At just 23 years old, Olivia Rodrigo has already carved an unmistakable mark in 21st‑century pop music — a trajectory few artists achieve even after decades in the spotlight. Her 2021 debut single Drivers License instantly became a cultural phenomenon, topping the Billboard Hot 100 and helping Sour spend more than four years on the Billboard 200 chart and amass billions of streams globally.
Two albums into her career, she has repeatedly translated personal heartbreak into universal expression, with chart‑topping hits like Good 4 U and Vampire leading sold‑out arena tours and dominating playlists worldwide. Her sophomore release, Guts, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and featured multiple singles that reached the top of the charts.
drivers license (2021)
Rodrigo’s breakout anthem didn’t just launch a career — it shattered expectations. Released in January 2021, drivers license debuted at No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming one of the few songs ever to enter the chart at the top spot and remain there for eight consecutive weeks. Its emotional honesty and cinematic storytelling made it an instant pop culture moment, driving record‑breaking streaming numbers worldwide.
good 4 u (2021)
With its pop‑punk energy and ferocious hook, good 4 u brought heartache into high gear. Also peaking at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, the song became one of Rodrigo’s most streamed tracks ever and remained on the charts for an impressively long run. Its explosive attitude and relatable lyrics helped it become a rallying cry for listeners craving emotional intensity in upbeat form.
vampire (2023)
Rodrigo’s evolution continued with vampire, the lead single from Guts, which also debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 — making her the only artist in history to have both lead singles from her first two albums enter at the top spot. The track blends alt‑pop drama with biting metaphors, reflecting a more theatrical approach to heartbreak and emotional entanglement.
deja vu (2021)
Rodrigo made history with her first two singles — both drivers license and deja vu debuted inside the Billboard Hot 100 top 10, an unprecedented start to a career. deja vu peaked at No. 3, earning multi‑platinum certifications around the world and proving her sharp lyrical imagination in capturing the familiar sting of romantic repetition.
traitor (2021)
Another Sour standout, traitor became one of Rodrigo’s most streamed songs globally, topping billions of plays across platforms. Although it didn’t top charts like some of her other hits, its emotional depth and slow‑burning delivery turned it into a fan favorite and streaming powerhouse — a testament to Rodrigo’s ability to convey complex heartbreak with piercing clarity.
Olivia Rodrigo performs in the headline slot on the Pyramid Stage at the end of day five of Glastonbury festival 2025 (Source: Leon Neal/Getty Images)
brutal (2021)
Kicking off Sour with jagged guitars and irreverent attitude, brutal offered a raw introduction to Rodrigo’s take on adolescent frustration and pressure. Its bold sonic punch paired with honest vulnerability made it a perfect opening track — a declaration that Rodrigo’s pop would be unfiltered and unapologetically real.
favorite crime (2021)
Blending melancholic acoustic textures with sharply observant lyrics, favorite crime became another of Sour’s most streamed songs, surpassing a billion plays. Its introspective narrative framed heartbreak as a crime of affection — a poetic turn of phrase that resonated deeply with millions.
happier (2021)
Quiet but deeply affecting, happier explores the mixed feelings of wanting someone to be happy, even if it’s not with you. Its delicate balance of empathy and hurt helped it rack up massive streaming numbers, adding nuance to Rodrigo’s emotional palette beyond her louder anthems.
jealousy, jealousy (2021)
A standout from Sour with over a billion streams, jealousy, jealousy tackles the relentless comparison culture fueled by social media — a theme especially resonant for Rodrigo’s generation. Its clever writing and memorable chorus highlighted her gift for capturing the anxieties of modern youth.
get him back! (2023)
From her Guts era, get him back! became another streaming success, blending pop hooks with a clever take on revenge fantasies after heartbreak. Its playful rhythm and cheeky lyrical perspective showed Rodrigo’s expanding stylistic and thematic range as she evolves beyond her debut era.
