This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UCD chapter.
I am a freshly turned 21-year-old, and I cannot stop listening to “Drivers License” by Olivia Rodrigo, a 17-year-old singer, and actress. Since the song’s release, it has been on repeat at my house, and I have sent it to all my friends, pressing them to listen to this masterpiece. We’ve all been crying.
Photo by Cosmic Timetraveler from Unsplash
It’s been two weeks since Olivia Rodrigo’s debut single, “Drivers License,” released on every music streaming platform, and it has already climbed the charts to number one globally. The song has also surpassed 100,000,000 streams on Spotify – an astonishing accomplishment for an artist so young. This sort of attention has captured the ears of many of your favorite artists like Niall Horan, Taylor Swift, Halsey, and many more – not to mention with the help of TikTok and its own trend labeled #drivertok.
It is no surprise that this song, with its emphatic storytelling and soul-crushing melody, has reached millions worldwide. With lyrics such as “You said forever, now I drive alone past your street,” Olivia’s lyricism paints one of the most engaging storylines many of us have ever heard in a song. Her words transport us to a state of sadness, reflection, anger, frustration, or all these emotions in one. The melody and lyrics combine to evoke an intense response, and anyone who has ever been heartbroken understands the pain behind this song. Even those who have not experienced a romantic heartbreak – like me – have felt the urge to cry or relate to this song.
Photo by Joshua Rawson-Harris from Unsplash
With the song’s powerful words, it is hard to resist finding out what influenced her to write this song. Fans of the song have delved deep into her past and any drama that resulted from it. To give some context, Olivia stars in Disney+’s original series High School Musical: The Musical: The Series alongside her co-star and love interest Joshua Bassett. Many have speculated and theorized this song is about how he broke her heart to be with another Disney Channel star. Although Olivia and Joshua never confirmed this rumor, it is safe to say heartbreak was involved, and it has driven fans to tears. This rumor is another amplifier of the ongoing craze and emotions running through our heads and hearts. Heartbreak songs like this will always be a favorite due to their relatability. We often hear our stories in these kinds of songs, and use them to cope with our emotions. Perhaps there is some truth behind the saying “music is my medicine.”
So, if you have been looking for a new song to listen to, I recommend “Drivers License.” Listen to it right now and be on the lookout for her debut EP coming out late spring!
Kristen is currently a third-year studying Communication and minoring in Technology Management at the University of California, Davis. She enjoys spending her spare time making new memories with friends and family as well as a relaxing night alone at home. Her future career goals include going into the marketing business field.
