Seven Songs a Week: 04/27/21

Hello, Welcome to Seven Songs a Week

Today's song is a very interesting one, This song broke the record for the most Spotify streams in a single day, debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and has a whole bunch of drama behind it. I was drawn to "Driver's License" after seeing everybody on Twitter and TikTok talking about how good and raw it is. When I saw the video for the first time, I was brought somewhere and instantly fell in love with the song. I thought it was so much emotion for a first love, especially for a 17 year old but i'll never know Rodrigo's ex like she did.

Single Cover for "Driver's License"

The story behind "Driver's License" is the ending of Rodrigo's relationship with fellow "High School Musical: The Musical: The Series" cast member, Joshua Bassett. It was always rumored that Rodrigo and Bassett were dating during the filming of their TV show because of their great chemistry. Bassett eventually released a song titled "Common Sense," which many believed was about Rodrigo but Bassett contradicted the claims after the music video for his "Anyone Else." Many people also believed "Anyone Else" was about Rodrigo until the video portrayed Bassett's love interest as blonde with long nails. People began to think that Sabrina Carpenter and Bassett were in a relationship, which was further confirmed after the two were seen lunching together and spending Halloween together. Everything would be revealed on January 8th 2021 when Rodrigo released "Driver's License"

Rodrigo begins the song describing how she gained her license, which was something Rodrigo and Bassett always wanted to celebrate together as driving was something intimate that they did together. Instead of joy, Rodrigo feels despair. Rodrigo describes her drive as she "...drove through the suburbs. Crying 'cause you weren't around," "you" being Bassett. The second verse is the most controversial verse of the song. "you're probably with that blonde girl, Who always made me doubt. She's so much older than me She's everything I'm insecure about." Many believe this verse reference Carpenter as she is blonde and four years older than Rodrigo. Other people believe that "blonde" was used so the song flowed better. Even though Rodrigo and Bassett "we weren't perfect" she couldn't imagine ever loving someone else. She then wonder what's going through Bassett's mind as she "just can't imagine how [he] could be so okay now that [she] gone." "Guess you didn't mean what you wrote in that song about me" references "Anyone Else" and how Rodrigo believes Bassett's song is meaningless because "'Cause you said forever, now I drive alone past your street" Rodrigo sings. Rodrigo's friends seem to be neutral about the whole situation as she describes that "...all my friends are tired of hearing how much I miss you..." but she knows that "they'll never know [him] the way that [she does]." The part that follows is my favorite part, the bridge. "Red lights, stop signs" referencing the ending of Rodrigo's relationship. Rodrigo describes her feelings with "Can't drive past the places we used to go to? 'Cause I still...love you..." and "God, I'm so blue, know we're through." Rodrigo remember all of the good times and places she had with Bassett but "[he] said forever, now [she drives] alone past [his] street."

The video for "Driver's License" released the same day that the song did. The video has the bedroom pop aesthetic with it's D.I.Y. video and dark lighting. The dark lighting and empty road show how lonely Rodrigo is without Bassett. Rodrigo walks down his street, alone, she stands by a lamp pole, alone and remembers some memories resulting in her realizing that she is all alone. More clips of Rodrigo alone follow throughout the video. One of my favorite things in a music video is when the visuals match the lyric, beside the obvious shots of Rodrigo in a car or walking alone, we see Rodrigo singing to herself in the dark and Rodrigo hanging out of a moving car with her head blowing in the wind which is my favorite shot.

I really appreciate "Driver's License" for its emotion and sound. I also really love the bridge. However, The lyrics aren't that compelling and the relationship seems very one-sided which makes the relationship seemed destined to end.

I give "Driver's License" 4.1 vague songs targeting vague people out of 5

I hope you enjoyed my review. How do you feel about "Driver's License"? Leave a comment and a request for Saturday down below.

I listed my sources below in case you are interested in reading more.

Take Care,

Jonathan