2021 SOP 202 Olivi Rodrigo Driver's License

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Artist: Bob Tozier
School: North Allegheny

Notes:

Power ballads used to top the charts regularly, from 80s rock to 90s R&B. But then in the 2000s, the formula of constant escalation gradually fell off the Billboard. Now, seemingly out of nowhere, Olivia Rodrigo’s single “Drivers License” is breaking streaming records as listeners yearn for the emotional catharsis from this contemporary power ballad. With the help of David Metzer, professor of music history at the University of British Columbia, we break down how “Drivers License” sticks to an age-old formula, and how it deviates from a well worn musical path.

SONGS DISCUSSED

Olivia Rodrigo - Drivers License

Barry Manilow - Mandy

Roy Orbison - It’s Over

Clyde McPhatter - Without Love There Is Nothing

Etta James - I’d Rather Go Blind

Journey - Open Arms

Mariah Carey & Boyz II Men - One Sweet Day

Seal - Kiss From A Rose

Hootie & The Blowfish - Only Wanna Be with You

Led Zeppelin - Stairway To Heaven

Professor David Metzer’s The Ballad in American Popular Music: From Elvis to Beyoncé

Aiyana Ishmael for Teen Vogue “Olivia Rodrigo Song "Drivers License" Sparks Fan-Made TikTok POV Covers”

Olivia Rodrigo’s Instagram demo

Richard S. He Twitter thread

Comments

Luke Hartle from: North Allegheny - posted: February 17, 2021
This is my first time listing to this song. This is not a song that I would listen to, but it has a good story inside of the song. I did not knnow this song has 140 bpm either.

Sarah Feick from: North Allegheny - posted: February 17, 2021
I was way too involved in this song when it first came out. I was obsessed with the drama behind it, the song itself, and the many trends it created on tiktok. Its not an easy song to sing because of where it falls in the voice range of most people, but I found myself singing it all the time. I am shocked at how popular it still is and im anxious to see how long it stays on the charts. I think it is well written song and Olivia is only 17. Cant wait to see what she does in the future of the music industry.

Reka Gotz from: North Allegheny - posted: February 17, 2021
I heard about the drama surrounding this song, but I never actually listened to it until a week ago. Although it's not my style, I definitely think it deserves the hype after listening to this podcast. I am shocked that Olivia is only 17 and was able to sing something that is on the top of pop charts today. That's so impressive!

Grace Elliott from: North Allegheny - posted: February 18, 2021
Regardless of the drama behind the song which is 90% a publicity stunt, this song's best quality is its relatability. Not a musical masterpiece but it was cool to listen to and impressive for a 17 year old.

Vaishnavee Sundararaman from: North Allegheny - posted: February 22, 2021
When I heard this podcast, something that I was a bit shocked by and never realized was that Olivia only make each phrase 7 beats instead of 8. I didn't catch that until I heard the podcast. This song is a good song, but I wouldn't say it's like that OMG!!!!!!! song (If u get what I mean). But, we can't forget that she's only 17 or 18.. When thinking about that way, it's pretty impressive.

Raef Smalley from: North Allegheny - posted: March 7, 2021
This type of music I love. When I was gone for the summer by myself working at a lodge in Montana I would always listen to led Zeppelin.

Coleman Walsh from: North Allegheny - posted: March 8, 2021
I personallly thought this song was overhyped. Not to say that the song itself isn't good, it certainly holds a candle to modern artists of similar styles. That said, to compare it to songs like Stairway to Heaven felt like giving it more credit than it deserved.

Nick Faber from: North Allegheny - posted: March 14, 2021
I didn't listen to this song until a couple weeks after it first started topping charts. Generally I feel that the #1 song that's making news is overhyped, however Drivers License really seems to hit the mark, and I think it's going to stay around for a while longer than other #1 hits.

Olivia Belcher from: North Allegheny - posted: March 24, 2021
I've heard about this song before, but I never actuallly listened to it. It has a nice sound, and it's strange to think that Olivia Rodrigo is the same age as me and managed to make a hit pop song.

Kassi Barry from: North Allegheny - posted: March 25, 2021
I think the sone was well written and it really cool how they used the sounds from actual cars in the music. Not a fan of the girl or the drama.

Hunter Badamo from: North Allegheny - posted: March 26, 2021
I think the song honestly sounds like every other pop song, and the lyrics aren't very insightful. Not my thing. I commend her for writing it herself though, because not many pop artists do that.

Nicholas Palermo from: North Allegheny - posted: March 26, 2021
I do not enjoy the teen girl drama. I think Olivia is a very talented artist though.

Rohan Puri from: North Allegheny - posted: March 27, 2021
The song is highly overhyped. In its roots it is basic and cliche. It is still impressive, however, that she was able to promote the song to such a point where it hit the top of charts across the world.

Kate Patterson from: North Allegheny - posted: March 28, 2021
The production of this song is very detailed and quite amazing, however, I get annoyed every time I hear it because of its popularity and the drama behind it. It is a shame that that is the way I and many other people view it.

Eric schaefer from: North Allegheny - posted: March 28, 2021

This is not a song I would listen to. I don't dislike it and I understand why people like it. I do like songs that tell a story and have some meaning to them. Songs like this seem to have more hart and I like that about them I just wouldnt ever listen to it.

Julia Maletta from: North Allegheny - posted: March 28, 2021
Driver's License may be relatable to the young TikTok audience, but that doesn't make it a song that can or should be compared to 80's power ballads by Journey, and classics by Etta James and Led Zeppelin. It's a typical pop song that will most likely fade out whereas the other songs and artists mentioned are remembered decades later.

Erik Bloomquist from: North Allegheny - posted: March 29, 2021
When I listened to "Drivers License" for the first time, I was not impressed; however, as I hear it more and more, I find it increasingly enjoyable. The production on the song is what really stood out to me. It is a simple song with relatable lyrics which was produced really, really well.

Bri Cobbey from: North Allegheny - posted: March 29, 2021
While I think that drivers license is a relatively good song, I think it got way more publicity than it should have. It sounds just lke anther pop song in my opinion, so I wouldn't compare it to the ballads of the 80's.

Cassandra Pultorak from: North Allegheny - posted: March 29, 2021
I think this song is above average compared to most famous teenager's songs, but I don't agree with the insane amount of hype it has. It's sad that I found out about it through the drama and not through how good the song actually was.

Josi Pietrzyk from: - posted: March 29, 2021
I don't have a strong opinion about this song; i don't get the hype tbh. Unless you can REALLY relate to it it seems kind of eh.

Rae Dwyer from: North Allegheny - posted: March 30, 2021
It's super interesting to see the songs it was compared to, but I do not love this song and don't understand why so many people loved it and freaked out about it. It lasted a few days and then I got extremely tired of hearing it.

Amy Hendricks from: North Allegheny - posted: March 30, 2021
This song was all over tik tok, and I think it's a good song, but I don't know if it's worth the hype. However, she did a great job for this being her first independent release.

Nick Brar from: North Allegheny - posted: March 30, 2021
This is not my kind of music, as it is too simple for me to enjoy, but I can understand why others may enjoy listening.

Ethan Chen from: North Allegheny - posted: March 31, 2021
Not my type of music unfortunately, though I found it interesting to learn about the production.

Clay Sheleheda from: North Allegheny - posted: March 31, 2021
Sometimes I feel like the only person who did not know this song existed. I think a lot of artists get drama for various reasons, so with me going into the music scene, I should be very careful.

Hyunjun Chang from: North Allegheny - posted: March 31, 2021
I have never listened to the song before, but I found it pleasant upon finishing class. She has a lot of great potential, and I would love to ssee how it manifests. However, i would say it would be a stretch, if not more, to be able to compare her to the greatest of all times. Only time will be able to tell that. After all ballads have transcended time.

Dylan Shields from: North Allegheny - posted: March 31, 2021
I think its interesting how much of a story is behind this song. I also think its interesting that she was only 17 years old when she wrote the song. Its also cool that so many people remade the song from different points of view

Nick Lev from: North Allegheny - posted: March 31, 2021
I think the song is nice and her singing is very good but, the whole drama aspect of isn't my cup of tea.

Kai Su from: North Allegheny - posted: March 31, 2021
This was my first time listening to this song, so it was very interesting to see how it uses a somewhat unorthodox harmonic and phrase structure to help set the tone of the piece.

Nathan Lam from: North Allegheny - posted: March 31, 2021
This song is fairly overrated just because how some people can relate to the lyrics. Olivia Rodrigo is only 17, so it is incredible that her music was this popular, but I don't think it belongs in the same category as songs like Kiss from a Rose and Stairway to Heaven