On January 8th, 17-year-old Olivia Roderigo took the music world by storm as she released her debut single ‘drivers license’. The young Californian, star of Disney’s ‘High School Musical: The Musical: The Series’, broke Ed Sheeran’s record for the most streams of a non-Christmas song in a singular day, as the world became obsessed with the track and the supposed love triangle attached to it.
Emotion evoking and a piece of artistic beauty, the song deserves all the recognition it gets. For a breakout single, the lyrics are so beautifully thought out. Roderigo’s talent is undeniable after listening to it once, however it can be promised that once you play it, it’ll be on for the rest of the day.
The song even became the audio of a viral TikTok trend.
Featuring the experience of a recent heartbreak, the single follows the pain the young artist experienced as she saw her mystery lover moving on, rumoured to be Joshua Bassett, her HSMTMTS co-star.
”Her vocal ability has to be noted, especially as such a young talent, as her vocal range is something to be admired”
Personally, this is one of the best songs I have heard in a while. Obvious inspiration has been taken from break-up song legend Taylor Swift, Roderigo’s idol, yet the track still has an individual flare. Her vocal ability has to be noted, especially as she is such a young talent, and her vocal range is something to be admired.
If this is the beginning, it is evident that Roderigo has a lengthy career in the music industry ahead of her, and I cannot wait to follow her progression as she releases more music.
‘drivers license’ has reached the top of the charts in both the UK and the US, and is undoubtedly a global success.
Rachel Louise Gibson
Image courtesy of mskathrynne from Pixabay. Image licence found here. No changes were made to this image.
Rachel Louise Gibson
Multimedia Journalism Student at GCU working towards being NCTJ and BJTC accredited. She is a Features Editor and is a member of the Social Media Team.