How Olivia Rodrigo's Drivers License Works & Why It's Amazing

Disney Plus Music Analysis: • Disney Plus Music Anal...
0:00 Intro
0:41 Car Sounds
2:11 Falsetto & Whisperpop
4:30 Sharp Four (Lydian) Phrase
5:20 Mi Re Do
6:12 Chorus?
6:57 The Bridge is the Chorus
7:56 Universal Taunting Melody
11:38 Diatonic vs. Pentatonic
12:55 Recovery
13:30 Unresolved Final Chord
Why is Drivers License such a big, record-breaking hit? Well, I think it captures an emotion perfectly through the craft of music. Here I use music theory for an analysis of what makes this song tick and won't seem to leave us alone. This is How Olivia Rodrigo's Drivers License works...musically, that is.
Additional writing, voiceover narration, and sung vocals by Annika Hoseth
Co-produced by Monica M. Lee
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Rick Beato listens to Top 10 Songs (incl. Drivers License)
• My Latest Top 10 Spoti...
NY Times Diary of a Song - Drivers License
• How Olivia Rodrigo Wro...
SNL - Drivers License
• Video
Olivia Rodrigo - Drivers License
• Olivia Rodrigo - drive...
Tonight Show - Drivers License
• Video
Leonard Bernstein - The Unanswered Question Lecture "Phonology"
• The Unanswered Questio...
Images from Pixabay and Pexels
Copyrighted music used in compliance with fair use
This video is a labor of love, so I'd love to hear from you. Please like, follow, and comment at me!
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#OliviaRodrigo #DriversLicense #HowardHo

[@robinhahnsopran]

Hi! Voice teacher here. I've also noticed the impact of this song actually affecting how my young teen students want to sing, too - particularly the teen girls. A lot of teen girls come to me after a young lifetime filled with being told to be quiet, and even to shut up; further, most voice students have been told at least once something like "don't quit your day job" or "good thing you want to be a lawyer" or something, in response to their singing. This is always done in good fun, because we as a society accept that people are "bad" singers until they suddenly develop skills enough to be deemed "good", but I find it can permanently negatively affect the self-esteem of young singers. What this does to teen girls in particular who come to me to start lessons is that it makes them think that the best version of their voice is a quiet one - falsetto, or even whisper-singing. So before I spend much time at all teaching them technique, I spend time instead teaching them it's okay to be loud, that it's okay to take up sonic space, and that their whole voice is something the whole world wants to hear. Start from the most supported version of your sound as the baseline, and then do effects from there. This has been harder with the rise of whisper singing. But the few students I've met since the mega-explosion of this song, however, have heard Olivia shift from whisper-singing to belting mid-performance - making it a choice. This isn't to say whisper-singing is inherently bad - of course it's not, it's highly effective, as you so clearly point out! - and some of my students use it when they perform, but Olivia demonstrates in this single song alone what it should be, in relation to a young, developing voice: a conscious choice, an effect to make a performance hit harder, and not the default. Tl;dr Drivers License has made some of my beginner students sing better, on top of everything else it does. Which is just... wicked cool.

[@HowardHoMusic]

Wow, that's actually pretty deep. Olivia is shifting the paradigm. Thanks for sharing this!

[@robinhahnsopran]

@@HowardHoMusic The psychology of singing is a truly wild thing. Music is 100% magic. :)

[@HowardHoMusic]

btw, hope you don't mind if I pinned this comment. I just think it's so important.

[@robinhahnsopran]

@@HowardHoMusic Oh, I don't mind at all - go right ahead!

[@asgr3970]

Love this analysis. But isn’t whisper singing “better” for the vocal chords than “untrained belting”? Like singing Whitney Houston songs if you’re not trained. I’m a classical singer myself so I don’t know, hence the question.

[@minikipp8549]

i really enjoy learning about this when no one is telling me to lol

[@HowardHoMusic]

That's the best kind of learning!

[@katherinelynch4193]

This is a new favorite “reasons drivers license slaps” videos, and I am a connoisseur of “reasons drivers license slaps” videos

[@magnoliaskogen]

Same

[@afeury]

Don't mind me, just sitting here tearing up at a documentary about a pop song

[@taternae]

Same

[@redkb]

I like watching your videos like I like watching videos explaining chess games from grand masters. I'm always surprised by the amount of intentional nuance that when put together makes something amazing. Thanks for explaining to people like me!

[@HowardHoMusic]

OMG...I watch chess explanation videos too! Thanks for watching and being a great patron!

[@jedson_2711]

wow, i haven’t heard the name RedKB in a very long time.

[@therandomraddish7281]

You're the reason I can solve a Rubik's cube!

[@FlorTedesco]

I think that ending is also perfect because it leaves you wanting more so you replay it

[@ajrafael]

Love this. Such a great analysis of an amazing song and Olivia’s vocal performance.

[@p3porro]

"As if saying 'Sometimes in life we don't get that resolution, and life simply goes on'" Dude, that line definitely punched me in the feels

[@jasonepstein8746]

I think a huge part of why whisper pop is booming that you missed: The relatable situation where you want to practice singing but don’t want others in the house to hear it. (For fear they’ll tell you to stop) so all the singing practice you know is quite good but only quiet. I think a lot of teens in that time, could sing the whisper type songs easier and therefore vibe with them better. Thus, making them more popular.

[@ogaoms8985]

This is way more interesting than school. Even the string stuff (which I got like D from recently...). I never thought that I might see so much in music, like I do after these videos. Now every note has a meaning, the fact that it's # or not or whatever. This makes me want to write an entire Hamilton-like piece of music LOL

[@HowardHoMusic]

Yay, hope you do write something! It all has to start somewhere.

[@davie9944]

I’m so ready for you to explain why I love this song

[@pogeman2345]

Fun fact on the taunting melody: In Mussorgsky's Tuileries from the Pictures at an Exhibition suite, it heavily features the melody as it represents kids playing with and teasing each other.

[@HowardHoMusic]

Love this! Thanks for sharing.

[@ShaharHarshuv]

I really liked the overview on the whisper voice trend and on the taunting theme. I would also love it if you can make a video about global motives and what they typically mean. Like Mi-Re-Do being a "settling down" motive, or "rising fifths line cliche" is a motive for "danger". As a musical theatre composer I find these fascinating

[@annarose932]

It's really cool listening to analytical videos from Howard, is being able to pick up musical themes when we hear it. In Starkid's latest project, Nerdy Prudes Must Die, in the villain song The Summoning, I was able to immediately pick up on the taunting melody that Jeff Blim used. Was able to hear that when The Lord's in Black popped up, and got the symbolism of the choice to use that theme, as a way of showing their childlike glee and how fun it is for them to watch the people of Hatchettfield suffer.

[@NuttyAsSquirrelPoo]

Can you do something like this with the 10 minute version of All Too Well? I want to know why it destroys me every time I listen!

[@littlemissmel88]

I was doing fine, then you had to pull out that scene from The Fox and The Hound. Why you gotta do me like that?!? Don't mind me, just crying in over in the corner. I really wish music theory had been like this in school, I would have enjoyed it so much more!

[@missdancefan]

It's almost official. Every KZbinr I follow has done a video on Drivers license 🙃 Though I'm down for it since I want you to do more videos!

[@starpasta]

Love this! Sour is such a great album, and I have listened to it so much. Also, ugh, that clip from Fox and the Hound-how dare you use a Disney film clip that gets me every time!

[@ameliegifford1477]

OKAY OKAY I'M READYY FOR THISS

[@elsat4702]

I need to listen to Drivers license again now.

[@mirrorball1752]

Ik it's not a complex song but can you do one on how All Too Well manages to keep you hooked for 10 minutes?

[@kazza6078]

Ive recently gotten really into Olivia Rodrigo for the first time and i keep thinking about this video

[@dannyzhou8292]

Thanks, Howard, for explaining this piece of music. To me, it is so entertaining and educational. Great work. I really enjoyed it.! Thumbs up! 👍👍

[@ravensplat]

This is an amazing analysis of the song and explains really well what Rodrigo was trying to do and also helps me see the song in a new light. Thanks

[@alifedirectedbytom]

It sucks how much this underperformed it’s a really good video It’s even the video that made me find Olivia rodrigo and maybe start listening to her way to much

[@HowardHoMusic]

Thanks, I appreciate that. Unfortunately, it appears that the algorithm didn't like this one for some reason.

[@comoascoisassao]

Nice! Now I've cried over the song and over this video about the song. Loved it. Plase do this for a Taylor Swift song! PLEASE

[@HowardHoMusic]

OMG I almost mentioned the Olivia-Taylor connection in the video. Maybe I'll have to revisit that one day...

[@TimTim3000]

Great breakdown. I've been fascinated by this song ever since I first heard it, wondering why it's so incredibly moving and compelling, and now I understand.

[@Albinojackrussel]

Worth noting for anyone not aware, get down is referencing a British version of how children use the nyanyanya sound. "I'm the king of the castle, get down you dirty rascal"

[@HowardHoMusic]

Oh cool! Good to know.

[@bangbangintotheroom691]

and don't forget horrid Henry

[@reggiedrumz]

Me: Time to learn some music log- *looks at the title* ... welp let’s watch

[@JustMeJH]

Loved this! I love how you help me understand the precision and science and intent via the music theory for songs I can only interact with on a visceral level. Thanks for sharing your passion!

[@hillofbeans8643]

Brilliant as always!

[@evelynh5628]

i’m so excited for this!!!

[@ThePinkPeriodista]

Your videos are incredible. Thank you for taking the time to share these musical insights. I appreciate it.

[@lapple18]

Thank you Howard (and Annika)!! I love your analysis and how you relate the ideas to all kinds of people. And your simple explanations of some deeper ideas. So good. Don’t stop. I’m inspired.

[@Fenyxo7]

OH BOY AM I READY FOR THIS

[@lauradewit]

you blow my mind everytime

[@sulekhas8785]

This is so good!

[@em6648]

i keep coming back to this video. i adore your musical theatre stuff (really, all of your videos) but i loved how you did this one and would love to see you to do a deep dive on other more mainstream ? artists. i find Mitski’s music so unique and interesting and i would love to hear your opinions on her songs (especially older songs like "goodbye, my danish sweetheart,” but i think "nobody" and "first love/late spring" are really interesting too)!

[@justingage8719]

Thank you for doing this, I love the channel, even though I am a new subscriber, but I am so impressed with the musical theory that you so elegantly explain and go to show all the thought and work that goes into crafting songs. I would love for you to do other pop culture songs similar to this, outside of all the Hamilton and Encanto work you have done.

[@Me4is2awsum]

Absolutely amazing!! Genius!! Love it!!

[@KRIsh_20106]

Please do more breakdown of songs

[@HowardHoMusic]

Thanks! I'm planning to do more so stay tuned.

[@arivederxi_]

This video is so cool, it should have more likes! I really enjoyed it! Good job!

[@HowardHoMusic]

I agree with you! LOL

[@Lindoushe]

This is so interesting. Thank u so much 🙏🏼

[@Fidddle2Pie]

incredible!!

[@sharmainetablada1484]

love this!!!!

[@magnoliaskogen]

You're so d*mn good at your job. Whew. Thank you for this.

[@desiree7633]

this is exciting

[@therealannakonda]

Perfect!

[@isha44]

Really interesting, thank you for this video. It finally made me appreciate this song, because I didn't understand the hype around it before. It didn't make me feel anything at all, not the lyrics, nor the melody. I'm not trying to be "special" stating that I don't like what the masses like, I even felt bad as if something was wrong with me, because I didn't get what everyone else did. I still don't enjoy the song, but now I can see why it's so popular.

[@HowardHoMusic]

Well said. Not everyone has to like everything. And it's cool that you put in the effort to understand it, even if you still don't like it. No worries. I appreciate your view just as much.

[@DDStudio1]

Really appreciate your works, gonna BECOME your PATRON !

[@HowardHoMusic]

Thank you so much!

[@zenaairaleroh]

5:08, the bit talking about Part of Your World, my mind immediately went to the Ninjago Dragon Leitmotif

[@beatrizmendonca8382]

This is the best song of the year

[@HowardHoMusic]

And it came out in January!

[@beatrizmendonca8382]

@@HowardHoMusic Yeeees!

[@davie9944]

Also, and I could be wrong, but doesn’t it move into the relative minor key (g minor) during the bridge? I feel like in most songs, you’d expect the half step up key change there, but I like that they kind of do the opposite, as if giving her a moment to wallow in her feelings.

[@HowardHoMusic]

Yes, the bridge is centered around the relative minor, g minor. When songs do the half-step up modulation, I think it tends to be toward the end of the bridge to give the return of the chorus an extra boost.

[@davie9944]

@@HowardHoMusic thanks! Another thing that I found interesting is the phrasing in the verses. Most of the time in pop music things are phrased in bars of 2, 4 and 8, but when olivia starts the first line, she sings for 6 bars and has one bar of rest before starting the next part of the verse, so the complete phrase is 7 bars where our ears would expect 8. I think it keeps us pretty engaged in the song, but it also serves as a moment of “something is wrong here” or “wait, i’m not done”, kind of fitting what the lyrics are describing. does that make any sense?

[@HowardHoMusic]

Good catch! Yes, I noticed that as well. Couldn't figure out an angle on how to incorporate it though so it didn't make it in the final cut.

[@AMoniqueOcampo]

A little late to the bandwagon, but I am so glad you're doing another video. This song is really nice for driving.

[@HowardHoMusic]

Haha...but in fairness, I loved this song back when it came out. And I just had to take a little longer to get this video just right!

[@Fidddle2Pie]

Hi! I loved this analysis so much!!! Off topic but would you consider breaking down 'All you wanna do' from the musical Six?

[@HowardHoMusic]

Thanks and I love SIX! I'm definitely thinking about a Six video...just you wait.

[@Fidddle2Pie]

@@HowardHoMusic HYPE

[@silvercordbass2726]

Wow. Excellent song and excellent video! How long did it take to do all the research and analysis!? Respect.

[@jasonepstein8746]

I love your videos bc you can make me appreciate a song I really don’t like

[@rodolfocorrea2886]

More Olivia Rodrigo songs please!! ❤️

[@thipower]

my favorite music of the 2021

[@Lemoon27]

This song gives such a angsty ‘high schooler feels’ type of feeling, but I never can skip it when it comes up on my playlist. Same for her song “ happier”, they both serenade to me

[@lizdavison7798]

You can hear the taunting theme in “All time Low” from Bo Burnham Inside. It’s incredible. Please do inside Howard. I know you can do it. 🤩🥰

[@kazza6078]

"Most countries have their own versions of the nyah nyah theme..." -ad immediately starts playing- "0% INTEREST FINANCING" lmao

[@HowardHoMusic]

LOL...okay, I'll try to fix that.

[@kazza6078]

@@HowardHoMusic no need! It was hilarious. Ads are a necessary evil so you get paid, right? Don't mess with the money overlords on my behalf 😵 lol

[@jpapa016]

Isso é incrível. Eu fico pensando… será que os cantores realmente pensam em tudo isso na hora de compor a música? São muitas informações.

[@DungForever]

I'm curious to see how much thought was actually put into writing this song versus how much it coincidentally lines up with your assessment. Like as a song writer, are they actually thinking about how the chorus or chords actually impact the listener or do they just go with what they like/hear and pour it all out via performance?

[@HowardHoMusic]

As a songwriter myself, I would say it's a mixture of intuition and conscious thought. Obviously you know about chords and melodies and how they potentially impact the listener. But when you're writing, sometimes there is an alchemy that you can't explain where the writing leads you to something new and unexpected. That's where you hear about those flashes of inspiration. But I think knowing the mechanics of songwriting and having experience writing songs is how someone ultimately gets to that moment of inspiration. Does that help?

[@timschafer2536]

I have not heard the song but now I now how it works if I hear it.

[@sophiafried_]

WOW

[@Hmmmmmmmmm....]

Imagine Olivia watching this then saying "yeah that's TOTALLY what i MEANT to do and not at all just you interpreting song meaning i unknowingly made"

[@sarahpalms5258]

The best whisper singer for me is Amy Lee from Evanescence!!! She can go from whisper to belt and I always loved that about her!!

[@HowardHoMusic]

So many great whisper songs and whisper artists throughout history. Thanks for sharing!

[@julianatheis5556]

Stop making me cry😂

[@TheGoblinoid]

I've just been made aware of the existence of this song.

[@HowardHoMusic]

And...any thoughts?

[@HowardHoMusic]

Also no pressure to share your thoughts. I'm just glad you've heard about the song now.

[@TheGoblinoid]

It's ok

[@tm_kh]

Howard. Mannnnnnn ty for this

[@audreybiggs4388]

This explains why I can't stop myself from singing rain rain go away come again another day, ashes, ashes, we all fall down. I always mash up those songs, I think the where is Genevieve song from Madeleine is the same tune.

[@bryonytaylor9693]

Fun fact the lyrics from six is also an old English rhyme to that same taunting tune "I'm the king of the castle and You're the dirty rascal" not an entirely original lyric

[@tutorialdude333]

I have a question about the sharp 4 in this song. I dont have any music education but ive tried to learn some things over the past few years. At 5:00 you show the sharp 4 as being the note A. I guess i dont understand why thats a sharp 4. The song is in bflat, and that A is naturally occuring in that key. And in the sheet music for this song there arent any accidentals in the melody. The only thing I could think of is the sharp 4 is in the context of the chord being played at that moment, which is E flat. But I thought the accidentals had to be in the context of the key of the song. Im confused Also I LOVE your videos!

[@HowardHoMusic]

Great question! Yes, it's the sharp 4 in E flat major. Think of it less as an accidental on the page and more of a flavor of tonality. Rick Beato is hearing the sharp 4 "quality" in the melody as opposed to hearing an actual sharp in the notation. I hope that makes sense.

[@rationalcommentor]

8:56 The infamous I got a jar of dirt

[@sophiacho5149]

Would you mind doing one on Dancing Queen by ABBA?

[@ShannonMDriscoll]

Never anticipated a Martika reference. We’re all so old.

[@HowardHoMusic]

LOL...yeah...same.

[@memejayden2867]

Những ca sĩ khác cho mình cảm giác thư giãn khi nghe! Còn ĐP luôn cho mình bị cuốn theo tinh thần bài hát.

[@kazza6078]

I will never be able to casually hear the "nyah nyah nyah nyah nyah nyah" tune ever again

[@Artcore103]

The long progressively ascending line she sings exactly mirrors a billie eilish song "I love you" except where it deviates at the very end.

[@thegoodwitchluzura]

Can you do All I Want next? It’s another really good song by her.

[@HowardHoMusic]

Thinking about it...her songwriting is so good on Deja Vu too!

[@thegoodwitchluzura]

Update: Now you gotta do a video on a song written by her in HSMTMTS Season 2 called “The Rose Song”.

[@Sheryl4]

holy shit I need to take some time after this

[@laartwork]

Hmmm. I would have mentioned Mazzy Star for whisper pop

[@HowardHoMusic]

Good to know. Thanks!

[@jamesdeich6102]

Interesting analysis, but I can't see a taunting feel to the bridge part of the song. Maybe he feel is a little related.

[@willwalker24601]

Lol I bet she wasn’t thinking about half of these things when she wrote it 🙈

[@themichaelconnor42]

I genuinely don't like whisper pop, simply because it doesn't have the raw power and beauty of belting

[@HowardHoMusic]

What's interesting in Drivers License is that Olivia both whispers and belts. Check out the pinned comment for a vocal teacher's perspective on this.

[@themichaelconnor42]

@@HowardHoMusic I get that, and I understand how it helps people, but does the rise of the popularity of whisper singing on some level devalue exceptional vocal talent?

[@HowardHoMusic]

@@themichaelconnor42 Devalue? Some people made the same claim about crooners back in the day like Bing Crosby, because they had the better microphones so they didn't have to project or sing as loud. Of course, that didn't devalue good singing either back then. And I think people will always love big belty singers, so it's not going away. But taste is taste, and it's okay that you don't like it.

[@themichaelconnor42]

@@HowardHoMusic Oh, no, I understand that--maybe 'devalue' was the wrong word, but I could probably argue (but I'm not going to) that Bing Crosby was famous because he had a naturally beautiful voice, which isn't as necessary for artists who prevalently use whisper singing.

[@themichaelconnor42]

Thanks, though, for taking the time to respond! I've always found your videos fascinating, and they've served as an intro to music theory for me, so thanks!

[@xemmyQ]

pls say syke

[@Emma88178]

The lyric "you're with that blonde girl" was always annoying to me. Like, what does her hair color have to do with anything? Why does it matter?

[@ShaharHarshuv]

12:29 Isn't that simply a minorization of the same motive?

[@themichaelconnor42]

I'd just like to point out that Robbie Williams beat her to it by eight years with "Candy"

[@alifedirectedbytom]

It wouldn’t be a surprise if I’m an 1% of those views

[@surajajayduvadi3583]

You really need to work on thumbnails. I clicked because I liked your content otherwise I'd have skipped. That's a shame. Last 2 thumbnails(surface pressure and duos orosgitas) are on better side

[@LynnHermione]

How it works? Payola and fabricated drama. So sad that real artists are never given this much depth while Industry plants do

[@lalalalalala1999]

drama that the gp invented and run with it, it got playlisting after like 3 days, when it already got viral and 6M streams in its 3rd day, it didn't even impact radio til its second week get over it, drivers license success was organic af

[@lenthuts1716]

Go watch the video, it expertly explains why the song is extraordinary. If its as simple as payola or the drama then everyone would have done it already

[@LynnHermione]

@@lenthuts1716 I don't need to. The song is trash and so is rodrigo.