Background

“bad idea right?” by Olivia Rodrigo is a great idea. The biggest lie anyone ever said is that she was on a decline.

“bad idea right?” is the second single from Olivia Rodrigo’s sophomore album, GUTS, released in August 2023. It was written by Olivia Rodrigo and Dan Nigro, and produced by Nigro.

F*** It, It’s Fine

“bad idea, right?” is a universal human experience. How many times have we deceived ourselves into believing that we know better? And maybe we do, but we never behave accordingly.

The genius in the songwriting is the verses sound like how we actually talk. The language is straightforward, no cliches. And the way she analyses and contradicts her own thoughts make sense in the world we live in. “I only see him as a friend (The biggest lie I ever said)” That is you, me, and the rest of the world summed up in two lines.

We’ve seen this film before. And we didn’t like the ending. The build-up, the explosion, and the climax are all predictable but are our unspoken truths.

My Brain Goes, “Ah”

In the 90s and early 2000s, pop rock, punk and grunge female artists were everywhere. Some of them include today’s legends such as Alanis Morissette, Avril Lavigne, and Courtney Love. But the mould seems to have lost its place in mainstream music as the years progressed. And Olivia Rodrigo is helping its resurgence.

The energy of “bad idea right?” is rebellious, carefree, and unapologetic. She’s using spoken word, is unafraid to be messy, and can make a joke of herself.

The sound is aggressive and loud. The guitar solo riffs are iconic and scream rock. In a world of good ideas, Olivia explores “bad” ideas.

Can’t Hear My Thoughts

Dan Nigro worked on the music of Olivia Rodrigo and Chappell Roan’s debut albums. So he must be a great producer as I’m a fan of those records. I must say I stan his work in “bad idea right?”.

Relatability is a key component of why the track resonates. And with his choice to make her voice sound so close to the ears make her confession sound intimate and real. The lack of polish he curated is the mark of his sophistication. Even though it’s hard to read, sarcasm and eye rolls are conveyed throughout the song.

The build up is immaculate. Olivia starts relatively quiet and contained in her opening verse, and then she hits a climax once the song reaches the chorus. The guitars kick in full gear. And you can feel the adrenaline reach its peak once she rushes towards her great idea.

Conclusion

Everyone can relate to “bad idea, right?” But only Olivia can make us reconnect with our messy selves. She’s the punk, rock and grunge within us. And nothing felt as critical without sounding judgemental.