This melancholic song captures Billie Eilish's thoughts and feelings in the wake of a breakup. The depressed singer just wants to slump in front of the TV and watch someone else suffer on Survivor. Because Eilish cut her friends off to concentrate on her romantic relationships, she now feels lonely and cast adrift. Full of self-pity, the pop star reflects on not getting on with anyone and wonders if she's the problem.

I don't wanna talk right now I just wanna watch TV I'll stay in the pool and drown So I don't have to watch you leave Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas started penning "TV" while on tour. They found it tough to write while on the road, but came up with the first verse and chorus. When Eilish played the verse to her personal assistant Laura Ramsay, she looked shocked. The singer assured her PA the content was fictional and told her not to worry about it. Eilish and Finneas completed the song a few months later.

Eilish may have written the second verse following her split with her actor boyfriend Matthew Tyler Vorce. The pair started dating in April 2021 but broke up a year later amid rumors he cheated on her. I don't know where you are right now But did you see me on TV? Eilish wonders whether her ex saw her on the final episode of Ellen, which aired on May 26, 2022. During the show, the pop star told the host she was "just now starting to think about" music for her next album.