Decorated pop hitmaker Billie Eilish served as the musical guest on this past weekend’s Kate McKinnon-hosted Christmas episode of Saturday Night Live where she performed both her Golden Globe-nominated Barbie hit “What Was I Made For” (featuring a cameo by Barbie writer/director Greta Gerwig) and a jazzy arrangement of holiday classic “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” featuring renowned bassist Christian McBride.
“Playing on SNL was a total thrill,” McBride said in a statement on the performance. “Billie Eilish has become one of my favorite people to work with, and her entire family are the kindest people. Also, seeing everyone in the SNL band – many of whom are my good friends – was like a family reunion.”
As McBride—whose resume boasts eight Grammy Awards and leadership roles in numerous jazz institutions including Newport Jazz Festival (artistic director), NPR‘s Jazz Night in America (host), and the National Jazz Museum (associate artistic director)—added in a note to Billie posted on social media, “You are simply amazing. … I got a feeling there might be more to come down the line.”
In a post of her own about the SNL episode, Eilish glowed over the experience: “thank you [SNL] for having me againnn … was so special to share this night with you kate. thank u to gretaaaAAAAA, CHRISTIAN MCBRIDE, all the cast & lorne. 😭 so much love.”
McBride first performed with Billie Eilish at a tribute to Frank Sinatra and Peggy Lee at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles in July 2022. McBride led the Count Basie Orchestra as they accompanied Eilish on “Fever” and “Is That All There Is”. On “Fever,” Eilish was backed solely by Christian McBride, who also served as musical director and emcee for the show.
In addition to her musical performances (which both featured her brother and musical partner FINNEAS on piano), Eilish appeared in a pair of sketches on the episode including a “Whiskers R We” segment in which McKinnon’s character turns out to be her long-lost mother and a parody music video for a Lillith Fair-worthy song called “Tampon Farm”.
Below, view the Billie Eilish performances and sketches from Saturday Night Live as well as posts from Eilish and Christian McBride about the experience.
Billie Eilish w/ Christian McBride, More – “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” (Hugh Martin/Ralph Blane, from Meet Me In St. Louis) – Saturday Night Live
Billie Eilish – “What Was I Made For?” – Saturday Night Live
“Tampon Farm” w/ Kate McKinnon, Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Billie Eilish, More – Saturday Night Live
“Whiskers R We” w/ Kate McKinnon, Billie Eilish – Saturday Night Live
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram