Background

Released in May 2021 by Olivia Rodrigo, “good 4 u” is a track from her debut album SOUR with production by Dan Nigro and Alexander 23. While originally written by Rodrigo and Nigro, Paramore members Hayley Williams and Josh Farro were retroactively added as songwriters due to an interpolation of their 2007 hit “Misery Business”.

In this review of “good 4 u”, I explore how Olivia Rodrigo uses this track to create a powerful breakup catharsis. I also look at her versatility as an artist, specifically her ability to switch genres and use her voice in dynamic ways. Lastly, I talk about the songwriting credit controversy and how, if nothing else, it brought more great pop-punk music back into the world.

Honest, Unfiltered Breakup Catharsis

I might be paraphrasing. But my favourite line from Desperate Housewives was when Terri Hatcher’s character uttered “I want you to be happy. But I want to be happy first.” And I stan that specific line for its honesty. And I feel the same way when I hear “good 4 u”.

The lyrics of “good 4 u” use clever sarcasm and irony to turn a painful breakup into a sharp, angry anthem. The moment I heard “Good for you, you look happy and healthy”, I knew I was hooked. Sure, the sarcasm acts as a shield. But who can blame the heartbroken?

I don’t agree that the other party is necessarily sociopathic. But I do empathise with Olivia on how unfair the situation ends up as. What I appreciate is how the writing style allows the listener to feel a sense of power over their pain. Instead of feeling like a victim, the irony lets Olivia and her listeners mock the person who hurt them, turning heavy feelings into a biting, witty takedown.

Even though the song feels immature because it is full of bitterness and a lack of forgiveness, it actually serves as a very healthy emotional outlet. In real life, people are often told to “be the bigger person” or “move on with grace”, but I find those expectations to be rubbish and unrealistic. Rodrigo gives listeners permission to feel their messiest emotions without judgment.

Dynamic Artist Range Demonstrated

Given Olivia’s age and Disney background, it was easy to dismiss her artistic credentials. But “good 4 u” proved she had versatility on many fronts.

She completely changed her musical style with “good 4 u”. Her first two songs, “drivers license” and “deja vu”, were slow, sad, and dreamy pop songs that made her famous as a ballad singer. However, when she released “good 4 u”, she shifted gears to a high-energy pop-punk sound. And taking that 180 degree turn is a risk as she was already highly popular for a completely different style.

She also shows incredible vocal versatility by changing how she uses her voice throughout the song. In the beginning, she sings in a quiet, almost hushed way. As the song continues, she builds up the energy until she is almost screaming the lyrics during the most emotional parts. She moves easily from soft and sweet to powerful and gritty. She has an ability to use her voice like an instrument.

Legacy and Creative Connections

I’m not here to take sides. I’m not super familiar with “Misery Business”. But if there’s any positive result from the drama, it’s that I rediscovered the Paramore track.

Many people (not me) noticed that “good 4 u” sounds very similar to the 2007 hit “Misery Business” by the band Paramore. Both songs belong to the pop-punk genre, which is known for having fast drums and loud, electric guitars. The way the rhythm moves and how the melody is sung in the chorus of “good 4 u” reminded some of the Paramore song. Because both tracks capture a specific feeling of teenage anger and frustration through a high-energy rock style, the comparison became a major topic of conversation as soon as the song became a global hit.

Because of these similarities, Olivia Rodrigo’s team decided to officially give songwriting credit to Paramore members Hayley Williams and Josh Farro after the song was already released. This is called an interpolation, which means using a part of an older song’s melody or structure to help create a new one. The concept of interpolation is a learning for me, as I often interchange sampling and interpolation.

I don’t know how happy or upset the involved parties are. I’m just happy that there’s more pop-punk material in the world. Both tracks kick a**.

Conclusion

I would never wish heartbreak on anyone, but the fruit of Olivia’s pain resulted in an amazing track. She has given us a powerful, cathartic anthem to rage to. Despite being new to the industry, she has demonstrated impressive versatility in several ways. Finally, she sparked a renewed interest in a pop-punk classic, even if the drama that came with it wasn’t what anyone probably intended.