Hot off of the success of her smash-hit single “drivers license” in January and her phenomenal follow-up “deja vu” in April, Olivia Rodrigo has released yet another anthem. Titled “good 4 u”, the 18-year-old’s newest song talks about heartbreak much like in her first two outings, but things are a bit different this time around.
While her debut was heartbreakingly sad and her sophomore single was sassy and bitter, there’s something biting and vicious about Rodrigo’s most recent track. Opening with a guitar riff that would make punk-rock bands proud, the young artist is practically attacking the person she’s singing about as soon as she opens her mouth.
Lyrically, “good 4 u” is about watching an ex’s life improve after they’ve left you and wishing that you could do the same, only being able to scream in frustration. Most people have experienced this emotion, particularly teenage girls, and the “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” star brings it to life perfectly.
This chorus, much like every refrain that Rodrigo pens, is incredibly addictive. She sings, “You look happy and healthy / Not me / If you even cared to ask”, unleashing a brutal assault on the boy who has broken her heart and doesn’t seem to have a second thought about the condition that he’s left her in.
The verses are reminiscent of early Avril Lavigne and Taylor Swift, with brilliant lines like “I guess that therapist I found you, she really helped” and “Remember when you swore to God I was the only / Person who ever got you? / Well, screw that, and screw you / You will never have to hurt the way you know that I do.” Rodrigo’s passionate vocal delivery sounds incredibly cathartic, not just for herself but for the listener as well.
Things slow down as the bridge comes around, the singer quietly crooning, “Maybe I'm too emotional / But your apathy's like a wound in salt / Maybe I'm too emotional / Or maybe you never cared at all.” She repeats these two lines, progressively getting louder and more filled with rage until things reach a fever pitch.
The line “God, I wish that I could do that” is now replaced with “Like a damn sociopath”, as whatever was left of this girl’s sadness burns into seething anger. She has truly run out of fucks to give, and personally, I love to see it.
What makes Olivia Rodrigo’s music so enchanting is that she’s singing about the teenage girl experience completely honestly with no punches pulled, allowing herself and her audience to feel every emotion to its fullest. She has done this masterfully on her first three singles, and I’m anticipating more of the same on her debut album, dropping later this month.
Olivia Rodrigo’s newest single “good 4 u” is available to stream wherever you listen to music, and her first record “Sour” will be released on May 21st, 2021. You can support the artist by picking up some merch from her online store; additionally, Erika Nissen, who designed the logo and branding for this site, is selling some absolutely gorgeous Olivia Rodrigo/”Sour”-themed stickers on Redbubble that are definitely worth grabbing!
If you’ve listened to this new track (of course you have), let me know what you thought of it by tweeting me @JENSESSlON! Be sure to follow the blog on Instagram @StrawberrySkiesBlog, Twitter @StrawbSkiesBlog, and Facebook @StrawberrySkiesBlog to be the first to see when our full review of “Sour” is posted!