits |publisher=BMG Rights Management |url-access=limited |url-status=live |access-date=June 24, 2023 |via=Tidal |archive-date=June 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624204859/https://listen.tidal.com/album/269683146/credits }}

• Adam Lambert{{spaced endash}} vocals, executive production
• Billie Eilish O'Connell{{spaced endash}} songwriting
• Finneas O'Connell{{spaced endash}} songwriting
• Jeremy Hatcher{{spaced endash}} production, engineering, bass, guitar, keyboards
• Tommy English{{spaced endash}} production, guitar, keyboards
• Elias Mallin{{spaced endash}} drums
• Michael Nolasco{{Spaced endash}} recording engineering, tracking engineering
• Dan Grech-Marguerat{{spaced endash}} mixing
• Jeremy Cooper{{spaced endash}} mastering

{{NoteFoot}}

{{reflist}}

{{Billie Eilish songs}}

{{Adam Lambert}}

Category:2021 songs

Category:Billie Eilish songs

Category:Songs written by Billie Eilish

Category:Songs written by Finneas O'Connell

Category:Song recordings produced by Finneas O'Connell