On a new episode of Most Requested Live, Olivia Rodrigo joins Bennett to talk all about her latest single "vampire" and her upcoming new album GUTS, and share how many songs she’s written for her album, diving into her songwriting process and the pressures she faces to top SOUR.
LISTEN NOW: Most Requested Live Interview with Olivia Rodrigo
Sharing why she felt “vampire” was the right track to kick off this GUTS era, Olivia said, “It was always one of my favorite songs on the record. We wrote it last winter, and I remember writing it and feeling like it was really special, I kind of had that feeling in my gut,” she added, cheekily aware of the pun.
“I think it’s just the perfect introduction to the album," Olivia continued. “It’s you know, not entirely super different than SOUR, but I think it still represents kind of a gradual transition into something new and different.”
Describing herself as “a strength in numbers kinds of writer,” she explains she writes many songs and “only a fraction of them are any good,” Olivia admitted she “probably wrote, me myself, 100 or 150 songs,” for the album, “just 'cause I love writing.” She notes most of them are “just terrible,” and only about 20 of them were actually recorded, and from there they narrowed them down to the 12 featured on the album.
When it comes to writing all those songs, Olivia says, “ideas strike at the strangest times,” so most often she finds herself jotting thoughts down in her notes app or adding to her abundant collection of voice notes. That being said, she’s also “been kind of trying to practice just getting up every morning and sitting at the piano and trying to write," she says, "even if I don’t particularly feel very inspired. I find that that’s usually the way lots of the best songs can come.”
After making such incredibly huge waves with her debut single and album, when it comes to her sophomore album’s reception and success, Olivia is definitely feeling the pressure.
“I remember beginning to make this next album, GUTS, and just sitting down at my piano and just being like so overwhelmed,” Olivia shared. “Just playing anything and thinking — how are people gonna connect? How are people gonna like this? What are people on TikTok gonna say about this? And just getting in that mindset which is just the worst thing you could possibly do.”
“I think my goal the entire time was just to make a record that I would like, and that I would love to hear on the radio, Olivia continued, adding “but it’s actually was easier said than done. I think that in itself is like the hardest thing, just to make a record that you would love… And I think I did that, and as long as I made songs that resonate with me and that I feel really proud of, I think that’s all anyone could ask for. Everything else is just kind of the cherry on the top.”
Also up for discussion, Olivia revealed what songs she wishes she wrote, and shared who she goes to for feedback about new songs she’s working on (a process which sometimes includes getting In-N-Out). For all that and so much more, listen to the entire interview above.
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