Asiah Mendoza
Assistant Editor
Olivia Rodrigo is back with her new track “deja vu,” and proves she’s no one-hit wonder. On her latest track, Rodrigo takes on a new sound and perspective on heartbreak.
“deja vu” is seemingly the sequel to “drivers license,” as Rodrigo’s emotions shift from devastated to frustrated.
Lyrically, Rodrigo paints a vivid picture that a lot of listeners can relate to: the feeling of watching your ex and their new lover doing all of the things you and they used to do. Sonically, the forceful drums and fuzzy guitars sound just as bitter as Rodrigo.
“So when you going to tell her that we did that too?
She thinks it’s special, but it’s all reused”
She’s a staggering storyteller, telling the experiences of three individuals within three minutes and thirty seconds.
Listening to this track, you of course feel sympathy for Rodrigo. But after a couple of times, you start to imagine the other two characters in the story — her ex-boyfriend and his new girlfriend.
Rodrigo depicts a guy who jumps from relationship to relationship, not having much emotional connection to them. Then his new girlfriend, who has no idea that their sweet experiences, like sharing ice cream and exchanging jackets, aren’t new to him.
You can’t help but feel bad for the new girlfriend as well, imagining that she probably holds a lot of sentimental value to the relationship and the things they do together.
“A different girl now, but there’s nothing new”
About two times within the track, Rodrigo lets out a “hmph” signifying her disbelief about the situation. My favorite one being at the end of the “I bet she’s bragging to all her friends, saying you’re so unique” lyric. These small touches sell the story of indignation she feels.
Another interesting aspect of this track is that Rodrigo is almost obsessed with her ex-boyfriend’s new relationship. She’s keeping tabs on what her ex and his new girlfriend are doing.
“That was our place, I found it first,
I made the jokes you tell to her”
And as bad as it sounds, it’s important to show this side of heartbreak and withdrawal that isn’t mentioned enough. Rodrigo did an excellent job of uncovering this darker facet of breakups that’s almost embarrassing to admit to.
Throughout the song, lyrics hint that in addition to being a little upset, Rodrigo is also scared. She sings, “I hate to think that I was just your type,” expressing her fear that their relationship didn’t mean as much to him as it did to her — a feeling that nearly everyone can relate to.
One of my favorite things about this track is the repeated mentioning of Billy Joel. Rodrigo references Joel’s song “Uptown Girl” and how she was the one who taught her ex-boyfriend how to play Joel’s music. I think it’s neat that instead of referencing a musician more popular with her age group, Rodrigo stayed true to her own personal interests.
“Played you the songs she’s singing now when she’s with you”
A hidden gem comes at the end of the lyric, “I bet you even tell her how you love her in between the chorus and the verse,” where it almost sounds like Rodrigo whispers “I love you.” If she does, it’s unbelievably devastating to hear.
Her decision to make her heartbreak and emotions so public is nothing short of bold and fearless. At only 18 years old, she’s consecutively put out two tracks that brilliantly tell the story of heartbreak within a year.
Teenagers are able to see themselves within Rodrigo ― resonating with the vivid stories she tells lyrically. For listeners who are older, Rodrigo is like a little sister who got her heart broken for the first time; you’re pulling for her.
Rodrigo announced she’s releasing her debut album May 21.
