Drivers License (song)
| "Drivers License" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Olivia Rodrigo | ||||
| Released | January 8, 2021 | |||
| Recorded | 2020 | |||
| Genre | Pop | |||
| Length | 4:02 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Songwriter(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) | Dan Nigro | |||
| Olivia Rodrigo singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Drivers License" on YouTube | ||||
"Drivers License" (stylized in all lowercase) is the debut single by American singer Olivia Rodrigo.[1] It was released on January 8, 2021, by Interscope Records and Geffen Records, as the lead single from her upcoming debut EP. Written by Rodrigo and producer Dan Nigro, "Drivers License" is a pop power ballad built around a piano, featuring Rodrigo's lyrics inspired by heartbreak.
The official music video for "Drivers License" was released to YouTube alongside the song. It sees Rodrigo drive around a suburban neighborhood after receiving her driver's license, and reminisce over her memories of the song's subject. "Drivers License" received critical acclaim upon release, with praise towards Rodrigo's songwriting and vocals, as well as the song's atmospheric production.
Background and release
Rodrigo starred in the 2019 Disney+ mockumentary series, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. She contributed a self-written song called "All I Want" to the soundtrack, which was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), for earning over 500,000 units in the United States. The series was renewed for a second season in 2021. Rodrigo signed to Geffen Records, intending to release her debut EP in 2021.[2]
When I came up with 'Drivers License', I was going through a heartbreak that was so confusing to me, so multifaceted. Putting all those feelings into a song made everything seem so much simpler and clearer—and at the end of the day, I think that's the whole purpose of songwriting. There’s nothing like sitting at the piano in my bedroom and writing a really sad song. It’s truly my favorite thing in the world.
She teased the song for many months in 2020,[3] including some lyrics on Instagram.[4] She posted a snippet, captioned "Wrote dis the other day. vv close to my heart. gonna call it drivers license I think lol", where she plays the song on a piano.[5] On January 4, 2021, Rodrigo announced her debut single, "Drivers License".[6] The song was released to all digital music and streaming platforms four days later, alongside a music video on YouTube.[7] It is the lead single to her upcoming debut EP.[5] "Drivers License" is scheduled to impact US contemporary hit radio on January 18.[8]
Composition and lyrics
Steered by piano, "Drivers License" is an atmospheric pop power ballad.[1][9] It was inspired by the disorienting emotions Rodrigo felt after a recent heartbreak, seeing her pine over an ex who has moved on from her.[3][2] She wrote the song with its producer, Dan Nigro.[10] The song is written in the key of B♭ major and has a fast tempo of 144 beats per minute.[11] Rodrigo's vocals in the song range between G3 and F5.[12] Lyrically, the song has Rodrigo drive through a suburban area, upset and angry, pondering whether any of the subject's feelings were ever true. The singer's vocals grow into "cathartic howls of pain" as the song progresses, along with a crescendo consisting of stomping harmonies, and reaches its peak in a rich bridge of layered vocals with the catchphrase "I still fuckin' love you".[13][14]
Critical reception
The song received critical acclaim upon release. Clash critic Robin Murray dubbed the song a "sensational pop statement, an impeccable melodic moment right from the off". He praised its firm songwriting and atmospheric production.[1] Matthew Kent, writing for The Line of Best Fit, complimented the song's euphoric sound and poignant lyricism, and asserted that the single is packed with "emotional punch after emotional punch". He dubbed the song a "stunning" and "stirring" debut single.[15] Kelsie Gibson of PopSugar opined that the song gives off "major Lorde and Taylor Swift" influences, who are two of Rodrigo's musical inspirations.[16]
Listing it amongst best new music, Teen Vogue's Claire Dodson commented that Rodrigo employs soaring vocals, and capture "small details" in the song. Dodson thought the song channels "the songwriting prowess she already brings to the table".[9] Naming it one of the "10 Cool New Pop Songs to Get You Through The Week", Billboard writers Gab Linsberg and Jason Lipshutz branded "Drivers License" the type of debut single "that aspiring artists dream of", where Rodrigo perfects her heartbreak's "fragility and heightened emotion". They commended the singer's range in the song, swinging between the crescendo's "stomp-clap harmonies" and the bridge's "choked-up balladry".[13] Ellise Shafer of Variety found the song relatable and vulnerable, and complimented its production and vocal performance. Shafer noted it as "a must-hear for any pop enthusiast".[17]
Calling the song an "early contender for song of the year", Rolling Stone critic Brittany Spanos noted that the production of "Drivers License" is reminiscent of Lorde's Melodrama (2017), while the lyrics and "detailed" storytelling channel Swift's Fearless (2008). Spanos lauded Rodrigo's songwriting skills and emotional potency at age 17, and added that "she could likely become pop's next great raconteur".[14] Justin Curto of Vulture opined that "Drivers License" mixes "the intimate arrangements of Folklore and Evermore with the high stakes pop of Lover, tying it all together with a dramatic, Swiftian bridge". He also added that Rodrigo's calm vocals sound like Billie Eilish, while her anthemic moments recall Lorde, with hints of Alessia Cara.[18] Jared Richards of Junkee stated that the song has "an irreducible quality, capturing a very specific heartbreak", blending "the slow-build piano-belters and bridge breakdowns of Lorde's Melodrama with Swiftian songwriting", and regarded it 2021's "Big Pop Moment".[19]
Commercial performance
Upon release, "Drivers License" reached number one on Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music songs charts globally.[17] After earning over 11.5 million streams on January 11, 2021 (its fourth day of sales), the song broke the record for most global single day streams for a non-Christmas song, and the seventh highest global single day streams altogether.[20] It additionally broke the record for the most single day streams for a female in the United States on Spotify, surpassing Ariana Grande's single "Thank U, Next".[20]
Music video
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The video adopts a vignette aesthetic and depicts Rodrigo's healing from heartbreak. She receives her driver's license in the video, but instead of going to her old lover's house like she used to dream of, she finds herself aimlessly cruising suburban side streets. Rodrigo reminisces about moments from her brief relationship. At the beginning of the video, she is embraced by the happy memories only, but eventually, all the toxic traits of her ex-partner confront her. The video received positive comments from critics for its visuals.[16][3]
Release history
| Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | January 8, 2021 | Geffen | [10] | |
| United States | January 19, 2021 | Contemporary hit radio | Interscope | [8] |
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from Tidal.[10]
- Olivia Rodrigo – lead vocals, songwriting
- Dan Nigro – songwriting, production, record engineering, studio personnel
- Randy Merrill – master engineering, studio personnel
- Mitch McCarthy – mixing, studio personnel
See also
References
- ^ a b c Murray, Robin (January 8, 2021). "Olivia Rodrigo's 'drivers license' Is Sensational". Clash Magazine. Archived from the original on January 11, 2021. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
- ^ a b "Olivia Rodrigo: 19 facts about the Drivers License singer you need to know". PopBuzz. January 9, 2021. Archived from the original on January 11, 2021. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
- ^ a b c d Droke, Carolyn (January 9, 2021). "Olivia Rodrigo Is In A Lane Of Her Own In Her 'Drivers License' Video". Uproxx. Archived from the original on January 12, 2021. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
- ^ Crabtree, Erin (January 8, 2021). "Olivia Rodrigo Seemingly Shades Joshua Bassett and Sabrina Carpenter". Us Weekly. Archived from the original on January 9, 2021. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
- ^ a b Paul, Larisha (January 8, 2021). "Olivia Rodrigo Releases Highly Anticipated Debut Single 'Drivers License'". uDiscover Music. Archived from the original on January 8, 2021. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
- ^ "my debut new single 'drivers license' comes out this friday. presave link in my bio. Oh My God Im So Excited Im Gonna Pee My Pants". Twitter. January 4, 2021. Archived from the original on January 12, 2021.
- ^ "gonna have a viewing party for the drivers license music video 2nite if u wanna come!!! i'll be live before the premiere. gonna die I'm so stoked!!!!". Twitter. January 8, 2021. Archived from the original on January 12, 2021.
- ^ a b "Top 40/M Future Releases | Mainstream Hit Songs Being Released and Their Release Dates ..." All Access. Archived from the original on August 13, 2017. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
- ^ a b Dodson, P. Claire (January 8, 2021). "Taylor Swift's 'Evermore' Bonus Tracks, Zayn, and More New Music". Teen Vogue. Archived from the original on January 10, 2021. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
- ^ a b c "drivers license – Olivia Rodrigo - 2021". Tidal. Archived from the original on January 12, 2021. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
- ^ "Key & BPM for drivers license by Olivia Rodrigo | Tunebat". Tunebat. Archived from the original on January 12, 2021. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
- ^ "drivers license". Musicnotes. January 8, 2021. Archived from the original on January 12, 2021. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
- ^ a b Linsberg, Gab; Lipshutz, Jason (January 11, 2021). "10 Cool New Pop Songs to Get You Through The Week: Olivia Rodrigo, (G)I-dle & More". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 11, 2021. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
- ^ a b Spanos, Brittany (January 11, 2021). "Song You Need to Know: Olivia Rodrigo, 'Drivers License'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on January 11, 2021. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
- ^ Kent, Matthew (January 8, 2021). "Olivia Rodrigo reassesses the meaning of forever on stunning piano-led debut 'drivers license'". The Line of Best Fit. Archived from the original on January 9, 2021. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
- ^ a b Gibson, Kelsie (January 8, 2021). "Olivia Rodrigo's Stunning 'Drivers License' Music Video Will Take You on a Journey". PopSugar. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b Shafer, Ellise (January 11, 2021). "Olivia Rodrigo's 'Drivers License' Hits No. 1 Across Major Streaming Platforms, Earns Praise From Taylor Swift". Variety. Archived from the original on January 12, 2021. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
- ^ Curto, Justin (January 11, 2021). "Olivia Rodrigo's 'drivers license' Is Nothing New — of Course It's a Hit". Vulture. Archived from the original on January 11, 2021. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
- ^ Richards, Jared (January 12, 2021). "Critics And Punters Reckon This 17-Year-Old's Debut Track Is 2021's Big Pop Moment". Junkee. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b Langford, Jackson (January 13, 2021). "Olivia Rodrigo's Debut Single 'Drivers License' Has Already Made Streaming History". Music Feeds. Retrieved January 13, 2021.