drivers license

"drivers license" (stylized in all lowercase) is the debut single by American singer Olivia Rodrigo. It was released on January 8, 2021 by Universal and Geffen Records, as the lead single from her upcoming debut studio album, SOUR. Rodrigo and Dan Nigro wrote the song, with production from the latter. Containing poignant lyrics detailing heartache, "drivers license" is an atmospheric power ballad built around bedroom pop, power pop and indie pop. It is characterized by a minimalist production incorporating kick drums, harmonies, syncopated hand-claps, and a dreamy bridge. The song documents the "multifaceted" emotions Rodrigo endured after a heartbreak. She teased the song on her social media for many months in 2020, before announcing it on January 4, 2021. The official music video was posted to YouTube alongside the song's release, in which Rodrigo drives around a suburban area after receiving her driver's license, and reminisces over her memories of the song's subject who encouraged her to receive the license. "Drivers License" was met with critical acclaim; praise centered on Rodrigo's cathartic songwriting, emotional vocals, and the song's stirring production, with many underscoring its Taylor Swift and Lorde influences. "drivers license" broke a string of records, including the Spotify record for the most single-day streams for a non-holiday song (achieved on its fourth day of release), the biggest first-week for a song on Spotify and Amazon Music. The song topped the US Billboard Hot 100 as one of the most dominant number-one hits in history, and made Rodrigo the youngest artist ever to debut atop the chart. It was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. Elsewhere, "drivers license" reached number one in many countries, including Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Israel, Malaysia, Portugal, and Singapore, as well as spending multiple weeks atop the charts in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. It also peaked within the top ten in Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and various others.

[Verse 1] I got my driver's license last week Just like we always talked about 'Cause you were so excited for me To finally drive up to your house But today, I drove through the suburbs Crying 'cause you weren't around [Verse 2] And you're probably with that blonde girl Who always made me doubt She's so much older than me She's everything I'm insecure about Yeah, today, I drove through the suburbs 'Cause how could I ever love someone else? [Chorus] And I know we weren't perfect, but I've never felt this way for no one And I just can't imagine how you could be so okay now that I'm gone Guess you didn't mean what you wrote in that song about me 'Cause you said forever, now I drive alone past your street [Verse 3] And all my friends are tired Of hearing how much I miss you, but I kinda feel sorry for them 'Cause they'll never know you the way that I do Yeah, today, I drove through the suburbs And pictured I was driving home to you [Chorus] And I know we weren't perfect, but I've never felt this way for no one, oh And I just can't imagine how you could be so okay now that I'm gone I guess you didn't mean what you wrote in that song about me 'Cause you said forever, now I drive alone past your street [Bridge] Red lights, stop signs I still see your face in the white cars, front yards Can't drive past the places we used to go to 'Cause I still fuckin' love you, babe (Ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh) Sidewalks we crossed I still hear your voice in the traffic, we're laughing Over all the noise God, I'm so blue, know we're through But I still fuckin' love you, babe (Ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh) [Chorus] I know we weren't perfect, but I've never felt this way for no one And I just can't imagine how you could be so okay now that I'm gone Guess you didn't mean what you wrote in that song about me 'Cause you said forever, now I drive alone past your street [Outro] Yeah, you said forever, now I drive alone past your street