Over the past week, I’ve listened to Olivia Rodrigo’s SOUR album a lot. Rodrigo’s vocal range amazed me when I listened to the album. One of her songs also made me cry. As the title suggests, I’m referring to my friendships, family, and life in this album. I hope you enjoy this blog and album.
brutal
The opening track for SOUR is brutal. Listening to the lyrics to this song describes my life so far. Honestly, one of the verses that stood out to me was, “got a broken ego, broken heart, and God, I don’t even know where to start.” Telling people my story about my life in these blogs is something I would rather keep secret. I’m a storyteller, but I would rather talk about my life on the down low with people I trust. Especially the part where it says, “I don’t even know where to start,” gives me goosebumps on topics that are heavy on me. Losing a loved one, college life, high school, popularity, etc., are examples. I could talk about these all day but would keep them in the past, especially high school.
traitor
The second track from SOUR is titled, traitor. This song reminds me of my ex-best friend of eight years. One of the lyrics that stood out to me was, “And ain’t it funny. How you said you were friends? Now it sure as hell don’t look like it.” Honestly, they never said we were friends but losing contact with them. One of my closest friends knows this person and told me everything about them. I believe they were the traitor in the friendship and played a facade with everyone. They even brought their problems from my school to the new school. So, knowing my luck, it’s hard dealing with it daily.
drivers license
drivers license. This masterpiece is the third track from the album. It was Olivia Rodrigo’s debut single, which hit number one on Billboard Top 100 charts. I honestly love the song and how her emotions portray so well. The lyrics stood out to me very much. It’s corny. People might think that the song is literally about Rodrigo getting her driver’s license, but it means something else. It talks about a relationship she had, and she turned that pain into beauty. This ties to the memories I got to have with my ex-best friend. The memory that faded would have to be my last day in my hometown before I left for college. We hung out, and I believe that they were emotional when I was about to drop them off at their apartment. They go around and hug me through my window. Honestly, the lyric standing out to me was, “And I just can’t imagine how you could be so okay now that I’m gone.” It stands out a lot, especially when talking about my ex-best friend.
1 step forward, 3 steps back
1 step forward, 3 steps back is the fourth track from the album, SOUR. This song reminds me of my ex-best friend and how sometimes thinking about them feels like I’m getting pushed back. My ex-best friend called me on Snapchat the week before classes started. They called and asked me about getting them into the military. They were trying to get my apartment address in Norman, and hopefully, they wouldn’t get in the way. I also can’t lie to the military because it would affect my life if I even pretended. The lyric standing out was, “Called you on the phone today, just to ask you how you were. All I did was speak normally. Somehow, I still struck a nerve.” Listening to the lyric tied to the time they tried talking to me before they hung up and wanted to have a conversation with me. I was scared listening to their voice, and I did not speak to them since September of last year. It was scary, and my heart dropped when I saw their name. That was when this song hit differently in my life.
deja vu
The fifth song from the album is deja vu from SOUR. It honestly feels like a playful song when listening to it. I never related to this song until I got to college. It does have a meaning, but not for me unless we’re talking about friendships. I even see people stab me in the back, and they go on adventures I’ve been on with them. deja vu never hit for me. One of the lyrics that stood out would be, “That was our place, I found it first. I made the jokes you tell to her when she’s with you.”
good 4 u
good 4 u is the sixth song from Rodrigo’s album, SOUR. This song reminds me of my friendships that were toxic in my life. When I graduated high school, I saw all the people I went to school with and saw that they were completely different. Even to people who did me wrong. All I can say is wish you nothing but happiness and success. I don’t care for negative people, but I hate when people bring drama from another part of their lives. A lyric that stands out from the song is, “And good for you, it’s like you never even met me. 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.”
enough for you
The seventh song from SOUR is enough for you. This song reminded me of a relationship with someone I had when I was younger. I can’t say, but the things you’ve always said to me when I was a kid, I couldn’t get upset about it now. I couldn’t understand when I was a kid, but now I do. I was wondering if what I did was wrong or if I was enough for you. This song reminds me of a childhood trauma I had to witness growing up. I can’t say who this is for, but I hope you are doing better. I love you, but I have to love you from a distance. One of the lyrics from the song I love is, “I’d say you broke my heart. But you broke much more than that. Now I don’t want your sympathy. I just want myself back.”
happier
The eighth song from SOUR is happier. This ties to the memory of when I had my ex-best friend. I was naive by their words. I wondered if you were telling the truth or a lie. I have always questioned myself until now, which were all lies. I know I left my hometown, but I hope you’re happy; don’t be happier because I am doing much better than you. It felt I had to be more masculine around you, but you always copied me. Whether it was; style or type of love interest are some examples. It doesn’t matter anymore, but it will still haunt me about the memories we had. I could say thank you for the memories, but I am ready to let go of you. A lyric that is my favorite is, “I hope you’re happy. Just not like how you were with me. I’m selfish, I know, can’t let you go. So find someone great, but don’t find no one better. I hope you’re happy, but don’t be happier.”
jealousy jealousy
The ninth song from the album SOUR is jealousy jealousy. This song reminds me of my experiences being on social media. I have always had ideas of expectations of what I should look like daily. Recently, I have seen a TikTok on my For You Page. The video was about a boy going through the struggles of being a boy. At the end of the video, the boy glanced at his phone, scrolled on his Instagram, and said to the camera, “I wish I looked like them.” The quote stands out to anyone who wishes to be someone. From my point of view, you will regret it, and it will haunt you. Please don’t be jealous because someone has more friends, is the popular one, etc. I’ve been through it; it will not define you as a person. You’ll be in the dark figuring out your identity and feel like a lost person. The lyric that stands out to me is, “Com-comparison is killin’ me slowly. I think I think too much. ‘Bout kids who don’t know me. I’m so sick of myself. Rather be, rather be. Anyone, anyone else. My jealousy, jealousy.”
favorite crime
The tenth song from the album SOUR is favorite crime. I honestly don’t have a lot of memories tied to this song. I remember listening to it for the first time and crying at the end. When Rodrigo sang high at the end, I bawled my eyes out. I could say that this song relates to the memory of when it was my senior year. It wasn’t a relationship; it was more of a friendship. I was sad about leaving my friends when I graduated. All of them got to have the torch I had. For instance, I gave my viola partner the torch for her to be the next section leader. So yes, this song hits a good memory for me. One of the lyrics that stood out to me is, “Well, I hope I was your favorite crime.”
hope ur ok
The final song on the album of SOUR is hope ur ok. This ties to memories of friends I’ve lost along the way. Especially when I got to college with losing people I’ve known. I’ve lost a lot of contact with people from my hometown. I couldn’t be proud of the accomplishments of what they are doing in their lives. It also ties in with both my social and personal identity. It ties in with how 2021 changed me for the better. From graduating high school, going to college, making new friends, and so many other events that changed me in 2021. It’s not easy to change for me at all. To all of my high school, childhood, and college friends, I hope you’re okay. Everything is going to be okay. A lyric that stands out from the song is, “We don’t talk much, but I just gotta say. I miss you and I hope that you’re okay.”