Fans speculate that Olivia Rodrigo’s The Grudge lyrics are about Taylor Swift.

Fans speculate that Olivia Rodrigo's The Grudge lyrics are about Taylor Swift.

Happy GUTS Day to the Emotionally Brave!

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Happy GUTS Day to all the emotional souls out there! This special day is dedicated to all the teenagers and twenty-somethings who just need to feel things. And what better way to celebrate than with Olivia Rodrigo’s latest album, “GUTS”? This Grammy-winning sensation has taken us on an emotional rollercoaster since the release of her record-breaking single, “Drivers License,” and she shows no signs of stopping. Even Taylor Swift, Olivia’s lifelong idol, couldn’t help but praise her talent and artistry.

As soon as “GUTS” hit streaming services on September 8, fans dived deep into the lyrics, dissecting every word from “Vampire” to “Logical.” But when they reached track 10, a new theory surfaced. Could “The Grudge” allude to a supposed feud between Olivia and Taylor? The internet went into a frenzy, as stans do, sharing their thoughts and speculations on various social media platforms.

Imagine pouring your heart out and wearing your emotions on your sleeve, only to have the whole world question who or what you’re thinking about in that vulnerable moment. It takes true guts to do that. And that’s probably why “The Grudge” made its way onto Olivia’s follow-up album to “Sour.”

Now, let’s take a closer look at the full breakdown of the lyrics in Olivia Rodrigo’s “The Grudge.”

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[Verse 1] “I have nightmares each week ’bout that Friday in May One phone call from you and my entire world was changed Trust that you betrayed, confusion that still lingers Took everything I loved and crushed it in between your fingers And I doubt you ever think about the damage that you did But I hold onto every detail like my life depends on it My undying love, now I hold it like a grudge And I hear your voice every time that I think I’m not enough”

Olivia sets the stage by vividly describing the nightmares she experienced after a life-altering phone call. But before we delve deeper, let’s rewind to the time Olivia met her idol, Taylor Swift, backstage at the BRIT Awards. Olivia, an unapologetic Swiftie, had expressed her admiration for Taylor from the early days of her career, even singing along to Taylor’s songs and promoting her music. The love and respect between the two artists were undeniable, and Taylor even gifted Olivia a ring she wore while writing her own album, “Red.”

Fast forward to July 2021, and reports began circulating about songwriting credits for Olivia’s track “Deja Vu,” which also involved Taylor. The song was inspired by Taylor’s “Cruel Summer” from her album “Lover.” As a result, Olivia ended up sharing 50 percent of the royalties for this smash hit with Taylor, Jack Antonoff, and St. Vincent, potentially missing out on millions of dollars.

[Chorus] “And I try to be tough, but I wanna scream How could anybody do the things you did so easily? And I say I don’t care, I say that I’m fine But you know I can’t let it go, I’ve tried, I’ve tried, I’ve tried for so long It takes strength to forgive, but I don’t feel strong”

If “The Grudge” truly delves into the situation surrounding Olivia and Taylor, it’s no wonder a young artist feels betrayed by an industry veteran she has admired for so long. In the chorus, Olivia confesses her struggle to be strong and let go of the pain caused by the person who betrayed her so effortlessly.

During an interview with The Guardian, Olivia was gently probed about a wild theory that “Vampire” was written about Taylor. She hesitated before responding, “How do I answer this?” followed by, “I mean, I never want to say who any of my songs are about. I’ve never done that before in my career and probably won’t. I think it’s better to not pigeonhole a song to being about this one thing.” Olivia also expressed surprise that people linked her debut single, “Drivers License,” to Taylor, considering their previously supportive relationship at the start of Olivia’s musical journey in 2021.

[Verse 2] “The arguments that I’ve won against you in my head In the shower, in the car and in the mirror before bed Yeah, I’m so tough when I’m alone and I make you feel so guilty And I fantasize about a time you’re a little fuckin’ sorry And I try to understand why you would do this all to me You must be insecure, you must be so unhappy And I know, in my heart, hurt people hurt people And we both drew blood, but, man, those cuts were never equal”

When someone breaks your trust, it’s natural to imagine different scenarios and fantasize about asserting dominance in those situations. We’ve all been there, right? Olivia taps into this idea in the second verse, highlighting her desire to prove the other person wrong. But she also acknowledges her own mistakes and takes responsibility, reminding us that the cuts they both inflicted were never equal.

[Bridge] “Ooh, do you think I deserved it all? Ooh, your flower’s filled with vitriol You built me up to watch me fall You have everything and you still want more”

The bridge delivers a powerful sting. As it potentially connects back to Olivia’s relationship with Taylor, the mention of “flower” alludes to the heartfelt gift Taylor gave her upon the release of “Drivers License.” Now, let’s decode the word “vitriol.” In this context, it could have a double meaning. It refers to both bitter criticism and, quite literally, sulfuric acid. Ouch!

[Chorus]

And there you have it—a breakdown of Olivia Rodrigo’s thought-provoking song, “The Grudge.” Whether it’s about a rumored feud or a personal journey of betrayal and forgiveness, one thing’s for sure: Olivia knows how to captivate us with her emotional lyrics and powerful storytelling.

So, let’s raise a toast to all the emotionally brave souls out there. May you find the strength to let go, forgive, and embrace the journey of self-discovery and growth! Cheers to GUTS Day! 🥂