Ever since 2021, my Roman Empire has been the Taylor Swift and Olivia Rodrigo beef. As someone who lives for high-quality pop music and worships both of these ladies, it breaks my heart to see these two in a fairly obvious cold war. It all started with the damn “deja vu” credits — Taylor deemed the Olivia hit too similar to “Cruel Summer” and somehow walked away with 50 percent of the “deja vu” writing credits. Olivia went from the biggest Swiftie in the world to literally never uttering Taylor’s name again. She openly admitted to disapproving of the writing credits situation and notably hasn’t been to the Eras Tour or posted anything about Taylor’s last few albums.
Evidently, the rift has deeply impacted both pop stars and inspired lots of emotional songs. I feel pretty certain that Olivia wrote about Taylor on GUTS, and Taylor wrote about the former Disney star on Red (Taylor’s Version) and The Tortured Poets Department. Sigh. I remember when they were besties for five minutes. If you’re curious about exactly which tunes were birthed from this complex tension, here’s my formal analysis of the songs I believe Taylor and Olivia wrote about each other.
Taylor Swift Songs About Olivia Rodrigo
@qlossyliv i miss them 💔 | will never forgive those toxic swifites who bullied her #taylorswift #fyp #swifttok #oliviarodrigo #taylorswiftandoliviarodrigo #nothingnew #redtv #sour #oliviarodrigoedit #gutsoliviarodrigo #swiftie #fyp
“Nothing New”: I know someday I’m gonna meet her, it’s a fever dream / The kind of radiance you only have at 17 / She’ll know the way, and then she’ll say she got the map from me / I’ll say I’m happy for her, then I’ll cry myself to sleep
Taylor’s always been a little scared of ~the next Taylor~. I’m not convinced she actually wrote these lyrics back in 2012, but if she did, they eerily describe Olivia. Olivia was 17 when she released “driver’s license” and was open about her obsession with Taylor at the time.
“Clara Bow”: You look like Taylor Swift / In this light, we’re loving it / You’ve got edge she never did / The future’s bright… dazzling
This seems like a clear reference to Olivia, who many have called the new Taylor. With her pop-punk tunes, fishnet tights, and signature Docs, it’s safe to say she does have a bit more “edge” than Taylor.
“imgonnagetyouback”: Whether I’m gonna be your wife or / Gonna smash up your bike, I / Haven’t decided yet / But I’m gonna get you back
Okay, this isn’t about Olivia, but it’s like, a rip-off of “Get Him Back” by Olivia? Taylor uses the same word play concept (“get him back” as in revenge and “get him back” as in actually getting him back). I fear this song is Taylor adding more fuel to the fire ’cause we all know she’s not a coincidence gal.
Olivia Rodrigo Songs About Taylor Swift
@bristsh THE GRUDGE. 😭 #gutsworldtour #GUTStour #oliviarodrigo #concert #guts #sour @Olivia Rodrigo @livies hq ❤️
“the grudge”: Your flowers filled with vitriol / You built me up to watch me fall / You have everything and you still want more / I try to be tough, I try to be mean / But even after all this, you’re still everything to me
Hearing this for the first time was a gut punch —no pun intended. You can hear the pain in Olivia’s voice as she sings about that “Friday in May” phone call, which was presumably the songwriting credits conversation. The bridge, quoted above, is the most devastating part of the song. The lyrics are so clearly about a hero who betrays you and the feelings of loss and hurt that come with that. RIP, Taylivia.
“vampire”: But you’ve made me look so naive / The way you sold me for parts / As you sunk your teeth into me, oh / Bloodsucker, famefucker / Bleedin’ me dry, like a goddamn vampire
This song seems to be mainly about an ex-boyfriend (namely Zack Bia or Adam Faze), but Olivia did low-key hint at Taylor inspo in an interview about it. When she was asked if “vampire” was inspired by the “Anti-Hero” singer, Olivia whispered, “How do I answer this? I mean, I never want to say who any of my songs are about.” Oof.
