Teenage Dream

Album

Guts

Label

Geffen Records

Genre

Chamber pop

Composer(s)

Olivia Rodrigo;Dan Nigro

Entered Chart

Sep 23, 2023

Peak Date

Sep 23, 2023

The last track of Olivia Rodrigo’s sophomore album “GUTS” reflects on the complex journey of growing up under the spotlight, shedding light on the immense pressure of musicians to constantly top their previous work, especially with the global success of her debut album “SOUR”. Within the lyrics, Olivia expresses her fears about losing the best parts of herself as she matures. “teenage dream” is a heartfelt reflection on the challenges and anxieties of growing up, set to Rodrigo’s emotive vocals and poignant songwriting. In her interview with the Guardian she discussed the song by stating: “They always used to praise me for being this precocious young girl, that’s so much of the praise I get, that I’m so impressive ‘cause I’m so young doing this.” She also revealed her realization that “it wasn’t always going to be that way and wondering what I would lose or how I would become less attractive in certain ways to people.” This isn’t the first time Olivia Rodrigo has talked about her “teenage dream.” In “brutal,” Olivia expresses her disappointment: “I’m so sick of 17 Where’s my fucking teenage dream?” With this final track, she gives us an intimate glimpse into her current state of mind and emotions, offering a valuable update on how she’s feeling two years later.

[Verse 1: Olivia Rodrigo]
When am I gonna stop being wise beyond my years and just start being wise?
When am I gonna stop being a pretty young thing to guys?
When am I gonna stop being great for my age and just start being good?
When will it stop being cool to be quietly misunderstood?

[Chorus: Olivia Rodrigo]
I'll blow out the candles, happy birthday to me
Got your whole life ahead of you, you're only nineteen
But I fear that they already got all the best parts of me
And I'm sorry that I couldn't always be your teenage dream

[Verse 2: Olivia Rodrigo]
And when does wide-eyed affection and all good intentions start to not be enough?
When will everyone have every reason to call all my bluffs?
And when are all my excuses of learning my lessons gonna start to feel sad?
Will I spend all the rest of my years wishing I could go back?

[Chorus: Olivia Rodrigo]
I'll blow out the candles, happy birthday to me
Got your whole life ahead of you, you're only nineteen
But I fear that they already got all the best parts of me
And I'm sorry that I couldn't always be your teenage dream

[Bridge: Olivia Rodrigo]
They all say that it gets better
It gets better the more you grow
Yeah, they all say that it gets better
It gets better, but what if I don't?
Oh, they all say that it gets better
It gets better the more you grow
Yeah, they all say that it gets better
It gets better, but what if I don't?
Oh, they all say that it gets better
It gets better the more you grow
Yeah, they all say that it gets better
It gets better, but what if I don't?
Oh, they all say that it gets better
It gets better the more you grow
Yeah, they all say that it gets better
It gets better, but what if I don't?

[Spoken Outro: Olivia Rodrigo & Dan Nigro]
Is this recording?
Hi, Saoirse
Of course it's recording