Olivia Rodrigo “Vampire” debuted at #1

Vampire Olivia Rodrigo

Writer(s): Olivia Rodrigo, Dan Nigro (see lyrics here) Released: June 30, 2023 First Charted: July 15, 2023 Peak: 12 BB, 11 ST, 14 A40, 2 AA, 11 UK, 11 CN, 11 AU, 17 DF (Click for codes to charts.) Sales (in millions): 1.0 US, 0.6 UK, 2.17 world (includes US + UK) Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 120.53 video, 666.81 streaming

Awards: Click on award for more details.

About the Song: Olivia Rodrigo, born 2003, got her start as a teen star via Disney television shows Bizaardvark and High School Musical: The Series. She signed a record deal with Geffen Records in 2020 and released her debut album, Sour, the next year. It produced the #1 hits “Drivers License” and “Good 4 U” as well as top-10 hits “Déjà Vu” and “Traitor.” It was also nominated for a Grammy for Album of the Year. She landed Grammy nominations for the Big Four: Album of the Year, Song of the Year and Record of the Year for “Drivers License,” and Best New Artist, winning the latter. Despite the huge expectations established with such a successful debut, Rodrigo didn’t disappoint with her next outing. 2023 saw the release of her sophomore album, Guts. Once again she landed Grammy nominations for Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and Record of the Year – the latter two for “Vampire.” “Vampire” was the first single from Guts, leaping out of the gates with a debut atop the Billboard Hot 100. Songfacts.com described it as “a haunting piano-backed lament that delves into the depths of a toxic relationship.” SF Rodrigo used vampire imagery to describe an ex-lover who “thrives on sucking the life force out of others.” SF Laura Snapes of The Guardian said it “bears Rodrigo’s wounds in a reminder of what’s at stake for young women.” WK The song was based on two relationships she had with men in their mid-20s while she was in her late teens. They “manipulated her, fed her lies, and leeched off her fame.” SF Rodrigo told Billboard magazine she felt like it was her “version of a rock opera.” WK She said, “it’s kind of an angry song, and I think I have a lot of trouble expressing feelings like anger and regret…I go to songwriting to get those feelings out that aren’t super comfortable to express in everyday life. So it was a very therapeutic experience, writing this song.” SF Resources: SF Songfacts WK Wikipedia Related Links: First posted 1/3/2024.