Olivia Rodrigo has quickly climbed the charts and captured our hearts with her emotionally charged lyrics and powerful vocals. The top Olivia Rodrigo songs showcase her ability to blend raw emotion with catchy melodies, creating anthems that resonate deeply with fans of all ages. Whether sheās channeling heartbreak, self-reflection, or youthful rebellion, Oliviaās music has a way of striking a chord with listeners everywhere.
Take ādrivers license,ā for instance. This breakout hit turned personal heartbreak into a universal anthem, topping charts worldwide and earning acclaim for its poignant storytelling and melodic depth. Then thereās āgood 4 u,ā an electrifying track that captures the angst and frustration of watching an ex move on with ease, featuring a punk-inspired energy that set it apart as another iconic anthem. And while āSo Americanā may not be as mainstream, itās a testament to Oliviaās versatility and depth as an artist, offering a slightly different flavor yet equally compelling narrative.
Weāve rounded up a list of these standout tracks, and now itās your turn to weigh in. Vote on the best Olivia Rodrigo songs and let us know which ones you think deserve the top spot in her ever-growing catalog. Your votes will highlight the tracks that have made Olivia Rodrigo a defining voice of her generation.
1. drivers license
Album:Ā Sour
Year:Ā 2021
Why We Love It:Ā ādrivers licenseā became an overnight sensation due to its heartbreaking narrative paired with a hauntingly beautiful melody. This breakthrough single catapulted Olivia Rodrigo into global stardom. The song won a Grammy for the Best Pop Solo Performance at the 2022 awards ceremony. Rodrigo also received nominations for Record of the Year and Song of the Year.
Lyric Spotlight:Ā
Red lights, stop signs
I still see your face in the white cars, front yards
Canāt drive past the places we used to go to
āCause I still f*ckinā love you, babe (ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)
Sidewalks we crossed
I still hear your voice in the traffic, weāre laughing
Over all the noise
God, Iām so blue, know weāre through
But I still f*ckinā love you, babe (ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)
2. get him back!
Album:Ā Guts
Year:Ā 2023
Why We Love It:Ā āget him back!ā is a power ballad and anthem, with Olivia delivering scathing lyrics about lost love. The words reflect an inner emotional conflict between acting on vengeful impulses versus restraint in the hopes of getting back together with an ex.
Lyric Spotlight:Ā
I wanna key his car (I want to get him back)
I wanna make him lunch (but then I, I want to get him back)
I wanna break his heart (but then I, I want to get him back)
And be the one to stitch it up (but then I, I want to get him back)
Wanna kiss his face (but then I, I want to get him back)
With an uppercut (but then I, I want to get him back)
I wanna meet his mom (but then I, I want to get him back)
Just to tell her her son sucks (but then I, I want to get him back)
3. obsessed
Album:Ā Guts (Spilled)
Year:Ā 2024
Why We Love It:Ā āobsessedā is a pop anthem exploring themes of infatuation for a current boyfriend and compulsively imagining his ex-girlfriend. The song climbed the music charts and reached the No. 1 spot in several countries.
Lyric Spotlight:Ā
If I told you how much I think about her
Youād think I was in love
And if you knew how much I looked at her pictures
You would think weāre best friends
4. good 4 u
Album:Ā Sour
Year:Ā 2021
Why We Love It:Ā āgood 4 uā mixes elements of punkĀ rock and pop music. The lyrics about moving on from an ex have made it one of Rodrigoās most popular songs. The single rose internationally to the No. 1 spot on the music charts.
Lyric Spotlight:Ā
Well, good for you, I guess you moved on really easily
You found a new girl, and it only took a couple weeks
Remember when you said that you wanted to give me the world? (World?)
And good for you, I guess that youāve been working on yourself
I guess that therapist I found for you, she really helped
Now you can be a better man for your brand-new girl (girl)
5. so american
Album:Ā Guts (Spilled)
Year:Ā 2024
Why We Love It:Ā āso americanā is a commentary on American culture and stereotypes, as well as being in a relationship with someone from another country. Ā The song also digs into the emotional insecurities surrounding personality differences and relationship expectations.
Lyric Spotlight:Ā
And he laughs at all my jokes
And he says Iām so American
Oh, God, itās just not fair of him
To make me feel this much
Iād go anywhere he goes
And he says Iām so American
Oh, God, Iām gonna marry him
If he keeps this shit up
I might just be in lo-lo-, lo-lo-, lo-lo-, lo-lo-lo-lo-love
6. 1 step forward, 3 steps back
Album:Ā Sour
Year:Ā 2021
Why We Love It:Ā ā1 step forward, 3 steps backā is a touching ballad by Olivia Rodrigo that showcases her emotional sensitivity by lyrically interpreting complicated romances, and complementing them with her songwriting ability. The relatable lyrics and bittersweet melody have made the song a top track for fans of the singer-songwriter.
Lyric Spotlight:
āCause itās always one step forward and three steps back
Iām the love of your life until I make you mad
Itās always one step forward and three steps back
Do you love me, want me, hate me? Boy, I donāt understand
No, I donāt understand
7. vampire
Album:Ā Guts
Year:Ā 2023
Why We Love It:Ā The song Ā āvampireā experiments with eerie sound effects and pairs them with pop-rock elements, along with Rodrigoās signature lyrical storytelling. Rodrigo presents the differing gender dynamics surrounding relationships through her lyrics.
Lyric Spotlight:Ā
Hate to give the satisfaction, asking how youāre doing now
Howās the castle built off people you pretend to care about?
Just what you wanted
Look at you, cool guy, you got it
8. bad idea right?
Album:Ā Guts
Year:Ā 2023
Why We Love It:Ā The track ābad idea right?ā shows Rodrigo experimenting with edgier rock sounds while maintaining her signature storytelling. In the song, the pop singer takes new musical risks. The song is said to be musically influenced by pop-punk girl groups of the ā90s and early ā00s.
Lyric Spotlight:
And Iām right here with all my friends
But youāre sendinā me your new address
And I know weāre done, I know weāre through
But, God, when I look at you
9. all-american b*tch
Album:Ā Guts
Year:Ā 2023
Why We Love It:Ā In the song āall-american b*tch,ā Rodrigo delivers a biting social commentary on the pressures facing women in society. Inspired by the messaging of folk music, the singer delivers her critique in a catchy pop-rock melody. The title was inspired by an essay of the same name, written by American writer Joan Didion in her bookĀ Slouching Towards Bethlehem.
Lyric Spotlight:Ā
I am light as a feather, Iām as stiff as a board
I pay attention to things that most people ignore
And Iām alright with the movies
That make jokes ābout senseless cruelty, thatās for sure
And I am built like a mother and a total machine
I feel for your every little issue, I know just what you mean
10. brutal
Album:Ā Sour
Year:Ā 2021
Why We Love It:Ā ābrutalā sees Olivia Rodrigo venturing into pop-punk territory, delivering angsty lyrics over energetic electric guitar riffs and drums. Its raw lyrical and melodic honesty has made it a fan-favorite track. The song captures the uncertainties surrounding the transitions from the teenage years into adulthood.
Lyric Spotlight:Ā
All I did was try my best
This the kind of thanks I get?
Unrelentlessly upset (ah, ah, ah)
They say these are the golden years
But I wish I could disappear
Ego crush is so severe
God, itās brutal out here
(Yeah! Just having a really good time)
