Olivia Rodrigo fans think her The Grudge lyrics are about Taylor Swift

11 September 2023, 12:56

Olivia Rodrigo and Conan Gray reenact Taylor Swift's songs

By Sam Prance

This theory about the meaning behind Olivia Rodrigo's 'The Grudge' lyrics has broken the internet.

A theory that Olivia Rodrigo wrote her 'The Grudge' lyrics about Taylor Swift has gone viral online, but is there any truth to it?

Fans of Olivia and Taylor will already know that the two stars have a long history together. Olivia used to regularly post about how much Taylor's music means to her on social media. Then when Olivia started releasing music of her own, Taylor would also often praise Olivia online. Olivia even helped promote Taylor's Fearless (Taylor's Version) with her BFF Conan Gray.

However, in 2021 multiple TikToks comparing Olivia's song 'Deja Vu' to Taylor's 'Cruel Summer' went viral. Taylor was then retroactively added to the credits of 'Deja Vu'. In the years since, both Olivia and Taylor have stopped interacting with each other both on and offline, which has now led people to suspect that the two stars fell out over the 'Deja Vu' incident.

Neither star has ever confirmed that there's any truth to the fallout rumours. Nevertheless, fans began theorising that Olivia's song 'Vampire' was about Taylor, and now people think that 'The Grudge' on her new album Guts is also about the singer.

Are Olivia Rodrigo's 'The Grudge' lyrics about Taylor Swift?

In 'The Grudge', Olivia sings about being heartbroken and having her trust betrayed by someone that she loved. The song is written in a way that the lyrics could apply to an ex or a former friend but fans think that they could also apply to Taylor.

In the opening verse, Olivia sings: "I have nightmares each week about that Friday in May / One phone call from you and my entire world was changed". The comparisons between 'Deja Vu' and 'Cruel Summer' started going viral in May 2021 and Taylor was officially added to the credits of 'Deja Vu' just weeks later in July 2021.

In the bridge, Olivia adds: "You built me up to watch me fall / You have everything and you still want more". Fans theorise that the lyric could apply to Taylor being one of the most successful artists of all time and still seeking to be credited on 'Deja Vu'. Although again, it's unclear if Taylor ever asked to be credited on it.

In the final chorus, Olivia sings: "I try to be tough, I try to be mean / But even after all this, you're still everything to me." Instead of an ex, the fan theory suggests the lyric could apply to Olivia still loving Taylor's music in spite of what has happened between them.

People have also pointed out that the intro of the song is 13 seconds long which, as any Swiftie will know, is Taylor's favourite number.

READ MORE: When does Olivia Rodrigo's Guts deluxe come out? How to listen to the deluxe songs

Olivia Rodrigo - the grudge (Official Lyric Video)

Reacting to the song, one fan tweeted: "Read all the lyrics to the new Olivia Rodrigo album. The drama. The anger. I wasn’t on board with vampire being about Taylor swift. But convinced by the lyrics of the grudge. And now I think Taylor really started beef with a literal teenager."

Another wrote: "And if i say i never believed that vampire was about taylor because it doesn't make sense at all but the grudge actually does then what."

Someone added: "The grudge is about taylor and you can’t convince me otherwise."

READ MORE: Olivia Rodrigo Guts Tour: Tickets, prices, presale, dates, setlist and everything we know so far

Before we let our minds run wild, it's worth mentioning that Olivia is yet to discuss the inspiration behind 'The Grudge' at all. She also did previously shut down rumours that 'Vampire' is about Taylor. Speaking to The Guardian, she said: 'I was very surprised when people thought that.'

Given that neither Taylor nor Olivia have never said that they've fallen out, let alone written any songs about each other, it's worth reiterating that this is all just a theory. So, as always, you can stan both icons in peace!

What do you think? Are people reading too much into it?

Olivia Rodrigo - 'The Grudge' lyrics

VERSE 1
I have nightmares each week about that Friday in May
One phone call from you and my entire world was changed
Trust that you betrayed, confusion that still lingers
Took everything I loved and crushed it in between your fingers
And I doubt you ever think about the damage that you did
But I hold on to every detail like my life depends on it
My undying love, now, I hold it like a grudge
And I hear your voice every time that I think I'm not enough

CHORUS
And I try to be tough, but I wanna scream
How could anybody do the things you did so easily?
And I say I don't care, I say that I'm fine
But you know I can't let it go, I've tried, I've tried, I've tried for so long
It takes strength to forgive, but I don't feel strong

VERSE 2
The arguments that I've won against you in my head
In the shower, in the car and in the mirror before bed
Yeah, I'm so tough when I'm alone and I make you feel so guilty
And I fantasize about a time you're a little fucking sorry
And I try to understand why you would do this all to me
You must be insecure, you must be so unhappy
And I know, in my heart, hurt people hurt people
And we both drew blood, but, man, those cuts were never equal

CHORUS
And I try to be tough, but I wanna scream
How could anybody do the things you did so easily?
And I say I don't care, I say that I'm fine
But you know I can't let it go, I've tried, I've tried, I've tried for so long
It takes strength to forgive, but I don't feel strong

BRIDGE
Ooh, do you think I deserved it all?
Ooh, your flowers filled with vitriol
You built me up to watch me fall
You have everything and you still want more

CHORUS
I try to be tough, I try to be mean
But even after all this, you're still everything to me
And I know you don't care, I guess that that's fine
But you know I can't let it go, I've tried, I've tried, I've tried for so long
It takes strength to forgive, but I'm not quite sure I'm there yet

Read more Olivia Rodrigo news stories here:

• Olivia Rodrigo says she dated people she "shouldn't have" after Sour came out
• Olivia Rodrigo explains powerful meaning behind her All American Bitch lyrics
• Olivia Rodrigo sings "every guy I like is gay" in her Ballad of a Homeschooled Girl lyrics
• Olivia Rodrigo reveals why she named her new album Guts

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