Over three years have passed since Olivia Rodrigo released Good 4 U, the third single from her debut album “SOUR.”
Let’s take a fresh look at this track that helped catapult Rodrigo to superstardom.
A Global Chart-Topper
Olivia Rodrigo released Good 4 U on May 14, 2021, and its impact was immediate.
The song debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, marking Olivia Rodrigo’s second chart-topper from her album “SOUR.”
This achievement set a new record, as Olivia Rodrigo became the first artist to have two number-one debuts from a debut album.
The track’s success extended well beyond the United States. In the UK, Good 4 U claimed the top spot on the charts and held it for five consecutive weeks.
This level of sustained popularity in the UK hadn’t been seen for a guitar-driven song since Evanescence’s “Bring Me To Life” in 2003.
Good 4 U also performed exceptionally well on streaming platforms. It broke several Spotify records, including the most-streamed song globally in a single week, with 84.1 million streams from May 21-27, 2021.
The song’s rapid ascent to various streaming milestones underscored its widespread appeal and Rodrigo’s growing fanbase.
“Good 4 U” A Pop-Punk Revival
Good 4 U marked a notable shift in Olivia Rodrigo’s musical style. While her previous hits like drivers license leaned towards emotional ballads, this track embraced a pop-punk sound reminiscent of early 2000s rock.
Rodrigo discussed her approach to the song’s style in an interview:
“We wanted to take an early 2000s pop-punk song and sort of twist it and find a way to make it 2021… I love pop-punk music; I love grunge music; I love country music and folk music. I think, honestly, you can see little influences of all of those genres in my album.”
The track features prominent guitar riffs and energetic drums, complementing Olivia Rodrigo’s powerful vocals.
Music critics noted similarities to artists like Paramore and Avril Lavigne, drawing connections between Olivia Rodrigo’s work and the pop-punk movement of the previous decade.
This stylistic choice resonated with listeners, many of whom appreciated the blend of nostalgic sound and contemporary production.
The song’s success demonstrated Olivia Rodrigo’s versatility as an artist and her ability to effectively navigate different musical genres.
“Good 4 U” Behind the Scenes
The song was produced by Alexander 23 and Dan Nigro, with writing credits initially given to Rodrigo and Nigro.
However, in August 2021, Paramore members Hayley Williams and Josh Farro were added as co-writers due to similarities between Good 4 U and Paramore’s 2007 hit “Misery Business.”
This decision came after widespread online comparisons and mash-ups of the two songs went viral.
Rather than facing potential legal issues, Rodrigo’s team proactively added the credits.
This move resulted in substantial royalties for Williams and Farro and sparked significant discussion in the music industry about originality, inspiration, and copyright in modern music production.
“Good 4 U” A Cinematic Music Video
The accompanying music video, directed by Petra Collins, added another layer to the song’s appeal.
Olivia Rodrigo shared her excitement about the video, saying, “My friend Petra Collins directed it. We wanted to pay homage to the iconic feminist camp horror movies we love.”
The video features Rodrigo as a high school cheerleader who progressively becomes more unhinged, culminating in a scene where she sets a bedroom ablaze and submerges herself in a lake with glowing red eyes.
It pays homage to cult classic horror films, particularly “Jennifer’s Body,” and has amassed over a billion views on YouTube.
Lyrics Breakdown: “Good 4 U” Lyrics Analysis
Let’s dive deeper into the Good 4 U lyrics, examining how Olivia Rodrigo crafts her message of sarcasm and hurt:
Verse 1:
The opening lines immediately set the tone:
“Well, good for you, I guess you moved on really easily
You found a new girl and it only took a couple weeks”
Here, Rodrigo’s biting sarcasm is evident as she addresses her ex’s quick rebound. The Good 4 U lyrics continue with a callback to past promises:
“Remember when you said that you wanted to give me the world?”
This line highlights the disconnect between past declarations of love and the present reality.
Chorus:
The chorus of “good 4 u” amplifies the sarcastic tone:
“Well, good for you
You look happy and healthy, not me”
Olivia Rodrigo contrasts her ex’s apparent well-being with her own emotional turmoil, a theme that resonates throughout the lyrics of Good 4 U.
Bridge:
In the bridge, Rodrigo questions her own emotional response:
“Maybe I’m too emotional
But your apathy’s like a wound in salt”
This part of the lyrics showcases vulnerability beneath the anger, adding depth to the song’s emotional landscape.
Regarding the song’s emotional content, Rodrigo explained: “I didn’t want to write a poppy, happy, ‘I’m in love’ song, because that was so far from how I was truly feeling at the time. So writing ‘good 4 u’ was really satisfying because the song is upbeat and high energy and people can dance to it, but I didn’t have to sacrifice being honest and authentic in order to write it.”
Legacy and Influence
Looking back from July 2024, Good 4 U remains a significant track in Olivia Rodrigo’s discography.
The song’s blend of pop and rock elements garnered comparisons to early 2000s pop-punk, particularly artists like Paramore and Avril Lavigne.
As Olivia Rodrigo herself stated, “We wanted to take an early 2000s pop-punk song and sort of twist it and find a way to make it 2021.”
This approach resonated with listeners, as evidenced by the song’s chart success and streaming records.
The track’s popularity, along with other songs from “SOUR,” helped establish Rodrigo as a versatile artist capable of working across different musical styles.
Continuing Popularity
Three years after its release, Good 4 U continues to be streamed and played on radio stations.
Its enduring presence in playlists and music discussions demonstrates its lasting impact on Olivia Rodrigo’s fanbase and casual listeners alike.
While it was an early breakout hit, Olivia Rodrigo has proven it was far from a one-off success.
In the years since “SOUR,” she’s continued to dominate charts and captivate audiences with tracks like Vampire, building on the raw emotion and musical versatility she first showcased in “good 4 u.”
The song’s enduring popularity, alongside hits like Deja Vu, Traitor, and “drivers license,” has cemented Rodrigo’s status as a defining voice of her generation.
Her ability to evolve her sound while maintaining the honest, relatable lyrics that first resonated with fans in “good 4 u” has ensured her place as a major force in the music industry.
As we reflect on “good 4 u” three years later, it’s clear the track was not just a fleeting moment of pop-punk revival, but the beginning of a remarkable career that continues to shape the landscape of popular music.
For those who haven’t yet experienced Rodrigo’s evolution from Good 4 U to her latest hits, her discography offers a compelling journey through the emotions and experiences of young adulthood, set to a soundtrack that seamlessly blends multiple genres.
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Olivia Rodrigo good for you lyrics
Intro
(Ah)
Verse 1
Well, good for you, I guess you moved on really easily
You found a new girl and it only took a couple weeks
Remember when you said that you wanted to give me the world?
(World)
And good for you, I guess that you’ve been workin’ on yourself
I guess that therapist I found for you, she really helped
Now you can be a better man for your brand-new girl (Girl)
Chorus
Well, good for you
You look happy and healthy, not me
If you ever cared to ask
Good for you
You’re doin’ great out there without me, baby
God, I wish that I could do that
I’ve lost my mind, I’ve spent the night
Cryin’ on the floor of my bathroom
But you’re so unaffected, I really don’t get it
But I guess good for you
Verse 2
Well, good for you, I guess you’re gettin’ everything you want (Ah)
You bought a new car and your career’s really takin’ off (Ah)
It’s like we never even happened
Baby, what the fuck is up with that? (Ah)
And good for you, it’s like you never even met me
Remember when you swore to God I was the only
Person who ever got you? Well, screw that, and screw you
You will never have to hurt the way you know that I do
Chorus
Well, good for you
You look happy and healthy, not me
If you ever cared to ask
Good for you
You’re doin’ great out there without me, baby
God, I wish that I could do that
I’ve lost my mind, I’ve spent the night
Cryin’ on the floor of my bathroom
But you’re so unaffected, I really don’t get it
But I guess good for you
Break
(Ah-ah-ah-ah)
(Ah-ah-ah-ah)
Bridge
Maybe I’m too emotional
But your apathy’s like a wound in salt
Maybe I’m too emotional
Or maybe you never cared at all
Maybe I’m too emotional
Your apathy is like a wound in salt
Maybe I’m too emotional
Or maybe you never cared at all
Chorus
Well, good for you
You look happy and healthy, not me
If you ever cared to ask
Good for you
You’re doin’ great out there without me, baby
Like a damn sociopath
I’ve lost my mind, I’ve spent the night
Cryin’ on the floor of my bathroom
But you’re so unaffected, I really don’t get it
But I guess good for you
Outro
Well, good for you, I guess you moved on really easily
