The Song Is About Her Breakup With Joshua Bassett

"Drivers License" is widely understood to be about Olivia Rodrigo's breakup with actor and singer Joshua Bassett. The two met on the set of the Disney+ series High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, where they played love interests. They dated for several months in 2020 before breaking up in late 2020.

Rodrigo released "Drivers License" in January 2021, roughly two months after the breakup. The song became a massive hit, debuting at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and staying there for eight weeks. It was the lead single from her debut album SOUR, released in May 2021.

While Rodrigo has never explicitly named Bassett in interviews about the song, the timeline, the lyrical content, and public reporting all point to him as the subject. The song references specific details about their relationship, including references to driving and to someone who moved on quickly to another person.

Key Takeaways

  • Olivia Rodrigo wrote "Drivers License" about her breakup with Joshua Bassett, her co-star from High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.
  • The song was released in January 2021, about two months after they ended their relationship in late 2020.
  • Rodrigo has not publicly confirmed Bassett's name in connection with the song, but the timeline and lyrics align with their breakup.
  • The song became one of the biggest debuts in chart history, spending eight weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100.

The Context of Their Relationship

Rodrigo and Bassett met while filming High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, a Disney+ reboot that premiered in 2019. Both were relatively unknown at the time, though the show helped launch both of their careers. They began dating sometime in 2020 and were photographed together publicly on several occasions.

Their relationship was relatively brief and ended in the fall of 2020. Shortly after the breakup, Bassett was linked romantically to Sabrina Carpenter, another actress and singer. This timing and the quick public appearance of a new relationship likely influenced the emotional tone of "Drivers License."

What the Lyrics Suggest

The song contains several references that fans and music analysts have connected to Bassett and the circumstances of their breakup. The opening lines reference getting a driver's license and the person she wanted to drive with, which connects to the song's title and theme. Later lyrics reference someone moving on to another person, which aligns with Bassett's quick public relationship with Carpenter.

The song also includes references to physical details and specific moments from a relationship, which is typical of breakup songs but which fans have connected to details known about Rodrigo and Bassett's time together. However, Rodrigo has kept the specifics intentionally vague, which is a common songwriting practice.

Rodrigo's Approach to Songwriting About Personal Life

Rodrigo has discussed her songwriting process in interviews, explaining that she draws from her own experiences and emotions. She has said that writing about real events and real people helps her process difficult feelings. However, she has also been careful not to name specific people in her songs or confirm publicly who songs are about.

This approach is strategic: it allows her to be honest about the emotional truth of her experiences while maintaining some privacy and avoiding direct confrontation with the people involved. It also gives listeners room to interpret the songs through their own experiences, which is part of why her music has resonated so widely.

The Broader Context of SOUR

Several songs on Rodrigo's debut album SOUR appear to reference her relationship with Bassett and the aftermath of their breakup. "Good 4 U," another major hit from the album, is also widely understood to be about the same breakup and the hurt she felt when he moved on. Other songs on the album reference different relationships and experiences from her teenage years.

The album as a whole is a breakup album, and Rodrigo has described it as a chronicle of her emotional journey through heartbreak. The success of the album and its songs suggests that many listeners connected with the raw emotion and specificity of her songwriting, even without knowing all the details about who the songs were about.

Public Response and Chart Success

"Drivers License" became a cultural phenomenon almost when ready after its release. The song sparked widespread discussion online, with fans and music analysts debating who it was about and what specific lyrics meant. The song's success also drew attention to Rodrigo herself, making her a major pop star almost overnight.

The chart performance was historic. The song debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, making Rodrigo the youngest artist to debut at number one with their first song. It remained at number one for eight consecutive weeks and became one of the best-performing debut singles in chart history.

Frequently Asked Questions

Has Olivia Rodrigo ever confirmed that "Drivers License" is about Joshua Bassett?

Rodrigo has not explicitly confirmed Bassett's name in connection with the song in interviews. However, she has discussed writing the song about a breakup and drawing from personal experiences. The timeline, lyrics, and public reporting all point to Bassett, but Rodrigo has chosen to keep the specifics private.

Did Joshua Bassett respond to the song?

Bassett released a song called "Lie Lie Lie" in May 2021, several months after "Drivers License" came out. Many interpreted it as a response to Rodrigo's song and the narrative around their breakup, though he did not explicitly say so. He has otherwise kept his response relatively private.

Are there other songs on SOUR about the same breakup?

"Good 4 U" is widely understood to be about the same relationship and breakup. Other songs on the album reference different relationships and experiences from Rodrigo's life, but several appear to be connected to the same period of heartbreak.

Why doesn't Rodrigo name the person in the song?

Keeping the subject vague is a common songwriting strategy that allows artists to protect privacy, avoid direct confrontation, and give listeners room to connect the song to their own experiences. It also creates space for interpretation and discussion, which can increase a song's cultural impact.