“Drivers License:” How Olivia Rodrigo uses much more than lyrics to tell her story

Olivia Rodrigo’s “Drivers License” grabbed me (and the rest of the planet) by the lapels and wouldn’t let go when I first heard it. The musicologist side of me wondered why.

Well, after examining it, I think I’ve figured out why the song has such staying power. Here’s a breakdown of the song from beginning to end, and pretty deep in between, too. In case you haven’t heard the song yet (or have been abducted by alien lifeforms and just been returned to Earth), here it is:

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Video: 3 pop vocal techniques to learn from "Drivers License" by Olivia Rodrigo

As a professional singer and vocal coach, I love to study the nuances in the vocal delivery of mega-hit songs. The goal of learning these stylistic choices is to interpret them to fit our own voices.  If you’re seeking a more contemporary sound, you can utilize these techniques by choosing the nuances that feel natural and authentic to you, remembering to maintain your own unique tone.

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