Rodrigo's debut studio album, SOUR, topped the charts globally and was met with widespread critical acclaim. She is nominated in seven categories at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist, Album of the Year for SOUR, Record of the Year, and Song of the Year for "drivers license". Time named her the 2021 Entertainer of the Year and Billboard named her the 2022 Woman of the Year.
Rodrigo signed with Interscope Records and Geffen Records in 2020. She negotiated the record deal to secure for herself ownership of the masters of her music. On January 8, 2021, she released her debut single, "drivers license", which she co-wrote with producer Dan Nigro. Within the week of its release, "drivers license" was critically acclaimed, and broke Spotify's record twice for most daily streams ever for a non-holiday song with over 15.7 million global streams on January 11 and over 17 million global streams the next day. It went on to break another Spotify record for the first song in history to hit 80 million streams in 7 days. The song debuted at number one on Billboard Hot 100 and reached number one in numerous other countries. Rodrigo stated in an interview that "It's been the absolute craziest week of my life ... My entire life just, like, shifted in an instant."
On April 1, 2021, Rodrigo released her follow-up single, "deja vu", which debuted at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100, making her the first artist to debut their first two releases in the top 10 of the Hot 100. The third single preceding her debut album, "good 4 u", followed on May 14, 2021, and became her second single to debut at number one on the Hot 100. SOUR, her debut studio album, was released on May 21, 2021, to critical acclaim. Charlie Gunn of The Forty-Five called it "the greatest coming-of-age album since early Taylor Swift or Lorde". Slate's Chris Molanphy said its first three singles alone established Rodrigo's "early status as Gen-Z's most versatile new artist". According to Clash critic Robin Murray, Rodrigo is regarded as one of Generation Z's finest artists, while Variety dubbed her "the Voice of her Generation" in its cover story of Rodrigo. SOUR debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and spent a total of five weeks at the spot, becoming the longest-reigning number-one album by a female artist in 2021.
In June 2021, Rodrigo premiered SOUR Prom, a prom-themed concert film on YouTube. On December 6, 2021, Rodrigo announced a world tour, including tour stops in the United States, Canada, and Europe. Three days later, she was named Entertainer of the Year by Time. In an Instagram post on December 24, 2021, Rodrigo uploaded a snippet of a Christmas song called "The Bels" that she wrote and recorded at age five. According to Billboard, Rodrigo closed 2021 as the best-selling singles artist worldwide, placing eight songs on the year-end Global 200 chart, including "drivers license" at number four, "good 4 u" at number nine, and "Deja Vu" at number 27. In the US and UK, SOUR was respectively the third and fourth best-selling album of 2021. SOUR and "drivers license" were also respectively Spotify's most streamed album and song globally. The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) ranked Rodrigo as the tenth best-selling artist of 2021 and SOUR as the second best-selling album of 2021.
On February 17, 2022, Rodrigo announced and released the trailer of her Disney+ documentary film 'Olivia Rodrigo: driving home 2 u', which was released on March 25, 2022.
Rodrigo cites Taylor Swift and Lorde as her idols and main musical inspirations, and also dubbed herself Swift's biggest fan "in the whole world". She dubs The White Stripes band member Jack White her "hero of all heroes". Her other influences include Alanis Morissette, Kacey Musgraves, Fiona Apple, St. Vincent, Cardi B, Gwen Stefani, and Avril Lavigne.
Driver's License
Olivia Rodrigo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just like we always talked about
'Cause you were so excited for me
To finally drive up to your house
But today I drove through the suburbs
Cryin' 'cause you weren't around
And you're probably with that blonde girl
She's so much older than me
She's everything I'm insecure about
Yeah, today I drove through the suburbs
'Cause how could I ever love someone else?
And I know we weren't perfect but I've never felt this way for no one
And I just can't imagine how you could be so okay now that I'm gone
Guess you didn't mean what you wrote in that song about me
'Cause you said forever, now I drive alone past your street
And all my friends are tired
Of hearing how much I miss you, but
I kinda feel sorry for them
'Cause they'll never know you the way that I do, yeah
Today I drove through the suburbs
And pictured I was driving home to you
And I know we weren't perfect
But I've never felt this way for no one, oh
And I just can't imagine how you could be so okay now that I'm gone
I guess you didn't mean what you wrote in that song about me
'Cause you said forever, now I drive alone past your street
Red lights, stop signs
I still see your face in the white cars, front yards
Can't drive past the places we used to go to
'Cause I still fuckin' love you, babe (ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)
Sidewalks we crossed
I still hear your voice in the traffic, we're laughing
Over all the noise
God, I'm so blue, know we're through
But I still fuckin' love you, babe (ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)
I know we weren't perfect but I've never felt this way for no one
And I just can't imagine how you could be so okay now that I'm gone
'Cause you didn't mean what you wrote in that song about me
'Cause you said forever, now I drive alone past your street
Yeah, you said forever, now I drive alone past your street
In "Drivers License," Olivia Rodrigo sings about the pain of a breakup and the difficulty of moving on. The song begins after the singer has just received her driver's license, which was a shared dream between her and her ex. She drives around crying, imagining that she is driving to her ex's house, but she knows that he is with another girl who has always made her feel insecure. The song's chorus is a lament for the loss of the relationship -- the singer can't imagine ever loving someone else the way she loved her ex. She's hurt and confused that he seems to be doing just fine without her, even though he had promised her forever. She can't understand how he could write a song about her and then move on so easily.
The second verse reveals that the singer's friends are growing tired of hearing her talk about her ex, but she can't help it. She thinks they'll never truly know him the way she does. The bridge of the song brings the listener back into the car with the singer as she drives past familiar landmarks, wishing she could turn back time and fix things with her ex. She still loves him despite the pain he's caused her.
Overall, "Drivers License" is a song about heartbreak and the difficulty of moving on from a past love. It's a universal theme that many people can relate to, especially those who have recently experienced a breakup.
Line by Line Meaning
I got my driver's license last week
I recently obtained my driver's license
Just like we always talked about
As we had discussed previously
'Cause you were so excited for me
You were anticipating my success and were thrilled for me
To finally drive up to your house
To come over to your home and visit
But today I drove through the suburbs
But instead of coming over, today I drove through a residential area
Cryin' 'cause you weren't around
While doing so, I couldn't help but cry because you were not there
And you're probably with that blonde girl
You are most likely with that other girl who has blonde hair
Who always made me doubt
This person has caused me to be uneasy or hesitant
She's so much older than me
She is significantly more mature than I am
She's everything I'm insecure about
She embodies all of my insecurities
Yeah, today I drove through the suburbs
So today, I drove through the suburbs again
'Cause how could I ever love someone else?
Because I can't comprehend loving anyone else other than you
And I know we weren't perfect but I've never felt this way for no one
I acknowledge that our relationship had flaws, but I have never loved anyone like I have loved you
And I just can't imagine how you could be so okay now that I'm gone
And I can't grasp the fact that you are doing fine now that I'm not in your life anymore
Guess you didn't mean what you wrote in that song about me
I suppose the lyrics in the song you wrote about me were insincere
'Cause you said forever, now I drive alone past your street
Because you promised forever, but now I find myself driving alone past your street
And all my friends are tired
My friends are exhausted by my continuous talk about you
Of hearing how much I miss you, but
But I can't help expressing how much I miss you to them
I kinda feel sorry for them
I sympathize with them for having to deal with my constant talk about you
'Cause they'll never know you the way that I do, yeah
Because none of them will ever understand you the way I do
And pictured I was driving home to you
As I drove, I imagined driving home to you
Red lights, stop signs
As I drove, I encountered many red lights and stop signs
I still see your face in the white cars, front yards
Even now, I still see your face in the white cars and front yards I pass by
Can't drive past the places we used to go to
I can no longer bear to go to the places where we used to visit together
'Cause I still fuckin' love you, babe (ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)
Because I still love you very much
Sidewalks we crossed
Along my drive, I walked the same sidewalks that we once walked together
I still hear your voice in the traffic, we're laughing
I can still hear your voice amidst the traffic sounds as we laughed together in the past
Over all the noise
Over all the racket around me
God, I'm so blue, know we're through
I feel so sad; I know that we are over
But I still fuckin' love you, babe (ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)
But I still really love you
Yeah, you said forever, now I drive alone past your street
Yes, you promised forever, but now I find myself driving alone past your street
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Daniel Nigro, Olivia Rodrigo
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Joshua Burlison
I'm not too sure what "eyes of salt" means but hopefully I can identify the meaning soon.
I hope this makes sense & I've used the right words to what I'm thinking.
The word "makeup" doesn't always need to mean like in actual makeup I see this lyric as you put a smiley face & not tell someone how you really feel.
another e.g. is 'put a brave face on'
The word "dated" could mean havin someone as a friend if you haven't been with a boy/girl b4 romantically.
You meet up with your friends & you sit with others, that doesn't mean you're together, together
I wore makeup when we dated-enough for you
Car rides to Malibu-de ja vu
I've been to Disneyland Florida, I've never been to Malibu though & this lyric relates to me since I go in Taxis with my friends/family to The George Tavern pub
Does she mean you forgot about me?-happier
If my Dad actually has someone who he can have a love life with then anythin that they do does it mean she has forgotten about me & my siblings if he has mentioned us?
Cause it's always one step forward and three steps back-1 step forward, 3 steps back
My moods can be like this, one minute I can be so happy & funny but something happens & it gets so messy
I'm so sick of myself, I'd rather be, rather be-jealousy, jealousy
This could relate to my additional needs or when I'm with my friends I can make things worse for myself & I'd like to be anyone else than repeating my behaviour.
I'm so insecure, I think-brutal
"I'm so insecure", there's loads of different types of insecurities like social insecurities, facial insecurities or relationship insecurities
Those things I did
Just so I could call you mine-favorite crime
I'm really helpful when I'm in a good mood but sometimes people don't deserve it for e.g. when I tried to help my Dad & it exploded on the day or days later
Know that I loved you so bad
"loved you so bad", there's different types of romantic or friendly love
Guess you didn't cheat-traitor
This could apply to a game since that's what people sometimes do when they are playing these things
I knew a boy once, when I was small
A tow-head blonde, with eyes of salt-hope ur ok
I love this lyric as years ago I knew a boy (me) when I was small & I think mostly I was a comedian but sometimes I think we've fallen out of touch as I don't look like the person then (teeth & additional needs)
I've lost my mind
I've spent the night
Crying on the floor of my bathroom-Good 4 U
This could apply to your anger problems & "crying on the floor of my bathroom" it doesn't need to be a bathroom floor it could be a bedroom floor
Can't drive past the places we used to go to-drivers license
Losing friends is a hard thing for me & when you go to places you used to go to with your ex-friends it makes you think about them & it makes you feel sad since that was your kinda thing
pui pui
I got my driver’s license last week
Just like we always talked about
'Cause you were so excited for me
To finally drive up to your house
But today I drove through the suburbs
Crying 'cause you weren't around
And you're probably with that blonde girl
Who always made me doubt
She's so much older than me
She's everything I'm insecure about
Yeah, today I drove through the suburbs
'Cause how could I ever love someone else?
And I know we weren't perfect but I've never felt this way for no one
And I just can't imagine how you could be so okay now that I'm gone
Guess you didn't mean what you wrote in that song about me
'Cause you said forever, now I drive alone past your street
And all my friends are tired
Of hearing how much I miss you, but
I kinda feel sorry for them
'Cause they'll never know you the way that I do, yeah
Today I drove through the suburbs
And pictured I was driving home to you
And I know we weren't perfect but I've never felt this way for no one, oh-oh
And I just can't imagine how you could be so okay, now that I'm gone
I guess you didn't mean what you wrote in that song about me
'Cause you said forever, now I drive alone past your street
Red lights, stop signs
I still see your face in the white cars, front yards
Can't drive past the places we used to go to
'Cause I still fuckin' love you, babe (Ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh)
Sidewalks we crossed
I still hear your voice in the traffic, we're laughing
Over all the noise
God I'm so blue, know we're through
But I still fuckin' love you, babe (Ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh)
I know we weren't perfect but I've never felt this way for no one
And I just can't imagine how you could be so okay, now that I'm gone
'Cause you didn't mean what you wrote in that song about me
'Cause you said forever, now I drive alone past your street
Yeah, you said forever, now I drive alone past your street
nacha shop
I got my driver's license last week
Just like we always talked about
'Cause you were so excited for me
To finally drive up to your house
But today I drove through the suburbs
Crying 'cause you weren't around
And you're probably with that blonde girl
Who always made me doubt
She's so much older than me
She's everything I'm insecure about
Yeah, today I drove through the suburbs
'Cause how could I ever love someone else?
And I know we weren't perfect but I've never felt this way for no one
And I just can't imagine how you could be so okay now that I'm gone
Guess you didn't mean what you wrote in that song about me
'Cause you said forever, now I drive alone past your street
And all my friends are tired
Of hearing how much I miss you, but
I kinda feel sorry for them
'Cause they'll never know you the way that I do, yeah
Today I drove through the suburbs
And pictured I was driving home to you
And I know we weren't perfect
But I've never felt this way for no one, oh
And I just can't imagine how you could be so okay, now that I'm gone
I guess you didn't mean what you wrote in that song about me
'Cause you said forever, now I drive alone past your street
Red lights, stop signs
I still see your face in the white cars, front yards
Can't drive past the places we used to go to
'Cause I still fuckin' love you, babe (ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)
Sidewalks we crossed
I still hear your voice in the traffic, we're laughing
Over all the noise
God, I'm so blue, know we're through
But I still fuckin' love you, babe (ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)
I know we weren't perfect but I've never felt this way for no one
And I just can't imagine how you could be so okay, now that I'm gone
'Cause you didn't mean what you wrote in that song about me
'Cause you said forever, now I drive alone past your street
Yeah, you said forever, now I drive alone past your street
superfrumpkin
“I guess you didn’t mean what you wrote in that song about me” hits terribly hard.
superfrumpkin
@Noela you have a beautiful voice❤️
ellaaxx •
Now she changed the lyrics
Zul
when she says “fucking” really felt that😢
Nevaeh Renee 🎃
i cant believe this was her very first song! this is where she got started now shes making her album GUTS im so proud of u olivia<3
Fatimah Karjieker🤨
Fr? 0:47
Caelyn
this was not her very first song..
Nevaeh Renee 🎃
@Caelyn it was where she was getting started 🙄😒
Kasfia Siddique
Where she got popular of her music started ik she made other songs but this one got her music career actuayvstarted
Kathy Rodriguez
I absolutely love Olivia’s music. Can’t wait to see you live in February!