By Maliah Grote
Listening to Olivia Rodrigo’s new album, You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love, from June 12th to the present day, I have ranked every song from my favorite to least favorite. Clearly, this is based on my personal opinion, so I’m not saying the songs at the bottom are bad; it’s just that some feel more meaningful to me than others. Of course, ranking such a perfect album is very difficult, which is why I created small explanations for each. Here’s my ranking:
- “less”
Olivia Rodrigo used her lyrics along with a simple melody to create one of the most vulnerable songs I have ever heard, “less.” It is one of those songs that gets better with every listen; it’s almost unbearable in its tenderness, yet so hard to turn off. Something about the honesty in her voice makes the song feel deeply personal, as if she is putting emotions into words that many struggle to express.
- “begged”
In “begged,” the feeling when listening is similar to “less.” In contrast, “begged” feels genuinely desperate, but in the best way. The reason this song is so high up is due to the extra rawness in the song, adding a sense of importance to Rodrigo’s vocals overall. Definitely a song that is top in my yearners playlist!
- “my way”
From the chaos-like background production to the almost criminal lyrics, “my way” captures the confident and playful side of Rodrigo. This song also symbolizes some of her old music, mixing familiar tunes and thrills with a more rebellious attitude. Its energetic presentation and lyrics allow Rodrigo to step outside the vulnerability found in other parts of the album.
- “what’s wrong with me”
The somber sound is really what makes this unique. “what’s wrong with me” highlights the downsides of having an avoidant attachment style, as well as creating a sense of nostalgia. Robert Smith’s feature implements the pop-rock element of the song, adding a moving depth. The combination of the production and pop-rock influences by Smith makes the song feel personal and timeless.
- “the cure”
“the cure” carries a huge mental heaviness, from the lyrical buildup to the music video. Personally, I loved the atmosphere and cinematic quality, especially how it felt like an emotional movie scene unraveling in real time. The lyrics themselves are sad, but they add a further sense of comfort, which makes it unique from some of the tracks on the album. It also has an atmospheric sensation, which is very difficult to capture.
- “expectations”
“He wasn’t smart or funny, I convinced myself he was,” a line from Rodrigo’s witty track, “expectations.” This song features a complex production with catchy vocals. In this specific track, the production level really stands out to me. The synths and vocal effects give a polished yet wild experience. Additionally, “expectations” has a fair share of personality, which makes it easy to listen to again.
- “stupid song”
The title, “stupid song,” is perfect because the song is so unserious in the best way. During the song, it starts serious and emotional. It then turns into something much more upbeat. It’s extremely catchy and very energetic. In my opinion, it does not hit me emotionally as much as the songs above it. Although I am not emotionally connected with the song, it’s definitely one of those songs that gets stuck in my head.
- “cigarette smoke”
This piece features a similar feeling to “the cure,” while differing from the hazy feeling that “cigarette smoke” portrays. It is a beautiful song for sure, but the length possibly makes it harder to listen to daily. The length could also make it more emotionally deep, due to you having to sit and think instead of immediately replaying. Although it might seem like a lower ranking, this track hits when the mood is right.
- “drop dead”
Rodrigo used “drop dead” for her album debut, and I can personally say it was the right choice. This song is energetic and fun, instantly leaving the Rodrigo impression we all know and love. Even though this song is low in the rankings, it is still an amazing song with a strong introduction.
- “maggots for brains”
“I’m a zombie in my body,” said Rodrigo jokingly as she explained how exhausted she felt. In “maggots for brains,” the specific quirk makes it interesting, even without having to listen to it all the time. Compared with the songs above it in the ranking, it doesn’t pull me in as the others do. It is definitely a great track, just not one of my go-tos.
- “purple”
When I listen to “purple,” it feels pretty and refreshing. Though it didn’t connect as fast as the others. The pensiveness of it is a great addition to the song, but it doesn’t give that automatic pull like “less” or “my way.” I love watching gut-wrenching edits to this song, but on its own, it’s not my first pick.
- “u + me = <3”
The gentleness of this track is certainly a breath of fresh air, but that might be why it’s ranked lower for me. “U + me = <3” features straightforward love and sweetness, which might be why I just can’t seem to get into it. I feel the song fits the album well; it just doesn’t hit me the way the others do.
- “honeybee”
“Honeybee” is such a pretty song, but it’s just not the type of song I gravitate toward. On this track, we see a delicate side of Rodrigo. Usually, I don’t tend to reach for these unless they are very sad or heartbreaking. Like “less” and “begged,” she shows her vulnerability as well, which I appreciate as I listen through the album. Whilst this track is ranked lower, it is still a great song with a touch of warmth.